Boxwood Dilemma

[Vin]

I rescued this little guy from a 30 plus year old multi-trunk boxwood. While it is interesting that it survived, is it worth keeping? I can't figure out how to put the photos in the correct order. FYI, as you can see by the repot I’m really new to bonsai.

 

[Eric Group]

Well, I guess you could make something out of it, but you need some more foliage... I don't know if repotting to a bonsai tray is the best way to advance this tree right now... Might could have used a couple years In a bigger nursery pot or in the ground instead...

I think that dead piece sticking off the right needs some work....

 

[Poink88]

Looks like a keeper.

It ramifies very fast...with a little carving, a little wire and some pinching, you can easily have something like this before mid-summer. Not much but a start (idea).

 

[Vin]

Great Example

I knew that dead branch to the right needed to go but I'm not sure of the tree angle yet. Your example looks great! I thought about bringing the left branch way down to give it some width. I plan on working on it again next weekend. Fingers crossed.

Eric, When I potted this I used the soil the mother boxwood was planted in. I did not think it was going to survive. I needed to repot it in soil better draining bonsai soil so I figured why not throw it in a bonsai pot while I had it out. Typical beginner, too impatient.

 

[Vin]

Here's an update. Yep, boxwood grow sloooow.

 

[wireme]

Fast enough, that's only 1 year no? It looks great!

 

[Vin]

Fast enough, that's only 1 year no? It looks great!

Thanks! The branches did thicken quite a bit. If I can remember correctly, the original collection date was November 2013.

 

[Vin]

The ole' boxwood is still growing strong. It's finally time for a repot so yesterday that's exactly what I did. The roots were very healthy as you can see. I didn't have enough time to do a quality photo of the tree in it's new home but I'll post it as soon as I can. Overall, I'm happy with the progress.

 

[Stickroot]

The ole' boxwood is still growing strong. It's finally time for a repot so yesterday that's exactly what I did. The roots were very healthy as you can see. I didn't have enough time to do a quality photo of the tree in it's new home but I'll post it as soon as I can. Overall, I'm happy with the progress.

View attachment 97032

I am very excited to see it in its new home!
Very cool boxwood and good work in good time!

 

[Vin]

I am very excited to see it in its new home!
Very cool boxwood and good work in good time!

Thanks Buddy! This may sound strange but I was so busy yesterday repotting I didn't really have time to look at it much. I'm hoping it looks as good as I envisioned it would. We'll see.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Anticipating seeing it's new shoes...sure looks happy with those roots!

 

[rockm]

That's coming along great. It looks to me to be a Korean Boxwood, which are extremely forgiving to root work and chops.

 

[Geo]

Fortuitous salvage and very well worked.Congrats!

 

[Stickroot]

Oh the anticipation!

 

[Vin]

Oh the anticipation!

I hope it lives up to at least half the hype

 

[Vin]

Well, here it is all potted up and ready to grow out a bit. This year I'll
work on leaf reduction and ramification, if possible. I still need to do
something with that straight root on the right that just plunges in the
soil. It's come a long way and it's been a really fun project. As always,
critiques are welcome.

November 2013:




March 2016:

 

[sorce]

Is this the "suspenseful Sammy" tree?

Nice!

I would throw some moss under that root.

Nice!

Sorce

 

[Vin]

Is this the "suspenseful Sammy" tree?

Nice!

I would throw some moss under that root.

Nice!

Sorce

Yep, that's the tree. I was thinking of either pulling it more toward the trunk or maybe fitting a rock in there. Moss could work as well. Thanks!