"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ...
"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
om...
Caroline Smith wrote in message
ws.com...
The edges of the leaves have turned a lighter colour and are very dry to
the touch. What can I do to restore the maple to looking good again.
It's only 2 feet tall and is in a container.

It isn't over-potted, is it? They absolutely *hate* that. Moving up
one size at a time is the safe policy. The container needs to have
good drainage holes, too. I also prefer John Innes to peat-based
mixtures: it's easier to wet properly.

How does the plant know that is is over-potted?

When the newly-formed tips of its roots reach stagnant water with an
inadequate oxygen content: they can react to this by rotting.

What is the difference between an overpotted plant and one put in the open
ground ab initio?

The water in the open ground moves about, dragging oxygen in, and
also, I think, helping to stop malignant organisms building up to a
dangerous concentration.

I put a very young Acer palmatus atropurpureum in a 45cm pot about ten years
ago. It has thrived all the time, in spite of starting by being overpotted
and now being underpotted.

Su it often works out ok, with maybe just a slowing of the ordinary
rate of growth, especially if your watering technique is right for the
plant. But one can't be certain of getting away with it.

Mike.