Defoliating

[Tamnewbie]

Hi Everyone........as my name suggests I'm relatively new to bonsai (about 6 years) and VERY new to this site. This question is about my (now 2) Liquid Amber's. I thought I'd lost my original small tree, so a few months ago, a very generous member of our local club gave me a well established tree. Now they are both covered in full BIG leaves. Do I defoliate them both now to try for smaller leaves or leave them alone? My main concern is the ever changing weather....from hot last week to a real blast of winter this weekend

Tamnewbie

[FatMingsBonsai]

Usually Dec mate...

[Bougy Fan]

Question is what stage are the trees at ? You only defoliate to reduce the leaf size when the trees are "finished" as maintenance. I would be inclined to leave them a while until it warms up some more.

[Tamnewbie]

Thank you FatMings Bonsai and Bougy Fan, Will take your advice on board and leave well alone!! The larger one was a gift from another member and is (i think he said) about 10 years old.

[kcpoole]

I have 1 in the ground and 1 in a Bonsai pot.

the one in the ground ( or if it was in a grow pot) will not get touched. The one in the bonsai pot has got leaves that are starting to get too large. I selectively defoliate it every few weeks from now thru summer to remove the larger leaves. I do not totally defoliate it. just contantly remove the bigger ones

Ken

[Tamnewbie]

Thanks Ken . For such small trees / plants, there sure is a GREAT deal to learn about them isn't there. wish I'd started 40 years ago!!!!

[John Henry]

Hi Tamnewbe, I have only one Liquid Amber and quite old,i let the new folaige almost harden off then defoliate i will repeat this in December i'am in Melbourne near the coast so you will have to judge defoliation according to your climate.
John