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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 26/12/2007 20:14:15
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| I know you're supposed to defoliate bonsai fuchsias over winter, but I'm not sure what to do with the slightly warmer weather we've been having. My fuchsias are in the greenhouse now, and still flowering their little hearts out. I'm worried that if I defoliate, instead of them taking it as a hint to have a rest, they'll work extra hard trying to produce more leaves. Any ideas? 
As we say in the antiques business... Hello.
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SENSEI?
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I cut mine back with quite a few flowers on but didn't completely defoliate a month ago when I took some in but Kath is the guru. Lets await her reply.
My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic.
My imaginary friend Givitago takes over when I'm not sure of myself in print. He's not a complete fool - several bits are missing.
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Genius
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| If they're in a greenhouse Babs and are given a temperature of approximately 8c/45f, throughout the winter, they will continue to flower and grow more new shoots. It is best to do any pruning and removing of old foliage when you first bring them in for the winter, that is here late Autumn time, according to the temperatures outdoors. They will begin to shoot new growth in approximately one month, this can be encouraged by spraying them every morning with tepid rainwater, helps the new foliage to come through the old wood. Pruning also strengthens the bonsai for the following season and there is less risk of 'lanky' growth which of course you do not want. By pruning in late Autumn you then have earlier 'new growth' and have the whole winter to 'pinch out' growing tips, and generally reshaping that new growth for next year. All in all it gives one 'a-head-start' for the following season. If you have any of the 'encliandra' type, never prune those 'back-hard', they don't like it, an occassional 'light-trim' is sufficient, they definitely will flower throughout the wiinter
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 26/12/2007 20:14:15
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| Brilliant, thanks both, I'll do a bit of light pruning and leave leaves as they are then! They're still looking very happy and flowering away, although they're not in a heated greenhouse so it's definately not above 8 degrees C for much of the time in this weather. I'm quite embarassed to say that I went out and wished them all happy Christmas yeaterday...
As we say in the antiques business... Hello.
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Genius
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Last Login: 02/02/2012 10:10:31
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| You're welcome Babs, I'm sure they'll appreciate your talking to them Happy Christmas to you too
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
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Forum Member
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| Hello, I've been browsing for some information and found this thread. Just as I started to click to join in I realised that the thread is a whole year old! Hope you don't mind me resurrecting it. I have a 3" high microphyllia which I brought into the light but cool garage about 4 weeks ago when we started to get some frosts. It has just started to produce more flowers which I thought was not good for it. Then I found this thread about defoliating which I had never heard of so I wonder if you can tell me whether I should be doing anything with this tiny tree. Its sister died of frostbite last year so I really want this one to get through the winter. Here it is .. 
This was taken in October and it still looks much the same, a few more leaves and only one or two flowers but otherwise green and healthy. What should I be doing ? Daryl
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Genius
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| Hi Daryl, That's OK re: "Just as I started to click to join in I realised that the thread is a whole year old! Hope you don't mind me resurrecting it", no problem at all, we all make mistakes . I never completely defoliate microphylla/encliandra type fuchsias, the reason being they do not take kindly to this treatment. Just remove any 'yellowing' leaves if you wish, but these generally fall off naturally anyway. Just keep the soil slightly damp at this time of year, don't overwater. These sort, kept around 7c will keep their leaves and also flower throughout the winter.
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
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Forum Member
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| Thank you, Kath. In that case I will just enjoy its little flowers when I go in the garage and put it back outside in the spring. Happy Christmas to you and everyone on this site regards Daryl
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