Japanese Box Forest..Buxus microphylla

[NathanM]

That's an awesome little setting ^_^ I'd be happy too, if that was my life!
I used to practice a Chinese Martial Art that not many people have heard of called Zen Tai Chi Chuan. I reached a reasonably high level, and then my instructor moved away =( I wish I could take it up again. Would gladly start at the bottom again and train my way back up!

[bodhidharma]

Dont wish....Do, and make yourself happy.

[Japh]

That's an awesome little setting ^_^ I'd be happy too, if that was my life!
I used to practice a Chinese Martial Art that not many people have heard of called Zen Tai Chi Chuan. I reached a reasonably high level, and then my instructor moved away =( I wish I could take it up again. Would gladly start at the bottom again and train my way back up!

It's very fulfilling isn't it. I started learning Loong Choo Kung Fu for a while, until I got a consulting contract that basically made it impossible to attend the classes

One day, when I've worked out a way to either make enough money to live without working, or live without needing money... hey, I can dream

[Petra]

awesome mate! love it. and that little martial arts mud man. sweet as... is it bruce??? bruce lee?

He said it is himself.

[Petra]

Dont wish....Do, and make yourself happy.

Amen to that!

[NathanM]

Now to find somewhere that teaches it!!

[my nellie]

Hello everybody!

I've been reading here in ausbonsai (as well as elsewhere) every now and then in my attempt to collect info about this art.
My last enquiries regard creating a forest of box trees, so I would like to make my first post here asking any helpful information anyone could give to me.
This thread is an old one but I hope some member can share his/her experience and I thank you all in advance.

I have bought three buxus microphylla from a local nursery. I have repoted them reducing the rootball by 1/3 and put them into pond baskets and a draining substrate of pumice, lava and some peat mixed with some kind of kelp (?) peat. I have also reduced the branches considerably (or rather in proportion to the root reduction).
My plan is to wait one season and then early next spring to put the three trees together into a grow box after reducing their rootballs more.

What do you suggest?

[fiveoffive]

I would love to see how this forest is going as well

[kcpoole]

Hi Nellie
I assume that by having them in a grow box they need some bulking up and heavy growth?
sounds like you are doing the right thing.
If the trees need shaping, you can prune and wire to shape while they are growing. Then when you are ready to put them up they will need less time to settle in and establish.

Ken

[my nellie]

.... ....I assume that by having them in a grow box they need some bulking up and heavy growth?... ...

Thank you, Ken!
I use the pond baskets for a while now and I have find that the hairy roots are growing better than in conventional plastic flowerpots. That is why I opt for baskets after root pruning of the trees....
No, their size is OK. The reason why I intend to put then in a grow box is to give them the needed space (shallow but wide) for interweaving their roots.
Perhaps I should post some photos?

I would love to see how this forest is going as well

Me, too!!!

[kcpoole]

If they are happy size, then I will just pot them up into your Forest tray next year. The roots will happily grow and inter twine in the final pot

Ken

[teamak]

wow bodhi... when I saw the title I admit my first thought was 'box as a forest?', but like everyone else in this thread think it's incredible. I would be very proud of it . Someone else said having mr. miyagi in there is a rare example of figurines looking good, and I would have to agree in full. The size of the forest, in comparison to him, is perfect, you can't help but put yourself in his position and so can't help but feel more tranquil and relaxed. Anybody doing/done study in psychology? There has to be a name for it but in all seriousness a beautiful forest.

and nellie, can't help in the slightest, sorry! haha but thankyou (both) very much for making me aware of how nice a box forest can be.

[bodhidharma]

Only got onto this but Ken has given you great advice Nellie. My forest is very happy and healthy and i will post it again at a later date.

[paddles]

having just recently seen this forest... I know I could sit and look at it for hrs (unfortunately it was raining, so no sitting staring) but talking about the "emotions?' bought on by viewing a tree/landscape.... Bohdi has this awesome tree (I wanted it... lol) that I could sit and stare at for hrs too... I seriously thought of getting a tree that I could attempt to mold into a similar situation.. and although I made the decision that I need to limit my trees.. I wish i'd taken that juniper as well... lol

but back to the Japanese box forest, bohdi, do you have any photos of when you were building the group. (ie, the plants before planting, etc...)

[Thymetraveller]

What a magnificent forest!
I have five Buxus Macrophylla lined up and waiting to join plant as a forest in the next couple of weeks. There are several, though not many, amazing Boxwood group plantings on the web which inspired me to start assembling trees for a forest group, but I have to say that this one is the most powerful I have seen yet.
Respect.
I wonder how it has progressed...