I grew this Acer from a seedling and have had it about 20 years so I desperately want to save it if I can!
I'm in the UK, and it's still early Spring here. A couple of weeks ago the Spring buds were opening and the young leaves were all coming to life nicely. I began watering it on hot days. It's in a fairly sheltered spot, but can be in full sun for a few hours in the morning.
We had a few very stormy days last week with rain and high winds, followed by a couple of really hot sunny days last weekend. I was busy last weekend and neglected to water it, and on Monday I noticed that all the leaves were drooping, and many look scorched and dried out, and a bit crispy to the touch.
I immediately watered it, thinking it had just got dry over the hot weekend and that it would perk up, but now I'm worried that perhaps it had too much water, or that the damage was caused by the stormy winds last week. The soil is currently quite moist, so I've temporarily removed the small rocks I normally keep on top of the soil to prevent evaporation. I've also poked some narrow holes down into the soil and given it a feed.
But I don't know what to do now! My main question is, should I pull off the dried / scorched leaves and/or prune it back a bit and hope that a second crop of buds and leaves grow? Does that even happen? If literally the whole crop of new leaves have all died, is it possible that it will still grow new ones? (It is still early Spring)
It's been in that pot for about five years and normally does really well so I'm doubtful that it's a drainage problem, but maybe I should try repotting it with fresh potting compost and check the roots? Or even pop it in the ground instead.
Very grateful for any advice.
I'm in the UK, and it's still early Spring here. A couple of weeks ago the Spring buds were opening and the young leaves were all coming to life nicely. I began watering it on hot days. It's in a fairly sheltered spot, but can be in full sun for a few hours in the morning.
We had a few very stormy days last week with rain and high winds, followed by a couple of really hot sunny days last weekend. I was busy last weekend and neglected to water it, and on Monday I noticed that all the leaves were drooping, and many look scorched and dried out, and a bit crispy to the touch.
I immediately watered it, thinking it had just got dry over the hot weekend and that it would perk up, but now I'm worried that perhaps it had too much water, or that the damage was caused by the stormy winds last week. The soil is currently quite moist, so I've temporarily removed the small rocks I normally keep on top of the soil to prevent evaporation. I've also poked some narrow holes down into the soil and given it a feed.
But I don't know what to do now! My main question is, should I pull off the dried / scorched leaves and/or prune it back a bit and hope that a second crop of buds and leaves grow? Does that even happen? If literally the whole crop of new leaves have all died, is it possible that it will still grow new ones? (It is still early Spring)
It's been in that pot for about five years and normally does really well so I'm doubtful that it's a drainage problem, but maybe I should try repotting it with fresh potting compost and check the roots? Or even pop it in the ground instead.
Very grateful for any advice.