Mottled leaves-Normal or sun stroke?

[butlern]

I have had my first Japanese Maple under my care for 2 months now, and I'm wondering if the mottled leaves are an ominous sign of: 1) some pathogen-associated issues that need immediate attention; 2) this is normal; or 3) this is a sign of too much sun?

The tree gets sun for about 75% of the day here in zone 5b, which I didn't think would be too much. To me, this tree appears otherwise healthy (new shoots), but this is why I ask those (you all) with more experience for some guidance.

Thanks

Noah

 

[just.wing.it]

You're referring to the yellowness?

 

[butlern]

Yes, lighter yellowish spots adjacent to darker green....

 

[butlern]

on the more mature leaves...

 

[just.wing.it]

I think that has something to do with iron, maybe not enough...
At any rate, I've read about using some Epsom salt on the soil and water it in to take care of that....
It worked great on my azaleas.

 

[just.wing.it]

Some of our maple aficionados may chime in soon...
But I think that's what you got there.

 

[butlern]

Noted. Thanks. Perhaps some of the aficionados will chime in, also?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

 

[butlern]

manganese?

fuck it

 

[0soyoung]

You've got chlorosis, @butlern, which means that you need to acidify your substrate and/or add iron. A few pinches of Ironite (iron sulfate) should take care of it. This chlorotic appearance sometimes also happens seasonally, but notably affects only new leaves - in this case, just be patient, it will pass. IOW, genearally on the tree = add iron and/or acidify; just new growth = ignore.

With most acer palmatum varieties, too much sun induces reddening (anthocyanins shade the photocenters). Some varieties such as Orange Dream, turn solid yellow, then brown.

BTW, the raindrop magnifying glass burning leaves BS is just that, BS. Discolored dots on leafs is a fungal problem.

 

[butlern]

good, thanks for supportive info on iron deficiency.

 

[sorce]

Excessive Phosphorous also kills iron intake.

Sorce

 

[butlern]

checked pH of soil... 6.5, so I don't think that the micronutrients (that include Fe) are unable to be absorbed due to high pH of soil.

will still try a "pinch" of Fe/Ironite later this week and see if there's any response in the following weeks.

Thanks again for feedback, everyone, as well as the informative chart, BFV.

Noah

 

[drew33998]

You sure that the leaves arent just turning their normal color green after emerging the lighter shade with red edges?

 

[butlern]

Yes, the new growth appears otherwise normal, but it's the mature leaves deeper down in the tree branching structure that appear "splotchy."

Those should become evenly green, but they're all pretty mottled, all throughout the tree. At least this is my assumption, and the basis for reaching out for some perspective here.

 

[ConorDash]

Same is currently affecting mine and did last year.

I might try getting some iron too.
I use a chemical fert every week plus organic pellets. I know the chem fert has iron traces.
Iron sulphate like a powder to just sprinkle on the top of the substrate?

 

[abqjoe]

My Maples are making me learn a thing or two this year too

 

[butlern]

ConorDash... you go first. Let me know what happens!

Kidding.

Going to talk to my local experts and show them a sample leaf before I either select a specific product or commit to a specify course of action.

 

[butlern]

Sprinkled some "Dr. Iron" on the soil of my Sharp's pygmy last month, and it seems to have helped. Well... either the iron helped or the leaves just matured.

Conor, what's happening with your maple leaves?

 

[discusmike]

Did you over fertilize?