Ilex vomitoria -- HELP!

[BonsaiManic]

I purchased an American Holly about a month ago because it had decent shape and great nebari (in my opinion). It has (had?) a lot of potential. After a week, I did a light pruning and basically slip potted it into a light potting soil after some minor initial wiring.
Now it looks quite sickly. I don't know if it was a combination of transplanting and heat (multiple consecutive days of 100°+) or if it didn't dry out enough between waterings. It was kept under my carport, but still got reflected sunlight from a white wall.
It seems to be budding on some tertiary branches, so I'm holding on to hope. Also, when I repotted it today, I gently combed out the roots and put it in a mix of coco coir, a little bit of fir bark soil blend, and aquarium gravel (I know, I know, but it's all I had on hand, and it seemed like an emergency).
Any suggestions would be warmly appreciated!

 

[Joe Dupre']

I think you are right. I'm afraid you did too much too soon and at the wrong time of the year. Maybe put it in a little morning sun and watch the watering. Do nothing else to it this year.

 

[BonsaiManic]

I think you are right. I'm afraid you did too much too soon and at the wrong time of the year. Maybe put it in a little morning sun and watch the watering. Do nothing else to it this year.

Yes, I'm not touching it anymore for a long time. Do you think it has a chance of survival? I've placed it partially under a grapevine where it will get, as you suggested, morning sun, and dappled afternoon sun. The vine is on a north-facing fence, so it will be in shade during the peak hours of heat.

 

[Joe Dupre']

Yes, I'm not touching it anymore for a long time. Do you think it has a chance of survival? I've placed it partially under a grapevine where it will get, as you suggested, morning sun, and dappled afternoon sun. The vine is on a north-facing fence, so it will be in shade during the peak hours of heat.

If it's putting out fresh, green shoots, I think it has a good chance of surviving. In my experience, there are very few instances where you HAVE to do anything to a tree immediately. Most anything can wait until the next repotting season.

 

[BonsaiManic]

No new leaves yet, but plenty of green twigs, and a few swelling buds. Still hopeful. This one has the best potential in my sprouting collection. Been keeping the roots dry (watering, of course, but not until 2 knuckles are dry), still in the shade. This one is going to sit untouched until '26 - assuming it survives.

 

[Srt8madness]

I've dabbled with a few dwarf ilex vomit. As trash trees in the woods, they are indestructible due to their root sucker's constantly propagating. When treated as a bonsai, they are MUCH touchier, and extra care must be taken when working with them IMO. The ones I killed re-foliated, then declined and died. I wish you luck but wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[Srt8madness]

On the plus side, I can find them at garden centers during sales for $9 (3gal size) which is about the size of this trunk. So backups should be easy enough to aquire.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Possibly, but this one was acquired during a trip to a couple of doctors in Lubbock, 3 hours away. We are exceptionally isolated here in the desert. The nearest bonsai club in this climate is 4.5 hours away. There are a couple garden centers, but a big box store doesn't have the same quality as a real nursery/garden center.

I'm not holding my breath, but my feelings certainly wouldn't be hurt if it survives!

 

[BonsaiManic]

Most of the nursery stock here is more suited for this climate. 8% humidity is not ideal for probably 90% of the world's trees.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I purchased an American Holly about a month ago

Small correction, but Ilex vomitoria is Yaupon holly. American holly is Ilex opaca.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Yep. Yes, that is correct. I knew that, but when I reread my original post, I saw my mistake. Both are North American natives, but yaupon is the only N.A. plant that contains caffeine. Thank you. I appreciate well-meaning correction, and in this craft, I want as much critical advice as I can get.

I remember the other time I was wrong about something...

...and then came bonsai...

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yep. Yes, that is correct. I knew that, but when I reread my original post, I saw my mistake. Both are North American natives, but yaupon is the only N.A. plant that contains caffeine. Thank you. I appreciate well-meaning correction, and in this craft, I want as much critical advice as I can get.

I remember the other time I was wrong about something...

...and then came bonsai...

LOL it isn't any big deal. American holly is a relatively large tree with very spiky leaves. You are better off with Yaupon holly for bonsai

 

[Cajunrider]

If it's Ilex vomitoria, you have nothing to worry about. It will come back. I've done far worse things to mine and they always come back.

 

[BonsaiManic]

I hope you're right. Big difference between Louisiana and New Mexico, though. I would guess your humidity is usually in the 80% range most of the time. Our summers are single-digit RH, and triple-digit temperatures.

 

[BonsaiManic]

If it's Ilex vomitoria, you have nothing to worry about. It will come back. I've done far worse things to mine and they always come back.

This is a cool, humid day for July

 

[BonsaiManic]

@Cajunrider, I just found your thread from '22. I'm somewhat encouraged. I still have green twigs and buds. Hope lives.

 

[Cajunrider]

I never worry about my Ilex vomitoria getting too wet. I have them growing everywhere around me and can collect hundreds of them if I wish. They grow everywhere all the way to the edge of the swamp. I wouldn't worry about having it in potting soil and having it too wet.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Ok, good to know. Hope to drive out to Jax next fall, or spring of 26 to visit my brother and his family. Might have to take a "collection hike" while I'm there. For some reason, I'm really interested in this species. And I don't think it's just because of the caffeine. It gives me a rush just because, even without drinking the tea!
Lol

 

[Melospiza]

Ok, good to know. Hope to drive out to Jax next fall, or spring of 26 to visit my brother and his family. Might have to take a "collection hike" while I'm there. For some reason, I'm really interested in this species. And I don't think it's just because of the caffeine. It gives me a rush just because, even without drinking the tea!
Lol

Hope this one makes it, but if not, you should know that yaupon holly is a very common landscape shrub in the southeast. It makes for a superior, easy-going boxwood substitute. And there are so many cultivars. A trip to the shrub section to any nursery will yield specimens with nice thick trunks and root flare. And yaupon holly can be hat-racked like any other holly and will sprout back vigorously.

You are right in that this is an awesome species for bonsai.

 

[BonsaiManic]

Unfortunately not so common here. It was a new species for me, and I found it by chance at a nursery 3 hours away. Mine has lost its last old leaf, but still has buds swelling on a few green twigs. I haven't given up hope yet. I suppose I can hold on as long as the tree can.