Begginer- Buxus harlandii- wiring

[Heitor Silva]

Well hello again! My name is Heitor, and I am from São Paulo, Brazil. Recently I have acquired a Buxus harlandii as my first bonsai, however, I still am REALLY insecure when it comes to styles and prunning. Therefore, I have some questions which still ring in my head:

1) When it comes to prunning, should I do it in a specific season, or am I able to do it throughout the year?

2) Is there a specific method to prune Buxus harlandii? From my not so wide knowledge regarding bonsai trees, there are some which require specific techniques, such as pinching. Does boxwood require such specificities?

3) I recently did a slip potting to the tree, since the roots started to entangle themselves. However, I was planning to do a transplant by Winter, using a bigger vase. Is it ok to do so? The tree is already 4 years old, but it wasn't transplanted by the time I received it.

4) Now, to styling! I don't want to start trimming the tree, and I still don't have a plan or idea regarding my Buxus' style either . From my perspective, it seems that Moyogi or Hokidachi seems to fit well for it. Given the following image, what it your perspective, that is, what style would recommend for me to follow? Please, consider that I am a lv. 0 bonsai maker, and that I would like to start with a not-so-crazy style, as I fear possible death of the plant

5) When it comes to wiring, should I be aware of any details regarding the fragility of the tree? It seems that the trunk is extremely hard, btw. And how long should the wires stay within the tree?

Well, guess that is that. I would be really thankful if someone answered such questions, because it is REALLY hard to find informations online. As for books, they are really rare and expensive to be found in Brazil (yep, in spite of Bonsai spreading here, everything is really expensive and hard to find). Well, bye!
Btw, its height is around 19,5 cm

 

[Shibui]

You should be able to prune buxus harlandii any time of year in Brazil. They respond really well. You can prune hard or pinch new shoots depending what you need to make the shape you want. Even if you cut all the branches off new buds will grow from all over the trunk so do not worry about making mistakes.
I have not noted any special needs of buxus and wiring. The corky bark is a feature so you should be careful when handling or wiring the trunk so the corky bark does not get broken. It will take a long time to grow again.
Wires are only required to hold the branches until they will stay where you want them. Young, fresh shoots sometimes stay in place after 2-3 weeks. Older branches may take 6 months to set into place. I usually just check the wires each week. When I see any places that look like the branch is being squeezed by the wire I take all the wire off. If branches move back I just wire again with fresh wire.
The trunk of your tree is quite straight and vertical so Hokidachi (broom style) would probably be the best to aim for. Don't get too hung up about one style or another. Bonsai do not have to be clearly one or another. Some very good bonsai have parts of several styles or are part way between one and the next. Just aim to make a good bonsai from the material you have available.
It is hard to make meaningful recommendations on style because I can only see one side of the tree in a 2D photo. I need to see all round the tree and to see the depth and direction of trunk, roots and all branches to be able to make good decisions about which parts to keep and which to cut.

 

[Anthony]

Would have suggested Gow and Clip.
Presently testing Boxwood [ not sure if it is Chinese or other ]
but as a hedging shrub, Grow and Clip works well.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Heitor Silva]

Oh, right. Thanks. By the way, I had some shots of it recently, and also a small video. I will send them here.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

4th picture down would be my front. I would cut the majority of the tree back leaving only the left curving branch. Doing so gives some movememt to the trunk and eliminates the straight uninteresting trunk of other angles.