boon,
I need a precision
When you wired the ilex in May and June July or August: do you make a cut at the same time or do you let the entire shoot.
I understand that you do just wired the first 10 cm of the shoot but I do not know if you reduce also the shoot to 6 or 8 leaves for example.
In the second wiring, what did you wire?
> the rest of the branch wired a month before?
>the same branch: you remove wiring and rewired the same branch because of the risk that the wire cut the branch?
> or new shoots that are appeared on the branch after a cut?
I am not sure to understand very well what you explains sorry
but beautiful tree...
The first 3 years during growing season, no shoots were cut they were all let grow. Wire cut in within 4-6 weeks. Wire was removed and re wire 3 times the first year. twice the second and third year.
4th year, light wiring is done again. Owner let some fruits on.
In fall I cut back to 2-4 buds. When I wire I keep only 2 branches on each end.
We repot this tree in December. The owner chose to do it early. Weather is mild here in the bay area.
In 2008, in may it is cut to 6-8 leaves. No wire in 2008. We let it fruit. It is shown in Jan 2009.
Fruiting flowering trees need more leaves to feed the fruits and flowers.
I hope this help.
Boon
