Ficus Defoliation

[Zootenval]

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]

[JTred]

Wow you are going to have some excellent ramification when that all grows back. Defoliating is also great because you get a good look at branch structure, and you can find places to make changes that were hidden by foliage.

-Jack

[Zootenval]

I'm going to post update pics each week. Is is amazing how much growth has occurred in the past few days already. I'm planning on defoliating several others as well.

[TomM]

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

[Zootenval]

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.

[manIK]

Great before and after photos - thanks for sharing! (:

Quick question. When you defoliate, do you cut the leaf at the leaf base or the stem base?

[Zootenval]

Everything I have read suggests that the leaf be cut midway between the base of the leaf and the branch. It took about 4 hours to prune the entire tree. Progress pics to come tomorrow.

[manIK]

Looking forward to the progress pics. If you can get one good extreme close-up I'd appreciate it (:

[Zootenval]

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]

[Marsman]

Looks great.

[linlaoboo]

is that air layering u got going on one of the branches on the right side?

[Zootenval]

Here are pics 13 days after defoliation. The leaves are still not as small as I would like, but not too shabby so far...

[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02029.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02032.jpg[/img]

[Gnome]

Zootenval,

The leaves are still not as small as I would like,

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.

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

[Zootenval]

Here is the ficus 3.5 weeks after defoliation. Pretty cool...

...and for what its worth, the leaves are smaller, probably 1/3 smaller on average.

[img]https://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/zootenval/DSC02094.jpg[/img]

[Zootenval]

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]

[Charles M]

Nice that you can defoliate a Ficus in December. Here in California (I am in Zone 9b) the ficus trees go dormant for the winter regardless of whether they are kept indoors or out. So no pruning, styling or defoliating after September and before April/May.

[Zootenval]

Indeed...South Florida is a wonderful place for bonsai.

My next step is to take him out of the pot and see how the roots are doing. I have not done this for a year, so it's time. I'd really like to find a different pot for him. This one has served its purpose, but it's not quite right...

[fallingleaf]

after you defoliate and get those little leaves.. is that permanent or will they eventually come back the normal size? Sorry if that is a dumb question I'm just curious. (:

[Zootenval]

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