General Care Guide for a Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus spp.) Bonsai
The Flowering Cherry is a crown jewel of deciduous bonsai, famous for its fleeting, spectacular spring blossom and fine, serrated foliage. It is a sensitive but rewarding species that requires specific care to ensure it flowers reliably each year.
Placement and Temperature
- Sunlight: Requires full sun for most of the year to develop flower buds and maintain short internodes. However, during the height of summer, provide afternoon shade to protect the delicate leaves from scorching.
- Temperature: It is a hardy deciduous tree that must stay outdoors to experience a cold winter dormancy. Without this "chill period," it will not flower. Protect the roots in the pot if temperatures drop below -5°C (23°F).
Watering and Feeding
- Watering: Flowering Cherries are very thirsty, especially when in bloom and during the heat of summer. Water thoroughly as soon as the topsoil feels slightly dry. Never let the root ball dry out completely, but ensure your soil drains well.
Pruning and Repotting
- Pruning: Timing is critical.
- Major Pruning: Best done in late winter while dormant or immediately after flowering.
- Maintenance: In summer, prune new shoots back to 2-3 leaves only after the shoots have hardened. Be careful: heavy pruning in late summer may remove the buds that would have become next year's flowers.
- Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years in early spring just as the buds swell but before they open.
- Soil: Use a well-draining mix with good moisture retention, such as a blend of 60% Akadama, 20% Pumice, and 20% Lava Rock.
🔗 Wiring
- Timing: Best wired in late spring/early summer after flowering or in late winter.