Bougy re pot. (Defoliation vs non defoliation.)

[c54fun]

I had two bougys needing a re pot. Both sit in the same place and get treated the same. I decided to defoliate one and not the other and see what happens. I know there are many many variables and this is not a true test but just wanted to compare the two and see for myself if there is a difference. I usually don't defoliate. Just started trying it out on a few.

Both trees sit in the same place. Both were healthy but slow growing foliage this year. Both needed a re pot. The tall one was re potted on 8/9/18 and the fat one on 8/13/18. Same soil mix on both. About the same amount of roots removed. Tall one was put back into same container and fat one into a trainer pot very similar in size. I also have another one that was defoliated and re potted. Will keep an eye on it also.

I know this isn't a controlled example but just thought I would see if there will be any difference and post my results here. I've seen before where I didn't defoliate and most of the leaves wilted and fell off anyways. Will be fun for me to see what happens.
Tall one re potted on 8/9/18



This one was re potted 8/13/18.

 

[Carol 83]

I repotted one yesterday, but did not defoliate. It will be interesting to see the difference.

 

[c54fun]

I repotted one yesterday, but did not defoliate. It will be interesting to see the difference.

That's how I usually do it. I've seen them wilt for a week or two then bounce back and also seen them loose most of the leaves then bounce back. I'm not a fan of defoliating but also like to see for myself. I'm guessing this will be the last time I defoliate the bougy's.

 

[Carol 83]

Well, mine is blooming, and I'm not about to cut off the bracts, first time it's bloomed. And I am also too chicken-shit to defoliate one.

 

[c54fun]

Well, mine is blooming, and I'm not about to cut off the bracts, first time it's bloomed. And I am also too chicken-shit to defoliate one.

Congrats on it blooming for the first time. Awesome.
I'll never defoliate my nice purple one. I try and keep it as stress free as possible.

 

[Anthony]

Not meaning to be rude, but that looks more like
bare rooting than repotting ?
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Carol 83]

Congrats on it blooming for the first time. Awesome.
I'll never defoliate my nice purple one. I try and keep it as stress free as possible.

I don't blame you! I may or may not have 4 purple ones.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Defoliation in conjunction with repotting is a very different technique than defoliation as a leaf size reduction technique as is occasionally done with maples and other temperate broadleaf trees. Purposes are different.

My understanding is that for some tropicals or sub-tropicals, defoliation in conjunction with repotting greatly improves survival. Luma apendiculata, a member of the guava and myrtle family you pretty much must defoliate as you repot or you will loose the tree. It is a useful tool with sensitive trees. It is not about foliage size reduction.

Bougainvilleas are very hardy, but your observation that leaves were wilted for a couple weeks after repotting, then mostly fell off and were replaced when the tree began to grow, suggests that there might be a benefit to defoliation in conjunction with repotting. Removing foliage at time of repotting would keep the tree from being under as severe lack of water stress, until new root tips are generated and roots grow after repotting.

 

[c54fun]

Defoliation in conjunction with repotting is a very different technique than defoliation as a leaf size reduction technique as is occasionally done with maples and other temperate broadleaf trees. Purposes are different.

My understanding is that for some tropicals or sub-tropicals, defoliation in conjunction with repotting greatly improves survival. Luma apendiculata, a member of the guava and myrtle family you pretty much must defoliate as you repot or you will loose the tree. It is a useful tool with sensitive trees. It is not about foliage size reduction.

Bougainvilleas are very hardy, but your observation that leaves were wilted for a couple weeks after repotting, then mostly fell off and were replaced when the tree began to grow, suggests that there might be a benefit to defoliation in conjunction with repotting. Removing foliage at time of repotting would keep the tree from being under as severe lack of water stress, until new root tips are generated and roots grow after repotting.

100% agreed. I've just never been a fan of defoliating on trees like you said dont benefit from leaf reduction. Alway felt it just stresses it out more. But I could be wrong. For me its good to "try it for myself"
This is the third one I re potted and also defoliated (8/9/18).

 

[Anthony]

Now that looks like a repot.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[c54fun]

Looks like all 3 are bouncing back about the same. All were fertilized the same day as the re pot and put back in the place they normally sit.

 

[c54fun]

More progression pictures.