Beyond their alluring appearance, cherry trees lend themselves well to the art of bonsai.
They adapt well to pruning and training.
Cherry tree bonsai is planted in the spring so it has all growing season to adapt to its pot.
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The leaves, stems, and seeds of cherry trees are toxic to humans and pets.
Cherry Tree Bonsai Care
Cherry trees adapt very well to bonsai training and shaping.
A location that receives dappled morning and evening light, but is protected from the afternoon sun is best.
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Using commercially available bonsai soil is usually best as these potting mixtures are formulated especially for bonsai trees.
Cherry tree bonsai appreciate soil that is slightly acidic with apH between 5.5 and 6.5.
The soil should be kept evenly moist but neverwaterlogged.
As a general rule, allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Never allow a cherry tree bonsai to dry out completely.
For that reason, as with most bonsai species, they should be grown outdoors throughout the year.
Older trees may require less frequent fertilizing than younger trees that are still developing.
Wait until the tree has finished blooming to begin pruning, usually in the summer months.
While you want to prune the new growth, be careful that you arent removing all of it.
Some of the new shoots should always be left to ensure that the tree can continue growing.
Keep in mind that heavy pruning may cause the following years bloom to suffer.
Repotting is best done in the spring before the tree has bloomed.
When choosing a new pot for your cherry tree bonsai, there are several things to consider.
Freshly repotted cherry tree bonsai are especially susceptible to over-exposure.
Also, keep an eye out for tent caterpillars and Japanese beetles.
How Long Does Cherry Tree Bonsai Bloom?
Japanese flowering cherry trees typically bloom for about two weeks.
What Do Cherry Tree Bonsai Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Depending on the species and variety, Japanese cherries bloom white or in various shades of pink.
To double-check that you get flowers, go easy on the pruning.
A late hard frost just as the buds appear may lead to a reduced bloom.
If the buds get nipped by a spring frost, the tree will bounce back the following year.
As always, the healthier the tree, the fewer issues it will have.
If you keep the tree indoors, it will likely not flower.
A bonsai grown from a cutting should bloom in two to three years.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
