JTred
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Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:05 am
Location: Elizabeth, PA

Need Artistic Bonsai Advice

I just got a brand new boxwood. I did a little pruning off the top, but nothing really serious. Unfortunately, I don't really have an artistic eye and I need some help. This is my new plant, I'd appreciate any advice on which branches to remove, shorten, or train.

Front:
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/JTsoccer59/NewBoxwood002.jpg[/img]

Right:
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/JTsoccer59/NewBoxwood003.jpg[/img]

Back:
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/JTsoccer59/NewBoxwood004.jpg[/img]

Left:
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/JTsoccer59/NewBoxwood005.jpg[/img]

The left/right front/back aren't decided, I actually need help deciding on the best front view.

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bonsaiboy
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Location: Earth

I would acctualy let it grow out a bit more before you considered pruning it. This will allow the trunk to thicken (which it may need, depending on if you want it thicker).

logic1248
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Location: Toledo, OH

I agree with Bonsai Boy I have alot of young trees like that and have pruned some into a style right away but once I started letting them grow naturally for a long while before styling the trunks do get thicker faster and new branches pop up which may give you a totally different idea for basic style or just a more refined version of the style you were going to shoot for originally. In general your tree will reward you when you show it patience which I had to be reminded of myself by several folks in another thread about a new chinese elm I got. Hope that helps and good luck I like box woods alot, they are forgiving trees also.

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zewald
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Location: Greeley, CO, USA Zone 5

JTred

Hey man, thats a good looking little plant you got there. Like Bonsaiboy and Logic said, one option is to let the plant grow out, and let the foliage fill in before you figure out what to do with it. Personally, living in an apartment, I can't have bonsai that are too big, so I tend to keep my bonsai no more than 10 to 15 inches tall. while the branch system in your pictures look very promising, but I would hesitate to make ur bonsai any more than 10 inches if you want to start it now. Here are a couple of pics of MY boxwood.
[img]https://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/zewald/IMG_0025.jpg[/img]

When I first bought the plant, it was nice and full, probably with a little thicker trunk than yours
[img]https://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/zewald/After.jpg[/img]
After a very good trimming. took me about 45 minutes to clean and trim the roots, and then figure out what I wanted to do with it.

its about 8" tall and 14" wide

this kind of bonsai you can do pretty soon, its nice and small, and still a very attractive tree (if I do say so myself).

Boxwood are hardy plants, so pruning and repotting this late in the season shouldn't be an issue for keeping it healthy. But of course, if you want to get a larger bonsai, or are worried about the health of the tree, wait til next spring at least.

as far as having an artistic eye? everyone has one. just go slow, trim back some leaves to see what ur options are, and take chances. if you are worried about removing a branch, leave it, you can always remove it later. Usually the plant will "tell" you how it wants to be shaped. just take the initial shape of it, and accentuate the parts that look really good to you. Have fun!!!!

Hope everything was helpful and instructional. Good luck and keep us posted.

pgchimp91
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Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:01 pm

I would have to agree with the others, don't trim the tree until it has grown becuase otherwise the tree will not look as bushy and pleasing as it should, by letting it grow you can then shape the tree how you want I would suggest small balls of foliage of the ends but until it grows don't touch it, keep it well fed and watered and just be patient the reward will be great

kdodds
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Location: Airmont, NY Zone 6/7

Agreed on pruning. The only thing I would do right now is wire the lowest branch on the right (from the front) trunk half that is crossing the left trunk. I'd bring that to a more vertical position now, while it's thinner and easier to work with, so that it doesn't cross the left trunk.

JTred
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Posts: 380
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:05 am
Location: Elizabeth, PA

Just thought I'd update. Kdodds I took your advice and repositioned that branch. I also reversed the viewing angle and wired another branch so it wasn't growing towards the viewer (an eye poker). I used bread ties for several reasons:
-I didn't want to damage the leaves and buds growing along the branch
-I don't have any experience with proper wiring techniques
-the branches are flexible enough for the bread ties to be effective
-They were all I had

Thanks for all the help, I have a lot of hope for this tree.

[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/JTsoccer59/Boxwood6-14-09.jpg[/img]

imafan26
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Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

I wish you luck with your pre bonsai plant. I do agree with the other posts that the plant does have potential but needs to be grown out a bit more. Bonsai focuses more on the structure of the branches and not so much on the leaves. When you are ready to make your pruning cuts, you need to think about how to direct the branches to grow where you want them to. Wiring and shaping of the branches comes much later once you have decided on which side is the front and how you want to train your branches. I also found out that sometimes you need to be a flexible in your thinking, over time the plant will grow out and other possibilities may arise in which you may have to change your design. In the end, it is all about what looks good to you. However, personally, I appreciate that you did not just hack off the top, put it in a pot and call it a bonsai



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