Some of my Figs

[Ray M]

Hi all,
I am posting these photos to show the results from my mix for figs. These trees have a long way to go to become good bonsai.

The trees were repotted, defoliated and root pruned 3.5 to 4 weeks ago. After defoliating none of the trees had any leave left on them.

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I hope you enjoy.

Regards Ray

[rch003]

Defoliating a fig?

What does that do to the tree man?

[Ray M]

Hi rch003,
Defoliating figs is the method used to get smaller leaves. The photo below shows that you have to remove the new growth out of the tip or the leaves will grow back the same size.

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Regards Ray

[rch003]

Oh okay, so you cut off the new roots and leave the already established leaves their?

And with defoliating a maple, you cut 2/3 off each leave? (does this also promote smaller leaves?

[Ray M]

Hi rch003,
Oh okay, so you cut off the new roots and leave the already established leaves their?

No, you cut off the leaves as well.

If you were doing maintenance and cutting off leaves that are growing to big after you defoliate and the branch has new tips you must remove the tips as well or the leaves will grow back the same size.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi rch003,

And with defoliating a maple, you cut 2/3 off each leave? (does this also promote smaller leaves?

Yes, this is the idea of cutting the leaves.

Regards Ray

[rch003]

Haha thanks mate, i remember doing it to my trident about 2 years ago but forgot why

The leaves are about the size of a 20c peice, i went and saw an unloved trident at the nursery today, its leaves were about as big as the palm of your hand :/

[Tony Bebb]

Oh okay, so you cut off the new roots and leave the already established leaves their?

And with defoliating a maple, you cut 2/3 off each leave? (does this also promote smaller leaves?

If you want to defoliate, take all the leaves. If you want to reduce the leaf mass, take of a percentage of the leaves but take the the whole leaf. If you cut 2/3 or 1/2 of the leaf it just damages the leaf. It's like cutting needles on a Black Pine, they just go brown on the end. It is far better to pluck the needle and leave the sheath, or cut the whole leaf off and just leave the stem. Otherwise you cut the leaf in 1/2 and then have to cut the rest off later anyway.

Tony

[rch003]

Oh okay well, when i did mine, i took off 2/3 and it let the remaining moisture go back to the node and it fell off a week later and grew heaps more leaves.

[Tony Bebb]

Hey rch003

Outcome achieved. All I meant was it creates 'a little' stress on the tree, and a little avoided is a good thing. Not that defoliation doesn't create a little stress on its own. Leaves would have fallen of by themselves perhaps because of stress with no overall adverse effects. All's well that ends well.

Tony