Buxus Guidance

[Lane]

G'day,

I was hoping for some help on what to do with two Japanese Buxus I have.

The first was one of my first go at buying nursery stock and trimming it down, although after seeing more on here and reading all the rules and guides for Bonsai on the wiki page it appears I may have been way off the mark! Would it classify for a broom style?



At the time I thought it looked good but now after learning a bit more it seems there are too many branches and no main trunk line?

What would your suggestions be on the best way to clean it up a bit?

This second one I got for a steal when I purchased a Cedar last week, as soon as I saw the nebari I had to have it.

I'm unsure what to do with this one as it has two major branches splitting straight off from the trunk



I've included a close up of the branches.



Any input to stop me from making further rookie errors would be much appreciated!

Thanks, Chris.

[Andrew Legg]

Don't know why you would want to change the first one. I think it's cool. Why try force a tree into someone else's vision of what's 'good'?

Second one is a bit tricky. Not sure what I'd do with that.

[peterb]

I agree with Andrew, the first has quite a nice natural feel, there's movement in the trunks and it has a nice shape . The second i would cut both the side branches short and let it grow for the rest of the season and then see what you get and try work towards a broom style

[Lane]

Thanks gents,

I'm pleased to leave the first one as is!

The second one I will study some more and peruse some pictures for more inspiration, your idea of the broom style is appealing to me at this stage.

Should I leave the bottom of the "Y" as thick as possible to promote as many branches for the broom style?

[kcpoole]

The second one, Trim back to one branch on the left and thin out the apex as well to see it better
Pick a Shoot to build as the apex / Canopy.

Remove the little branch on the right as it comes from the inside of the trunk
Let it shoot back and keep any other shoot in nice locations and build new branches with them

Ken

[Lane]

I like the idea of that Ken and I can picture it, I will study it again this afternoon and perhaps make some changes hopefully it stops raining enough to give me a chance!

[Lane]

Had a go at Ken's suggestions yesterday, thoughts?

I wasn't sure if I should lose that little shoot at the back or not?

[kcpoole]

Excellent,
Now you can see the structure and allow only foliage you want to develop
I would let those branched lengthen and wire the new foliage to control the direction of it.

Once thy get to about 1/3 their final lenght , start to build the ramification and foliage
if you get new shoots that are in a good position then keep them topo.

Ken

[Lane]

Thanks Ken,

I will let it grow some length and wire up after summer or if they get a bit long.