Pictorial Guide
A pictorial guide on selecting the correct leaves to sample is given in figures 1 to 5 below.
Figure 1 Wrong leaf - This is a young expanding flush. Notice the light colour and glossy appearance of the leaves.
Figure 2 Wrong leaf - This is a summer flush. Summer flushes emerge during warm to hot conditions where leaf expansion is rapid. This results in a large oval/round shaped leaf.
Figure 3 Wrong leaf - This is a late spring/early summer flush. These leaves are confusing because they are in the transitionary period between a spring and a summer flush. These leaves are often confused for a spring flush because they seem to be the correct length, and if the leaf is slightly curled, it misleadingly appears to be narrow.
Figure 4 Correct leaf - This is typical of a spring flush. Notice the medium sized leaf and the narrow and pointed appearance. It is the narrow and pointed appearance that is the major determining factor in identifying spring flush shoots. Leaves that emerge in spring grow under mild/cool conditions and thus the leaves do not grow as broad and as large as the summer flush leaves.
Figure 5 Correct leaf - The three leaves visible on the top left hand corner of the picture is spring flush. It has been termed as ‘dogs’ ear’ in appearance. The flush (three leaves) on the bottom right hand side of the picture seem to be more oval in shape and thus should be avoided.