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.
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Common Name: Ilex Crenata
Scientific Name: Ilex Crenata
Description: Originating from China and Japan, it belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family. It is widely used for ornamental hedges, as it regrows well after heavy pruning.
In Bonsai, the most used varieties are Ilex Microphylla and Ilex Crenata. It is an evergreen tree with small dark green leaves.
Aesthetically, it looks very good in different styles and sizes. It is often used in small plants, given the size of the leaf and ease of compacting.
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 drains out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, check the watering technical sheet.
Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
If there is a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days when fertilizing and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic plan consisting 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.
Pruning tips, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: Using Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, when budding starts, 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 beginning of spring. Due to the difficulty of wiring between the leaves, sometimes it is necessary to partially defoliate for the wire to pass through.
Guidelines on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.
