How to Make a Japanese Holly Bonsai and Care Tips

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) gets its name because the raised surface of its leaves resembles a turtle shell. It is an evergreen small shrub of the genus Ilex in the family Aquifoliaceae. The old trunk is grayish-white or grayish-brown, and the leaves are elliptical, alternate, and entire. New leaves are tender green, while old leaves are dark green, relatively thick, leathery, and glossy. Its branches and trunk are vigorous and aged-looking, and its leaves are dense and deep green, making it very suitable for making bonsai.

Japanese holly used for making bonsai is usually propagated by cuttings, generally carried out during the growing season from May to July. For cuttings, vigorous and well-developed branches from the previous year or the current year can be selected, with the lower leaves removed. After insertion, place them in a bright area without direct sunlight and maintain moisture in the soil and air; they can take root in about 50 days. You can also choose old branches with beautiful shapes and propagate them by air layering during the growing season. After they take root, cut them off and plant them in a pot, and they become a beautiful bonsai. Large and medium-sized bonsai can also be made from old stumps that have grown for many years. Transplanting is mostly carried out before germination in spring. Before planting, first prune and shape the stump, cutting off unnecessary branches and overly long roots. After planting, water once thoroughly, then keep the soil moist and frequently spray water on the branches and trunk to increase air humidity, which helps the plant survive.

According to the different characteristics of the stump, Japanese holly bonsai can be processed into single-trunk, double-trunk, slanting-trunk, curved-trunk, deadwood, waterside, cascade, and other forms of bonsai with different shapes. The crown mostly uses a vigorous large-tree style or a neat round-disc shape. You can also plant several 2-year-old young trees together to make a forest-style bonsai. When planting, pay attention to the staggered heights of the trees and the changes in front, back, left, and right, so that there is both a clear distinction between primary and secondary and a harmonious unity. The shaping method for Japanese holly bonsai should combine wiring and pruning. First use metal wire to bend out the basic form, then carefully prune to shape it.

Japanese holly prefers a warm, humid environment and plenty of sunlight, and tolerates partial shade. During the growing season, keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged. When the air is dry, pay attention to spraying water on the plant to make the leaf color lustrous. Apply a dilute alum fertilizer water once every 15 to 20 days to provide sufficient nutrients, making the leaves dark green and glossy and the plant full of vitality. Because of its strong sprouting ability, timely pinch the tips and remove excess new buds to maintain the beauty of the tree shape. In winter, it requires cool conditions and can be moved to a cold indoor room to overwinter, maintaining above 0°C and keeping the potting soil from freezing. In areas south of the Yellow River, it can also overwinter outdoors in a sheltered, sunny place. Before overwintering, water once thoroughly and replenish water in time to avoid the potting soil becoming too dry and causing dry freezing, but also prevent soil waterlogging, otherwise it will cause root rot. Repot once every 2 to 3 years in spring. The potting soil should be rich in humus, loose, and breathable.