Defoliated Maple

[Brian Van Fleet]

Seems awfully severe to defoliate twice in a season. I prefer to keep my trees strong. I stopped fully defoliating my JM a few years ago, and will do a 50% defoliation; removing one of each pair of leaves. This is to allow more sunlight into the tree, and doesn't do anything for twigginess. To develop short internodes, which leads to twigginess, I simply pluck out the growing tip in the spring when the first pair of leaves is distinguishable. This halts the lengthening of the internodes.

 

[JoeR]

Well, over the years, I've gotten more twigginess, smaller leaves that last much longer into the fall, and very nice fall color. Only defoliated once this year, though; I'm reducing my collection by 90% now because I'm too ill to care for them, and have no idea how they're faring since I haven't been able to visit my trees for some time.

Im very sad to hear you are ill.

Where have you been selling your collection?

 

[CWTurner]

Lancemac,

That's a serious hunk of stone there in the background. And it looks like you have some nice slabs too. Of course your up there in the land of granite, so maybe its no big deal?
CW

 

[Txhorticulture]

I'm too ill to care for them, and have no idea how they're faring since I haven't been able to visit my trees for some time.

Sorry. Feel better. Hope you recover fully.

 

[discusmike]

Hope you get well.

 

[jk_lewis]

Thanks, all. What I have is slowly terminal, so it is unlikely I'll get any "weller" than I am now.

 

[drew33998]

Thanks, all. What I have is slowly terminal, so it is unlikely I'll get any "weller" than I am now.

JKL, I am sorry to hear that. I have always enjoyed your contribution. Glad that you were around to contribute what you did.

 

[augustine]

I attended several workshops with a bonsai professional that apprenticed in Japan. He told me exactly what Brian Van Fleet advises, partial defoliation, removing one leaf from the pair. He also said that his nursery in Japan used the same technique.

However, I certainly will not criticize the full defoliation advocates, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Best to all,

Augustine

 

[M. Frary]

JKL, I am sorry to hear that. I have always enjoyed your contribution. Glad that you were around to contribute what you did.

There are a lot of posts by Jim over on IBC. He's a high hatter over there.
It was also his and Bill Valvanis birthday the other day.
Happy belated birthday Jim and Bill!

 

[jk_lewis]

Glad that you were around to contribute what you did.

Hey! I'm not dead yet!!!!! Stop with the past tense, already.

 

[LanceMac10]

Ummmm....hope @jkl and/or @jkl2 is/are well....


Today...not sure if the defoliation led to this great red this spring.....repot next spring so minimal work this year....

 

[fredman]

Wow that is an fantastic spring red. To me it says...look how healthy I am

 

[sorce]

Ummmm....hope @jkl and/or @jkl2 is/are well....

I PMd both a while back with no reply.

I know someone here knows him at home....maybe we can get a report.

Sorce

 

[Wilson]

Looking good in their spring colours!

 

[JudyB]

Gorgeous. Nice leafed out silhouette.

 

[LanceMac10]

I got a tad nostalgic and a bit verklempt when I saw Jim Lewis' name pop up in this thread.


Cut back but left some alone as the lower trees are a bit weak. I need to grow them out a bit to get some vigor. Repot shortly into something a bit larger for the same.

 

[LanceMac10]

Still alive....it's decided to keep growing into the fall for some reason......





Festus showed his hindquarters in disapproval and went home.....

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Still alive....it's decided to keep growing into the fall for some reason......

You work in the construction business or something, and just "happen" to have a lot of marble slabs sitting around?

 

[LanceMac10]

You work in the construction business or something, and just "happen" to have a lot of marble slabs sitting around?

Meant for the National cemetery in Virginia, they were rejected because some of the veins of darker marble were too dark. My neighbor, (a container-grower as well) managed to swing a deal for them. He used to work on a helical drilling crew before he had his leg and ankle broken in a nasty on-site accident. Just does fabrication and the like in the shop now. Also have STACKS of granite counter top cut-outs too.....

Reverse engineering how to make some interesting stands or something out of 'em.....

I just celebrated 25 years in the non-ferrous sand-cast industry!!! Yes, there are still foundries out there!!!

 

[0soyoung]

I just celebrated 25 years in the non-ferrous sand-cast industry!!! Yes, there are still foundries out there!!!

Brass belt buckles!!! I've a friend that used to one one here in town. Now makes sculpture with dross and slag splatters. Is this in your future?