bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - How do you get the leaves smaller?

Pruning and confining the roots results in smaller leaves. When the leaves on an established bonsai grow large it usually means lack of light. The tree has to produce larger leaves in order to use the available light for photosynthesis.

Leaf pruning can be done. I use it only to eliminate the few larger leaves that appear, a few at a time so there is always sufficient leaves left. Total defoliation is often done prior to an exhibit or show, timed so that the tree is full of small leaves on the day the show starts.

It would be helpful if you described the setting for your tree as to how much light it's getting.

31-Oct-2007	#2
bisjoe bonsaiTALK Expert Join Date: Oct-2006 Location: Sammamish Country: USA USDA Zone: 8b AHS Heat Zone: 3 Posts: 190	Pruning and confining the roots results in smaller leaves. When the leaves on an established bonsai grow large it usually means lack of light. The tree has to produce larger leaves in order to use the available light for photosynthesis. Leaf pruning can be done. I use it only to eliminate the few larger leaves that appear, a few at a time so there is always sufficient leaves left. Total defoliation is often done prior to an exhibit or show, timed so that the tree is full of small leaves on the day the show starts. It would be helpful if you described the setting for your tree as to how much light it's getting.