Callistemon defoliation. Should I do it?

Shima

Shima

Omono
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Location
Hilo Hawai'i
USDA Zone
11A
I've watched this Callistemon decline along with almost everything else in this cold, wet inhospitable clime for years. It's never bloomed but I've cut it back hard each year and been rewarded with lush new growth, but no flowers. I'm ok with this but now I'm wondering what will happen if I just remove last years leaves. And not repot as I've previously done. Here are some shots from the past ending with just now. P1020155.jpegP1010789.JPGP1020834.jpeg
 
I don’t really know the answer. However, that last photo does not look all that healthy. I think that the tree needs to be left alone for a season or two and regain stable health. Sort of looks like it’s suffering from to many hard cut back...back-to-back.

Hmmmmm.....Hawaii....I’ve never thought of the word inhospitable as a description for Hawaii. But then, I’m not a tree.
 
I have not really heard of defoliating a Callistemon before, but I tend to agree that if it is in decline I wouldn't be doing it, it could cause some die back if it is struggling.
 
You might be inadvertently removing the flower budding every time you cut. I believe most flowering trees produce flower buds for the next season....but you’re cutting that off. I’d really give it some rest and good card. It’s really okay to let it get out of perfect display shape....I think even recommended.

It’s a nice looking tree...give it a break for awhile. Keep taking photos though....just resist the urge to cut.
 
I almost wonder...it's a sizable tree...if while allowing it to recover. One would slip it into a larger/deeper pot. I don't know the species...but on google search, many have deeper pots.

I would not defoliate...I would try to not cut back...and just allow this tree to recover.
 
Tieball said:
You might be inadvertently removing the flower budding every time you cut. I believe most flowering trees produce flower buds for the next season....but you’re cutting that off. I’d really give it some rest and good card. It’s really okay to let it get out of perfect display shape....I think even recommended.

It’s a nice looking tree...give it a break for awhile. Keep taking photos though....just resist the urge to cut.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks everyone for all the input. The 1st 2 pics are the result of cutting back almost to the trunk. I know it would do it again if I cut it back. And it's not really in decline, just at the end of the growing season. As for the roots, they're great and I was looking forward to exposing more surface roots this time round. And it's finally in the pot I ordered from Yamafusa kiln which I'm happy with. There's a bud at the base of every leaf (see pic) which I'm sure will pop if I remove the leaf so in spite of all the replies to the contrary I think I'll de-foliate. :eek: I'm expecting each new tip to grow straight up so I'll cut it back to the 1st set of leaves.
Leaping into the breech! If my experiment fails there's always seppuku! ;)P1020835.jpeg
 
Shima said:
I've watched this Callistemon decline along with almost everything else in this cold, wet inhospitable clime for years. View attachment 178251View attachment 178252View attachment 178253
Click to expand...

You mention decline...then, state it's not really decline when we went on what information you offered. (Scratching head over that one.)

Shima said:
. And it's not really in decline, just at the end of the growing season.
Click to expand...

Defoliate at ones end of growing season,with intent of new growth before season is through...scratching head over that. @Vin ... You ever do that with yours?

Mind you I don't know the species other than I killed a nice thick trunk feeling I could treat it like a tropical. Early newb mistake...

How much more time for your growing season? Nice tree like that..lI wish you luck.
 
The buds look nice. I still have winter...buds are brown and lifeless looking at this time. Soon though...maybe another month...bud swelling...excitement. I seem to be easily entertained by the antics of my climate and trees.

Post some progression photos when defoliated and growth bursts begin. Always interesting.

Well, it didn’t look that healthy. I didn’t know it was the end of the growing season. I should have asked. While you’re out there...take some photos of the tree's natural environment. Hawaii not-in-the-city fascinates me. Always learning.
 
Cadillactaste said:
You mention decline...then, state it's not really decline when we went on what information you offered. (Scratching head over that one.)



Defoliate at ones end of growing season,with intent of new growth before season is through...scratching head over that. @Vin ... You ever do that with yours?

Mind you I don't know the species other than I killed a nice thick trunk feeling I could treat it like a tropical. Early newb mistake...

How much more time for your growing season? Nice tree like that..lI wish you luck.
Click to expand...
I partially defoliate mine midway through the growing season and get the expected results. That's a really nice tree @Shima
 
Cadillactaste said:
You mention decline...then, state it's not really decline when we went on what information you offered. (Scratching head over that one.)



Defoliate at ones end of growing season,with intent of new growth before season is through...scratching head over that. @Vin ... You ever do that with yours?

Mind you I don't know the species other than I killed a nice thick trunk feeling I could treat it like a tropical. Early newb mistake...

How much more time for your growing season? Nice tree like that..lI wish you luck.
Click to expand...
Oh jeeze I did say that. It always looks in decline this time of year. Sorry about that. Everything pretty much just stands still up here 'till it warms up in June. My depression over the tridents which really are in decline, or dead, must have bled over into everything.
 
I will admit I know nothing about this species. Is it an evergreen? If so, then it’s probably better to not defoliate it.

Defoliating generally makes the tree produce new buds as quickly as possible. Which would be out on the tips of the branches. And, in the tree’s “panic” to produce some leaves, it won’t bud out interior buds. So it gets leggier.

Instead, consider thinning to remove leaves growing on the bottom of branches, and any old leaves over a year old. Leave interior leaves intact. By thinning, the interior leaves get some sunlight, and they’ll grow.

As I said, I’m not familiar with your tree. The advice I gave is based upon my work with olives, another evergreen tree.

Good luck with it!
 
My Callistemon looks terrible this time of year as well. I am totally changing the direction I was headed with mine and cut it back hard late in the summer so it really looks bad this year. It'll start popping in the next 30 days.
 
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