AusBonsai

Hi All

I almost lost my Japanese Maple but have managed to keep it clinging to life. It lost all it's leaves and looks rather sad. There are new leaf shoots but they are growing very, very slowly. I have removed any dead leaves and shoots. I have been watering daily and soaking once a week. It is recovering but I wondered if there is anything else I could or should do to help it along?

I'd upload a pic but the shoots are so tiny you wouldn't be able to see them. My mother swore it was dead because she couldn't see them. I had to show them to her.

Thanks for any advice
Shaggy

Keep it in the shade and give it a good dose of seasol.Keep an eye on the watering tho asmore plants are killed by overwatering (too much kindness)
Good luck and post us a pic when all is well

Thanks. Is my watering schedule ok for now? it's been raining a lot here so I've tried not to overwater.

Hi Shaggy,
you lot on the east coast are certainly getting some rain, more to come over the next few days too I believe.
As for your Maple, its hard to say without actually being there and seeing whats going on. the old rules apply, water only when needed, keep moist but certainly not wet.

It often seems that shoots are slow after such an event but they usually do recover in time. You haven't said how long it is since it dried out so hard to tell if its slow or not.

Have you been feeding regularly before this? A strong, well fed tree with plenty of stored reserves will respond quicker than a starving one. I'd give it a feed of something a bit stronger than seasol to kick it along.

If it showing signs of growth, then a Liquid Fert will help too

When I have trees in Recovery after digging, potting, I use seasol 2 times a week and then drop one of them for Liquid fert after 4 - 6 weeks or when I get good new growth

Ken

Thanks everyone. The leaves went just before Xmas so it's about a month I guess. There's a lot of new buds so I think it must be reasonably happy, it's just taking a little while for the leaves to come out properly. I'll give it a feed as suggested and continue with what I've been doing as it does look like it's responding to that. At least we haven't had any big heatwaves.

Shaggy