Japanese Holly

[treeflea]

Hey guys-

I recently picked up a Heller's Holly at the local nursey. The tree is in pretty good condition. However, it looked like it had been left dry a couple of times. The soil looked like it had pulled away from the sides of the pot at one time. I've submerged it for 20 minutes and that helped. It also is fairly rootbound, I've seen worse. My question is, can I transport it into a larger pot to give the roots some room? (no root pruning, just adding extra soil) I know it's out of season to repot but would this be considered a repot, stress-wise, to the tree? Please advise...




Thanks

treeflea

[Gnome]

Treeflea,

Sure you can do a slip-pot now with very little stress to the tree. My concern is that you use a similar soil so that you do not create a situation where you have two differing soil zones within the same pot. This can cause problems in that one zone will constantly be either too wet or too dry.

It also is fairly rootbound, I've seen worse.

Perhaps you should reconsider the re-pot if the plant is not excessively root-bound. It seems to be doing OK.

Norm

[treeflea]

I had some concerns about not having the same type of soil. Good deal, I'll leave it.
I'm not sure if you can tell by the pictures but in the first picture, there appears to be some potenial for a formal broom form. But there is an interesting aspect in the second picture where there is actually a "limb" on the lower left-hand side. Would there be any way to use/style these feature, possibly raft plant it? What are your thoughts.

[Gnome]

Treeflea,

That "limb" seems to me to be entirely out of place with the rest of the tree. It is not clear to me how it is attached to the main trunk, or if it has any roots of its own. Perhaps you can separate it at the next re-potting and obtain a second plant.

Norm

[treeflea]

Norm,

After a little digging around I found that the "limb" in question is actually NOT attached to the tree. I think I'm going to let it continue to grow unrestricted this season. I may try to raft plant it.

As for the tree itself, do you think it would be worth styling it into a good formal broom style?



treeflea

[Gnome]

Treeflea,

As for the tree itself, do you think it would be worth styling it into a good formal broom style?

This is up to you, I have enough difficulty styling my own trees when they are right here in front of me. It looks like it could be a broom style, Harry Harrington says that it is suitable for all styles.

My research has found that they should be re-potted in spring, no surprise there. Also, the branches are brittle and wiring may be difficult.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ilex.html
http://www.bonsaigardener.org/holly-bonsai-care.html

Norm