AusBonsai

While in Echuca I spotted this Buxus. The price was a bit high for my liking. After closer inspection I found ants in the pot so after some negotiation I got him down in price to where I was happy to take the risk. It has some new growth and new roots so still got some health to it. It has been soaking in seasol each night for 2 nights to kill the ants and help it survive. I cleaned out the centre to open it up to new growth. I will slip pot it then let it rest. Let me know what you think.

josh

Coming along well mate. Ants in a pot sometimes indicate some pest living in the foliage (aphida, scale etc) so I would carefully check that. Otherwise, nice pot and some TLC and in not too long you will have a worthy bonsai.
Good luck

looks like a keeper!

Thanks guys. I repotted into a slightlt larger pot to let it recover for a season then I'll start to work it harder. There was nothing else in the foliage, were I got it from was a very hot dry gravel area so I think this was the easiest option for them to nest in. I'll be keeping an eye on it over the next while to ensure there is nothing else hiding. Feed and watch for a bit now. I think this one should make as a shoin maybe?????

Josh

Just an update on this buxus. I repotted this tree back in October. I removed minimal roots but had to take some off because of the damage from the ants. Well it took off. New shoots and good growth. I tidied it up abit and it's looking good IMHO So I sat down and cleaned out tonight and wired it. It had some really thick branches already but these pointed in the wrong direction and would be impossible to move, they also did not have enough shoots on them (or in the right place) to form convincing branches so I took them off as I had new branches to choose from. I will now build the branches where I want them. Over all height is just on 200mm to the top leaf and 35mm at the base
I have removed leaves along the branches as this apparently causes buds to break out and form branches.
Comments welcome. Anything else you would do.

Josh
Ps. Mods could you please move this to progression section and maybe change title to Buxus progression PLEASE

Time for an update. This tree is going great guns and come a long way. It is in a loan pot from my daughter until I find one suitable (I have an unreal daughter). Comments welcome. Will sit and recover for a while but pretty happy so far.

Josh