Defoliating jades?

[Alek Stead]

hello,
i was wondering if it is effective and worth your time defoliating jade trees?
i have done one of my smaller ones but i was wondering has been having any success with it?
if you could share any tips or photos with me that would be great.

thanks, Alek

[cre8ivbonsai]

We had a club presentation by David Allen from Bendigo on Jade last Tuesday night and both pinching for shape and defoliating were both highly recommended techniques just don't water before new shoots / leaves appear ...

[Jason]

Same ryan, we had a similar presentation and found that defoliation definitely helps shape the tree, and found that the the leaves reduce quite well.

Not sure about a FULL defoliation though... but those things are so hardy that it wouldn't suprise me if they pulled through a full defoliation anyway lol

[Alek Stead]

Thanks everyone!

i guess they are probably the hardiest trees you will find in bonsai. I have done further research into it and have decided to do a full defoliation on one of my jades. decided not to to it on my favorite jade but one of my others just as a test to see how it will go

thanks, Alek

[alpineart]

Hi Alek , mate you most certainly can fully defol jades . They do grow a little hardier if kept on the dry side . Frost protection is required here as like figs they only need a severe hit and its all over . Wiring can be done from cutting stage and extreme twists and bends can be applied .

Cheers Alpine

[dennismc]

Hi Alek

At the School of Bonsai we have done much research on Jade as bonsai. The result is that we recommend to students that they regularly defoliate Jade. The result is smaller leaves and finer ramification. They prefer to be kept on the dry side, otherwise treat them as per other Bonsai. Can be trained in just about any style.

regards
Dennis Mc

[Matt S]

Hi Alek,

Seeing as you're in Adelaide you can safely defoliate a Jade, especially this time of year.

I don't bother defoliating once the framework of the tree has been completed (Trunk, primary and secondary branches), I just prune the foliage really close, like trimming a hedge. Do this once a week during summer and the leaves will get tightly packed and tiny very quickly.

I did a post on one of my Jades here:

viewtopic.php?f=130&t=21245

Matt.

[Alek Stead]

Hi all,

thanks for your reply's. i will have a look at your post as well. thanks