Boxwood Wintergreen “Winterstar” $13 find!

[AnutterBonsai]

Today I stumbled upon this great piece of material that I just couldn’t resist buying for at a great price!

As you can see, starting at the nebari, it has those roots to the side that I loved because they don’t look, to me, too big of an issue and instead “anchor” the powerful and barky trunk. I want to turn it potentially into an oak style or informal broom, naturalist style.

Any advise on what I can do at this time of the year? I’d like to eventually repot it in a training bonsai pot in the spring. Could I potentially trim and prune it down a couple notches now and repot in spring?

I’ve also drawn a virt in what I’m having for my vision, but I’m all ears for suggestions!

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Here are some backside, left and right side shots from the front.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

These tend to be very tough trees. I'd guess with your climate you could go pretty aggressive. At that price I would, hehe. I've read several folks posts that recommend leaving some green on the branches you want to backup. I wouldn't hesitate to cut the roots back by half or more. Nice find

 

[Hack Yeah!]

One more thought, keep the little branches at the bottom that you may think you don't need... at least for now

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Agreed on all your points! I want to learn from past mistakes and take advice to make this one live at the same time
So cut back this season and bare root repot on spring in good soil should be ok right?

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I'd think that would be a safe approach and definitely fully bare root at repot

 

[Srt8madness]

Just picked up a couple of these at HGC in 5 gal pots. I plan on taking a LOT of roots off come spring. Bark looks great on yours, love the flake. I'd treat that back branch/trunk as a sacrifice.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Yeah these are awesome… hope you got a good haul! drank a few beers and said what the hell. Pruned it back and applied wound sealant. Say a prayer for this guy. Please live!

Et, voila! Front and back. Looks a lot like the oaks I see all over Houston.. this one is a lot sparer of course but hopefully it fills in nicely through the years

 

[nuttiest]

Yeah it's going to be a long recovery, stupid beer! It can sulk for 2 years, at least you have something to look at. The bark is so fissured at the base looks nice.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Yeah it's going to be a long recovery, stupid beer! It can sulk for 2 years, at least you have something to look at. The bark is so fissured at the base looks nice.

Hoping the roots supporting it will give it a push of growth, if not, I’ll just baby it

 

[AnutterBonsai]

some update; some leaves are turning either brown or bronze.. cant decipher, i think it is more bronzing... no photos now, today after work though.. Is this normal? we're starting to shift into some cooler weather here. the highest this week will be mid 70s and lows in mid 50s. I've been watering when top inch or two is drier and pot feels lighter, very hard to decipher when to water on this nursery soil.

P.S: I'm wondering if the pruning is causing dieback. although i did apply Top Jin wound sealant.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I think you can remove boxwood sacrifices in ...oh...say 40-60 years.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Here’s a few snaps on the color on the leaves