Got a few difficult ones here. These are baby maples, only a few weeks old. I have 2 different types, but I can't identify them. Can anyone take a stab at it? The picture of the seed is of the smaller tree, which was planted at the same time as the other one. The seed is only 2, 2.5CM long. I can't get a good picture of the tree itself, leaves are too small. Also, I'm having an issue with a lot of the trees dying. I'm using tap water to water them, but leaving the water out for a few days first. Could this be the issue? any general care tips? Thanks everyone!
The water itself isn't the problem, it's more likely the lack of lots of grit in the soil (peat-based potting soil?) and the water-holding-ness of peat, apart from the real possibility that you're watering too often to begin with. And how much light are they getting? Sorry I can't identify them.
Seedlings dying suddenly is usually fungus related. It can be reduced by increasing the air circulation around the plants, keeping ambient humidity below ~60%, allow the soil surface to dry out slightly between watering, and in bad cases, a fungicide. Always hard to determine which species with a young tree but the seeds and leaves remind me of Acer ginnala (Amur maple) Simon
I originally potted them in peat pots with a soil that contained a lot of material (wood chips and such) but it was soaking wet in the bag. Perhaps some fungus grew in the soil? The peat pots caused soil to dry very quickly, sometimes within a day. i'd usually let them stand another day and rewater. I'd come home and loose one almost every day. They'd either droop over and wither, or the tops of them would suddenly die. I repotted them last week into more of a peat moss soil, mixing in some of the older soil, and used plastic containers and covers. This seems to have helped a bit, but i'm still loosing the smaller ones (the ones with the seeds pictured), though not as rapidly. I figured i'd be hard to identify just by seed, but was hoping I could find out what type it was to see if i'm doing something wrong with them. If it's fungus, what can I do to eradicate it, and how can I tell?
The ailment commonly known as 'damping off' is common with seedlings and it is caused by a fungus. See my comments in reducing the mortality. Simon
What i meant was, what way can I tell if it's fungus? Any apparent discoloring or any other outward signs? What fungicide would I use? Thanks, you've been helpful!
By the time fungal disease becomes visible, it's usually too late. The commonest symptom is when a seedling goes limp and falls over, by which time it's too late to save.
Hmmm I'll have to keep that in mind next time i try to plant these seedlings. I have a feeling I'll have to try again next fall. Out of curiosity, do you suggest using peat pots to start seedlings in? It didn't seem to work well for me.
Best to avoid peat - it holds too much water, making overwatering easier. Try a mix with better drainage.
