Anyone use Ilex Crenata?

[CWTurner]

Thanks Brian. It didn't occur to me that leaving some of the longer branches on, might slow trunk budding. I obviously intended to cut this back, but I always keep as much green as possible until I know the tree has recovered from collection. Looking forward to spring on this, and other collected trees from this year.
CW

 

[JohnDoses]

Hey guys, I recently bought a Ilex Crenata Steeds during a black friday sale that I think, to my newbie eye, has good potential. But I am struggling to find any good info about them used for bonsai, as far as timing for repotting, pruning (I plan to prune very hard and I want to make sure it is at the right time), back budding, etc. Any one have any suggestions?

 

[benw3790]

Yes, they make great bonsai material! Easy to grow. Mostly clip ans grow. They back bud on old wood abd can be bent. The foliage is super tight and ramifies really easily. perfect for a beginner.

 

[sorce]

Looking forward to spring on this

Me too.

That's a dope ass Fucking piece!


Sorce

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I really wanted these ilex vomitoras. At my relative's house. These were planted into the ground less than 30 years ago. Pruned to have pom poms.

 

[Lazylightningny]

I have a crenata that's been growing gangbusters for a few years, clip and grow, like someone above said, although the trunk has not put on an equivalent amount of girth. I did manage to kill one that I got too aggressive on the roots with.

 

[rockm]

Do a search on "ume modoki"...

BTW, Yaupon holly (ilex vomitoria) would probably require cold greenhouse protection in Md. In Va. it's borderline winter hardy.

 

[JohnDoses]

I have a crenata that's been growing gangbusters for a few years, clip and grow, like someone above said, although the trunk has not put on an equivalent amount of girth. I did manage to kill one that I got too aggressive on the roots with.

Are these pruned and re-potted in early spring I assume? I just bought one but cannot find any detailed info about them for bonsai. Thanks.

 

[JohnDoses]

Do a search on "ume modoki".

Thank you, I have good luck with searching for Winterberry as well.

 

[rockm]

FWIW, Ilex crenata is virtually impossible to kill outright. I had one for years and abused it with late hard branch pruning. out of season repotting, bad soil, etc. It didn't complain much. I finally sold it.

I've got a big one that's been developing a hefty trunk in the ground in my backyard that's about ready to be dug up. Possibly this spring.

 

[JohnDoses]

FWIW, Ilex crenata is virtually impossible to kill outright. I had one for years and abused it with late hard branch pruning. out of season repotting, bad soil, etc. It didn't complain much. I finally sold it.

I've got a big one that's been developing a hefty trunk in the ground in my backyard that's about ready to be dug up. Possibly this spring.

Yup this is why I bought one, being a beginner I figured it would be good material to learn on. Especially popping my "hard prune/trunk chop" cherry

Just realized Ume Madoki and Winterberry are Ilex Serrata which seam to be more deciduous than the evergreen ilex crenata. Still can't find good info on crenata but I'm not too worried about it, I'm going to push it's limits anyways.

 

[CWTurner]

I really wanted these ilex vomitoras

They are certainly worth collecting in my opinion. Go negotiate replacing them with the latest pom-pom or spiral style plants and everyone will be happy.
CW

 

[Timbo]

I have a Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince' and a Ilex glabra 'shamrock' (both 1g pot) not much info on whether you can re-pot as easy or not...have one with a nasty raised root i wanted to get rid of before winter. I guess both of these are evergreen.
And you can "deck the halls" with the blue prince.
I might put the shamrock in the ground as it is suppose to be zone 4, but i wanted to do root pruning first.

 

[just.wing.it]

I picked up an ilex crenata "soft touch", this year. It's a dwarf cultivar.
Just repotted over a week ago, noticed new growth today, looking good so far.
It's just a little guy, going for as small as I can...
Please don't be offended by the moundedness of it, or the fact that it's not ready for a pot yet.
I was just itching to do something that day. It's got plenty of room to grow in this pot. A much much smaller pot will be in its future though.

 

[Paradox]

Here is my second crenata. This pic is from last year or the year before. I repotted it this spring but dont have a current pic.
I am slowly reducing down the foliage. I cut quite a bit of what you see here off this spring.

 

[Paradox]

Incidentally, I started trying Ilex crenata when I decided I couldnt grow boxwood due to the leaf miners we have here that attack boxwood. They dont like Ilex.
Honestly the Ilex are a lot easier to deal with IMO.

 

[just.wing.it]

Incidentally, I started trying Ilex crenata when I decided I couldnt grow boxwood due to the leaf miners we have here that attack boxwood. They dont like Ilex.
Honestly the Ilex are a lot easier to deal with IMO.

I like this little $5 guy I picked up, seems like a strong grower.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[hinmo24t]

Got mine today w some yellowing for $10

Has a .70 inch trunk and solid branching. I see an angled triangle or low dome top future for it...lightly fed and watered today and did a very minor 2 sm branch clip for some airflow they were inward grown and after these pics.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Personally, I like Ilex verticillata - the winterberry. It is native to North America, through zone 4, so into Canada too. The foliage is small enough, very similar to the foliage on Ilex serrata, the Japanese winterberry, with the added plus of being more winter hardy. The berries are great, especially without the leaves in autumn and winter. And because it is so winter hardy, it does not have to be buried away in a cold frame, it can be quite happy, just set on the ground for the winter. Easy access to bring in for a short photo sessions.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

But most of the Ilex species are pretty good for bonsai. Especially the small leaf cultivars. The spikey leaf species and cultivars, for example I. x meserveae, are not used as much, as the leaves are stiff and often end up in awkward positions after wiring. But they can look good with a bit of extra work.

There are native Ilex species in most states and provinces of North America, and they all could be used for bonsai.