Hello. So... this week i received my first Maples, unfortunately im a bit disapointed because when i opened the cardbox i saw most of the leaves scorching and full of spots. Is this problably due to the stress of the shipping transportation or they have some kind of fungus? I had to pinch about95% of all the leaves because the maples were very ugly: Coral Pink: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/sdc10693ft.jpg/ http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/sdc10695s.jpg/ Bihoo: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/sdc10690u.jpg/ http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/196/sdc10692r.jpg/ Akane http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/sdc10698j.jpg/ http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/sdc10699n.jpg/ I also order a Murakumo and a Sister Ghost that was in the same condition Like this: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/sdc10701l.jpg/ The only one that arrived in good conditions was Emerald Lace :(
Hi Francis,well I've never ordered a plant online so I'm not sure what I'd expect.However it is getting to the end of the season now,and many plants look like this by now,especially if they haven't been cared for as much as they could have been. I have noticed a couple of maple vendor's websites warn of late season ordering,telling you to expect scorched/tired leaves.If it was me,as long as the plant has no signs of disease(apart from the leaves obviously)and all the stems/branches look healthy I would be willing to put up with it.I wouldn't be particularly concerned about the blackened leaves either....it's a matter of what you think is reasonable.Infact I usually have a scout around this time of year,and have deliberately bought several larger maples at half price,knowing that though without many nice leaves,as long as the buds look healthy,they will bounce back next year. See what others here say,many buy online and should know what to expect and if they're reasonable value or not,and by all means,contact the supplier,see what they say. By the way,I'm jealous you've received 'Murakumo'...it doesn't seem to be available in UK yet:)
Hi Francis, I agree with Houzi. This late in the season if the maples haven't been babied they will look pretty tatty. That doesn't mean the plant is bad, unless the stems are damaged. Personally I wouldn't have pinched any leaves since even if they're beat up they still provide energy to the roots. Now they'll be losing the remaining leaves soon anyway so I don't think it will matter a lot. From the photos I saw it does look like they'll be fine next year. And indeed, shipping this time of year does take a toll. Good luck with them, -E
Hello again and thank you for the replies I received a message from the suplier, his explanation was that the Maples spent too much time in the cardbox and due to the humidity and heat they stayed like this.. I inspected the main steam, the branches and the grafting and i have to say that most of them are in very good conditions, they look healthy trees, if the look of the leaves is normal due to the stress of the plants because of the shipment and due to the end of the season i`l be more relief. Emery about the pinching i didnt know that, my mistake, hope i dont compromise the flowering quality next year? I remember reading that this was not the best time to order Maples but the stocks were getting shorter from the company that i order and i was afraid that the Maples had sold out later on. Houzi i guess is the Murakumo but leaves are still very small and show very little here it is some pics: I dont know.. maybe i was a bit naive thinking that i would get the maples "shnning throw my door" regards.
Not to worry Francis, I don't think your pinching will have much effect. Certainly no problem for next years flowers. I know what you mean about diminishing stocks: when I see that plant I've been searching for, I order whenever... And even still, sometimes someone else gets there first. In fact, it only just happened 2 weeks ago!
Ah yes,pics look like some on Esveld's site.I fell in love with this plant after seeing Amazing Maple's example here. Looks like your little plant had many leaves...should look a real treat come spring:)
