AusBonsai

G'day peoples, I am interested to know, when you defoliate your figs, do you leave all the stem, half the stem, hardly any of the stem, I always leave most of the stem, cutting just behind the leaf, because I was of the understanding that this draws the sugars up to the bud and gives time for the bud to develop, some people also leave a small piece of leaf too, " what do you do" ??
James

ive just defoliated some of my figs, i usually take most of the larger older leaves off leaving a couple of small ones on after defoliation, i think it really depends on the health of your fig, as you know they are hardy so i recon take the whole leaf off rather than cutting them in half. i recon there will be lots of other peeps that may have different approaches, cheers simo

SJ, I guess it's really a personal preference.

Some take the leaves off completely, some leave the stem (petiole) on. I personally leave the petiole on. They drop off after a week or so anyway - but by their own volition.

My reasoning (right or wrong) is that right at the base of the petiole are the future buds, and by ripping or cutting the petioles off completely, you're running the risk of damaging those dormant axillary buds. Other people say that's rubbish, but it makes me feel better by leaving the petioles on.

i leave a short stub at all times, i have heard that it does draw some energy back to the bud, im not 100% sure on it though, with all the defoliation i have done leaving the stubs i have had excellent budding from the base of the stub/petiole.

i also remove the growing tips off the end of the branches that have extended to where i want them, doing this forces the tree to backbud profusely.

Petiole or no-petiole, that is the question

yeah i agree on leaving the petiol, i do anyways.

This is a great question, maybe you could email Leong Kwong and ask him. He seems to be the guru on this topic of figs. I will sit down later this arvo and flick through his book and see if I cant answer this one for you guys.

I keep the petiole so that I do not damage any dormant buds on the branch near it. I use the same technique with maples. Has always worked OK for me.

Leong removes the leaf petiole and all, he says it doesnt damage the bud. i read that in his book, and did try it, i must be doing something different as i would get hit and miss with new buds shooting, when i removed all, some would shoot, others would die back.

jamie