- Incorrect location and/or care is often to blame
- Deadly threat from Verticillium wilt
- Other fungal diseases
No matter whether Japanese maple, Japanese maple or golden maple - all these Japanese maples are not only popular because of their filigree appearance and the wonderful autumn colors. The exotic shrubs are also very easy to care for, can be cultivated wonderfully in tubs and are also considered hardy in Central European regions. Furthermore, Japanese maple is quite robust and has little tendency to disease or fungal attack.
If the Japanese maple is dissatisfied with its location, it will get sick more quickly
Incorrect location and/or care is often to blame
If your Japanese maple grows poorly, has brown and/or dry leaves or shows clear signs of fungal or pest infestation, it is usually due to an unsuitable location and/or incorrect care. With regard to the location, it is important to ensure a warm, sunny and, above all, sheltered place - the wood does not tolerate wind and drafts particularly well. Waterlogging can also be dangerous for the tree, which is why the plant substrate should be thoroughly loosened before planting. At best, plant the Japanese maple on a slightly sloping spot.
Deadly threat from Verticillium wilt
If the foliage sags and branches die off for no apparent reason, the dreaded Verticillium wilt may be the cause. It is a contagious and highly dangerous disease caused by fungi of the genus Verticillium and primarily affects maples. So far, no herb (or fungicide) has grown to combat Verticillium wilt, and infected plants can only be saved in rare cases. If the infestation is not too severe, you can prune the sapling - throw the cut parts of the plant in the household waste and never on the compost! - as well as dig up and place in a bucket with fresh substrate.
Other fungal diseases
Powdery mildew can occur on Japanese maples, especially in rainy summers and as a result of incorrect watering. With this fungal disease, leaves and shoots are covered with a grey-white, greasy carpet of fungus. The pathogen is transmitted via water, which is why Japanese maples should never be watered from above. Mildew can be controlled quite successfully by spraying with a milk-water mixture or a fungicide.
tips
Never plant a maple in a location where Verticillium wilt has occurred before - even if the soil at that location has already been replaced!