Hello all, new here and need help!
I purchased a Japanese Maple, "Red Dragon" and planted it 3 weeks ago from an acclaimed nursery by my house. Ever since I planted it, the leaves have been turning green and I am ultimately confused.
It's planted so it receives 4-5 hours of morning sun then about 2-3 hours of half sun/half shade, then shade for a few hours until 6-8 p.m. with "soft" sun during sunset. I'm in Illinois and it's been 50-65 degrees f for the entire time with no freezing temperatures. I've been watering it every other day and started fertilizer on it yesterday with "Jacks 20-20-20".
From what I've read, it could be the root foot from grafting with a green tree?? However, the green is in multiple areas of the tree from branches under the main branches in the "shade" of the tree, to green leaves at the apex that are in the sun, even small branches near the trunk.
I don't know........
1. If these individual leaves can be "pruned" off to direct growth to other areas of the tree.
2. If the entire branch has to be pruned that contains the green as to contain the spread, "if it's because of spreading".
3. If it needs more sunlight or shade?? But as I said, temperatures have been 50-65 degrees f, with low's going to 40.
4. Does it just need summer sun to bolster to color, obviously not to the point of leaf burn?
5. More water?
6. Better soil?
7. More fertilizer?
8. Prune/Trim?
I'm just super concerned as I'm a new homeowner and spent a fortune working on landscaping for the first time and this is an expensive tree. When I bought it, it had NO signs of greenery. When the plant was stored at the nursery it was also under a shade tarp for it's the existence of being there.
Please help and thank you!!!