It is not for nothing that the Japanese holly Ilex crenata has almost outstripped the boxwood as a hedge plant. Illnesses are extremely rare and almost always the result of poor care. Ilex crenata is very easy to care for.

Japanese holly rarely gets sick

The robust Ilex crenata rarely suffers from diseases

Ilex crenata is an evergreen, very robust plant. In a good location, it requires little maintenance. Diseases are very rare, and then it is usually due to a too damp or windy location.

If the plants are weakened, they are more likely to suffer from diseases or pest infestation. In this case, fertilize twice a year with organic fertilizer.

What diseases are there?

Soil fungi rot the roots of Ilex crenata. You can recognize a fungal disease by a foul smell that emanates from the Ilex. Then look at the roots. If the root tips have died off and the root shows a white covering, it is a case of fungal infestation.

Sometimes the plant can still be saved by pruning the root and moving it to another location.

If the leaves fade, the gardener speaks of chlorosis. This disease is triggered either by a location that is too dark or a pH value in the soil that is too high. If necessary, have the soil examined in a laboratory.

Watch out for pests!

Only a few pests bother the Ilex crenata. These include the spider mite, which occurs in very dry climates. It is shown by small dots on the leaves, young leaves wither and fall off. The spider mite sucks on the underside of the leaf, damaging it.

Take appropriate action. It is better to avoid chemical agents. Natural enemies are far less dangerous and more effective. Therefore, rely on the following biological control agents:

  • ladybug
  • lacewings
  • assassin bugs
  • ground beetle

As a preventive measure, you should wet the undersides of the leaves of the Ilex crenata with water in very dry times.

The leaves of the Ilex crenata turn yellow

When the leaves of the Ilex crenata turn yellow, this almost always indicates too much moisture. Before planting, make sure that the soil is well drained to prevent waterlogging. Water regularly but only so that the soil is always slightly moist.

Watering is also important in the fall and winter. Problems often arise here because the plants are too dry.

The longer the Japanese holly is in the same place, the less you have to worry about watering. Older specimens take care of themselves through the deep roots.

tips

The berries of Ilex crenata are poisonous. If you have children or pets, you should therefore plant the variety Ilex crenata Dark Green. This is a male species that does not produce berries.

Category:

Herbs