Shishigashira shohin stopped leafing out

[Yamamomiji]

Got this lovely little Shishigashira 5 weeks ago from a trader in the Netherlands, originally imported from Japan.



As you see, the time I got it (above picture), it was already starting to leaf out, but since then stopped completely.

Now what remains (parts of the former leaves, buds) has discoloured and became dry and I really fear, that the tree was too stressed as I have never experienced anything like that after a purchase online.
I placed it the usual way in partial shade for the first 2 weeks, kept it moist, then moved to the other maples to a brighter spot. If something else is to blame, maybe my careful removal of the thin moss layer on top as it felt quite mushy and soaked.

I guess there is nothing more to do now but to wait and see if it recovers?
I most certainly will check the roots to see, if there are still healthy ones left.

When returning home, I will add the current picture of it, but thank you for your thoughts in the meantime.

 

[Yamamomiji]

And here the actual state

 

[Cadillactaste]

I'll add this. My wee Japanese maple came from the south. Begun leafing out there...stopped once it arrived here. To the point I questioned if I was going to lose it. It was behind all my maples. Then...it all of a sudden just moved quick...and was in leaf. Acclimating is huge...and can make a tree do weird things.

I wonder if its confused as to what is expected of it. As mine was.

 

[Yamamomiji]

@Cadillactaste
Thank you so much. I really hope the tree recovers in time and gets accustomed to the climate if that's what caused the stress (most certainly).

Recently we are experiencing the 1st heat wave of the year, so not that helpful.

That's why it stays in the shade for these days for sure.

I will report if something changes in the meantime.

 

[Cadillactaste]

@Cadillactaste
Thank you so much. I really hope the tree recovers in time and gets accustomed to the climate if that's what caused the stress (most certainly).

Recently we are experiencing the 1st heat wave of the year, so not that helpful.

That's why it stays in the shade for these days for sure.

I will report if something changes in the meantime.

I put this thread in my watch ... wishing you success with it. Try not to overly worry. Water accordingly...and keep me posted.

 

[roberthu]

Are you keeping it inside or out? How much sunlight does it get per day? How are you watering it meaning frequency and volume each watering?

 

[zita]

nice shisha ! bright future!

it is doing very well, good swelling for new buds.
Do not move it to a darker spot.

100% sure it will do well through the upcoming heat in Vienna, will bud out everywhere the next few days.

 

[Yamamomiji]

@roberthu
It is outside certainly, resting in a bright but shaded area. Now with the heat, watering is once or twice a day, on the soil moisture, until water drops from the pot (as with most of m trees).

 

[roberthu]

@roberthu
It is outside certainly, resting in a bright but shaded area. Now with the heat, watering is once or twice a day, on the soil moisture, until water drops from the pot (as with most of m trees).

I'd hold back on water since the tree doesn't have leaf mass yet. Root rot in this heat is devastating.

 

[Yamamomiji]

I am very busy right now but hope to take it out of the pot and inspect the roots on the weekend.
I really fear, that your guess of root rot, might be the case. Never had a case like this of such a fast decline.

 

[Yamamomiji]

Got home early today and had the chance to get the tree out of the pot.
Does not look too promising I fear ...




Slippotted it to something more spacious without disturbing the roots. Shortened the longer shoots, luckily still green underneath the bark.
Now sitting in shade to hope for the best.



Thank you for all the advice so far.

 

[roberthu]

Looks good. If you take top dress it, that will reduce water loss through soil surface evaporation which helps balance the moisture level in the soil for longer period of time.

 

[zita]

Do not move it to a darker spot.

Shortened the longer shoots,
Now sitting in shade to hope for the best.

View attachment 604252

all the advice

shorten a weak tree,
from shade to sun back to shade

 

[Yamamomiji]

@zita
I received the tree as it started to leaf out late.

The transition seemed too much so that the tree stopped completely. Put it in an even more protected area, removed those branches that already dried out, inspected the roots, changed to a training pot without root pruning.

Nothing more than that. The rescue was not successful, the tree should not have been sent when already weak/late in leaf in hindsight.

 

[zita]

first of all, sorry, everything is meant friendly and a reminder for next tree

cutting the dry branches is always good.

as for me, the tree looked alive in pic 1 and i still think it would have survived if going equal or more light.
Shishas driver is the sun.
decreasing the light wont be unseen by the tree....

 

[Yamamomiji]

@zita
Understood, no offence taken.
Glad to receive tips certainly. We had some horrendous hot days followed by very wet, rather cold and cloudy days with good amount of wind. Quite the opposite you would expect in July in combination.

I will put the Shishigashira back to a brighter spot for the first half of the day and hope to see some reaction.

 

[zita]

hi there

based on this

Wetter Wien: 16 Tage Trend | wetter.com

Der 16 Tage Wetter Trend für 1100 Wien. Temperatur, Wetterzustand, Sonnenstunden und Regenwahrscheinlichkeit in der 16 Tagesübersicht.

www.wetter.com

there is basicly no sunshine in vienna for the next two weeks.
so, where and why would you shelter the plant in the afternoon?

 

[Yamamomiji]

The weather forecast is a bit general but yeah, the upcoming week seems grim for summer.

When the Shishigashira arrived, it was out in dappled shade and after some days in the normal area of all my other maples (40 % shading) with light from about 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. And this obviously lead to the leafing to stop.

Never had any problem with maples, not online or from the local nurseries but there's a first time with everything I guess.

I suspected that the too bright sun and the stress of the transport was the culprit, thus putting it in the more sheltered, protected area, ie light from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and about an hour before sunset.

 

[zita]

Got this lovely little Shishigashira 5 weeks ago from a trader in the Netherlands, originally imported from Japan.

View attachment 603976

As you see, the time I got it (above picture), it was already starting to leaf out, but since then stopped completely.

after a purchase online.

so you got that shishi at 20 of may.
Do you know how long the delivery took?

VERY important: since the tree wasnt with you during spring: how sunny did the previous owner kept the tree?? That is so important as thouse new buds on pic 1 did program themself to a certain condition. The plant didnt like the transport in any case, however, that transport has no influence on the programm.

I placed it the usual way in partial shade for the first 2 weeks, kept it moist, then moved to the other maples to a brighter spot.

so, just in case, lets say the shisha grew sunny in netherlands, got pruned back (obvious from the pic) and sent to you.
Now the shisha used to sun had a dark transport and would like urgently go back to sun....but got placed:

.....

When the Shishigashira arrived, it was out in dappled shade and after some days in the normal area of all my other maples (40 % shading) with light from about 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

your "bright" place is 40% shading and the first two weeks it wasnt even allowed there and was placed even darker.......while the shisha aimed for 100% continious max light.

And this obviously lead to the leafing to stop.

100% obviously YES

Never had any problem with maples, not online or from the local nurseries but there's a first time with everything I guess.

to rub it in again and deeper the tree you got was perfectly fine imho.
Always ask the previous owner how the tree was kept, or, in fact, you cant overpower a shishi by sun in spring in vienna. Not possible, even if it comes out of a shady place.

I suspected that the too bright sun

and the stress of the transport was the culprit.......................ie light from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and about an hour before sunset.

hmm could it be that you are moving the shishi around continiously?
hey friend, i see you love your tree and please take me just as an input. All the best

 

[Yamamomiji]

@zita
I absolutely take your points and am very grateful for it.
In hindsight, it mostly could be avoided I guess, especially leafing out is a good sign, I thought.

I however kept my standard procedure (as described) with any maple coming in in the spring, but yes, May was a bit late and the circumstances in which the tree was kept before, unknown to me, certainly played a huge role in the relocation. The leaves already appearing in green when placed in the dappled area first, discoloured to brown and became dry after 10 - 14 days after receiving. With this and the stoppage of other leaves I concluded too much soon.

So, lesson certainly learned, that even if 9 of 10 trees take the transfer without a hitch, it is still beneficial to get more info first.
I hope it's still alive and show some signs in the foreseeable future.

I might report any success or loss here and thank you for inputs.