Underdog's Ilex Glabra Winter Games entry

[Underdog]

This is my thread to follow progression on my contest entry number 1 for the Winter Games 2017-18
I picked this tree up from my landscape friend the summer of 2016 in a 5 gal can for nothing. Cut back and placed in this shallow grow box that same summer. Broke a branch trying to wire this summer and saved with electrical tape. Surprised it lived. Lame attempt at deadwood practice. That's the only "work" performed on this to date.

I hope to make something out of this project in the long term but feel major improvements can be made withing the guidelines and time frame of this contest. We'll see... It's an Ugly Duck now.

 

[Underdog]

June 2016 as received.

 

[Underdog]

The roots are a mess covering a pretty nice flared trunk but not sure how to get there safely.

 

[Underdog]

Plans are to top it off and try carving the trunk for a creative learning experience.
Eliminate all the crossing roots I can safely and get it into a pot by spring.

 

[music~maker]

Ilex Glabra is a challenging species. I have some as shrubs in the front of my house, so I've had over a decade of watching them grow. They brutally die back if they don't like how you prune them, and they tend to quickly kill off lower branches first if they're feeling out of balance. They also tend to only want to put growth out on top and are very apically dominant.

I got one a few years back to try and use for bonsai, and it's not been very cooperative at all. I suspect there's probably a way to make them work, but I haven't quite worked it out yet. They are capable of producing incredible nebari though, so you've got that going for you. =)

Keep us updated as you make progress. Curious to see if you have better luck than I have so far.

 

[cbroad]

Was also going to mention that they like to abandon lower branches, at least from what I've seen in the landscape.

Glabra, crenata, and vomitoria all can get killer nebari (probably all hollies will...). I rip up crenata all day like it's my job (oh wait... it is) and I can't get myself to keep any, I'm just not a big fan of the plant in general, but I would definitely keep a yaupon if I found one.

 

[cbroad]

@Underdog
Sorry, I was definitely not trying to crap on your tree. I'm all about trying things for the experience and learning from them, good luck!

 

[music~maker]

Was also going to mention that they like to abandon lower branches, at least from what I've seen in the landscape.

Glabra, crenata, and vomitoria all can get killer nebari (probably all hollies will...). I rip up crenata all day like it's my job (oh wait... it is) and I can't get myself to keep any, I'm just not a big fan of the plant in general, but I would definitely keep a yaupon if I found one.

I definitely know why you'd pass up glabra, but why crenata?

I've been experimenting with soft touch ilex crenata for the past couple years, and so far they seem like a remarkably good species for bonsai. They seem to handle tremendous abuse no problem, bud back vigorously after fairly hard pruning, don't flinch at large root reductions, can handle my 6b winters no problem, etc. My only complaint is that the branches seem a bit more brittle than I'd like. Nothing I've done to them really seems to make them flinch so far.

Also, for that matter, why not vomitoria? I haven't worked with vomitoria yet, but I know others definitely do and I've seen some good results.

 

[cbroad]

@music~maker
I don't have a good reason really, I guess I have a personal vendetta with them . In my area, there's been some soil fungus issues, and they start dropping branches and I'm just not willing to waste my time on them, but that's not to say I wouldn't admire someone else's crenata bonsai.

And I said I wouldn't pass up a good yaupon, I have a big one in my yard I could layer

 

[Underdog]

Got a little started.

 

[Underdog]

The thing was greening up and pushing new leaves/buds. Then the crazy cold North winds blew hard a few days and took it's toll.
At least I believe that's what happened to these leaves in the last week or two. Hope it survives. Brought it into the basement for now.

 

[Underdog]

Crappy pic but its in a pot. Minimal root work as I worry for its survival.
Hope to get a bud or two to pop high for a new apex.

 

[Underdog]

 

[Underdog]

Lost the branch I cracked and taped but, on the bright side I have a bud trying in the perfect place for a much needed new apex.

 

[Underdog]

 

[Underdog]

New bud popped up top in perfect place for the much needed new Apex as well as one lower on the lost branch side.

 

[Underdog]

Well that perfectly placed bud didn't make it. Pretty lopsided tree. I wonder if grafting is an option? Never tried it yet but...

 

[Underdog]