Broom style Boxwood

[DesertPanda]

Broom style Yaupon Holly (formerly Japanese Boxwood)

This was a birthday present from the family about a month ago. I like the pot it is in but I may try and find a shallower one depending on the weather in the next few years. There was a considerable amount of fine root showing when I got it, I filled in a bit of soil, and it has taken off. I have had to pinch and snip a bit so that it did not get out of hand. Next year, I hope to guy line the lower branches down a bit to give it a sense of age. In addition, I would like a bit more rounding along the top of the crown but that will come with time.

 

[rockm]

You sure that's a boxwood?

 

[DesertPanda]

Identification

Truthfully…about 60% sure. I have looked through my books and a few other possibilities have come up but none have really hit home. Suggestions from more experienced sources would be greatly appreciated all the way around.

 

[Poink88]

Post better pics of the foliage.

From your pic...it looks like holly to me.

 

[DesertPanda]

Better pics

I will get some better pics of foliage and trunk this evening and post them.

 

[rockm]

Looks like a holly to me. Leaves and bark aren't right for a boxwood.

 

[Poink88]

You can see some of my yaupon holly here. Check if the leaves match yours.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?8590-Poink88-s-Ilkex-Vomitoria-(Yaupon-Holly)

 

[DesertPanda]

Leaves, fruits, flowers

I believe that the leaves look similar to the Yaupon and I will double check this afternoon. One thing that swayed me away from the holly was the lack of flowering or fruit. I have been watching this tree for the last two–three years at the nursery and it has never had either as far as I know.

 

[Poink88]

Not all yaupons flower or fruit. I think most Nana's don't.

 

[DesertPanda]

Eureka

*hand to head* OK, I am seriously going to have to remember that we live in a world with technology. I called the lead at the local nursery and asked. You are both correct, it is a Yaupon holly. Thank you for the input and getting me to double check myself.

 

[rockm]

I'm not all that sold on it as a holly, either. Since you're in the desert SW, I'm thinking it's a different species we easterners aren't familiar with. Your location mostly rules out it being a boxwood too...

Might be worth asking where the family got it and backtracking from there.

***Just read your post before this one.

Yaupon it is...

 

[Poink88]

I find yaupon harder to wire than boxwood. the bark is much more tender (though they both are) and branches are more brittle. Try clip and grow, it really responds well to it and send new shoots like crazy. You will get much better result than guy wiring. I actually pinch the buds on mine often.

If anything, you need to watch it and thin the shoots/buds as necessary.

 

[DesertPanda]

Clip and grow

I find yaupon harder to wire than boxwood. the bark is much more tender (though they both are) and branches are more brittle. Try clip and grow, it really responds well to it and send new shoots like crazy. You will get much better result than guy wiring. I actually pinch the buds on mine often.

If anything, you need to watch it and thin the shoots/buds as necessary.

I had noticed that also. After repotting it started putting out a considerable amount of new growth...I willtake you advice and go witht he clip and grow (which I enjoy anyway).

 

[Poink88]

The hardest part is making the initial proper cuts/chop...but believe me, you have to do it right to save you a lot of heartache and regret later. Imagine building for years a nice branch that you have to cut back to correct because it is too far out (ouch!).

Check where you want to start having the "movement" and character. Leaving a long straight branch will haunt you forever and will hold your bonsai back.