Different maple leaves

[rodm]

Hi all,
I have a 36 year old maple that produces two different types of leaves, the first leaf of the season is the good leaf, the second is a ' mutant' leaf which is a lighter green. It doesn't really bother me I just cut them off. I think after all these years I might like to know? Any opinions as to why.
Cheers Rod

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[rodm]

Meant to add that it's a grafted cut leaf maple.

[shibui]

Interesting case Rod.
A couple of questions to get some further clues.
1. Are further new leaves during summer the same light green or normal?
. What is your fertilising regime - what do you use and how often?

[rodm]

Leaves come on spasmodiclly. Fert with dynamic lifter and liduid fert with a combo of Seasol/Powerfeed. Do not have any trouble with pests and disease or fungus. It's a very healthy tree.
Cheers Rod

[Brad75]

Hi all,

The thing about grafted plants is you only get different leaves above and below the graft point not within the top section of the plant together. This might be a genetic problem within the plant, like a pre-mutation. Shouldn't stop the bonsai process though I wouldn't think.

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Brad75]

Hi all,



I forgot to add that the appearance of the leaves might be variation due to miniaturisation like leaf reduction because of environmental conditions.

Pre-mutation, what a nervous Nellie!

Cheers,

Brad75.

[rodm]

Hi brad75,
Why doesn't this mutation happen when this type of tree is planted in the ground?
Cheers Rod

[shibui]

I had thought maybe a nutrient deficiency but the powerfeed should have adequate trace elements and usually a deficiency will show up in all the new leaves or all the old ones, not just spasmodically so I'm
If it does not seem to be causing problem then don't worry

[Brad75]

Hi rodm,

I don't have enough technical knowledge to tell you why the "mutation" doesn't happen when planted in the ground and as it stands I probably think it is more likely the bonsai process and your tree is just activating newer pathways to producing foliage and branches, like waking up new wood. That makes more sense that a mutation as it is simpler and more immediate. Don't worry your tree seems fine. If the parts are a problem just cut them off.

Cheers mate,

Brad75.