Grafting Boxwood

susieq

Help! I have been given an old boxwood with a massive trunk that was allowed to get very leggy. Huge trunk, long spidery branches with foliage at the ends.

The plant doesn't look like it could bud back on old wood, so the only thing left for me to do may be to try and graft some branches back down on this huge old trunk, maybe using graft material from higher up on the plant.

I have never done a graft...... From what I can gather in other postings, it is too late to try it this year. I can plan on trying it next year if I can learn how to do it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Susieq

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heymikey(deceased)

susieq; I dug up a 25+ year old Japanese Boxwood last year and hacked it back heavily. It backbudded on old wood all over the place, specially on the trunk. I don't know for sure if all varieties of boxwood react the same but I would think so. You might want to cut back heavily on every other branch and wait for it to respond, when it does do the other half. Also beware that boxwood is one of the hardest woods out there so don't damage any good woodcarving tools on this project.

grampz

Just guessing you are referring to a landscape boxwood...probably Japanese...these are used often as hedges and sculptured landscape bushes in the southern states...you can cut them back and they will bud back on old wood very well...In my opinion a great species for bonsai...congratulations and keep us posted on the progress...

Regards
Behr

Gary Biggs

Yes, Boxwoods invariably back bud profusely when reduced. My suggestion would be to reduce those scraggly limbs, feed it well, and keep it in direct sunlight. You should have an overabundance of new and tighter growth.

Good luck,

Gary

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bonsaial1

No can do grafting on boxwood. Even if you could graft it, it would be very ugly as box does not heal very good. Scars are apparent for many years and seem to always be there. The wood is very dense but the bark is very weak. This may the problem that gives boxwoods its non grafting reputation.

Bonsai-al

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Tiny-Plant

How does boxwood respond to cutting away all the foliage and braches leaving no leaves on it, and only the main trunk? Does it backbud if done so? I know it does not heal well, as bonsaial1 told us

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susieq

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply....
I have been involved with bonsai for 30 years, but this is my first attempt at boxwood and only then because a friend gave it to me.


I will try the cutting back of every other branch to see what happens. It is mid spring here and getting hot already. Do you think it is too late to do anything harsh to the boxwood, even if I don't touch the roots? It is well past the time I would do elms, maples or junipers. I can wait until next year if it is too late now.
I am good at waiting.....

Thanks again for all the input.

Susieq

Gary Biggs

Susie,

I have reduced my boxes down to nearly stubs in the middle of summer here in California, and they always bud back profusely. They possess a strong will to survive.

Gary

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Tiny-Plant

Thanks Gary Biggs! I have nothing to loose(propably), so I will try it.

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