Raising holly as a bonsai

Which holly is best as a bonsai?

which variety of the holly you would like to grow as a bonsai, this is primarily a matter of your personal taste. However, the Japanese holly is often grown as a bonsai. With its small leaves and compact, slow growth, it is particularly suitable. In a mild area you can even grow this plant as an outdoor bonsai, for example as an eye-catcher in a Japanese garden.

How do I grow a bonsai?

Pick a young, compactly grown holly and bring it through Cut in the desired shape. The Japanese holly is very easy to cut and is suitable for practically all styles of bonsai. Plant your new bonsai in a suitable container and to water Him daily. Your bonsai needs fertilizer about every two weeks in the form of liquid fertilizer.

Use wire to direct the growth of the branches in a desired direction. Since the branches of the Japanese holly are quite soft, you should handle the wire carefully and remove it before the start of the growth phase around May. If it stays on the plant for too long, it may grow in or at least leave ugly traces. You can attach the wire in June after the leaf has been cut.

The essentials in brief:

• preferably use the Japanese holly
• slowly growing
• very easy to cut
• suitable as an outdoor bonsai in a mild area
• Protect from frost and (cold) wind
• water daily, at least in summer
• fertilize about every 14 days
• cut regularly
• wire best in June
• Remove the wire again before the growth phase