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Originally Posted by Kazoo
Question 1: Can a maple limb be alive with no leaves? Can a maple have a TERRIBLE year and make a comeback the following year? What kind of odds?
Question 2: Since it is now seemingly not using the initial moisture from the 2nd repot, how can I dry that soil out? Can I put such a distressed plant in the sun? Not all day, but more than it has had?
Thanks for any advice or suggestions.
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You can totally defoliate a Japanese maple during the summer months which in turn helps decrease leaf size and also give better autumnal colouration. This should only be performed on a healthy tree though and not recommended for successive years.
Provided the branch you are referring to is not already dead, you should have new leaf growth in around 3 or so weeks. However, if you have tampered with the roots also at this late stage, it definately won't have appreciated it, so I'd give it 50/50 at best.
In answer to question 2, Maples are thirsty trees and mine require a good dousing a couple of times a day during the summer months here in UK zone 8. This is based on the assumption that the tree is in a fast draining soil - which Acer P's again also enjoy.
Don't put them in full summer sun either. A couple of mine got moved around in the garden and a few of the leaves are a bit crispy as a result. They will grow quite vigourously in a shaded area receiving only the early morning sunshine.
For now, just keep it in the shade, and water when the leaves start to lose their vigour.
All the best,
Aaron