Boxwood help.

[Defect]

Ok, I just picked up these boxwood's here. They must have been in the pots forever,
I really have no idea how long but a looooong time. They both are not in that
great of shape but I am hoping to get them in better shape. I couldn't help myself.
At this point I am wondering what to do. Do I take them out of the pot and throw
them in 5 gallons? Do I cut the roots or leave them alone until better health?
Also the trunk on the English boxwood is kinda straight but the nebari looks great (as much as I can see anyway).
Can I chop these down and start a new leader later when the poor guy is in better health?

Thanks

 

[bonsai barry]

I particularly like the first photo. If it were mine I'd cut it back by half and then maybe half again in a year or two. I have had spotty results when cutting a branch or trunk below any leaves. I think you'll find a ton of roots in the pot that could be cut way back (in Santa Cruz) this time of year I think your climate is pretty much like mine (but no banana slugs here).

 

[Defect]

The only thing I was worried about is they are not in great health so would cutting back to roots a bad or good thing?
Leaves are yellowish and not a lot of new growth.

The 1st one is about 2 feet tall the other is just about 14 inches.

 

[Defect]

Well, I had to cut off the 1 gallon pot. You can probably see why.....One place on the rootball was brown and dead probably strangled by itself....I left as much of the roots on as I could had to go to town on the roots with a chopstick. So it is in its new home. Hope this tree makes it.

 

[misfit11]

Is that soil you put it in typical potting soil? If so, I'd be careful with watering. I've lost boxwoods in the past to root rot.

 

[Poink88]

Since you trimmed the roots hard, chop it now where you want it. It will be okay since you have foliage everywhere.

 

[Defect]

Is that soil you put it in typical potting soil? If so, I'd be careful with watering. I've lost boxwoods in the past to root rot.

It is regular potting soil with extra pumice in it. I will watch the watering. Thanks

Since you trimmed the roots hard, chop it now where you want it. It will be okay since you have foliage everywhere.

Alright, sounds like a plan. Thanks

Also, I did not mean to actually take off that much of the roots it just happened. I tried to leave more of the roots intact but it was so tight in there that even the chopsticks took off the much.

 

[Defect]

So here he is with a little hair cut. I hope the ratio of foliage to roots is ok now. I actually wanna chop it down even more but wanna take it slow because truthfully I am afraid to do it.

 

[JudyB]

You should be fine to chop it lower, but you must be very careful about those roots in that soil. That will be your problem more than cutting too much. BTW, boxwoods take to root pruning very easily, you could probably get it out of that "soil" and into a better substrate now. And a smaller (shallower) pot or trainer. Keeping boxwood too wet is dangerous, and in that large container (in proportion to the roots) it will stay pretty wet....

 

[Poink88]

I still stand by my original recommendation to chop it as hard as needed now (where you want it to be). I concur to repotting with better draining "soil" now too. Good luck!

 

[Defect]

So what would one use for soil exactly? Would 40/40 sand and perlite with 20% soil work or is there something else I should use? Thanks for the replies and help.

 

[Poink88]

"Soil" is a tricky thing (and many wars have been fought over it LOL) and need to be adapted to your area and your tree. Your mix will evolve in time. I am only doing this 8 months and I probably changed my mix and ingredients more than 10 times already.

Now, I mostly use "Turface MVP" amended with 10-15% course sphagnum peat moss. (Note that I am in TX and it is very hot & dry here) I'd prefer finely chopped pine bark (over peat moss) but cannot find any here.

For my boxwood, I usually use this mix but add some of the original soil (if it is not clay) also and they seem to not miss a beat.

 

[Defect]

O.K. I will be on the hunt today for some better soil.

 

[Poink88]

O.K. I will be on the hunt today for some better soil.

Before you do, please read lots about it. You want fast draining well aerated "soil" with good water retention. Good luck!

IF you want to give Turface a try...use this to search for suppliers near you. http://www.turface.com/distributors

Note that I keep putting soil in quotes since bonsai soil is hardly soil really.

 

[Bill S]

Do a search on soil here at Bnut, there will be enough hopefully to get you away from thinking dirt in the pots. If this sounds strange, read before you buy.

 

[HotAction]

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?1826-Boxwood-(wintergem)&highlight=wintergem
This is a link to my boxwood progression, you may find it helpful.

 

[Defect]

Ok! Somewhere in here has to be a decent mix to put my plants in. Any suggestions on ratios?
I think the rocks in the middle is cinder but was labeled as decorative rock.....lol
That link to your boxwood is very much appreciated nice to see the progression on it.

 

[rockm]

NO potting soil.

Fifty fifty on the pumice and what looks like akadama? If you want to use an organic (the pumice and cinder are inorganic) try baby orchid bark, or something that has a larger granule. Potting soil is about the worst thing you can use in bonsai soil, unless you're growing something that loves soggy feet like swamp cypress or wisteria. Potting soil is designed to hold onto as much water as possible, which the boxwood will hate. They like freer draining soil. Soggy soil leads to root rot with boxwood.

Soil mixes are a subject of strong opinions among bonsaiers. Expect heated replies to the above...

 

[Defect]

I went on this forum searching for soil mixtures and did find a lot of opinions on soil but....
I figure the more information and perspectives I can gather the better I can move
along in this hobby. So thanks for the soil opinion!

Also gonna cut down one of my 5 gallon pots to turn into a training pot,also going to make a few more holes in the bottom as well.

P.S. Yes it is akadama, I went to a nursery up the street and found out they actually carry it...lol

 

[Poink88]

When I am starting I read a lot and experimented a lot.

Started with cat liter...not good. Tried Oil-Dri, good enough but not the best. I also used; pine bark (large ones and I chop them up...too much work), decomposed granite, sand, perlite, sphagnum moss, etc.

As I mentioned...I eventually settled with Turface MVP with sphagnum moss. You can do the same and try different stuff until you find what works best for you...or check what most people in bonsai use (say top 5) then go from there

For training pot, I have been using 12 Qt. Sterilite dish pans from Walmart. Costs around $1.98 each (black or white) and I love them. I have around 60 of it LOL.