What are the shaping techniques for boxwood (Buxus sinica var. parvifolia)? Detailed methods
The boxwood bonsai should be artistically shaped according to the basic form of the tree, adapting to the tree's conditions and following its natural tendency. Shaping methods can be by pruning or by wiring, but wiring is best done in summer and autumn, when the branches are more flexible and easy to bend; pruning should be done in spring.
It is particularly important to note that although boxwood has strong sprouting ability, it has a peculiar trait: "no leaves, no sprouting." Therefore, whether for shaping or routine pruning, for branches that are not in the right position, the method of "leaving leaves section by section, cutting back to force buds" can be used, so that they gradually sprout downward into position. One must not blindly pursue getting it right in one step with ruthless pruning and trimming that leaves no branches or leaves, as this often causes the branches and even the whole plant to fail to sprout or even die.
Boxwood has strong sprouting ability. Before shaping, the main trunk can be headed back to let new shoots sprout around or below the cut surface, and then the branches can be wired according to the requirements of artistic shaping; wiring with palm fiber in spring is preferable. It can also be roughly wired and finely pruned to form a cloud-layer or steamed-bun shape, or processed into a natural tree form. The main trunk is then made into a slanting style or a prostrate style following its natural tendency. If a boxwood stump is accented with ornamental stones, it becomes a "boxwood leaning over" scene. Boxwood is very tolerant of pruning and has strong sprouting ability; to maintain a beautiful tree shape, it must be regularly processed and reshaped.
Old boxwood stumps collected from the wild generally begin shaping production after 1-2 years of cultivation. In the first few years of shaping, wiring is primary and pruning is secondary. After the basic form is achieved, pruning is primary and wiring is secondary. The best time for wiring is summer and autumn; in summer and autumn, boxwood branches are relatively soft and easy to wire.
In spring, boxwood branches and trunks tend to shed bark, and the branches are relatively brittle and easy to break, so it is not a good season for wiring. Pruning can be done in spring. For wiring, palm fiber can be used, or electrical wire with plastic sheathing; when using metal wire without plastic sheathing, it must be wrapped with cloth strips, plastic film, etc., otherwise the bark is easily damaged.