How to grow a large-leaf boxwood bonsai? Detailed explanation of shaping and care key points

Large-leaf boxwood is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Euonymus in the family Celastraceae, also known as Zhengmu and evergreen euonymus. Because its leaves stay green all year round, it is also called "evergreen" or "large-leaf evergreen". Large-leaf boxwood can be processed into different bonsai forms such as straight-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, curved-trunk style, and double-trunk style according to the shape of the stump.

The branches of young seedlings are soft and can be shaped from a young age. First wire the main trunk, then the main branches and side branches, and pay attention to promptly pruning excess branches. Because its leaves are relatively large, the crowns of small and medium-sized bonsai mostly use an elegant natural shape, while large bonsai use neat round-slice, bun-shaped, or triangular crowns. Shaping is mostly carried out during the growing season using the method of "coarse wiring and fine pruning": first use metal wire to wire out the basic form, then prune carefully until the shape is formed. The characteristic that large-leaf boxwood heals wounds quickly can be used to carve the trunk, making it look old and antique.

Large-leaf boxwood likes a warm, humid environment and full sunlight, is slightly shade-tolerant and cold-tolerant, and has no strict requirements for soil, so ordinary garden soil can be used for planting. At ordinary times it can be placed outdoors in a ventilated, sunny place for care, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet. In summer, water frequently to ensure a sufficient water supply and avoid dry, withered leaves. When the air is dry, spray water on the plant, which can both increase air humidity and wash away dust on the leaf surface, making the leaf color clean and lustrous. Apply dilute alum fertilizer water once a month to provide sufficient nutrients and make the leaf color dark green and glossy, but avoid excessive fertilizer and water, otherwise the plant will grow excessively and the leaves will become larger, affecting ornamental value. Large-leaf boxwood has strong sprouting ability, so during care it is necessary to frequently pinch the tips and remove growing points to control the plant's growth and make the leaves dense and small. Branches and new buds on the trunk that affect the tree shape should be removed in time to maintain the beauty of the bonsai. Do not fertilize in winter. When the potting soil is too dry, water appropriately to keep the soil moist and avoid the bonsai dying from dry freezing. It should be noted that large-leaf boxwood bonsai overwintered indoors should not be moved outdoors too early, because it sprouts relatively early; if it encounters a cold spell in spring or a sudden temperature drop, the new buds are very likely to freeze to death, weakening the plant's growth, and in severe cases even causing the plant to die. Repot once every one or two years in spring. In summer and autumn, the plant is prone to pests such as scale insects, stinging moths, bagworms, and leaf-roller moths, and attention should be paid to prevention and control. The main disease is powdery mildew, and the cultivation environment can be improved by keeping the air circulating and avoiding a stuffy, humid environment. If disease occurs, carbendazim, tuijunte, or zineb can be sprayed at 600 times to 700 times dilution for prevention and control.