A big boxwood (progression)

Late afternoon on 06/12/2012, on my way back from a (construction) project site visit, I passed by a house that (I believe) is being remodeled. The huge dumpster full of debris and 2 workers encouraged me to stop and ask if the hedge will be removed as well. They told me yes, but it will be cut with a chainsaw the next day and gave me permission to dig them up, informing me that they cannot wait and by the following day, the plants will be removed.

My wife and myself went back after work and tried to dig them up but below the top soil is solid caliche and very hard. We only managed to collect two (in almost 2 hours). This is one of them and have approximately 9" base multi-trunk/clump...the other is about 6" base. The hedge was obviously neglected and have a lot of dead branches...the ones I got only have a few leaves but I believe will readily bounce back with proper care. Just plain watering should do these plants wonders.

There were ten (10) more, a bit smaller but still substantial sized that (with heavy heart) I had to leave behind with my wife's insistence...but wisely so since it is getting late. Those will also be more difficult to remove since they are planted against the wall. The ones we got are next to a walkway and we can work all around them.

As collected on 6/13/2012...more than 4 feet wide x 3 feet tall.






As potted after initial trim and some growth 8/25/2012


1st airlayer going 3/31/2013

On 09/25/2013, I severed the 1st airlayer then layered the trunk below it. I also removed/separated one trunk at the back w/ its own root system. Both survived.

Here is a pic w/ the 2nd airlayer going on 2/17/2014.


Today (04/16/2014) I severed the 2nd airlayer...the image of a more compact tree is coming along (I believe). It is now 19" high from top of soil x 22" wide.

Reserved for future updates.

Nice Dario - I'm impressed with the growth you got in such short time.

I take it you decided not to go with a clump style? The last picture in your first post seemed to have good promise for a nice clump planting. I have a relatively big collected boxwood that I got at a club auction last year (thankfully someone else had done the digging and initial rootball work) that I'm planning to keep as a clump planting.

I am not much of a clump fan...couple that with the size of this and it will be a back breaker (another thing I do not like). I have a smaller clump boxwood...and a clump quince. Those are both manageable in size.

The good part, it produced 3 "offspring" already. Just not sure yet if the 3rd one will make it.

Next step for this is root ball reduction and soil replacement...maybe in 2 months.

Thanks!

What is the point with the large lava rocks?

jkd2572 said:

What is the point with the large lava rocks?

Click to expand...

Summer heat shield (like mulch)...helps keep the soil much cooler. Slows drying too.

This baby just got a new 16" Chinese pot. Scored on eBay through 3017smith

Here is the pot for now. LOL

is it not recomended to do two airlayers at the same time?

barrosinc said:

is it not recomended to do two airlayers at the same time?

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It can be done but not recommended when in the same line. It has to do with nutrient supply from the roots. When airlayering, the route become one way...upwards only and no downwards flow.

As a review;
xylem takes care of the upward supply from roots
cambium can transport both up and down
phloem flows downward from the leaves.

When airlayering, you cut flow from both the cambium and phloem...eliminating all downward flow. Those will all be "dammed" forcing the branch to use it to make it's own roots.

Problem with 2 (or more) consecutive or in-line airlayer is that the flow upward is weakened already...remember that the xylem is the only part taking care of it now (and depending on who did the prep can damage the phloem too). In reduced flow, there is a chance that no supply from roots reach the 2nd/higher airlayer and can fail.

Hope this explanation helps.

that makes sense... now that you say it, I realized it is the exact same branch.

but can it be done with no risks to airlayer on completely different branches?

barrosinc said:

that makes sense... but can it be done with no risks to airlayer on completely different branches?

Click to expand...

Yes........

Damn Dario, you're on a bad pot buying binge...need help?? LOL Nice pot, and I like that Braverman you got too!

Chris,

I got that pot last year (on sale too for $56.00 )...just don't have a pic of the tree in it yet...but she moved in already.

I love the Braverman a lot too.

Thanks!

Boxwood collected this week

This boxwood was collected in my neighborhood yesterday. Took 'bout 2 hours. The crazy thing is I couldn't see any of the trunk shape or nebari as you see it in the photo when I started. It was a massively overgrown shrub. I began reducing and reducing for about 30 mins and then could not believe what was hidden underneath. The scale is hard to see but the tree is about 3 feet tall. Now for the nursing and praying. I have many medium to large trees but this one will be and is already my pride and joy. I find collecting over the last 15 years to be totally addicting. My wife thinks I am crazy as we drive through neighborhoods and I am eyeing old trees and shrubs in yards for their Bonsai potential. Love your boxwood and hope I have as much luck with mine.

What an awesome tree...love the base flare!

If this is mine I will reduce it still considerably...maybe half it's current height or about twice as high from the base to the first fork/branch area. Also make it much tighter and start developing branches closer to the trunk.

You are welcome to stay on this thread but I believe your three deserve it's own thread.

Congrats for a great find!

Replikant said:

This boxwood was collected in my neighborhood yesterday. Took 'bout 2 hours. The crazy thing is I couldn't see any of the trunk shape or nebari as you see it in the photo when I started. It was a massively overgrown shrub. I began reducing and reducing for about 30 mins and then could not believe what was hidden underneath. The scale is hard to see but the tree is about 3 feet tall. Now for the nursing and praying. I have many medium to large trees but this one will be and is already my pride and joy. I find collecting over the last 15 years to be totally addicting. My wife thinks I am crazy as we drive through neighborhoods and I am eyeing old trees and shrubs in yards for their Bonsai potential. Love your boxwood and hope I have as much luck with mine.

Click to expand...

That base is impressive! Good find...

After the re-pot, the leaves showed signs of drying/wilting so I thinned the foliage down to half Monday evening...it bounced back the following morning and no more wilting.

It is under full sun too.

I just found my new front (almost the old back)...wrong angle in the pot but will be fixed next year. Carvings will have to be done but this is so much better front IMHO.

A virt.