AusBonsai

Hi all. I would like to defoliate a number of chineese elm, and privet. Could any one advise me when would be the best time of year, as well as if i shouod cut the leaf off at the stalk like a maple, or i am ok to strip the leaves off like i would a fig. Thanks in advance..

I have defoliated both these species and I always leave the "stalk" if at all possible. However the weather conditions are much different here.

Remove the leaf by cutting the peiole about 1/2 way along so you do not disturb the latent bud at the base.
With Elm, ans they have no petiole, cut as close as you can to the base of the leaf

Ken

Ok grest thanks guys. Any recomendations on what time of year. Would late spring or summer be a suitable time?

Defoliating Chinese elm really has no positive consequence. The best thing to do with these is to feed heavily so you get lots of replacement growth.
The privet can be done as soon as the spring leaves have ''hardened''.

treeman wrote:Defoliating Chinese elm really has no positive consequence. The best thing to do with these is to feed heavily so you get lots of replacement growth.

I agree, clip and grow all season. If you're developing ramification I let shoots extend to 8-10 leaves, then back to 1-3. Fertilise regularly and you will get a number of growth spurts throughout these warmer months

jezz_39 wrote:

treeman wrote:Defoliating Chinese elm really has no positive consequence. The best thing to do with these is to feed heavily so you get lots of replacement growth.

I agree, clip and grow all season. If you're developing ramification I let shoots extend to 8-10 leaves, then back to 1-3. Fertilise regularly and you will get a number of growth spurts throughout these warmer months

Same for me.
In fact I have just done all mine again this morning.

Ken

Ok great thanks everyone