Ilex CRENATA 'CONVEXA'

Ilex CRENATA 'CONVEXA' - Box-leaved Japanese holly, Convex Japanese holly, Ilex crenata 'Convexa'.

Can be grown as a bonsai!

Holly is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees in the family Aquifoliaceae. It includes about 400 species and is distributed in temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, the Americas, and North Africa.

Plants of this genus have erect or spreading shoots with stiff, leathery leaves. The leaves are entire or with prickly teeth along the margin, opposite. The shoots are often densely leafy. Many species are distinguished by brightly colored berry-like fruits.

Flowering occurs in spring. The flowers are small, white or greenish-white, gathered in axillary inflorescences. The fruits are rounded berries of red, black, or yellow color, containing one to four seeds.

Convex Japanese holly is a dense evergreen shrub up to 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) tall. The shoots are dense, upright, or slightly spreading. The leaves are small, up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long, dark green, glossy, oval, with edges curled downward, making them appear convex.

Flowering occurs in May-June. The flowers are small, whitish, gathered in small clusters in the leaf axils. The fruits are rounded black berries about 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter, ripening in autumn and persisting on the plant through the winter. The seeds are small and smooth.

Holly seeds require a prolonged stratification period: first they are kept for 4 months in a warm environment, then for 2-4 months in a cold one at a temperature of 4-5 °C (39-41 °F). In home conditions, after the warm period, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator in late autumn or winter and planted in spring.

Before planting, seeds are soaked for 24 hours, then sown on the surface and sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. They are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 21-22 °C (70-72 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and desiccation of the sowings must be avoided.

Germination of seedlings may also require a prolonged period, sometimes even 2-3 years. In our store, seeds have undergone a warm aging period and are already stored in a cold environment; upon purchase, specify the duration of the completed cold stratification.

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Placement in sunny spots or in light partial shade is recommended. In hot climates, preference is given to locations sheltered from the scorching sun during midday hours.

During the warm season, a temperature of 18-25 °C (64-77 °F) is maintained. In winter, adult plants tolerate drops in temperature down to -20 °C (-4 °F). Watering is carried out moderately after the top layer of soil dries out. Waterlogging and stagnant water are ruled out.

A loose, slightly acidic substrate based on peat, sand, and sod soil is used. Repotting is carried out in spring by the transfer method when necessary. A good drainage layer is mandatory.

From spring to mid-autumn, complete fertilizers for evergreen plants are applied once a month. During the dormant period, feedings are stopped. Excessive nutrition can lead to leggy shoot growth.

Regular sanitary and shaping pruning is conducted to maintain shrub density. Propagation is carried out by cuttings or seeds. To preserve cultivar characteristics, cutting propagation is preferred.