Bonsai Defoliation Techniques | Bonsai-U 

Fancy seeing you here

@@boxCatalogue Hey Pedro!

Hi, if you do some pruning back of the branch structure dining the defoliation process this will actually as he mentioned produce twice the fine ramification. Being where your located you should get 3 good flushes if you take full advantage and optimize the defoliation technique. You can rapidly create nice ramification especially on tridents as they are so vigorous. I’m a grower for the bonsai industry and time permitting try to do at least 2 defoliations each season on my stock. Give it a shot, Trident are super hardy you will not hurt them, and they always grow out!

Yes it’s applicable to most broadleaf deciduous species.

@@goncalolopes4774 because they are getting longer shoots with bigger leaves and it is blocking light for the shorter branches

No, in actuality it can actually speed the process, by increasing the foliage mass, and keeping all the branches and foliage healthy the tree produces more energy, thus laying down more wood! I would only preform the defoliation of 80%plus once though, additional leaf pruning would simply be to maintain light and air flow, by thinning outer large leaves. If you continue to reduce leaf size you may slow trunk thickening.

I bought a 20 year old maple last year and this year the leaves are only growing on the ends of the branches. Don’t suppose you could offer some advice?