Defoliation is the removal of all the leaves on tree forcing the tree to grow new smaller leaves. Gilbert Cantu of Little Jade Bonsai explains the process of defoliating a portulacaria afra.
I have grown to really love the way a jade looks after defoliation. It really shows off the know-how a person has when it comes to training and shaping their tree.
You are the Bob Ross of Portulacaria. Thank you so much for all these videos! I'm just starting to grow a few potential bonsais and your information has been very helpful.
Thank you so much for starting a youtube channel. I’m starting my first bonsai journey with a verigated portulacaria afra and these videos are so so helpful.
Great video, super helpful, thank you. I started getting into Bonsai a few years ago but have so far only germinated the tree seeds from my local area. I love the way your trees look and am looking forward to growing Portulacaria. xx
Hi Gilbert, I'm so very happy to see how you treat these bonsai trees. I'm a beginner and have a portulacaria that just keeps giving. I love it and find your tutorials informative. You have a good spirit. God bless you🤗
Gilbert...your videos are timeless. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and I know you've recently gone through some family loss (peace and comfort to you). I look forward to when you begin to share your knowledge, experience and common sensed approach to growing portulacaria afra's.
Was just recommended your channel, though if it’s the same as the IG profile, I follow you there. Great video! I just defoliated one of my afras. I have 4 and they’ve all be dropping leaves like crazy over the past 2 weeks. They’re not over watered, I think combination of the increase in heat inside the house, and a lack of water caused it. But figured I may as well defoliate and help it along what it was doing naturally anyway. I’m leaving the others alone just to compare the difference in approach.
Hello I am so new at this. I’ve watched couple of your videos. I have learned a lot so far. My new hobby I know I will enjoy. Now I have to get fertilizer 😅 TY!!
Your video is well done. You are a good teacher. Rules are for students to learn and masters to break. I am going to try this technique come spring. What region do you live in. That tree looks even better with out the leaves. Stay strong my friend.
Great info, could have used it last year. I root pruned, defoliated, and repotted in late summer. 😳😬 Tree is looking alright and will survive, but it’s had me worried for a while. Won’t make that mistake again!
Have you done a follow up video to show if the little branch roots or how successful the process of growing more branches near the base of the tree was? Nice vid thanks
Great video. I have two questions for you: 1) Is a Portulacaria afra a true jade, meaning in the crassula family? 2) I've been dwarfing plants for many years and have always been told not to use commercial fertilizers on them unless you leach them regularly. I feed regularly with a mix of humic acid, kelp, bone meal, blood meal and magnesium sulfate (epsom salts). It's hard to argue with your results, but am wondering what is your regular fertilizing regiment? I also add a little 3% hydrogen peroxide with every watering and have so for years. Keeps insects away and helps protect the root system. Thanks!
Hi. Love your work! Could you please address dormancy versus growing period. I was under the impression that P. afra was a winter grower. So I was going to do major work now as opposed to summer. Does it matter?
hi gilbert, I'm so grateful that i found your channel, may I know which particular ratio of osmocote & liquid miracle grow fertilizer do you use? thanks 😊
I have one that I’ve had in the same planter for about two and a half years. I’m planning to prune the roots in the spring and I’m curious what soil or substrate you recommend. For my other trees (not ports) I pretty much stick to a blend of akadama and pumice. I’m not sure what to use for my port though since it’s a succulent and you seem to have way fuller growth than I’ve ever been able to achieve. Thanks!
What kind of osmocote do you use? Just the Outdoor/Indoor one? Or the Flower/Vegetable one? I've seen some of your p. afras have blue beads on the soil. What is that? Many thanks from Austin, TX :)
Everyone: That’s so cool! Tree: This is humiliating. I’ve never been so embarrassed in all my life. I can’t believe you did this to me in front of all RU-vid! 😉
i recently purchased a portulacaria afra thats very large sold at lowes ... ofcourse its potted in coco coir .... should i repot it or leave it be ? ive got a ton of 70/30 inorganic organic mix for euphorbia and cacti that i want to use but should the organic value be closer to 50/50?
Sorry to disturb you again I have some 2 years old tree And it’s winter and they are inside the house under horticulture lights (like I told you before) .. do you suggest me to use fertilizer?? If yes which one and how ? 🙏🙏
Hi! I am a huge fan of your way of persuing Bonsai. The Jades on your Insta account look awesome. I want to know if a weekly drenching of NPK 19:19:19 be good for it.? I use it for my Ficus. Regards, Shivam.
Hi When you fertilize you use miracle liquid grow 20-20-20?? With osmocote fertilizer 20-20-20 ??? Or you mix ?!!? And i live in Montréal and I keep my trees under horticulture lights? How I should fertilize them during this winter…, Thanks
Hi Can you write for me the name of the fertilizer that you use and please the liquid miracle grow !? If you don’t mind And I have a second question please. I leave in Montréal, canada and my trees are inside the house under horticulture lights. When I can defoliyat my trees??? Can I do it during winter? Thanks 🙏
I noticed you said to fertilize and you fertilize a lot. Isn't that bad for a Jade? Everything I read says to fertilize 1-3 times per year or you can kill it. So can it handle more often?
