Trident maple wilting/sick

[Trimaptim]

It has gotten progressively worse. I haven't noticed any new growth lately. I keep it under shade for the heat of the day. I know I'm at about the limit for the climate in central east coast Florida...what can I do to remedy this? I spray it every so often for pests and fungus and fertilize regularly and water heavily in the morning with a few drainage holes in the bottom of the grow box. I dug up a corner of the box and it has healthy roots out to the edge so I know that much.

 

[JonW]

Hmm, I'd also be worried about the roots, maybe aeration issues. Is that sphagnum on the top of bonsai soil? I tend to think moss can be helpful, but it looks like its covered in algae, so I wonder if the pot is staying too wet.

 

[rollwithak]

What fungus and sprays are you using? When are you using them and how often are you using them? Is that moss on top or some other growing algae? What is your soil composition? Have you inspected the trunk and leaves for any pests?

 

[Trimaptim]

What fungus and sprays are you using? When are you using them and how often are you using them? Is that moss on top or some other growing algae? What is your soil composition? Have you inspected the trunk and leaves for any pests?

Its sphagnum moss that has started either turning green or growing algea. I've dug around and it has great roots. I pulled this out of a 12x9x3ish pot and it already has the whole base of this filled with roots wrapping around. Soil is quality well draining bonsai soil with a light sprinkle of sphagnum moss on top. I normally water it well in the mid morning and on hot days again in the early evening lightly. I defoliated at repot and it grew all this since, but no new shoots or anything and now the leaves. No pests that I've seen either.

 

[rollwithak]

Its sphagnum moss that has started either turning green or growing algea. I've dug around and it has great roots. I pulled this out of a 12x9x3ish pot and it already has the whole base of this filled with roots wrapping around. Soil is quality well draining bonsai soil with a light sprinkle of sphagnum moss on top. I normally water it well in the mid morning and on hot days again in the early evening lightly. I defoliated at repot and it grew all this since, but no new shoots or anything and now the leaves. No pests that I've seen either.

I’m not super skilled in the pest area but by the sound of it, tree seems healthy. Could be leaf scorch if you had a weekend maybe where you left and the plant dried out a bit. Also wondering when you replanted because sometimes a tree will take a season to recover before adding on vigorous new growth. By the way you made it sound, it might be pot bound too? Or maybe I just don’t realize exactly what you meant about roots.

 

[Firstflush]

Either leaf scorch or pesticide/herbicide burn. I lean towards the latter as it looks like when I mix too hot a batch of pesticide for my veggies.

 

[Kanorin]

How long has this tree been in this climate? Wondering if the lack of winter dormancy is weakening it.

 

[Trimaptim]

How long has this tree been in this climate? Wondering if the lack of winter dormancy is weakening it.

It was field grown on the west coast by Tampa area. So a little milder heat but not much.

 

[Trimaptim]

I’m not super skilled in the pest area but by the sound of it, tree seems healthy. Could be leaf scorch if you had a weekend maybe where you left and the plant dried out a bit. Also wondering when you replanted because sometimes a tree will take a season to recover before adding on vigorous new growth. By the way you made it sound, it might be pot bound too? Or maybe I just don’t realize exactly what you meant about roots.

It's not root bound, but has put on more roots than I anticipated...also I repotted it about this time last year in this cement mixer tub.

 

[Trimaptim]

Either leaf scorch or pesticide/herbicide burn. I lean towards the latter as it looks like when I mix too hot a batch of pesticide for my veggies.

That's comforting. Do you think it needs to be defoliated or let it be?

 

[Smoke]

There is a fungus issue and it will never go away if kept on the ground. There is too much of a microcosm at the ground from water run off from watering that always keeps the plant in a danger zone for multiplication of fungus spores. Get the plant elevated on some benches or a stand at least two feet off the ground 18" minimum and next year will be better. The leaves on the tree are tainted from fungus and will not get better and this time of year the trees are usually exhausted from the summer and will be pretty tattered looking, couple that with shitty leaves from fungus and they look like Hell. In my climate, (have no idea about yours) I can take off all the leaves right now, and I will get a second spring here in about two weeks. Start spraying fungicide alternating with copper and Bayer 3 in 1 once a week weekly till the leaves come out. Then monthly after that for the next few months and then every other month for the rest of it's life. Yes, I said the rest of it's life. Thought bonsai carried no maintenance didn't ya. It's all about maintenance and if you let up the tree will show you....and it usually ain't pretty!

good luck, your tree is fine, just needs some TLC

 

[Firstflush]

That's comforting. Do you think it needs to be defoliated or let it be?

If it is a hot pesticide batch, the burned leaves will not return green.

 

[Trimaptim]

There is a fungus issue and it will never go away if kept on the ground. There is too much of a microcosm at the ground from water run off from watering that always keeps the plant in a danger zone for multiplication of fungus spores. Get the plant elevated on some benches or a stand at least two feet off the ground 18" minimum and next year will be better. The leaves on the tree are tainted from fungus and will not get better and this time of year the trees are usually exhausted from the summer and will be pretty tattered looking, couple that with shitty leaves from fungus and they look like Hell. In my climate, (have no idea about yours) I can take off all the leaves right now, and I will get a second spring here in about two weeks. Start spraying fungicide alternating with copper and Bayer 3 in 1 once a week weekly till the leaves come out. Then monthly after that for the next few months and then every other month for the rest of it's life. Yes, I said the rest of it's life. Thought bonsai carried no maintenance didn't ya. It's all about maintenance and if you let up the tree will show you....and it usually ain't pretty!

good luck, your tree is fine, just needs some TLC

Thanks for the reply...but the tree hasn't been on the ground since last year. It's been on that tub which is about knee height.