AusBonsai

Would you defoliate a big privet? This question arose as I wanted to show this bonsai in an exhibition in early October and each year although it was happy and healthy, at that time of the year it is shedding its older leaves and the new ones are coming through, and as such the tree looks a bit "scrappy"
This year I thought it might be a good idea to defoliate in early September to give it an opportunity to grow new fresh leaves over the entire bonsai in the four or so weeks up to the exhibition time.
Now this is a large bonsai but the question is really rhetorical because I did defoliate it and it took about 15 hours in total over a few days. I wanted to cut each leaf off to maximise my chances of a successful re-flush of leaves.
I would welcome your thought and opinions. Good idea? Bad idea? Will it be in leaf before the long weekend in October?

Shoudl look very nice in a few weeks.
There is a reaon I like small trees! this is one of 'em

Ken

Excellent idea. I defoliate privets during winter and it makes a big difference to how strongly they sub-branch, especially if you cut the end off of the branches. It helps them leaf out cleanly and beautifully. At the start of spring.

Looking forward to seeing it

Adam

Its only a problem when you have to carry them Ken. Oh, and re-pot them. And trimming them. And buying a suitable pot for them. And defoliating was a time consuming job.

You have given me great hope Adam, do you think it will be in leaf before 4 October?

It should be starting to pop hundreds of buds all over about now. I guess you might wanna get it into as much warmth and sunshine as possible between now and the show and cross fingers for lots of leaves!

Wow, what a big job! Well done.
I just checked, and your in for some warmer weather next week so give it a good tonic drink and things should kick in.

It is certainly budding Adam, but popping appears to a way off but I am encouraged by the comments and looking forward to warmer weather soon. There is no way I can move this by myself (its a 4 person lift) into a "sunnier" position so I will just need to cross the fingers.

I find that privet responds well to a severe pruning every few years. They seem to get some dieback on small branches so a good pruning encourages new bud growth. .

Thanks for the info Brian, I will give that "method" a run.