To Defoliate, or Not To Defoliate

[Leigh Taafe]

Who does what?

I just finished doing my final defoliation on some ficus I have before the cooler weather makes it too hard to get a good canopy. This is the final one that I will do before the figs get moved to the "sunroom" for winter (keeping in mind, Canberra gets far too cold to keep them outside. I even suffered damage to some figs I left in the van overnight when it got to about -6C).

Thought it might be good to see what others are doing.

Here is a poll.

Please answer either YES or NO to the 4 options.

Feel free to add any comments.

[Asus101]

I was going to defoliate my zelvova's, but they where collected this season, so it will have to wait/ I think I have even left them too long to prune back.
At least they will have a good rootball.

My maple as bad as it is, got defoliated by the wind.

[Pup]

G.day Leigh, the other broad leaf is a privet. We as you know in the west have a good growing climate. So we can defoliate our figs at least twice, some times three. I have a warm house, ( a hot house in winter ) so that i can if I want to four, but even figs might not like that. Pup
Ps I forgot to mention I also do my Olives as well.

[anttal63]

hey leigh and pup. my other broad leaf evergreens that i do twice a year are lilly pilly's, olives, mirror bush, privet. i also have a mame pj that i had indoors for the winter, that was defoliated 4 times and repotted twice. all these with no problems at all.

[Leigh Taafe]

So everyone, so far, always defoliates their maples?

[PeterW]

So everyone, so far, always defoliates their maples?

There was a thread a week or two ago where a lady mentioned she never defoliated her Trident maple and managed to get the leaf size down quite small. I dont know how good the ramification was....it was in leaf.
Peter

[Chris Johnston]

So everyone, so far, always defoliates their maples?

Ledanta,
One of the keys to this kind of question is, "What kind of maples?" Defoliation is a very valuable technique if used correctly, but indiscriminate defoliation can harm less hardy trees.

For example, Trident maples take defoliation up to three times in a summer with no ill effects, but Japanese maples are another matter entirely. Does anyone here defoliate acer palmatum species?

The difference in vigor between types of maples and types of pines makes an interesting study. If you equate the trees by their growth strength, you would actually put tridents and JBP in one group, and palmatums and JWP in another group. So while I do defoliate, it has to be the right tree at the right time for the right reason.

What trees do you defoliate and in what ways does your practice differ among your trees?

Great topic!

Chris

[Marc]

Hi guys, i defolate my japanese maples every year.... either myself or the weather does. sometimes twice, not a drama in the world. If the weather then it's summer of course, usually mid to late summer. sometimes I do it manually end spring and early summer, sometimes late summer too.

However only when I can judge the tree is in good health do I do it. But never had a problem. Somtimes 3/4 partial defolation, sometimes 100% defolation.

never done an Olive though....

[PeterW]

Hi guys, i defolate my japanese maples every year.... either myself or the weather does. sometimes twice, not a drama in the world. If the weather then it's summer of course, usually mid to late summer. sometimes I do it manually end spring and early summer, sometimes late summer too.

However only when I can judge the tree is in good health do I do it. But never had a problem. Somtimes 3/4 partial defolation, sometimes 100% defolation.

never done an Olive though....

I dont have any Japanese Maples as Bonsai, but i do have a fellow enthusiast that has several and they defoliate theres every year. They always appear to be in good health and have fantastic ramification. But horses for courses i guess.
Peter

[Leigh Taafe]

Hey Chris,

Thanks for your input mate. You might have revived my "dying" thread!

I dont defoliate as a rule. I wont get to summer and say to myself "okay, its time to defoliate my maples". I will defoliate, however, if I get burnt foliage. I do also cut off any stray leaves that are too large in comparison to my other foliage.

I do defoliate figs.

I dont defoliate any other evergreens.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Hector Johnson]

Message Deleted

[ozzy]

I never defoliate, mainly because I don't really have a Bonsai that I would consider to be at a stage that warrants defoliation, all my Bonsai are in a full on growth for later on stage although having said that some of my trees have taken it upon themselves to defoliate anyway due to the hot conditions and this has provided smaller leaves.

[FlyBri]

I never defoliate, mainly because I don't really have a Bonsai that I would consider to be at a stage that warrants defoliation, all my Bonsai are in a full on growth for later on stage...

Gday Leigh & Co!

Like Ozzy, I've never deliberately defoliated any of my trees. I have a few that are approaching the point where defoliation may become a consideration, but given our recent weather, I'm just happy if I can keep the leaves in place...

As such, I've refrained from voting in the poll, as I don't want to skew the results. However, I will watch this thread with interest to see what (if anything) others are doing in the way of defoliating for leaf reduction with Eucalypts.

Thanks.

Fly.

[PeterH]

I do fly

My scaoparia and polyanthemos

Peter

[Grant Bowie]

Defoliation is a very useful tool and can rapidly improve young bonsai . It is most important to keep the tree healthy to withstand the proceedure though.

Grant