How to Defoliate Flowering Tree Stump Bonsai? The Correct Method

Moderate defoliation of flowering bonsai helps improve its ornamental value, prolong the viewing period, and promote new leaf growth, flowering and fruiting.

Different species of flowering trees and shrubs require different defoliation care. Therefore, defoliation should be done correctly.

After jasmine overwinters indoors, move it to a sunny spot outdoors and care for it for about half a month, then repot and change the soil, remove all old leaves, and prune the branches, cutting out the overly dense and weak branches and shortening all branches; this promotes budding and new leaf growth as well as the growth and development of the whole plant.

Goji berry (Lycium) is naturally vigorous and robust, and both its tender leaves and red berries are highly ornamental. After the Start of Autumn, apply a quick-acting fertilizer once; one week later, remove 90% of the leaves, and at the same time prune the branches as needed for the desired shape; half a month later, new leaves and flower buds will appear, and once the new leaves unfold, apply cake fertilizer water once a week to make the flowers abundant and the leaves lush, with red berries covering the branches after autumn.

Tree species used in stump bonsai, such as Chinese elm (Ulmus pumila), Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis), pomegranate and crape myrtle, also need defoliation.

Before an exhibition, defoliation can be carried out; about 10 days before defoliating, apply a quick-acting fertilizer once to help accumulate nutrients for the sprouting of new leaves. Cut off the leaf blades while keeping the petioles; half a month later the new leaves sprout, and not only are the new leaves beautifully colored and full of vitality, but the leaves can also be made smaller, better showing the beauty of the branch and trunk forms.

The leaves of red maple are bright red and eye-catching, but old leaves become dull in color or turn green again; defoliate twice, in June and September, to keep the leaves bright red all year round and enhance the ornamental effect.