Originating from China and Japan, it belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family.
In Bonsai, the most commonly used varieties are Ilex Microphylla and Ilex Crenata. It is an evergreen tree, small with a dark green tone.
The Ilex Crenata Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
Common Name: Ilex Crenata
Scientific Name: Ilex Crenata
Characterization: Originating from China and Japan, it belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family. It is widely used for making ornamental hedges, as it regrows well after heavy pruning.
In Bonsai, the most commonly used varieties are Ilex Microphylla and Ilex Crenata. It is an evergreen tree, small with dark green foliage.
Aesthetically, it looks very good in different styles and sizes. It is frequently used in small plants, given the size of the leaves and the ease with which it compacts.
Location: Outdoors, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water runs out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a watering can with fine nozzles.
For tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
Let the top layer of soil dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent root rot).
There is no benefit in spraying the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.
Detailed information on how to combine these products with the rest of our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: Usually, let 6 to 8 leaves grow and cut after the first ones, but it responds well to strong formative pruning.
For pruning tips, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: With Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, when bud break begins, perform formative pruning along with repotting to balance the plant’s water status.
Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifiers you can use are available in the repotting technical sheet.
Wiring: Can be wired at the end of winter or early spring. Due to the difficulty in wiring between the leaves, it is sometimes necessary to partially defoliate to pass the wire.
Instructions on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.
