Many deciduous trees or evergreen plants can be grown as bonsai. Slow growth is advantageous for this because the bonsai can be easily shaped. Small leaves, on the other hand, ensure a balanced appearance.
The Japanese holly is often grown as a bonsai
Which holly is best for bonsai?
Which variety of holly you would like to grow as a bonsai is primarily a matter of 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?
Choose a young, compact holly tree and prune it into the desired shape. The Japanese holly tolerates pruning very well and is suitable for practically all bonsai styles. Plant your new bonsai in a suitable pot and water it daily. Your bonsai needs fertilizer about every two weeks in the form of liquid fertilizer.
With wire, you steer the growth of the branches in a desired direction. Because the branches of Japanese holly are quite soft, you should handle the wire with care and remove it before the start of the growing season, around May. If it stays on the plant too long, it may grow in or at least leave ugly marks. You can attach the wire well in June, after the leaves have been cut.
The essentials in brief:
- preferably use the Japanese holly
- slow growing
- very well tolerated by cuts
- 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
tips
If you would like to grow a holly bonsai, then it is best to use the Japanese holly. It is the best of all holly for this.