Ficus - When should I perform a total defoliation?

[AndreLMS]

Hey people,
I have a ficus retusa ginseng for almost 2 years now (my 1st bonsai!), and it still has most of his original folliage.

I think that it's needing a total hair-cut.


When should I do that?

It's recomended to do the total defoliation and, at the same time, a repoting (it also needs it)?

Do I take all the leaves in the process?


Cumps,
AndreLMS

[Graeme]

Tomorrow would be a great day. (it's a bit late and to dark to do it now)

[Pup]

AndreLMS

I am unfamiliar with Area 11 to give more advice, it would be helpful to know where area 11 is Northern Hemisphere do not re pot or defoliate.

Southern Hemiphere is a different story.

Cheers Pup

[AndreLMS]

I live in Portugal,
a contry in that litle peninsula above Africa.

It's mon the Northern Hemisphere.

[EdwardH]

Hi Andre,

We would normally defoliate a fig in mid summer in Australia. In a warm climate like Sydney you can defoliate two or even three times in a growing season however you would only do this on a healthy tree. It is winter in Portugal now I'm not sure of the temperatures which you experience over winter but I would wait until late spring to be safe. Use this time to ensure that the tree is healthy and then trim away in April or May 2010.

If you want to increae the diameter of the trunk then don't defoliate as it will slow down the process however if you are pleased with overall size of the tree and want to refine it then defoliate. A picture would help.

[AndreLMS]

Here's a picture (taken 2 mounths ago):







This tree is going to be moved to a brighter location, and I wan't to cut all the small and big leaves, and a part of the new branches.

[EdwardH]

Hi Andre,

You could safely cut of the large leaves and leave the smaller ones for now. Then in your spring do a complete defoliation without any problems.

[AndreLMS]

Ok, thanks

PS - Can I repot right after I'm done defoliating?

[bonscythe]

Hi Andre,
Don't know if this will help you all the way over there but...
In summer over here its safe to repot figs and since you will/have removed all the leaves it is usually seen as a good time to repot aswell because the tree won't lose as much water through transpiration, as you have removed all the leaves and thus the stomata.
If the plant is healthy and it is warm over there I don't think you will have many problems.
If it is going to be cold (day or night) in the next few weeks I wouldn't bother and just wait till spring/summer.
Cheers

[AndreLMS]

That was very helpfull

Thanks everyone!