Trimming a Kingsville Boxwood

mike_p

I've been working with a bonsaiTALK member by private email on styling and trimming, especially Kingsvilles.
I made 3 images of a Kingsville showing the tree straight on, birds-eye view, and worms-eye view. This isn't one of my better Kingsvilles, but is seems useful to illustrate the points I'm trying to make.
I was trying to show how the branch should be somewhat convex on top, and show some of the secondary branching.
On the bottom of the branch, all growth is removed.

Mike

Attached Images

	kv_1.jpg (65.0 KB, 148 views)
	kv_ 2.jpg (63.3 KB, 94 views)
	kv_ 3.jpg (65.7 KB, 119 views)

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malik

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mike_p

This tree is 13 inches above the pot rim. Shohin is usually 8 inches tall of less.

Mike

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Jon Chown

Hi Mike, This tree looks very 'natural', I like it.

I am working on one at the moment and have had a few branches that I had wired die back. Is this a problem with this species? Also they seem to produce an abundence of roots in a short time, how much can be removed with safety at repot?

Jon

mike_p

Hi Jon
If you wire Kingsvilles, you must be very careful, use oversize wire,and go slow when bending. Just a little at a time. They are very brittle, and the life line is easy to damage. I try to avoid wiring any more than absolutely necessary. As much as possible, "clip and grow" is the best way.
My theory on Kingsvilles is this. They are a sport from the full size Korean Boxwood. The roots grow as if they were still supporting a full size boxwood.
They can stand lots of root trimming. I like to give the roots a long soak, then use a hose to wash away the old soil. Then use a chopstick to comb out the roots. Then you can safely remove half. Of course, this is all based on trimming back the foliage to keep all in balance.
Use a soil that drains well but retains moisture. Kingsvilles, like most boxwoods don't like to go dry. In fact, they can stand "wet feet" better than many trees.

Good luck

Mike

__________________
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Man's attempts to improve nature,
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Staselwood

"use oversize wire,and go slow when bending" - I so agree with this, I have several Kingsville boxwoods and they are mainly grown as a clip and grow method. But there are some that i have had to wire to open them up a bit.

Root pruning, I may be on the more conservative side from Mike_p, I dont take half off somewhere less than that. But hearing your technique I will try that this spring.

Below is the start and end of a boxwood that I did. The last photo I did have to do some wiring to get it to open up some, but its mimumal. I always have to leave my wire on a VERY long time to get the branches to set... Mike do you have to as well?

(They came in, in the wrong order... the one with my business card is the most recent one.)

Attached Images

	Im003568.jpg (54.6 KB, 56 views)
	IM004600.JPG (28.8 KB, 78 views)
	IM004029.JPG (27.1 KB, 71 views)

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malik

"use oversize wire,and go slow when bending" - I so agree with this, I have several Kingsville boxwoods and they are mainly grown as a clip and grow method.


Where can i find a great explanation of the clip and grow method? I hear it all the time and it makes sense logically. Just curious if there is a certain way to do it?

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mike_p

Clip and grow is more properly known as "Lingnan method". Deborah R. Koreshoff in her book BONSAI discusses this technique.
Put in most simple terms, it involves removing branches and foliage that don't contribute to the design, and encourage that which does by selective trimming.
If you have access to the Koreshoff book, look on page 64.

Mike

__________________
Nature is perfect.
Man's attempts to improve nature,
Are imperfect.

MP@BBB Studio

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

malik

Awsome I will look into that.

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