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 a small evergreen tree with dark green leaves.
The Ilex Crenata Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
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 commonly 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 for 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 comes out through the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
For watering tips, please see 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 root rot).
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 nightfall 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 others in our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, please refer to the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: Normally, allow 6 to 8 leaves to grow and prune after the first ones, but it responds well to strong formative pruning.
For pruning tips, please refer to the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: Using Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, when budding starts, perform formative pruning together with repotting to hydraulically balance the plant.
Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifiers you can use can be found 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 leaves, partial defoliation may sometimes be necessary to pass the wire.
For wiring guidelines, please consult the wiring technical sheet.
