New Japanese Maple "Sharp's Pygmy" leaves are browning

[EHA]

Just my opinion. Those moisture meters works on a galvanic cell reaction. I have seen with my particle size of my bonsai substrates (akadama;pumice;lava rock 3-5mm) the contact on the probes are not great and gives erroneous readings. Those meters work much better in garden soil or peat based mixes for potplants where the contact substrate particle size are much smaller and contact coverage on the probes are better. I would err on the side of caution trusting the meter outright.

 

[arctic107]

Small buds have started to appear on most of the Japanese Maple's branches! I've been watering it twice a day since yesterday because the temperatures have reached above 90°F here in northern Virginia. So far so good!

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I watered the Japanese Maple bonsai around 8am this morning (4 hours ago) and the soil is already measuring dry. I'll check again in an hour or two, but I suspect that I will just water the tree again tomorrow morning.

I've always wondered about soil moisture meters. I'm not so sure I'd go based on that gadget.

The thing that catches my eye is the base of the trunk. It appears to have moisture still -- looks wet and dark just above the soil line. The substrate looks plenty damp, too, but you'll probably need to feel it to be sure.

I often stick my head out to look at the trees about eight in the morning, too, and if I did not water in the evening, I look specifically for that area of the tree I'm pointing out without needing to touch anything. If my trees have a base that's moist at the base of the trunk like that, it typically means (for me) that I can make it to about noon (~4 hours) before needing to water. That's in a south-facing backyard with no shade. Interesting our times match up a little bit, though.

 

[arctic107]

Yes, the schedule works around my work/morning schedule! I typically only water twice in a day when the temperature is above 90°F and I try to do that between 1 and 2pm. The bonsai are in the shade by 4 or 5pm. This pattern has kept my 2 satsuki azalea bonsai happy since I've had them!

 

[arctic107]

It's been almost one week since I moved the Japanese Maple bonsai into the shade to heal. I'm starting to notice new buds appearing on some of the branches! I'm excited to see where this will ne in another week or two!

 

[arctic107]

More buds are visible on the branches and seem to be a step beyond a red dot!!

 

[Paradox]

Glad it seems to be recovering.

I'll second the efficacy of moisture meters.
They are useless for bonsai as they do not give accurate measurements in open bonsai soil.

If you're unsure about watering get a wooden chopstick and stick it in the pot and leave it there. Check it daily by taking it out of the pot and look at/feel it. Water when it is almost dry

 

[arctic107]

Thank you! I can't wait to see where the tree is in a few weeks!

Good to know about the moisture meter. I haven't been using it. Since the tree's current substrate is unknown/unfamiliar to me, getting a wooden chopstick might be useful. I'm planning to repot the tree next March anyways.

So far, so good though!

 

[arctic107]

It looks like the tree will be popping out new leaves any day now!

Yesterday, the forecast unexpectedly changed and it was 2-3 degrees hotter than expected in the afternoon (pushing it over 90°F) and all of my bonsai dried out a little more than usual because I didn't do watering until later in the evening (also unusual for me).

That being said, none of my trees had anything worse than a brown tip on some of their leaves, much to my relief.

 

[clem]

This is also one of the many qualities of the JM : it is a sturdy and generous tree

 

[arctic107]

The first set of new leaves have appeared!

 

[arctic107]

My Japanese Maple is looking great so far!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have a large landscape Bloodgood that was in a 15 gallon plastic nursery pot. Last summer it somehow missed being watered and dropped all of its leaves in August. It never rebudded, and sat without leaves for seven months... at which point it woke up and budded out in spring (mid-March) like normal.

 

[arctic107]

The Japanese Maple is basically back in action!

 

[BrightsideB]

I have a large landscape Bloodgood that was in a 15 gallon plastic nursery pot. Last summer it somehow missed being watered and dropped all of its leaves in August. It never rebudded, and sat without leaves for seven months... at which point it woke up and budded out in spring (mid-March) like normal.

I’ve had similar thing happen. They know it’s not worth expending the energy. But it’s obviously better to keep them in the right spot and watered enough they hold foliage all season long.