The boxwood bonsai is highly cultivated and admired in various parts of the world.
Known for its remarkable durability, this bonsai, when well-cultivated, can live for more than 50 years, enhancing your home or garden.
In this article, you’ll find beautiful photos of this bonsai, along with learning about its characteristics and cultivation.
Characteristics of the Boxwood Bonsai
Among the over 70 existing species of boxwood found mainly in Asia, there are 3 that are commonly seen as bonsais.
- Buxus harlandii: also known as Chinese boxwood or Harland boxwood.
- Buxus sempervirens: also known as common boxwood.
- Buxus microphylla: also known as Japanese boxwood.
For decades, the art of bonsai has attracted cultivators from around the world, offering a unique way to express nature in miniature form.
Among the many suitable species for this art, the aforementioned boxwood species have gained significant prominence for the following reasons:
- Small and compact leaves
- Excellent tolerance for pruning and growth direction
- Compact growth, meaning leaves, branches, and shoots grow close together
- The boxwood bonsai can be styled in various ways
- Easy cultivation in pots
- Extremely long lifespan
- Resistance to pests and diseases that can affect a bonsai
Thanks to these and other characteristics, the boxwood bonsai has become very popular among enthusiasts of this art.
Below, you’ll learn how to cultivate this bonsai;
How to Cultivate the Boxwood Bonsai
As mentioned earlier, there are 3 very common species used to create a boxwood bonsai.
Their cultivation is quite similar, so below you’ll find general tips, and when necessary, I’ll provide notes explaining differences that may exist in cultivation.
Next, a brief description of the boxwood bonsai species is presented:
As previously mentioned, this plant has stood out due to its remarkable resilience.
Hence, the boxwood bonsai is recommended for cultivators of all levels.
Simply wear gloves when handling the plant, as its leaves contain a toxic compound called buxine.
To achieve success in your cultivation, you must provide the following requirements for your boxwood.
Where to Cultivate
During the warmer periods of the year, the boxwood species mentioned in this article can be cultivated outdoors, placed in sunny or semi-sunny locations (where they receive sunlight throughout the day but are also in the shade for some periods).
However, during the colder months, caring for these bonsais requires a bit more attention:
- Buxus harlandii (Chinese boxwood): has less cold resistance compared to other species. It’s best to protect it from the cold by cultivating it in greenhouses or in a more sheltered location with good lighting and ventilation.
- Buxus microphylla (Japanese boxwood): is a species more tolerant of cold, but it should be shielded from cold winds or frosts.
- Buxus sempervirens (common boxwood): among the 3 species, this is the most cold-resistant, and some cultivators keep it outdoors during winter. Be cautious of frosts or extreme temperatures.
Below, you can find more details about the ideal lighting for your boxwood bonsai.
How to Water
Watering is another straightforward aspect to provide for this plant, pay attention:
- During summer: watering should be more frequent, just after the soil has dried. In case you forget and the bonsai becomes dry, boxwood can withstand short periods without water.
- During winter: watering frequency decreases, and you should water after the substrate has dried.
To check if the substrate is dry, insert your finger 2.5cm (1 inch) into the substrate. If you feel that the soil is still moist, wait another day. If it’s completely dry, you can water.
Some important observations for your cultivation:
- The ideal water pH is 7 or 8
- Watering frequency varies with the climate, so using the finger technique mentioned above is the safest way to determine when to water
- After watering, the soil should be damp but not waterlogged
Temperature
The boxwood bonsai is a very resilient plant that can withstand a wide range of temperatures, which is why it’s cultivated in various parts of the world.
Below, you’ll find detailed information about the ideal temperatures for each of the species:
Chinese boxwood: prefers a cool climate between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F), and it can tolerate temperatures of up to 30°C (86°F) for a short period. Remember to protect this species from frosts or very low temperatures, as these factors can cause serious damage to its cultivation.
Japanese boxwood: also prefers a moderate climate, between 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F). According to sources, this plant can endure temperatures as low as -17.8°C (0°F), but we believe it might be a typo and the correct value should be 0°C (32°F).
Common boxwood: this species has high temperature resistance and can survive in both hot and cold climates. Its ideal range is between 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F), but it can endure very low temperatures of -5°C (23°F) and high temperatures of 35°C (95°F). The Plants for a Future website states that this bonsai can withstand temperatures as low as -23°C (-10°F).
Fertilization
When fertilizing correctly, you provide your plant with the nutrients it would naturally have in the wild, thus giving your boxwood bonsai more energy to maintain its health and longevity.
Now, let’s cover the main topics about fertilizing this bonsai:
- When to fertilize: For Chinese boxwood, fertilization is constant throughout the year as it doesn’t go into dormancy. However, for common boxwood and Japanese boxwood, it’s not recommended to fertilize during the winter.
- Types of fertilizers to use: You can use either chemical or organic fertilizers.
- Soil care: If you’re using liquid fertilizers on your bonsai, ensure that the soil is moist before applying the fertilizer.
Pruning
Regular pruning is an essential task to maintain your bonsai at the desired size.
The best time for more extensive pruning is during the early spring when the boxwood is starting its growth period.
Pruning is a somewhat complicated task to explain through text, and many beginners struggle with it. Therefore, watch the video below, as a visual explanation can help you understand the entire process.
Pruning is done frequently on boxwood bonsais. It helps you keep your bonsai in the desired shape.
Be very careful not to overdo the pruning, as it can potentially harm and even kill your bonsai.
Wiring
Wiring will assist in shaping your bonsai the way you want it to be.
However, before you begin wiring, make sure that your plant is well-cultivated and healthy.
Below are some tips that can aid you in this process:
- Boxwood wood is sensitive and durable, so exercise great caution, as any damage may take a long time to heal.
- The wire should be flexible and strong; aluminum wires are a good option.
- Regularly check the wires to ensure they don’t cut into the bark as the branches thicken.
- Usually, wires are left on for about 3 months.
A video below explains how to perform wiring on a bonsai:
Repotting
Transplanting your boxwood bonsai should be done every 2 to 5 years, depending on the age (plants under 6 years old are usually repotted more frequently) and the size of the plant.
The best time for repotting is in early spring, just before the growth period begins.
Here are some tips to improve your repotting process:
- Remove around 10% of the older roots with a sterilized tool, as this will stimulate the growth of new roots.
- Avoid repotting during the dormancy period of your bonsai (winter).
- When preparing the soil, aim for a pH of 7 or 8. You can use materials like pumice, gravel, or limestone in your soil mixture to achieve this.
- After repotting, avoid making significant changes to your bonsai. Give it a few weeks to adapt to the new pot.
The video below can help you perform this procedure more safely:
Pests
There are 2 pests that can cause some problems when cultivating your boxwood bonsai.
- Thrips
- Aphids
In the case of thrips, you’ll notice some insects flying around when you shake the leaves of your bonsai. You might also observe that newer leaves are curling.
As for aphids, ants may be seen crawling on your bonsai, and some leaves may turn yellow.
To learn how to combat and prevent these pests, you can refer to the article on pests and diseases in bonsais.
Conclusion – Boxwood Bonsai
Buxus bonsais are very easy to cultivate and are also very beautiful. If you are a beginner, this is a great plant to start with; just be cautious not to ingest the leaves.
And if you want to learn about more bonsai species, access the articles below:
- Bamboo Bonsai – How to Care, Curiosities and Species
- Pomegranate Bonsai – How to Care in 6 Simple Steps
- Jabuticaba Bonsai – Step by step to having fruits
- Orange Bonsai – How to Care Step by Step
- Bonsai Problems – Yellowing, Drying or Falling Leaves
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