Ryan,
I just saw this post. I am trying to learn how to keep buttonwoods due to suddenly and without warning, being given two old speicmens that were collected many many years ago. My old bonsai teacher used to go out and collect them. He has since passed on and his elderly widow was trying to keep them up...and not doing very well. They took some hits a couple winters in a row. I don't know why she didn't bring them inside. Her husband always did. But, they are large and very heavy so maybe that had something to do with it. She is now moving to New Mexico with her son and was trying to give the Buttonwoods to someone she thought would keep them safe....
I have no experience with Buttonewoods, never really wanted a Buttonwood but they're here in my yard, living on little wagons with the rest of my tropicals. I put them all on wagons in the winter so that I can pull them inside briefly when real cold threatens. What worries me is that in a couple of years, we may be moving to TN also....I thought a green house would be fine for them but after reading an earlier post to this thread, I know I can't take them with me when I go.
For now, though, I just want to learn what I can about them so that come summer, I can take care of them properly. They both need repotted and cut way back from years of near neglect. How hardy are these plants when it comes to root pruning. I would love to put them in way smaller pots that they are currently in. Right now they're border line "two man" bonsai. I can't lift one alone.
What kind of fertilizer do they do well on? Any pointers would be appreciated.