First tree guidance

[Shay]

Hello all,
I have wanted to practice Bonsai for many years and only recently discovered I can get suitable trees where I live (Israel).
For the past couple of months I have been studying the basics and looking for good raw materials in nurseries. Yamadori is a bit difficult here but I am working on finding opportunities for that as well.
I found this Buxsus in a nursery and saw potential in it... It's not native here but can grow well.
Started to clean it and wanted some help with the next steps.
How far back should I cut it?
There are 4 branches at the bottom. I was thinking of cutting one of them (attached sketch) and create a nice movement between the root and the left branch. But it will create a 2D tree. How bad is it?
And in general, would like the opinion of an experienced Bonsai artist. What would he do?
If there are special things I should know about buxsus regarding soil, fertilizing, root treatment etc, I'd like to know as well
Thank you!!
Shay

 

[jk_lewis]

You do NOT want to cut it this far down right now, but this (image below) is where your bonsai resides. When you prune a boxwood always leave a fair amount of green on the remaining branches. On this tree that means you may have to cut it down to size over the course of 3-4 years, but bonsai is an art/sport of patience.

Choose the front -- this looks like as good a front as any -- and make slanting cuts on the branches you chop on the back side, so the scars (which take a good while to mend) won't be so evident. Repot into a free-draining coarse soil in the early spring. Water and fertilize carefully. It will not want to dry out, but is also will not want to be in soggy soil. Use a regular houseplant fertilizer and follow directions on the label.

 

[Shay]

Should I consider grafting?

Start lowering branches with foliage as I go along reducing size.
Is it possible?
Thank you for the help.
Shay

 

[jk_lewis]

I wouldn't, but if you like to do things like that, have at it.

 

[JudyB]

Pretty nice pick for a first tree. I would suggest that you go slowly at first, and learn how to keep this thriving before any drastic work begins. There are lots of things to learn, how to water, and fertilize properly. If the plant is in poor soil or root bound (as these tend to get) then you'll have more challenges than styling to contend with. You may want to look at repotting if the soil is poor, don't know your climate well enough to say when would be best. At repotting, would be a good time to do a first cutback as well. Make sure you leave some foliage on each branch you cut. These are pretty easy trees, looks like you have a nice trunk and starting branching to work with. I would suggest waiting to see if you get back budding after the cutback before trying grafting.

 

[Shay]

It's pretty hot here... All year round.

My balcony in northern so it's relatively cool.
Repotting is done in the spring.
OK then. I'll just practice on keeping it alive and update later on.
Thanks for the help!
Shay

 

[Neli]

I would listen to the advise above...but in spring you can do this:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...08104648.1073741909.1594227676&type=3&theater
Mine was the same as yours.