Harry HarringtonArtist and Author, Bonsai4me · Author, Publisher, Webmaster, Bonsai Artist

Larch Bonsai Partial Defoliation Of The Leaves

12 Jun 2024 · 1 min

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1:25

In this instructional monologue, the presenter explains how to perform a partial defoliation on a mature larch bonsai during late May through June, once the new spring shoots have lignified (turned brown). The process involves hand‑plucking individual leaves while leaving about six leaves at each shoot tip to avoid dieback. This reduction of foliage stimulates the tree to produce new buds within 2–3 weeks and new shoot extensions within about six weeks, thereby increasing ramification and making wiring and design work much easier. The speaker emphasizes checking shoot color to avoid damage and highlights the benefits of enhanced branching for future bonsai shaping.

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It may come as a surprise to some, but healthy larch bonsai can be partially defoliated through late May and the whole of June once the new spring shoots have lignified or hardened off. This is a great way to improve ramification and allows for much easier wiring of the new growth. Make sure that the shoots have turned from their green spring color Or you will damage them. They should be brown in color. Individual leaves can be plucked away by hand, leaving half a dozen or so at the tip of each shoot to prevent any dieback. This loss of foliage throughout the tree will prompt it to issue new growth by issuing new shoots from along the length of the existing branches. Expect to see some new buds emerge within 2 to 3 weeks and new extensions within 6 weeks. This mature larch bonsai has grown incredibly well through the spring, but it is impossible to wire it and at all implement a design unless partial defoliation is carried out first. It will now pop many new shoots to increase ramification.