Thread Graft Help

[rawhide]

Howdy all
done some thread grafting on a couple of coral bark maples early spring , 2 are going well but one is not growing at any great rate if any
it has leafed out but is lost in the canopy above the graft .
can i defoliate the rest of the tree and leave only the thread grafted branches so they gain more vigour
or just thin out the above canopy?
cheers

[NBPCA]

I am intending to not defoliate the newly thread grafted branch on an ordinary Japanese maple that was thread grafted a few months ago. It should help quicken the joining of the two in my opinion.

Grant

[rawhide]

I am intending to not defoliate the newly thread grafted branch on an ordinary Japanese maple that was thread grafted a few months ago. It should help quicken the joining of the two in my opinion.

Grant

So does that mean you WILL be defoliating the rest of the maple

[Handy Mick]

Rawhide, you can defoliate above or partial defoliate so the grafted branch can gain more light and energy, don't defoliate the grafted branch.

Mick

[NBPCA]

I am intending to not defoliate the newly thread grafted branch on an ordinary Japanese maple that was thread grafted a few months ago. It should help quicken the joining of the two in my opinion.

Grant

So does that mean you WILL be defoliating the rest of the maple

Sorry ( it is so easy not to make one self clear, and this is a technical question and not philosophy!). ) Yes I will defoliate the maple but not the thread graft. I intend to defoliate the tree twice this year and will assess whether to defoliate or not the thread graft the second time round.

Cheers,

Grant

[rawhide]

thanks Grant and Mick
I thaught thats what you meant just making sure .I have read in books that you shouldn,t defoliate more than once
in a growing season but reading through the aus bonsai forum it seems common practice to defoliate 2 or 3 or more times ,just one of those bonsai myths

[NBPCA]

thanks Grant and Mick
I thaught thats what you meant just making sure .I have read in books that you shouldn,t defoliate more than once
in a growing season but reading through the aus bonsai forum it seems common practice to defoliate 2 or 3 or more times ,just one of those bonsai myths

As usual it depends on where you live (climate) fertilizing habits, potting mix etc.; plus also the age and health of the tree.

Sometimes a short hand answer is given to keep it simple but of course this can confuse.

Also some types of trees can be done (safely) more frequently than others.
Grant