boxwood: from nursery pot to bonsai pot

will0911

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Here is a boxwood I got from a typical home depot and I planted it root over rock into a bonsai pot. Here is the progression pictures.

As is when bought it:
2011-05-14_19-24-53_592.jpg

2011-05-14_19-25-09_293.jpg


After pruning quite a bit:
2011-05-15_19-41-24_580.jpg

2011-05-15_19-41-58_973.jpg

2011-05-15_19-40-46_435.jpg


And then finally on the rock in the pot:
2011-05-19_17-41-09_732.jpg

2011-05-19_17-41-00_664.jpg


The tree as of this week...not alot of growth but no die back which I didn't expect any because these plants are very tough.
2011-08-23_07-27-10_632.jpg


Well that's it...just let it grow! Ill post a picture if for some reason it takes off before winter.
Thanks

Will B.
 

Redwood Ryan

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Are you sure the wire is doing anything? Boxwood branches are very stiff and I dunno if wire, even of that size, is enough to bend the branches. No offense, but try to have more pattern to your wiring as well, it appears to be all over the place.
 

will0911

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The wire is indeed messy but its not going to show so as long as it gets the job done, and speaking of this wire has bent these branches considerably. All the branches were very close together and straight, which they still are straight but to answer your question yes the wire is doing alot. Later I will need guy wires to further place the really heavy ones but for now I have made alot of space with wire. I probably do need to take more time wiring but I don't really see the point in being perfect when its gonna come off soon and its not in show
But thanks for bringing it up I do need to be a little neater!
 

jk_lewis

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I think I'd get rid of the two topmost branches (the ones on the right). Your tree seems to want to look like a windswept or semi-cascade and those branches try to go against the flow. At least get rid of the bigger one on the right.
 

will0911

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jkl,

do you mean the little two braches on the farthest right part of th tree or the two most vertical? sorry i tried to guess but i am not sure. by the way the picture might not show the image i want to protray. the tree is tilted further forward and to the left than i want. the rock under it has to be shortened but i didnt have the time then to do it. and i want to grow the right side of the canopy out which is gonna take awhile but i think this way it will look more natural. correct me if im wrong or not seeing something else. Again thanks for your time to help me out with my trees!

Will B.
 

jk_lewis

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jkl,

do you mean the little two braches on the farthest right part of th tree or the two most vertical?

Will B.

These two. Then wire the next one down a bit.
 

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bonsai barry

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The wire is indeed messy but its not going to show so as long as it gets the job done, and speaking of this wire has bent these branches considerably. All the branches were very close together and straight, which they still are straight but to answer your question yes the wire is doing alot. Later I will need guy wires to further place the really heavy ones but for now I have made alot of space with wire. I probably do need to take more time wiring but I don't really see the point in being perfect when its gonna come off soon and its not in show
But thanks for bringing it up I do need to be a little neater!

I'll disagree with your sentiment that the styling of the wiring is unimportant. Proper wiring is both effective and attractive. It is not unusual to see a tree that is wired in a show, but the wiring is usually done as skillfully as possible.

I was shocked when I took some classes with Peter Tea and he had me practice my wiring and then had me remove the wire afterwards since it was just practice. But I learned how to anchor the wire properly and then bend it evenly. Once I moved on to the real deal, he still had me remove much of the wire because the contact with the branch did not meet his expectations.

I don't think I'm being a bonsai snob, I'm just trying to move up to the next level.

Peter is currently studying bonsai in Japan. Here is the link to his blog if you're interested:
http://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/
 
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jk_lewis

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Poor wiring does not hold bends as well as "good" wiring. It also is more likiely to scar the trunk.
 

will0911

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oh i agree! i said i gotta work on it. im just used to fast growing trees which the wire stays on maybe a few weeks so its not as important. im not calling anyone a "bonsai snob" if it works for you then keep doing it. But also i dont have a club really close to me nor have i ever been to one so i just do what i can and work on what i can. i have never been "careless" with wiring, i always take my time i just dont use a ruler to measure the space in between each loop around the branch of each tree i wire. i respect you info and with time i will develop a better practice in wiring.
 
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