Ilex Crenata Bonsai of 12 years

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 making ornamental hedges, as it regrows well after heavy pruning.

In Bonsai, the most used varieties are Ilex Microphyla and Ilex Crenata. It is an evergreen tree, small with dark green leaves.

Aesthetically, it looks very good in different styles and sizes. It is often used in small plants, given the leaf size 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 a lot of water drains out through the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.

Tips about watering can be found in 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 you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).

There is no benefit to misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize 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 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, allow 6 to 8 leaves to grow and cut after the first ones, but it responds well to strong formative prunings.

Tips about pruning can be found in the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Repotting: Using Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, when budding begins, perform formative pruning together 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: Wiring can be done at the end of winter or beginning of spring. Due to the difficulty of wiring between the leaves, it may sometimes be necessary to partially defoliate to pass the wire.

Instructions on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.