Bonsai Creation Methods and Technical Key Points for Chinese Boxwood
Chinese boxwood, also known as small-leaved boxwood, thousand-year dwarf, etc., is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Buxus in the family Buxaceae, native to the middle Yangtze River basin and areas to the south in China. It prefers warm, semi-shaded, humid climates, is drought-tolerant, cold-tolerant, and tolerant of pruning, is a shallow-rooted tree species, grows slowly, and has a long lifespan, making it an excellent tree material for bonsai.
Material selection for bonsai: One approach is propagation by sowing or cuttings, which, although it can yield large numbers of seedlings, not only takes a long time to cultivate but also makes it very difficult to obtain good material with gnarled roots and exposed claws, vigorous and ancient-looking. The second approach is digging up old stumps, and premium material is mostly obtained by this method. In principle, boxwood can be dug up in all four seasons, but summer is best, spring and autumn next, and winter worst. After digging, the stump can be wrapped in plastic bags around the roots to retain moisture. When planting, the downward-growing main root should be removed, and it is best to seal and coat all wounds with commercially available latex, and cut off most of the leaves to prevent water loss and ensure survival. It can first be grown in the open ground or directly potted, but it must be cultivated for more than two years before styling and creation.
Pot selection: Yixing purple clay pots or light-colored glazed ceramic pots can be used. The shape and size of the pot can be determined according to the size of the stump and the styling form. In principle, cascade style is best suited to square or round tall cylinder pots, while slanting trunk style, curved trunk style, forest style, etc., are best suited to round, oval, or rectangular pots.
Potting soil: Chinese boxwood likes fertile sandy loam, and the best potting soil is fertile, loose sandy loam with good aeration and water permeability. A mix of 40% cinder, 40% humus soil or garden soil, and 20% river sand can also be used.
Potting time: Best between spring and summer. When planting, overlong and overly dense roots should be cut off, and the root system can be adjusted according to styling needs so that the roots spread naturally in the pot. The planting depth should not be too deep. After covering with soil and watering thoroughly, place it in a semi-shaded area, keep the potting soil moist, and frequently spray water on the leaf surface. After about 30 days, once the plant begins to grow, it can be transferred to normal care.
Styling and creation: Artistic styling should be based on the plant's basic tree form, suited to the tree, and following its natural tendency. Styling techniques can include pruning and wiring, but wiring is best in summer and autumn, when the branches are more flexible and easy to bend; pruning is best done in spring. Special attention must be paid to this: although Chinese boxwood has strong sprouting ability, it has an odd temper, namely "no leaves, no sprouting." Therefore, whether for styling or routine pruning, for branches and trunks that are not in the desired position, the method of "retaining leaves section by section, shortening to force buds" can be used, so that they gradually sprout downward into the desired position. One must not blindly pursue getting it right in one step with drastic pruning and drastic cutting that leaves no branches or leaves, as this often causes the branches and even the whole plant not to sprout or even to die.