Crazy Diamond
Omono
I dont think it would help in the trunk tickness, it helps with ramification and multiplication of fine branches, also reducing the leaf size
Why Defoliate Ficus?
- Thread starter remist17
- Start date
Colorado
Masterpiece
No.
barrosinc
Masterpiece
I was thinking maybe the set back for a year in ramification might be an investment for the future...
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
As in get more secondary branching from a primary branch so it's feeding more into the trunk?
That IS a very interesting prospect, but I'm not so sure that's how it works, or that defoliation would get you any better results than pruning even it did work that way.
Here's hoping someone who knows what they're talking about shows up soon.
MHBonsai
Chumono
Defoliation slows down trunk thickening. It takes away resources from the tree that it needs to build size. If you want thickening fast, let it run.
Defoliation is a super useful tool, once you have your trunk size and primary branching in place.
Defoliation is a super useful tool, once you have your trunk size and primary branching in place.
LittleDingus
Omono
It can be...but I think it depends on the species and the growing conditions.
In the same size pot where the tree may be a bit root bound, what tends to happen with many species is the leaf size reduces such that the total leaf area the roots can support is now spread over more leaves. So the leaves shrink...which is one of the benefits of ramification.
If the roots can grow and the leaves can get the resources they need...including that they aren't crowded for light and the roots can pull enough water and minerals...then there should be a net gain. It may take a long time yo realize in species that flush growth then pause...like a maple. But, for many tropicals or other vigorous species, the gain may be realized sooner.
I have a thread on here somewhere where 2 of my coastal redwoods demonstrate this. They both get the same care and are the same age except that one was forced into a 6 trunk candelabra. That trunk is significantly larger than the trunk of its brother. In fact, the entire tree mass is significantly larger.
I don't have any first hand experience with this on ficus, but I suspect, if managed properly, that a multi-trunk/branch ficus will fatten the lower trunk faster than a single trunk ficus. The trick is the roots need to grow in balance with the top which is often defeated when we grow in pots.
LittleDingus
Omono
Another thread where growth rate is discussed. My example with coastal redwoods is in there:
www.bonsainut.com
It is important to note that "defoliation" has a specific meaning/purpose to most bonsai people and it is not generally thought of for the purposes suggested here. There is no need to defoliate an entire tree if the goal is to increase branhing/number of trunks. But it is the increase in branches...more specifically: foliage...that leads to increased trunk thickness.
Growth rate
So 1 plant grows at rate x per year 2 of those plants will produce double that But what if you compare a plant with one tip vs a plant with 2 tips. If its basically 2 conjoined plants shouldnt it grow 2x per year? Does it?
It is important to note that "defoliation" has a specific meaning/purpose to most bonsai people and it is not generally thought of for the purposes suggested here. There is no need to defoliate an entire tree if the goal is to increase branhing/number of trunks. But it is the increase in branches...more specifically: foliage...that leads to increased trunk thickness.
