Buxus/Boxwood branch (guy) wiring...how long to set?

Thanks Dario and Russell!

Mitch Thomas wrote:Russell
I was reading a post by Tony Tickle on bending thick hawthorn branch, using a keyhole technique. Do you think it could work on boxwood? I tryed to move the link but I was un successful. Search Tonys post hawthorn raft branch bending.

Mitch

Mitch,

This? http://yamadoriforsale.com/2012/01/15/bending-a-trunk-on-my-hawthorn-raft/

It is interesting, based on my little experience with boxwood (and an experiment), it will work to some degree. I am not sure how well boxwoods heal yet. I know the wood, though hard, seem to deteriorate faster than others and deadwood feature is likely to be uro type.

Dario
Yes you are probably right about that they dont heal on the surface damage readly. I guess we need to experiment on this technique.

Mitch

This weekend (in a local garden show), I saw a shohin boxwood that Joey is working on and he bent a straight branch to a snake "S" with curves almost touching the trunk back! It is amazing. It is not a large trunk but a very old one and took him several years to attain.

He agreed to post the tutorial with progression photos here... https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t9679-bending-boxwood-branches#102336

JimLewis wrote:There's simply nothing else to say but a LONG time.
......
Bonsai take however long bonsai take to do some things. You simply cannot put a time on them. A couple of those branches never bent. So forever might be one measure.

I removed lots of wires, guy wires and jacks on some of my boxwood today and they all already set!!! A few are more than 1/2" diameter. Total time since installed to set is less than 4 months here in Austin, TX.

EDIT in: I spoke too soon, some didn't totally set, some sprung back a bit but the desired effect (thought not perfect) is there. I forgot that some of these are installed more recent (maybe just 2 months) ... I had to guy wire some back but at least the (aluminum) wires & jacks are out. The biggest branch that was jacked didn't spring back any!