Hello, I'm having an issue that seems to be progressing with the potted "Shaina" that I have. It was one of the first to leaf out, and the leaves on the bottom half of the plant are healthy, however the new foliage and stems on the top half of the plant appear sick. They are getting much darker in color, and seem soft and quite wilted. On the advice of a local JM specialist grower, I was told that "she is a shrubby little girl" and to prune the affected branches back. I've done this, and it seems to be progressing further down the plant. I've read the threads on Psuedonomas and spring frost, and I'm not convinced that this is the case.. we have had a fairly mild winter with some cold spring temps at night, but not anywhere at or below freezing. None of my other JMs are affected. I'm planning on removing it from its pot to see if the roots are soggy and then re-potting again... What are your opinions? Should I prune off the rest of the affected branches? (which are almost the entire top half of the shrub?) Thank you, -brier
Definitely take it out of the pot and check the condition of the roots and soil. If the potting medium is too soggy it could cause similar symptoms to those you are seeing.
It might be worth reading this thread on "sudden spring wilt": http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=38284&highlight=wilt
brier, Shaina (I have 1 huge specimen and 1 much smaller 1) like many witches brooms experience sudden and random die back with sparse spots in the tree. The fact that you say the lower half od the tree looks healthy leads me to think your tree is having die back. I would like you say remove it from the pot and check the rootball moisture. My big Shaina is showing some die back and spotty growth on 1 side for the 1st time ever this year. I have had the tree 15 years and it is probably 20-22 yrs old. I am doing nothing to it right now, letting Spring growth show itself. When it has stopped Springing out, I will see the extent of die back and take it from there. As long as your bottom half stays healthy I think you are fine except your tree may not look like the attractive darling you thought she would be this year. A few pictures including some closeups would be helpful if you can take them. Best of luck.
Thank you everyone for your replies! I pulled it out of the pot yesterday, and the roots were pretty moist from a deep watering on Sunday, but certainly not "soggy." I took a few pictures of it today, and I'll probably post them tonight. I figure I'll just leave it alone and see how it does... Thanks again!
I've attached photos of what the tree looks like. This morning, even the healthy branch shown on the last picture is wilting :(
brier, Thank you for the pictures. I am afraid your little Shaina is quite distressed. As you say, even the lower leaves and branches have not stayed healthy as the wilt progresses due to vascular deficit in the tree. Often by the time these outward systems are manifest, the damage has been done. I usually strip off all the wilted foliage because it pains me to witness such distress and I put the tree in good sun to see if that will help. I have never had success reversing wilt with Phyton27. This distress is sad to witness and I have witnessed it too often as do ALL serious maple lovers. I usually talk with the tree and wish it well including prayer because I feel so helpless in the face of life ebbing away & my powerlessness. It is likely you did nothing wrong, brier. If your tree is a recent purchase, speak with the nursery from whom you bought it and ask for a replacement. I hope your little Shaina recovers but I would prepare for the worst. Be well.
Brier,if you can get a replacement,all well&good,but if not,don't give up on the gal.I seem to manage to do this to at least one of my maples every year.This year I've just installed a drip system,good for giving a thorough all through watering,but if left on too long can really saturate a pot.This is what I reckon's happened this year as I panicked with the unusal 'April summer' we're having and it's taken down 3maples. The damage is done now,you will lose all those leaves,but hopefully in a few weeks you'll see new buds appearing.I'm not seriously worried at this stage as I've not lost a maple yet(damn I wish I never said that ha)...it's surprising how long a maple can go without leaves,so as Katsura says,we can pray together....good luck.
Thanks again for everyone's help. I returned Shaina to the nursery today. They didn't give me any guff for bringing her back, but one of the gentlemen did put me off a little bit. He insisted that she wasn't dead (I know, but she is close) and accused me of leaving it outside all winter (yes, sheltered, along with my 16 other maples) and interrupted several times by insisting that the tree severely frosted (ok, except that none of my other maples showed any sign of damage, and that my deck never got that cold). :p Regardless, I hope the nursery can save it. Meanwhile, I think i will replace it with a Purple Ghost...
WELL DONE, brier. The wilting happens to ALL of us - I have 3 little new ones doing it right now. Purple Ghost is a wonderfully colored reticulate. I have a lovely 7 footer that lives in full sun for most of the day and has wonderful pinkish purple color. I think you will like Purple Ghost. Enjoy your maples!
