Prunus Mume (Japanese Flowering Apricot) Problem

ddallier

Hello,

I recently purchased a fifteen year-old prunus mume from a person in California. The tree was in training wire. The tree was shipped two day air, but arrived with very wilted looking leaves. They were folded up and very dry feeling. All were hanging in a wilted fashion. I live in Florida, where it is very humid (the temperature is not too bad now, about 80-85 F during the day). The tree was in full sun, where the previous owner kept it, but is now under a tree and gets full sun for about two hours.

The tree has a bit of small growth on a few branch tips (this growth was on the tree when I received it). This growth is reddish in hue and looks wilted and dry as well.

I have been watering the tree appropriately (using the chopstick method to determine soil dryness).

Is this tree just going through a seasonal change? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Advertisement

FredL

Oh, boy! This does not sound good, especially the condition of the reddish buds.

Was the rootball dry when you received the tree? I wonder whether the tree was in transit too long or whether it was shipped in bad condition. Without seeing the tree, it's hard for me to say what I would expect from it, but it does not sound hopeful. I'd really be torn between putting it in a spot with half shade, watering it regularly and hoping for an eventual recovery or contacting the shipper and asking to return it. If I was in doubt, I'd ask to return it and hope the shipper was reputable enough to refund my money. Miracle recoveries do occur. I've had some trees that I was sure that were goners come back from the grave. On the other hand, I've had alot more that I was sure were goners that were, indeed, quite dead.

Fred

TreeBay

You really need to post a picture.
ddallier,

Mume leaves often CURL slightly in the fall, and the buds and new leaves are usually reddish. BTW, this tree may be a tough bet in for a difficult future: Do people succeed in growing temperate, stone fruit trees like prune, plum and apricot where you live?

Regards,

Matt

__________________

Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!

bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!

ddallier

I took these pictures today. It is sprinkling outside, so these pictures show how the tree looks at its best (ie. the leaves are much greener than they are on a sunny day, when they are not wet). Normally, they are more pale in color. Note the reddish tipped groth and the wilted nature of the leaves.

Attached Images

mume.jpg (54.5 KB, 204 views)

ddallier

a close up

Attached Images

mume2.jpg (72.6 KB, 191 views)