The breathtaking flowers and fine leaves of the cherry tree have made it a popular choice for both bonsai aficionados and novice cultivators. In addition to their captivating beauty, cherry trees are particularly suited for bonsai techniques, as they respond favorably to pruning and shaping.
Numerous types of cherry trees can be cultivated as bonsai, but the one most closely linked to the breathtaking cherry blossoms of Japan is the Japanese flowering cherry. Bonsai cherry trees are typically planted in the spring, allowing them the entire growing season to acclimate to their pots.
The foliage, branches, and seeds of cherry trees pose a danger to both humans and animals.
Caring for Cherry Tree Bonsai
Cherry trees are highly suitable for bonsai cultivation and styling. Below are the essential care guidelines for nurturing a cherry tree bonsai:
- Choose a spot that receives filtered sunlight and is shielded from the harsh afternoon rays. Ensure the tree remains outside throughout the entire year.
- Place it in a high-quality bonsai soil that allows for proper drainage.
- Ensure to water it frequently to maintain a steady level of moisture in the soil.
- Apply fertilizer to young trees biweekly during the spring and summer months.
- Begin trimming once the tree has completed its flowering period.
- Coil a wire around the branches to guide their growth into the preferred shape. You can wire a cherry tree bonsai throughout the year, but the optimal times are during the fall or winter to avoid harming the fragile buds and new growth that occur in the spring and summer. Ensure that the wire is not left on for longer than six months at a stretch.
Light
Bonsai cherry trees thrive in partial sunlight and are sensitive to direct sunlight, which can scorch their fragile flowers and leaves. The ideal spot for them is one that offers filtered light in the morning and evening while shielding them from the harsh afternoon rays.
Soil
For cherry tree bonsai, ensuring proper drainage is crucial. It’s generally recommended to use commercially available bonsai soil, as these blends are specifically designed for bonsai cultivation. Cherry tree bonsai thrive in soil that is mildly acidic, ideally with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
Water
Bonsai cherry trees thrive in consistently moist and humid environments and prefer distilled water over hard tap water for irrigation. It’s important to maintain the soil in a consistently moist state without allowing it to become waterlogged. Typically, it’s advisable to let the top inch of soil dry out a bit before the next watering.
During the spring and summer seasons, when the trees are actively growing, they will require more regular watering. It’s essential to ensure that a cherry tree bonsai never completely dries out.
Heat and Moisture Levels
Cherry tree bonsai thrive in warm temperatures during spring and summer, along with humidity and cooler conditions in winter. Therefore, similar to many bonsai varieties, they are best cultivated outdoors year-round.
Fertilizer
Nourish your cherry tree bonsai biweekly during the growing season (spring and summer) using a balanced fertilizer. Mature trees might need fertilization less often compared to younger trees that are still in the growth phase.
Types
Types of Japanese cherry trees that are ideal for bonsai cultivation consist of:
- The Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is a hybrid tree known for its aromatic white or lightly pink blossoms, which bloom either before or concurrently with its leaves. It thrives in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
- The Kanzan cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’) is renowned for its stunning display, featuring large, double pink flowers. It thrives in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
- The Kurile cherry bonsai (Prunus nipponica var. kurilensis) is a Japanese cherry tree that produces pinkish-white blossoms in April. The ‘Brilliant’ variety is a popular choice among bonsai enthusiasts. It thrives in USDA Zones 6 to 8.
- The Fuji cherry (Prunus incisa) is a cherry tree known for its white blossoms. Its gradual growth makes it a popular option for bonsai enthusiasts. The tree’s name is derived from the pronounced cuts found on its leaves. It thrives in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
- Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella) is a naturally occurring hybrid cherry tree that features delicate pale pink to white blossoms that are not fragrant. It thrives in USDA Zones 4 to 8.
Pruning
Consistent trimming and shaping play a crucial role in maintaining the health and visual appeal of a cherry tree bonsai. It’s best to start pruning after the tree has completed its blooming cycle, typically during the summer.
Trim back any new growth to promote branching and shape the plant, while saving any significant pruning of the main branches or stems for the winter season.
When pruning new growth, it’s important to avoid cutting it all away. Always leave some of the new shoots to allow the tree to keep growing. Remember that excessive pruning can negatively impact the blooms in the following year.
Cultivating Cherry Tree Bonsai
In the spring or summer, it is possible to cultivate a cherry tree bonsai from a cutting.
- With a pair of sharp pruning shears, take a stem measuring between 2 to 4 inches from a robust and thriving cherry tree bonsai.
- Incorporate a layer of porous lava rock or gravel into the bonsai container for improved drainage.
- Apply a layer of bonsai soil on top.
- Place the cutting approximately one inch deep into the soil.
- Ensure that the cutting remains consistently damp. Once you notice fresh growth and the cutting feels stable when you lightly pull on it, it indicates that roots have developed.
Transplanting and Replanting
Bonsai cherry trees require repotting every two years, but for older specimens, this can be extended to every three to five years. The ideal time for repotting is in the spring, prior to the tree’s flowering.
When selecting a new container for your cherry tree bonsai, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. Bonsai pots are crafted to enhance the tree’s aesthetic, ensure proper drainage, limit root expansion, and often include holes for wiring the branches.
Remember that, based on bonsai principles, the dimensions of a pot—its height and width—should not exceed two-thirds of the tree’s size. This guideline serves both practical purposes, such as limiting root growth, and aesthetic considerations in design.
Once you have transplanted a cherry tree bonsai, it’s important to place it in a partially sheltered area until it acclimates to its new environment. Newly repotted cherry tree bonsai are particularly vulnerable to excessive exposure.
Overwintering
Japanese flowering cherries are resilient and do not need winter protection. However, because bonsai cherry trees are cultivated in pots, their root systems are more susceptible to cold compared to those planted in garden soil. To prepare the container for winter, you can wrap it in burlap and bubble wrap, or you can place it in an insulated silo for the cold months.
Frequent Insects and Plant Illnesses
Similar to full-sized Japanese cherry trees, bonsai are vulnerable to various pests and diseases. You may encounter scale insects, spider mites, and aphids on your bonsai, which can typically be eliminated with a vigorous spray from a garden hose. Additionally, be on the lookout for tent caterpillars and Japanese beetles.
Japanese cherry trees can be impacted by various ailments such as leaf spots, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fire blight.
Tips for Encouraging Blooming in Cherry Tree Bonsai
Flowering Periods
The flowering period of the tree occurs from March to May, varying based on the species, cultivar, and the region in which it is cultivated.
What is the blooming duration of a cherry tree bonsai?
Japanese cherry blossom trees usually flower for approximately two weeks.
How do the blossoms of cherry tree bonsai appear and what fragrance do they emit?
Japanese cherry trees produce blossoms that can be white or exhibit a range of pink hues, depending on the specific species and variety. The size of the blooms can differ, but a typical characteristic is that the flowers appear in clusters across the tree. While some varieties are unscented, others emit a delicate, sweet, and floral aroma.
Ways to Promote Increased Flowering
If your cherry tree bonsai has received adequate fertilization and sunlight but still fails to produce blooms or has only a limited number, it could be a result of excessive pruning, which may have removed too many flower buds. To encourage flowering, be cautious with your pruning efforts.
A late spring frost occurring when the buds are starting to emerge can result in fewer flowers. Fortunately, the compact size of bonsai trees allows for easy protection. If frost is predicted, you can simply cover them with a sheet, a light blanket, a tarp, or frost protection fabric overnight. Even if the buds are damaged by a spring frost, the tree is likely to recover and thrive in the following year.
Caring for a Cherry Blossom Bonsai Post-Blooming
Now is the ideal moment to trim your cherry tree bonsai to enhance its shape and eliminate any dead or crossing branches.
Frequent Issues Encountered with Cherry Tree Bonsai
Although standard-sized Japanese flowering cherries are known for certain issues like bark splitting and infestations from peach tree borers, the compact nature of bonsai makes it simpler to monitor for problems, allowing for immediate detection of any concerns. As is the case with any tree, maintaining its health will significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering issues.
Is it possible to cultivate a cherry tree bonsai inside a home?
Cherry trees are not suitable for indoor cultivation; they require sunlight from the outdoors and are resilient enough to thrive outside throughout the year. Keeping the tree inside may prevent it from blooming.
What is the time required for a cherry tree bonsai to produce flowers?A bonsai cultivated from a cutting is expected to flower within a period of two to three years.Is cultivating a cherry tree bonsai a simple task?
This bonsai can be quite challenging, as it requires a careful balance between shaping the tree through wiring and pruning, while also ensuring that enough flower buds remain to appreciate the blossoms.
