How do you care for a Ilex crenata sky pencil?
Water deeply after planting and add more fill dirt if the soil settles. Apply 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) of organic mulch over the root zone to help keep the soil moist and water often until the plant is established and growing. Your new holly won’t need fertilizer until the first spring after planting.
How tall does Ilex crenata grow?
between 3 and 10 feet
Japanese holly plants (Ilex crenata) grow into dense, rounded bushes between 3 and 10 feet (1-3 m.) tall and wide, with lustrous leaves and a compact habit. Some grow slow and some relatively fast, so pick your cultivar carefully.
Can you take cuttings from Ilex crenata?
Cuttings. It is the fastest and most efficient method to multiply the ilex crenata. For this semi-hard wood cuttings are obtained from the mature tips of the growth that same summer.
How often should I water my sky pencil holly?
Water well regularly, in the form of 1” of rainfall or irrigation per week (equivalent to a 5-gallon bucket full), often more frequently in extremely warm areas or if in a pot. Established plants need watering only during dry spells. If desired, fertilize in spring.
Why is my sky pencil dying?
Botryosphaeria canker, also known simply as die-back, occurs when the Botryosphaeria fungus enters the “Sky Pencil” holly’s system through breaks or cuts in its stems. The fungus causes the bark and woody tissue around the infection to collapse and turn brown to black.
How do I take Ilex cuttings?
How To Grow Holly From Cuttings
- Cut 6-Inch Pieces of New Growth. Use some pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut 6-inch pieces of new growth.
- Dip The Cut Ends Into Rooting Compound. You can purchase a rooting compound powder or gel.
- Make A Hole The Same Depth As The Cutting.
- Place The Cut End Face Down.
When can I take Ilex cuttings?
Softwood cuttings are usually taken in summer to late fall, but MOST cuttings for holly propagation are from hardwood cuttings, which are taken while plants or dormant or during cold weather.