How to Grow and Care for Cherry Tree Bonsai

Cherry Tree Bonsai Care

Cherry trees adapt very well to bonsai training and shaping. Here are the main care requirements for growing a cherry tree bonsai:

• Select a location with dappled sunlight where it is protected from the afternoon sun. Keep the tree outdoors all year.
• Plant it in well-draining commercial bonsai soil.
• Water it regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
• Fertilize young trees every two weeks in the spring and summer.
• Start pruning after the tree has finished blooming.
• Wrap a wire around the branches to direct them into growing in the desired shape. Cherry tree bonsai can be wired at any time of the year, although it is best done in the fall or winter months so as to not damage the delicate buds and new growth in the spring or summer months. Do not leave the wiring on for more than six months at a time.

Light

Cherry tree bonsai appreciate partial sun and cannot tolerate full sun conditions as the delicate blooms and leaves are easily burnt. A location that receives dappled morning and evening light, but is protected from the afternoon sun is best.

Soil

When it comes to the soil for cherry tree bonsai, above all else, adequate drainage is of the utmost importance. 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 a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Water

Cherry tree bonsai require consistently moist and humid conditions and benefit from being watered with distilled water rather than hard tap water. The soil should be kept evenly moist but never waterlogged. As a general rule, allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

These trees will need to be watered more frequently during the spring and summer months when they are in their active growing period. Never allow a cherry tree bonsai to dry out completely.

Temperature and Humidity

Generally, cherry tree bonsai appreciate warm spring and summer temperatures, humidity, and cool winter temperatures. For that reason, as with most bonsai species, they should be grown outdoors throughout the year.

Fertilizer

Feed your cherry tree bonsai every two weeks throughout the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer. Older trees may require less frequent fertilizing than younger trees that are still developing.

Types

Varieties of Japanese cherry trees suitable for bonsai include:

• Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is a hybrid with fragrant white or tinged pink flowers that appear before or at the same time as the foliage. USDA Zones 5-8
• Kanzan flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’) is one of the showiest Japanese cherries with large, double pink blooms. USDA Zones 5-9
• Kurile cherry bonsai (Prunus nipponica var. kurilensis) is a Japanese cherry tree with pink-white flowers in April. ‘Brilliant’ is a sought-after bonsai cultivar. USDA Zones 6-8
• Fuji cherry (Prunus incisa) is a white-flowering cherry tree, Its slow growth rate makes it a preferred choice for bonsai. The tree gets its botanical name from the deep incisions on the leaves. USDA Zones 5-9
• Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella) is a naturally occurring hybrid cherry tree with non-fragrant pale pink to white flowers. USDA Zones 4-8

Pruning

Regular pruning and shaping are extremely important for the health and overall aesthetic of the cherry tree bonsai. Wait until the tree has finished blooming to begin pruning, usually in the summer months.

Pinch back any fresh shoots to shape and encourage branching, and reserve any heavy pruning of main branches or stems for the winter months.

While you want to prune the new growth, be careful that you aren’t 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 year’s bloom to suffer.

Propagating Cherry Tree Bonsai

You can grow a cherry tree bonsai from a cutting in the spring or summer:

1. Using sharp pruners, cut a 2- to 4-inch stem from a healthy, vigorous cherry tree bonsai.
2. Add a layer of well-draining lava rock or grit to a bonsai pot.
3. Cover it with a layer of bonsai soil.
4. Insert the cutting about 1 inch deep into the soil.
5. Keep the cutting moist at all times. When you see new growth, and the cutting does not wiggle when you gently tug on it, roots have formed.

Potting and Repotting

Cherry tree bonsai should be repotted every two years, although older trees can be repotted every three to five years. 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. Bonsai pots are designed to complement the appearance of the tree, provide adequate drainage, restrict root growth, and they even have wiring holes to aid in wiring the branches.

Keep in mind that, according to the rules of bonsai, a pot’s height and width should not be more than ⅔ that of the tree, both for function (root restriction) and for aesthetic and design.

After you have repotted a cherry tree bonsai, ensure that it is kept in a partially sheltered location until the tree has become established. Freshly repotted cherry tree bonsai are especially susceptible to over-exposure.

Overwintering

Japanese flowering cherries are hardy ad require no winter protection but since cherry tree bonsai are grown in pots, their root systems are more exposed to the cold than in garden soil. To winterize the container, wrap in in burlap and bubble wrap, or place it in an insulating silo for the winter.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Like regular-size Japanese cherry, bonsai are susceptible to several pests and diseases. You might find scale insects, spider mites, and aphids on your tree, which you can often just remove with a strong spray from your garden hose. Also, keep an eye out for tent caterpillars and Japanese beetles.

The diseases that can affect Japanese cherry include leaf spots, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight.

How to Get Cherry Tree Bonsai to Bloom

Bloom Months

The tree blooms between March and May, depending on the species, variety, and growing zone.

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. The bloom size also varies but a common feature is that the flowers grow in clusters throughout the tree, Some varieties have no scent while others have a subtle sweet and floral fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Assuming that your cherry tree bonsai has been properly fertilized and is getting the right amount of sun, if it does not bloom, or only has a few blooms, it might be due to over-pruning and removing too many of the flower buds. To make sure that you get flowers, go easy on the pruning.

A late hard frost just as the buds appear may lead to a reduced bloom. Luckily bonsai trees are small enough to cover them with a sheet, lightweight blanket, tarp, or frost fabric for the night if a late frost is in the forecast. If the buds get nipped by a spring frost, the tree will bounce back the following year.

Caring for Cherry Tree Bonsai After It Blooms

This is the time to prune your cherry tree bonsai both to shape it and remove andy dead or crisscrossing branches.

Common Problems with Cherry Tree Bonsai

While a regular-sized Japanese flowering cherry is somewhat notorious for its problems, such as bark splitting and peach tree borers, because the bonsai is very small, it is much easier to keep a close eye on it so you’ll notice any issues right away. As always, the healthier the tree, the fewer issues it will have.