Here is a boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) that I picked up a few days ago. I really like the main trunk and stems on it. I was hoping I could get some advice on how to prune it back so it can develop as a nice bonsai. Thanks!
https://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Adamf ... 4.jpg.html
https://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Adamf ... 3.jpg.html
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The Ficus Guy
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rainbowgardener
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By copying the IMG link photobucket gives you and pasting it here, you can actually show your photos:
I am less than a beginner at bonsai, and so usually never give any styling advice, so take this for strictly beginner opinion.
But I think you want to start by getting some image of what you want it to look like. Browse boxwood bonsai images. Make a line drawing of your tree's trunk and main branches and think about a shape for it and which ones you want to save. Think about simplifying, so that the lines of the tree become visible.
Start at the bottom. When you repot, lift it a bit so that the beginning of the roots are exposed. That is what gives your bonsai a foundation.
https://www.hugahorsefarm.com/largebonsaiboxwood.jpg
https://www.perfectbonsai.com/images/box ... xwood3.jpg
https://assorted4u.files.wordpress.com/2 ... oxwood.jpg
I am less than a beginner at bonsai, and so usually never give any styling advice, so take this for strictly beginner opinion.
But I think you want to start by getting some image of what you want it to look like. Browse boxwood bonsai images. Make a line drawing of your tree's trunk and main branches and think about a shape for it and which ones you want to save. Think about simplifying, so that the lines of the tree become visible.
Start at the bottom. When you repot, lift it a bit so that the beginning of the roots are exposed. That is what gives your bonsai a foundation.
https://www.hugahorsefarm.com/largebonsaiboxwood.jpg
https://www.perfectbonsai.com/images/box ... xwood3.jpg
https://assorted4u.files.wordpress.com/2 ... oxwood.jpg
Styling is very personal. Your new tree isn't quite big enough to style as though it were an oak. So, you could plant it to ground for a few more years if oak style was your intent.
Box like elm develops better roots, if those roots are lightly (thinly) covered with soil. Exposing them slows their development.
Were this my tree, I would spend this winter window shopping on the internet for other box being trained as bonsai. I'm about sure if you do, some idea will come to you.
Box like elm develops better roots, if those roots are lightly (thinly) covered with soil. Exposing them slows their development.
Were this my tree, I would spend this winter window shopping on the internet for other box being trained as bonsai. I'm about sure if you do, some idea will come to you.
Ok sounds good, I was planning on cutting it down to be a smaller bonsai. Thanks Ficus Guy for stopping me from destroying it by accidentally cutting back on one of the main lower branches to where it had no leaves, I thought they grew out from the cut.
I'm hoping to cut it down and make some nice pads of foliage. If anyone had any advice on that that would be great because I can't seem to find anything on it.
Thanks!
I'm hoping to cut it down and make some nice pads of foliage. If anyone had any advice on that that would be great because I can't seem to find anything on it.
Thanks!
Next spring your going to wire some branches down to begin the process to create pads.
Repot first and get some bonsai soil around the feet. While a box will survive pretty funky soil, you want him growing better than that. By a repot its still going to be some years before you pot down into a bonsai pot.
Repot first and get some bonsai soil around the feet. While a box will survive pretty funky soil, you want him growing better than that. By a repot its still going to be some years before you pot down into a bonsai pot.
Your going to spend some time looking at others work on the net if one set of key words don't bring up what your looking for try others.
It is nearly impossible to presciently guess what your needs will be, and craft a 100 word reply. Your next great idea is going to have to germinate inside you.
FWIW box needs a live terminal leaf (a set of leaves at the extreme end of a branch) in order for that branch to live. if you cut it down past an end leaf, the branch will die
So your going to take several incrimental steps, before you get to a final shaping...
It is nearly impossible to presciently guess what your needs will be, and craft a 100 word reply. Your next great idea is going to have to germinate inside you.
FWIW box needs a live terminal leaf (a set of leaves at the extreme end of a branch) in order for that branch to live. if you cut it down past an end leaf, the branch will die
So your going to take several incrimental steps, before you get to a final shaping...