Hi:
Last Sunday, I took another step in the long process of learning the art of Bonsai. I defoliated a large Ficus Benjamina specimen in an attempt to reduce the overall leaf size and further ramify the branch structure. This was a big step - but one that had to be taken. Here are before and after pics of my tree. Comments appreciated. Thanks.
Andy Tomlin
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/FicusBefore03302010.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/FicusAfter03302010.jpg[/img]
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- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:28 am
- Location: Cedarville (SE of Utica) NY, USA
Andy, Jack's right - it's good to see branch structure this way and consider future changes.
Is this a root over rock style? Is there something between the main roots?
For your future photo updates it would be good to eliminate the busy background - maybe place the tree next to the wall or siding for a better view.
NICE JOB !!
Tom
Is this a root over rock style? Is there something between the main roots?
For your future photo updates it would be good to eliminate the busy background - maybe place the tree next to the wall or siding for a better view.
NICE JOB !!
Tom
Yes, it is root over rock. I acquired it about a year ago. Not much had been done styling wise. It was badly in need of a trim, and was in a pot that was way to small. The pot it is in is OK for now, but I'm looking for something special.
I have been on creating "pads" on several layers, and shaping it. I waited until after the cold winter and well into late spring/early summer down here to do the exfoliation. I had 65 plants inside for over 2 weeks due to the unusually cold January we had in Florida. Now, they are all doing great.
I normally do move my plants for photos, but I let this one be since I figured he was in a little shock from being naked as a jaybird.
I think this tree has the potential to be a stunning specimen in the next few years.
I have been on creating "pads" on several layers, and shaping it. I waited until after the cold winter and well into late spring/early summer down here to do the exfoliation. I had 65 plants inside for over 2 weeks due to the unusually cold January we had in Florida. Now, they are all doing great.
I normally do move my plants for photos, but I let this one be since I figured he was in a little shock from being naked as a jaybird.
I think this tree has the potential to be a stunning specimen in the next few years.
Good Morning!
Here it is, one week post defoliation. A couple pics of progress. Gotta love South Florida weather for growing stuff.
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02004.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02006.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02007.jpg[/img]
Here it is, one week post defoliation. A couple pics of progress. Gotta love South Florida weather for growing stuff.
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02004.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02006.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02007.jpg[/img]
- Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
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- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
Zootenval,
In other words, the tree only has so many resources and if you divide those finite resources between two, or three, times as many shoots, each shoot will, of necessity, be less vigorous and therefore produce smaller leaves. Repeated defoliation increases ramification which ultimately means smaller leaves.
So, defoliation has both a temporary and cumulative effect.
Norm
The true benefit of defoliation is not so much the smaller crop of new leaves, they're transient, but the fact that you have increased the ramification. By encouraging, let's say, three shoots were previously there was one, you have in effect divided the trees energy to a greater extent, which works to your benefit.The leaves are still not as small as I would like,
In other words, the tree only has so many resources and if you divide those finite resources between two, or three, times as many shoots, each shoot will, of necessity, be less vigorous and therefore produce smaller leaves. Repeated defoliation increases ramification which ultimately means smaller leaves.
So, defoliation has both a temporary and cumulative effect.
Norm
I defoliated the same ficus for the second time in December 2010. Here are pics I took today. I compared an average leaf from the twice defoliated specimen to a forest group of undefoliated ficuses. Amazing...
Defoliated 2 times 1-30-2011 (about 6 weeks after defoliation)
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus2xDefoliation1-30-2011.jpg[/img]
Defoliated 2 times 3-6-2011 (about 12 weeks after defoliation)
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/FicusDefolation2Results.jpg[/img]
Undefoliated Ficus Benjamina group
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/UndefoliatedFicus1.jpg[/img]
Leaf Comparison
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Defoliated2XvsUndefoliatedleaf1.jpg[/img]
Defoliated 2 times 1-30-2011 (about 6 weeks after defoliation)
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus2xDefoliation1-30-2011.jpg[/img]
Defoliated 2 times 3-6-2011 (about 12 weeks after defoliation)
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/FicusDefolation2Results.jpg[/img]
Undefoliated Ficus Benjamina group
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/UndefoliatedFicus1.jpg[/img]
Leaf Comparison
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Defoliated2XvsUndefoliatedleaf1.jpg[/img]
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- Full Member
- Posts: 31
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Yes, the leaves should remaon smaller. More ramification of branches means smaller leaves, especially with proper sunlight.
Here is the tree today, after repotting. I'm still searching for the right pot for this tree, but I'm happy with the results. I think the tree comes more into its own out of that big training pot.
Here is from 3-6-2011 in the training pot
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/DSC03226.jpg[/img]
https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/DSC03226.jpg
Here is from today, 3-13-2011 in the new pot
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/FicusRepot23-13-2011.jpg[/img]
https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/FicusRepot23-13-2011.jpg
Here is the tree today, after repotting. I'm still searching for the right pot for this tree, but I'm happy with the results. I think the tree comes more into its own out of that big training pot.
Here is from 3-6-2011 in the training pot
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/DSC03226.jpg[/img]
https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/DSC03226.jpg
Here is from today, 3-13-2011 in the new pot
[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/FicusRepot23-13-2011.jpg[/img]
https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/Ficus%20Defoliation%20update/FicusRepot23-13-2011.jpg