Another Boxwood I am working on

[Mike123]

Covering up came off to harsh not intended. Your tree looks very healthy! Was curious did some of the branches hold there intended bends? I'm asking because I have a Box with mature branching, and would like to do the same. Your tree is coming a long nicely like I said before. Just didn't want to start pulling down mature branches if it's not going to work. I'm thinking it would take a long time if it even does work.

 

[Poink88]

Covering up came off to harsh not intended. Your tree looks very healthy! Was curious did some of the branches hold there intended bends? I'm asking because I have a Box with mature branching, and would like to do the same. Your tree is coming a long nicely like I said before. Just didn't want to start pulling down mature branches if it's not going to work. I'm thinking it would take a long time if it even does work.

No problem. I hope I didn't sound snappish...just want to explain my process. The growth are also very new (spring you know) so I do not want to remove them yet.

The branches stayed when I removed the old guy wires, but did not let it long enough to see if it will slowly creep back. I re-applied a turnbuckle to move the big (apex) branch more towards the center. It will probably take another 2 years before it "set". Probably shorter if I let it run wild. I also moved another branch to a new location to fill a void

FYI, the ones I bent w/ jacks before did set within 6 months...but they leave damage marks. Some looks like nice features now though. Guy wire is much slower.

Good luck!

 

[tmmason10]

Looks great and a nice base, very happy tree.

 

[Poink88]

Looks great and a nice base, very happy tree.

Thanks Tom. It have a long way to go still, but coming along.

It slowed down last year because of all the bending and repotting/shifting but back to it's "perky" self again.

 

[Ryan820]

I'm jealous. I don't have anything even close to looking this cool! Are most box woods capable of being potensai? Boxwood seems so common so maybe I should be keeping an eye out for these things?

 

[Poink88]

I'm jealous. I don't have anything even close to looking this cool! Are most box woods capable of being potensai? Boxwood seems so common so maybe I should be keeping an eye out for these things?

They grow very slowly so I collect these from hedges being removed. There are so many here in Austin, I basically am turning them down now. The past 2 weeks there were 2 digs for boxwood I passed up.

I find lots via Craigslist but not sure in your area. Good luck!

 

[Poink88]

Was curious did some of the branches hold there intended bends? I'm asking because I have a Box with mature branching, and would like to do the same. ... Just didn't want to start pulling down mature branches if it's not going to work. I'm thinking it would take a long time if it even does work.

I would also like to add that thought boxwood is very hard...it bends well when done slowly. Using a turnbuckle is the best I've tried. Do it slowly...like give it a few twists then come back after a while then repeat. On one of these, I did it in a course of 4 days.

Make sure you have a good anchor point and protect the bark well. I've damaged bark even with good cushion (i.e. thick leather, watering hose, etc.). For anchor point, I like using a screw, may sound damaging but it is contained in one spot.

If you encounter any problems...just ask.

Good luck!

 

[Mike123]

Just curious why did you take off the guy wires? Did the branches set? Not seeing it because of the new growth. New growth is good. Looks very healthy. The branch on the left did not,so maybe keep on longer? Don't know.. Like I said , nice progression. Maybe let new growth extend,when a little longer you can wire for movement.

 

[Poink88]

Just curious why did you take off the guy wires? Did the branches set? Not seeing it because of the new growth. New growth is good. Looks very healthy. The branch on the left did not,so maybe keep on longer? Don't know.. Like I said , nice progression. Maybe let new growth extend,when a little longer you can wire for movement.

I removed them because the wire (black steel tie wire) rotted/rusted and broke couple months ago. New ones are electric fence aluminum wires.

I was supposed to just remove all the wires...and that led to the (unplanned) repot.

I was discussing that with my wife an hour ago and planned on re-wiring the left branch tomorrow. Thinking of new anchor point right now since I do not want to use the roots again like last time.

 

[Mike123]

I removed them because the wire (black steel tie wire) rotted/rusted and broke couple months ago.

Yes that will happen. I fortunate to have access to stainless steel welding wire used as guy wires.
It's thin but strong! Also I would like to add I'm envious of the amount of trees you have collected, turning down some! You? lol. I'm hoping to acquire more and more. Also hoping to get some nice material at the Mid Atlantic Festival! Also jealous of how green it's looking. We here are just starting to warm up. Mine still have there winter jacket on!

 

[Poink88]

I tried welding wire before and those rusted too (not stainless though they look like). The thing I didn't like is that they are very hard. The electrical fence aluminum wire are easily bent but strong. Best of both world.

I would get more if I have more space. If you saw the boxwood thread by Travis (travislivid) he invited me on that one. He got lots of good pieces. Another co-member at the club posted an invite for boxwood dig but I didn't go. The biggest regret is a real yamadori trip I turned down...the trees are really great! There are other similar instances but you can only do so much. You will get your turn.

 

[mcpesq817]

Nice tree. Love the pot too!

 

[drew33998]

Here is another Boxwood I have been working on.

Look at these closely and see how much some of the branches are bent. The ones on the back are basically "relocated" from left to center and the one on the center to right. The branch at the left with guy wire & turnbuckle is 1".

For reference, base is at least 4", container is 12" x 15"

After initial trimming at collection January 19, 2012

A month or so after...

As of Oct. 4, 2012 (8.5 months later)

This morning 10/17/2012 (6am before going to work) I bent the main top-left (1"+ thick "S" curved) branch to bring it down and forward. Not yet finished...had to do it in increments/slowly so it won't break. Front-right branch also bent backwards and down. Back branch also re-positioned again. Pics will follow this weekend.

Here it is now (10/19/2012), exactly 9 months from collection date. It is a bit more compact now...

As of 03/29/2014...about 2 years and 2 months from collection. Finally repotted to a bonsai pot.

Love the glaze on that pot! Tree looks good. What's the next step?

 

[Poink88]

Love the glaze on that pot! Tree looks good. What's the next step?

Moved the apex a bit more to the right and lower. I just pulled the left branch down today. It might take another 2 years before both really set.

While waiting, I will be building the branches & ramification more and hopefully expose them as the canopy gets bigger and wider.

I will also graft the right branch...it is too straight and barren right now. Then all the chop areas will be carved...most likely to create uro on them.

I am betting that this will be (local) show ready in 2 years.

 

[Neli]

Nice tree with lots of potential
It said invalid attachment...
And the picture of the branch bender is missing.

 

[Poink88]

Nice tree with lots of potential
It said invalid attachment...
And the picture of the branch bender is missing.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Dav4]

This one really looks great now that all the scaffolding has been removed. Maybe you don't need to pull the left upper branch down, but try to wire one of the branches of that foliage mass down instead and let it fill in.

 

[Poink88]

This one really looks great now that all the scaffolding has been removed. Maybe you don't need to pull the left upper branch down, but try to wire one of the branches of that foliage mass down instead and let it fill in.

Thanks.

While pulling the apex...it crammed that left branch so I had to pull it down as well. Good idea on repositioning a branch...also planned that to "break" the appearance of the long branch.

It is early in it's training, I am sure lots of changes will come to this still.

 

[Neli]

I am just wondering how that branch bender is used...I have no Idea.
Thanks.

 

[Poink88]

I am just wondering how that branch bender is used...I have no Idea.
Thanks.

Insert branch to the "notch" then bend. It is just a lever.

Experiment with your hand...make a C out of one and use it to bend your other wrist.

On plants, you need to protect the bark...this can and will damage unprotected bark.