How to Grow and Care for Cherry Tree Bonsai
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How to Grow Cherry Tree Bonsai
Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art form of artificially growing miniature ornamental or dwarf trees in containers using cultivation techniques to mimic the shape and scale of life-size trees.
Keep Your Bonsai Thriving – Discover Essential Tools and Supplies for Bonsai Care!
The beautiful flowers and delicate foliage of the cherry trees make it a favorite of bonsai lovers and home growers.
Although cherry trees are technically native to China, their flowers have become a symbol of Japan, and cherry trees are generally believed to symbolize friendship.
In addition to their alluring appearance, cherry trees lend themselves well to the art of bonsai. They adapt well to size and training and are generally low maintenance specimens.
| Botanical Name | Prunus Bonsai |
| Common Name | Cherry tree bonsai |
| Plant Type | Deciduous tree |
| Mature Size | 10-15 inches tall |
| Sun Exposure | Partial sun |
| Soil Type | Well-draining, bonsai soil |
| Soil pH | 5.5 - 6.5 |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Pink, white |
| Native Area | China |
Cherry Tree Bonsai Care
Compared to other bonsai specimens, cherry bonsai requires less light and is well suited for training and modeling. Proper wiring is an important part of the growth and shape of a healthy pine bonsai. The wiring consists of wrapping a wire around the branches of the bonsai to reposition the branches and obtain the desired shape.
Cherry bonsai can be connected at any time of year, although it is best done in fall or winter to avoid damaging the delicate buds and new growth in spring or summer. The harness should never be left on for more than six months in a row.
Light
Cherry bonsai enjoys the partial sun and cannot tolerate full sun conditions, as the delicate flowers and leaves can easily burn. A place that receives spotlights in the morning and at night, but sheltered from the afternoon sun, is preferable.
Soil
When it comes to cherry bonsai soil especially, proper drainage is of the utmost importance. Generally, the use of commercially available bonsai potting soil is preferable, as these potting mixes are specially formulated for bonsai. Cherry bonsai enjoy slightly acidic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Water
Cherry bonsai require constantly humid and humid conditions and benefit from irrigation with distilled water rather than hard tap water. The soil must be kept uniformly moist, but never impregnated with water. As a general rule of thumb, allow the first inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
These trees will need to be watered more frequently in the spring and summer when they are in the period of active growth. Never let a cherry bonsai dry out completely.
Temperature and humidity
In general, cherry bonsai enjoy warm spring and summer temperatures, humidity, and cold winter temperatures. For this reason, like most bonsai species, they are best grown outdoors year-round.
Although they are considered moderately frost tolerant and can tolerate short periods of frost, these trees must be protected from severe frosts and harsh winter climates.
Fertilizer
Feed your cherry bonsai every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer. Older trees may require less frequent fertilization than younger trees that are still developing. In fall and winter, it is only necessary to fertilize them once per season.
Pruning
Regular pruning and shaping are extremely important to the health and overall aesthetics of cherry bonsai. Wait until the tree has finished blooming to begin pruning, usually during the summer months.
Squeeze out new shoots to form and stimulate branching, and reserve any significant size of the main branches or stems for the winter months.
Even if you want to prune the new growth, be careful not to remove it entirely. Some new growth should always be left behind to ensure that the tree can continue to grow. Remember that a large pruning can make the next year's blooming painful.
Potting and Repotting
Cherry bonsai trees should be replanted every two years, although older trees can be replanted every three to five years. It is best to replant in the spring, before the tree blooms.
When choosing a new cherry bonsai pot, there are several things to consider. Bonsai pots are designed to complement the appearance of the tree, provide adequate drainage, limit root growth, and even have holes for wiring to make wiring the branches easier.
Remember that according to the rules of bonsai, the height and width of a pot should not exceed ⅔ of the tree, both for function (radical restriction) and for aesthetics and design.
After replanting a cherry bonsai, be sure to keep it in a partially sheltered location until the tree has stabilized. Freshly potted cherry bonsai are particularly susceptible to overexposure.
Varieties of Cherry Trees for Bonsai
There are many different varieties of cherry trees that can be used for bonsai, although the most famous variety associated with stunning cherry blossoms in Japan is Prunus serrulata (commonly known as sakura). Other popular varieties include:
- Prunus x yedoensis (Yoshino cherry)
- Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Common pests/diseases
Healthy cherry bonsai are not susceptible to many common pests or diseases. However, beware of aphids and caterpillars, which can carry over to the tree from other plants in your garden. Although they are rare, watch for diseases such as peach leaf curl, blossom wilt, and taphrina wiesneri.
Enjoy This Video Tutorial About Cherry Blossom Bonsai
Source: Eisei-en Bonsai
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Last update on 2025-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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