I know that subject is probably making you go "Huh?" I know that because that is what I'm thinking "Huh?"
Some of my trees have new leaves growing out red like Autumn but gaining is size. And, new (red) leaves are still growing out after them and extending the shoot. Earlier leaves just below these are healthy green. These trees are a few of what were planted this year so they are developing the leader and bottom scaffolds of what will be Oblique Palmettes. The reason for the subject "Reverse Autumn" is because this happened earlier this year as well and those leaves eventually turned a healthy green when fully developed. I've concluded (could be wrong) that the leaves are lacking chlorophyll as the texture of the leaves are soft and supple as opposed to dead and dry. I'm hoping that the chlorophyll will "inject" again, but concerned because the red is deeper than it was last time. I don't really have enough data to say this, but I will anyway: Both times this happened was during a cooling off of the weather which seem to stimulate rapid growth. The first time this happened the green came in when the weather warmed up and growth wasn't quite as rapid. I'm hoping for a repeat, though I'm liking the rapid growth. Is this indicative of a nutrient problem or other stressor? I have been monitoring soil moisture so I'm not thinking it's a water problem. Also PH is slightly out of range on the high side just above 6.5, but that doesn't seem to bother the trees which are also growing rapidly as many leaders including these are approaching the second wire 22" above the heading cut at the first wire. I have found this picture on the web identifying nitrogen deficiency. http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/apple.htm but it doesn't say whether this would present on new leaves only. Or if nitrogen deficiency would turn older leaves red which is not happening in this case; the older lower leaves are still beautiful green. Also I can't tell from the photo if the leaves in the picture are dry or supple. I am considering maybe this is a local deficiency (local to those trees) and adding some 15-15-15 on them, but everywhere I look says not to add fertilizer on new plantings to avoid root burn. But wouldn't growth be retarded if there was a deficiency? (This is what is confusing because nutrient deficiency and rapid growth seem to contradict each other.) So my options are: 1) wait and see if the green comes in when the weather warms up like last time and attribute to rapid growth? (or further damage is done) 2) add fertilizer to one tree to see how it responds. This is a small orchard (176 trees) so I'm sensitive to damaging even one tree with an experiment. Anyone have experience with this? Or any thoughts or advice before I act or not act and maybe make matters worse? If it is a nitrogen deficiency what would be the lesser of the evils (deficiency or root burn)? BTW, I also have a row of ornamental trees nearby and they are all doing the same thing but not as completely red as these apple trees. All new leaves have red but eventually turn fully beautifully green when fully developed. Those trees (I have been told are cottonwood, by some, dogwood by others, all I know for sure is they are deciduous) I heavy pruned them in winter and they are well established root-wise and growing back in very rapid. Again the rapid growth hypothesis. Sorry for rambling, thanks for listening and thoughts are appreciated. Rye Hefley Future Farmers Marketer So. Cal.
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