Hi Everyone!

Firstly, just to note, I am brand new to the bonsai world so go easy on me!

I received a beautiful Japanese Maple Bonsai as a gift 2 weeks ago. I have been watering it daily and tried to look after it as much as I can. Initially, I had it placed indoors with partial sun in the day. However, I soon discovered it needed to be outside. I have carefully placed it so it does not get sun at the hottest part of the day to try to avoid leaf scorch. However, most of the leaves are turning brown at the tips. Is there something else I should be doing to look after this tree? I have noticed there are a couple of roots coming out of the drain hole of the pot. Does this indicate it is root bound? Does it need repotting? Can I repot at this time of the year? It is the middle of summer here in UK.

Any help and tips will be much appreciated!

I have attached photos

Thanks

It needs sun, mine are in full sun all day. But they also need a lot of water. Leaf scorch is a sign of water shortage.
Repotting now is an absolute mistake , don't do it now, wait till spring when buds are breaking.
And btw, trees die inside....

lucR wrote: It needs sun, mine are in full sun all day. But they also need a lot of water. Leaf scorch is a sign of water shortage.
Repotting now is an absolute mistake , don't do it now, wait till spring when buds are breaking.
And btw, trees die inside....

Thanks for your reply!

I have been giving plenty of water, maybe not enough? You mentioned you keep yours in full sun all day, is that not the reason for leaf scorch also? Am I right in saying most japanese maples grow best in dappled shade?

Appreciate your help!

My opinion ( and a few others here too) is that leaf scorch is from water shortage in the leafs .I haven't seen leaf scorch on one of my trees when watered properly

If the tree has enough water the leaves do not "scorch" simple as that. No you cannot re pot now, unless you are in southern hemisphere and it is winter/spring. May not need it anyway, you need to look and see if it is potbound before deciding if re potting is needed.

hello my friend. Do you spray water on leafs at all ?

Thank you all for the tips! Good to know now that leaf scorch would occur if it is under-watered. I shall make sure the little fella is getting enough water to prevent this.

prongs wrote: hello my friend. Do you spray water on leafs at all ?

Hello. No I do not spray the leaves with water. Am I right in saying that spraying the leaves with water with the combination of direct sunlight will leave “burns” on the leaves?

Thanks

Hits109 wrote:
Hello. No I do not spray the leaves with water. Am I right in saying that spraying the leaves with water with the combination of direct sunlight will leave “burns” on the leaves?

Thanks

That is a myth, water drops don't leave burn marks

Hits109 wrote: Thank you all for the tips! Good to know now that leaf scorch would occur if it is under-watered. I shall make sure the little fella is getting enough water to prevent this.

prongs wrote: hello my friend. Do you spray water on leafs at all ?

Hello. No I do not spray the leaves with water. Am I right in saying that spraying the leaves with water with the combination of direct sunlight will leave “burns” on the leaves?

Thanks

As lucR said it's a myth but you can avoid spraying in harsh sunlight hours it's not a big deal. I think spraying water is beneficial if not crucial for maple trees specially in low humidity areas.
Also you can use a humidity tray, that's pretty easy for additional humidity, just search for it in google

... sorry to say but humidity trays are myths too....