Looking for suggestions on these two

I acquired these two a few months back. Would love comments & suggestions regarding styling and suitable pots. Thanks.


Portulicaria Afra


Boxwood

Well, you could make a rather boring cascade out of the right side, or there are a couple of alternative informal upright trees you could make out of the slingshot:







The second one offers fewer alternatives. All rather mediocre (IMHO).

I like Jim's suggestion for the Portulicaria as a semi cascade. The Boxwood, I suggest cutting above the first branch to make a literati. Thera is better movement and better taper.

Thanks for both of you taking the time to help a relative Bonsai newcomer with creative suggestions. I particularly like the slingshot suggestions for the Portulicaria. As for the boxwood, it never occurred to be to make a cut above the first branch, but now that I see it, it is quite appealing. In fact, it reminded me of this wonderful tree I saw on holiday this past Christmas in the British Virgin Islands. As I learn more about Bonsai, it is remarkable how much more time I am taking to really take in nature and learn from what is around me.



Anegada BVI, December 2009