Cherry Bonsai Tree

Introduction

Cherry trees are not just known for their fruits but also for their striking beauty. You may have heard about cherry trees being famous in Japan but actually, these are native to China. This is an ornamental fruit try that is prized for its luscious fruit as well as its easy and pliable branches and trunks making these perfect for bonsai growing.

With the best care, the right nutrients and skilled pruning and other mechanical techniques, you will be able to create cherry bonsai trees out of regular trees. With the cherry tree’s natural balanced structure and great looks, you will surely look forward to creating cherry bonsai trees.

Bonsai development is an Asian art form that originated in the 13th century. This art is painstaking and beautiful, producing satisfying results with enough patience and care. Bonsai trees are stunted in growth so that they resemble a full size tree, but in a much smaller form. Cherry bonsai plants are amongst the most prized and favored of all.

Scientific/Botanical NamePrunux x yodoensis
DescriptionThis highly ornamental tree is deciduous, and it boasts spectacular pink blossoms in the spring. Cherry bonsai trees are indigenous to China, but they gained popularity in Japan.
PositionGrow the tree in a location where it is not exposed to the noon-day sun. A partially-sunny site is best.
WateringWater the tree on a regular basis to keep it moist. Increase the level of watering during excessively hot and dry periods, but avoid waterlogged conditions that can cause root rot and tree death. Light misting between watering is beneficial to the plant. Cherry bonsai trees dislike hard water. Distilled water is a viable watering option.
FeedingIt is important to feed the tree on a regular two-weekly schedule during its growing phase. When growth has slowed or ceased, apply a one-time feed in the fall and in winter. Cherry bonsai trees quickly become depleted of nutrients, and this can have an adverse effect on the tree.
Leaf and Branch PruningPrune and trim the plant as desired.
Re-potting & Growing MediumRe-pot the plant every two years during the spring season. When newly re-potted, it should be kept sheltered and adequately watered until it becomes fully-established in its new container.
Wiring
NotesIt is generally believed that cherry blossom trees symbolize friendship. After the Second World War, Japan gave many cherry bonsai trees to the United States, and their blossoms are a great source of enjoyment in the nation’s capital each spring.

History

Like many styles of Bonsai, the lovely cherry tree was made famous in Japan. Even though the trees were made popular in Japan, they are native to China. This ornamental fruit tree is strikingly gorgeous and a favorite amongst bonsai lovers. There are a number of Japanese cherry bonsai trees. Yoshino, Prunux x yodoensis and Kwanzan cherry are the most popular. They all offer beautiful flowers, but vary in their characteristics. In the 20th century after World War II, Japan offered the United States imported cherry bonsai trees. It is said that they are a symbol of friendship.

These trees that were gifted to the United States were planted in D.C. In the Spring they blossom and create a pink and white spectacle throughout the area. Tourists flock to the capitol to witness the beautiful blooms.

However, it’s not just the full-size trees that are famous and popular. Bonsai cherry trees are also a prized possession. Royalty in Kyoto made them ornamental decorations.

Choosing A Bonsai

If you opt to buy a cherry bonsai, there are a few things you should look out for. Buying a bonsai is a serious step, and many sellers will charge exorbitant prices for a tree that isn’t quite worth it. Keep in mind that bonsai creation is an art, and it is extremely time consuming to produce a perfect 10 inch tree.

  • Look for a healthy tree with lush foliage and strong branches. Frail branches and shedding are a red flag.
  • Look for abnormal color patches. This is a sign of viruses of fungal infections.
  • Avoid buying cherry bonsai trees from malls or big-box stores.

Cherry Bonsai General Care

A cherry bonsai tree comes from a simple cherry seed. You can order specialized seeds online or try your luck with a fresh cherry seed from your fruit. There are no special genetic modifications that are made to a seed to make it small; bonsai is a practice and not any sort of specific plant.

Cherry bonsai trees require a special bonsai soil for optimal health. It is best that beginners choose a larger pot as well. Many beginners start with a tiny pot for a tiny tree, but they are much more complicated to grow. A cherry tree would do great in a one gallon pot.

Bonsai trees are perfect for indoors, but it is still important to consider your climate as well as where it will be positioned. Cherry bonsai trees like warmth, but not overbearing heat. It is best to provide it with protection and shade. Keep it out of the sun in the hottest part of the day.

These trees enjoy both direct and indirect sunlight. Keep it out of very chilly air and direct hot sun. Over watering is a major problem for most beginners. Be sure that the soil is damp but not soaked. This will kill your tree quickly. Over watering can even make it prone to rotting.

When it gets very hot in the summer, your tree may need extra water. This is to ensure it doesn’t get parched. Cherry trees are finicky and need just the right amount of fluids. Misting the leaves will keep it healthy between watering. One important thing to note is that bonsai cherry trees do not tolerate salty water. If your water is hard, then you will need to use distilled water.

Every two years you will need to repot it and provide fresh soil. Spring is the best time to do this change. Make sure to give it shade and water during the transition period.

Regularly providing organic all-natural fertilizer is recommended. These trees can become starved and severely lack nutrients. This will result in an unsuccessful bonsai. Feed your cherry tree every two weeks during peak growth season, and then once during the fall and winter.

Developing A Strong Bonsai

The most important aspect of creating a cherry tree bonsai is the appearance. It must have a look of maturity without growing too large. Therefore, a strong trunk and strong branches are a requirement. The foliage should be lush, and a cherry tree should bloom every spring. Fruit production isn’t necessary, but it is possible for the trees to produce a fruit.

This requires time. Don’t expect your cherry tree to be perfect within a year or two. Five years is a tentative estimate for when you can expect your tree to start flourishing as a beautiful bonsai specimen.

Developing Your Cherry Tree Bonsai For A Lifetime

Most people that care for bonsai trees commit to a lifetime of effort. Your tree will stay small, but also develop character and strength. Older bonsai trees are extremely valuable and precious. With proper care it will last decades. It can be passed on to children and grandchildren. It’s truly an art that will never die out, and the cherry tree is one of the most rewarding efforts in the world of bonsai development.

What you need to follow this tutorial

  • A cherry bonsai tree
    • Possibly the easiest way to start caring for a cherry bonsai tree is to purchase an already potted tree. At this rate, you will be able to jump ahead with pruning, wiring and with other techniques used to design bonsai styles. A regular live cherry tree can also be a good source of cuttings if you wish to grow using cuttings or clones.
  • Cherry bonsai seeds
    • Aside from caring for a cherry tree as trees, you may use cherry bonsai seeds to grow your own trees. Growing from seeds allows you to manipulate and design cherry trees at a very young age.
  • Bonsai Pot
    • You will find a variety of planters and pots available from local garden stores and also from online sites. But keep in mind that the design and color of the pot come second only to the ability of a bonsai pot to drain excess water and fertilizer well. Bonsai pots have to have adequate drainage holes on the sides and at the bottom of the pot.
  • Balanced fertilizer
    • A cherry bonsai has a voracious appetite and therefore soils can easily become depleted with nutrients. Feeding with a balanced fertilizer at least twice a week is necessary.
  • Sharp scissors
    • A pair of sharp scissors is needed to prune your cherry trees. You also need a pair of scissors to cut pieces of the bark and to prune roots when re-potting. Your scissors should be clean or sterile to prevent passing on diseases and molds that could affect the health of your plants.
  • Pliers
    • You need a pair of pliers to cut wires at a length you need to use. You also need a good pair of sharp pliers to remove wires used for wiring.
  • Wire for wiring
    • There are two kinds of wires that may be used on bonsai trees: aluminum and copper wires. Aluminum wires are mostly for deciduous trees and for young trunks and branches. Copper wires are harder and therefore are ideal for harder and more mature branches.
  • Clean water
    • Your bonsai trees need good clean water. Your trees should be watered but never over watered. The soil should not become dry because this can affect the overall health of your plants. And whether you use tap water or rainwater on your plants, it is recommended to have your water checked just in case.
  • Aggregates
    • Use aggregates when potting and re-potting to improve its drainage and aerating properties. There are a variety of aggregates to use on your cherry bonsai trees. You can use Akadama, decomposed granite, diatomite, pumic, sand with coarse grains and turface.
  • Growing soil for bonsai
    • There are many kinds of soil for growing bonsai and the best has to be organic sandy and clay soil. This type of soil can hold more water and fertilizer and will also drain excess water and fertilizer as well. You can purchase organic growing bonsai from a local store or from a garden site online.

Step by step instructions

1) Understand fast facts about Cherry bonsai trees

Cherry bonsai trees are popular in Japan but actually, these are native to China. This is an ornamental tree with a strikingly-lovely appearance and a favorite among bonsai growers and enthusiasts. There are a number of Japanese cherry trees, the Yoshino, Prunux x yodoensis and the Kwanzan cherry. These types offer beautiful flowers but these have individual characteristics.

These full-sized cherry trees are not just the only ones popular but their bonsai counterparts as well. In fact, cherry bonsai trees are considered prized possessions. Royalty in Kyoto uses cherry bonsai trees as ornaments and décor inside their luxurious homes.

Description

Prunux x yodoensis is a highly ornamental deciduous tree. It is popular for its spectacular pink blossoms that appear during springtime. Cherry bonsai trees are native to China but are very popular in Japan.

Cherry bonsai trees are usually grown indoors. But despite this, it is very important to consider the climate of the area where you are at or where the tree will grow. You must also consider the different cherry tree varieties when planning to grow this type of bonsai.

Growing position

Cherry bonsai trees should be grown in areas where these are not exposed to the noon-day sun. Choose a partially-sunny spot in your garden or backyard. These trees are ideally grown indoors but despite this, you must still consider your climate before you grow this kind of bonsai tree. Cherry bonsai trees love warm climates but not too much sun. And as the weather turns warmer, consider watering your trees more.

Watering

  • Water cherry bonsai trees regularly
  • Keep the soil moist at all times
  • Increase the amount of watering during very hot and dry periods
  • Avoid overwatering your cherry bonsai trees.
  • A light misting between watering is recommended
  • Never use hard water; distilled water is recommended

Feeding

  • Feed fertilizer on a regular two-weekly schedule during the growing phase
  • Give a one-time feeding when growth has slowed or ceased
  • Cherry bonsai trees can easily become depleted with nutrients
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to use fertilizers for cherry tree bonsais

Leaf and branch pruning

  • Prune cherry bonsai trees as needed
  • Prune regularly to stimulate improved and healthy leaf and stem production
  • Re-potting & growing medium
  • Re-pot every two years
  • Re-pot during the spring
  • After re-potting your bonsai, keep it protected and watered
  • Allow the plant to establish itself before re-potting and pruning it again

Wiring a cherry bonsai tree

  • Wire cherry bonsai trees to shape its branches accordingly.
  • Remove the wire during the same season it was applied

Important notes

A cherry tree is a symbol of friendship. Japan gave the United States cherry bonsai plants after the Second World War as a symbol of the two countries’ friendship. To this day, these bonsais are a source of enjoyment in Washington, DC.

2) Distinguishing cherry bonsai trees from other bonsais

Cherry bonsai trees are easily distinguished from other bonsai trees because of its renowned pink and white flowers. These flowers mostly grow and fill cherry trees with a banked of pink petals. And when these flowers fall, these create a lovely carpet of flowers that people enjoy.

3) Purchasing cherry bonsai trees

The easiest way to grow cherry bonsai trees is to buy an already alive and thriving cherry bonsai tree from a nursery. Purchasing bonsai is easy and will skip the painstaking and time-consuming part of growing trees from seeds.

Although this is an easy way to grow a cherry bonsai tree, it could be an expensive way to do so because most shops charge so much for a healthy bonsai tree. When looking for a healthy tree, choose trees with lush foliage and strong branches.

You must beware of shedding and frail branches. Beware of abnormal color patches in leaves because this could be a sign of fungal infections.

Do not buy cherry bonsai trees from big malls or online stores because usually, retailers charge exorbitant prices.

4) Growing cherry bonsai trees from seeds and cuttings

Aside from growing cherry bonsai trees from actual trees, you may use seeds to grow your own tree. There are a lot of advantages when you use seeds. First, you can closely monitor the health of your trees and you will be able to manipulate and position your bonsai at an early age. It can take time to grow trees from seeds but this is a good way to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

You can purchase cherry tree seeds from local seeds shops or you can buy seeds online. If you are lucky enough to be living near a cherry tree then, by all means, use the seeds of this tree.

Growing cherry bonsai trees from seeds

Seeds germinate before these grow into young seedlings. After the seedlings have grown and are stronger, these will be transferred to individual bonsai pots. Germination is when the seed opens up to allow the taproot to emerge. The taproot emerges from the seed and then the first small leaves and stems come out next. Germination rates vary from tree to tree and for a cherry tree, it could take weeks. During this crucial time, cherry bonsai tree seeds need the full sun and moisture.

But before you place seeds in soil to germinate, you must separate seeds that are fertile and those that are sterile. You can’t simply tell fertile and sterile seeds apart just by their appearance. But a simple technique does the trick. This is the glass of water technique. It will tell you which seeds will germinate and which ones will not.

  • Fill a glass or a transparent container with tap water.
  • Put the seeds in and wait for the seeds to settle.
  • Some seeds will simply sink while some seeds will float. Keep the seeds that have sunk while discarding those that float.

This test reveals which seeds should be germinated. Those seeds that have sunk are seeds that are viable or seeds that contain viable insides. These seeds are fertile and are ready to germinate given the right conditions. Seeds that float are empty because these don’t contain viable insides. These will not germinate no matter how long these stay in the water.

Now that you know which seeds will germinate and which seeds need to be discarded, you may now germinate your seeds. You only need a few basic materials to germinate your cherry tree seeds.

  • It is best to use a large pot to germinate your seeds. This should be a shallow pot that will hold up to 4 seeds at one time.
  • Place peat seed sowing mix inside the pot. This is known as the best soil that can help seeds germinate. You will be able to purchase peat seed sowing mixes from any local garden shops.
  • Put the cherry bonsai tree seeds on the surface of the sowing mix. Provide at least a few centimeters of space between seeds.
  • Never cover the seeds because these need bright sunlight to start germinating.
  • Keep the soil moist by watering it regularly. The soil should be soaked and one way to test this is to check if water has run off the drainage holes along the sides of the container. Cherry seeds just like other seeds need a lot of moisture to germinate.
  • Place the seeds outdoors in full sunlight to get the most light to germinate.
  • Germination takes a few weeks to happen in cherry seeds and during this time, you must keep the soil moist at all times.

Once the seeds have opened the taproot will initially emerge. Then the seed will orient itself and the taproot will dig into the soil as small leaves and stems will gradually appear. Let the seeds gain strength. You will only be able to transplant cherry tree seedlings to individual pots once these have gained strength and optimum health. You must be patient otherwise you will risk the health and strength of your trees.

  • A small and shallow bonsai pot will work as a good starter pot. It should have two holes along sides and at the bottom of the pot to give your tree adequate drainage.
  • Place a layer of coarse substrate or aggregate inside the pot. This will be the bottom layer which will improve aeration and increase drainage of excess water and fertilizer.
  • After the layer of aggregates, add bonsai potting soil. Use organic potting soil that will hold more water. Cherry trees need moist soils it grows into a mature tree.
  • Place your Cherry tree seedling in the soil. Place another layer of organic bonsai soil and use your fingers to compact the soil lightly.
  • Water your young plants to keep the soil moist.

Growing cherry bonsai trees from cuttings

One way to grow a cherry tree is to use cuttings. Cuttings can be harvested from healthy cherry trees and cultivated to become young trees. When you use cuttings, you don’t need to wait for seeds to germinate and to become seedlings.

There are a few advantages of growing cherry trees from seeds. Seeds that grow from seeds develop a taproot. This is a thick root that first emerges from the seed. This is needed by the young plant to improve stability and to improve absorption of nutrients from the soil.

Cuttings don’t grow taproots and therefore may not be as stable as trees grown from seeds. This is overcome by allowing the cutting to develop its root system before you plant this in its own planter or bonsai pot. Here is how to harvest cuttings from trees.

Choose a healthy cherry bonsai tree where you will get your cuttings from.
This tree must be in good health. It must be growing new leaves and stems on a regular basis and should not have any pests or diseases. Check for nutrient problems, leaf discoloration or any kind of health condition which may be transferred to your cutting.

  • Harvest cuttings from the cherry bonsai tree. Check that this stem is healthy and has no issues.
  • Use a clean or sterile cutter or a sharp knife to harvest the cutting. This is important so as not to spread any disease or mold.
  • Use a diagonal cut to harvest your cutting.
  • Place the cutting in water immediately after you take it from the donor tree.
  • This will avoid air pockets from entering the newly cut stems.
  • Leave the cuttings to develop roots. Let these soak in water.
  • When the roots have thickened, the cuttings will be ready to be planted in soil.
  • Water the cuttings every day and remember to keep the soil moist. Water only when the soil is dry and not when it is moist to avoid root rot and mold growth from the roots.

5) Caring for a cherry bonsai tree

A cherry bonsai tree is prized for its ability to be styled and trained to fit any kind of bonsai tree design. Therefore one of the most important parts of creating a cherry bonsai tree is its appearance. The bonsai tree should look mature but should not grow too large. It should have a strong trunk and branches to be able to accommodate healthy stems, leaves, and lovely flowers. Ideally, the cherry tree foliage should be lush and it should bloom every spring.

Because you are growing bonsai for ornamental purposes, developing fruit need not be a requirement. However, even bonsai cherry trees may produce fruits as well.

6) Soil and re-potting a cherry bonsai tree

A cherry tree bonsai needs special organic bonsai soil to thrive and grow. Ideally, it should be re-potted every two years during the spring season. When the tree has been newly re-potted, it should be kept in a shaded part of your garden or indoors until it has completely adjusted to its container.

Regularly changing potting soil is necessary to replenish lost nutrients. Cherry trees have a huge appetite and may even spend all the nutrients found in soil. If this happens, the bonsai could starve and die. Therefore regular re-potting is needed and new soil should be used. Feed cherry trees every two weeks especially during its peak growing season and once during fall and winter.

When it comes to the ideal pot to use, you can use jade pots to stay true to Japanese tradition. You can also use different planters or pots just remember that these must have adequate drainage holes. This will let excess water and fertilizer to drain from the soil and will allow oxygen to enter from the holes to the soil to benefit the tree roots.

7) Watering cherry bonsai tree

Cherry tree bonsai needs to be watered regularly but never overwater your trees. Usually, overwatering is a problem for beginners. Make sure that the soil is damp and not soaked. And when it’s time to water, the soil should be completely dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot and can even kill cherry trees.

When the weather turns hot during summertime, your bonsai tree may need extra water. Cherry trees may sometimes become too finicky. You have to learn just how much water it needs. You may also use a mister to moisten leaves in between watering. Never feed your bonsai trees salty water. Cherry trees will do well with distilled water and not just tap or rainwater.

8) Pruning and shaping a cherry bonsai tree

What’s amazing about cherry trees is that this can be styled to become any kind of bonsai style. This versatile bonsai tree should be pruned accordingly to improve its appearance and to stimulate the new growth of leaves and stems.

Pruning is done by cutting leaves and stems using a cutter or pair of scissors.

Remember to use only sterile or clean blades or scissors so as not to pass diseases or mold.

A cherry bonsai tree may be designed to make a variety of bonsai tree styles.

Styling and shaping have to be done as early as possible while the trunk of the tree is still soft and pliable. Wiring mature cherry bonsai trees can injure the tree and this would be hard for mature trees because the wood will be stiff and this can lead to injuries and fractures.

The cherry bonsai tree may be wired and styled to create a cascading style, a flowing style or a broom style and more. When wiring any kind of bonsai you must be very careful not to injure the tree. This should be removed on the same season that it was attached.

Important wiring techniques

Wiring will shape and style bonsai trees. Wiring will reposition bonsai branches to different styles that are popular and important for anyone who would like to appreciate bonsai art. There are a number of bonsai styles that you can use to design a cherry bonsai tree.

Shakan Bonsai Style

The Shakan bonsai style will look amazing when a cherry tree is used. This is the slanted bonsai tree style that recreates a slanted tree in nature. The trunk of the bonsai emerges from the soil in a slanted way while the rest of the tree is grown in an outward manner. The trunk is in a 60-80 degree angle for a slanted look. This style is possibly by strong wiring to train the main trunk. Wiring will control the height of the branch as well. Applying strong lighting from one direction will also bend the tree for that windswept style.

Shari Bonsai Style

The Shari Bonsai Style is done by shaving the bark of the tree to prevent new growth from appearing or reappearing. Also known as the stair effect, branches may be long or short. The overall design is achieved with wiring and much pruning. Meanwhile leaves located at the top of the tree create a balanced appearance. The Shari bonsai style depicts the development of trees and plants in nature. You may find a barkless area along the trunk and this is because of the effects of harsh weather conditions in a natural setting.

Seki-joju or Rocky Terrain

The Seki-joju or Rocky Terrain style is all about presenting a bonsai tree’s lovely aerial roots. It is all about growing bonsai roots despite different obstacles. Obstacles could be anything in nature like a jagged or smooth rock. The Seki-joju occurs in nature when roots of trees grow underneath and along the sides of rocks.

Roots of trees are very adaptable because this will also crawl around, along with the sides and even underneath rocks. As these happen the trunk of the bonsai is developed. The rest of the tree will grow in a straight way even if there are a number of obstacles found along its path. The Rocky Terrain bonsai style is usually seen in bonsai presentations where trees that have healthy and well-presented roots.

Literati Bonsai

The Literati style is a bonsai style perfect for cherry bonsai trees. This design has a skinny trunk and curved leaves. In this design, cherry trees will be able to present lovely plumes of pink and white flowers. Bonsai enthusiasts say that this style is all about the struggle in nature for the smallest life form to exist. In the literati style, a few bald spots along the trunk can be seen and this will look like dead branches. This bonsai style is found in nature when trees grow in densely populated areas like forests and woodland areas.

Dramatic Fukinagashi

The Dramatic Fukinagashi style is similar to a windswept head of hair in a storm. Acherry bonsai tree will fit this extraordinary style. In the Fukinagashi style, the branches and the trunk will grow to one side for a really strong wind coming from one direction. This design is created using wires and by pruning the leaves to develop that windswept design.

Han-kengai

The Han-kengai bonsai style has a cascading effect. The section of the trunk grows in a straightforward manner while a branch grows outward and slightly downward. A small part of the trunk is found before the section where the thick branches are located. These branches grow in different directions and even develop low-lying leaves. This bonsai style should be grown in a deep pot to preserve the design.

When to start wiring

You must start wiring a cherry bonsai tree as soon as it is strong. You may start wiring a cherry bonsai tree any time of the year. Remember to attach wires to the branches carefully because this can injure the bark. Place wires on cherry trees during the growing season or as the branches become thicker so it can be styled accordingly.

Wiring mature branches will only lead to injury. Wires will cut through the bark which results in ugly marks and scars. Always remove the wire when it is due. Forgetting to remove wires can badly injure your cherry tree. Constantly check your cherry bonsai tree for signs of good health when it is wired. It should be growing new leaves and stems regularly even when it is wired. It should be drinking well and responding to fertilizer feedings as well. Remove the wires only by cutting it piece by piece to prevent injuries to the bark or branches.

The type of wire to use

There are two kinds of wires that you can use to wire your cherry bonsai tree. You can use anodized aluminum or annealed copper wires. These will help you train bonsai plants. Each wire is different too. Anodized aluminum is for deciduous trees that have harder and stronger trunks. Annealed copper wires are for species with harder trunks such as conifers and pine trees. Wires are available in a variety of thicknesses and the most commonly used are the 1 mm to 4 mm wires.

If this is your first time to wire bonsai then it’s better to practice using anodized aluminum wires because these are easier to handle and is available from almost any local hardware store. Wires may cause injury to bonsai branches especially in young bonsai tree so you must always be careful.

Raffia is usually used to avoid injuries in trees that are wired. Raffia is palm fiber that you can get from garden stores. Raffi should be soaked in water and wrapped around the tips of the branch or bark. Raffia will protect these from damage because of wiring and bending.

Step by step instructions on how to wire a bonsai

  • Decide what kind of wire to use.
  • Select the thickness of the wire that you wish to use.
  • Measure the length of wire. Cut using a sharp pair of pliers
  • Take one end of the wire and wrap this around the branch you want to wire first. Wrap it in a 45-degree angle.
  • Wrap the wire neatly along the extent of the branch.
  • After completely wiring the branch, cut the excess using pliers.
  • Bend the branches into the position. Do this slowly and gently so as not to injure or break the branch.
  • If you have branches that are too high use a guy wire. Wrap moist raffia around the branch that you want to lower and place a hook at the end of the branch.
  • Place a wire on the hook and secure it to a strong root. This will lower the high branch.
  • Same goes for lifting a branch that is too low. Take the end of this branch and wrap raffia; add the hook and place a guy wire on the hook. Attach the end to anything that is above the bonsai plant.
  • Remove the wires during the same season when these were applied.
  • After wiring, take note of the growth of your bonsai tree. Place this in a shaded area of your garden and water it regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer so it can recuperate well.

Post-wiring care for your Cherry bonsai tree

After wiring, a cherry tree bonsai place it in a shaded area of your garden. Never under the full sun because it has to regain its health and strength. Leaving under direct sunlight can dry the soil so much which could be detrimental to cherry trees. Give balanced fertilizer so your trees can receive complete nutrients necessary for growth and development.

Remove the wires on schedule to avoid damage to the delicate bonsai bark and branches. Cut the wire in every time you turn it and don’t remove it completely.

Never reuse the wire for wiring other branches because this is already bent and spent.

Monitor tree health post wiring and let your bonsai tree rest before wiring and pruning it again. If possible keep a photos collage of your pruning and wiring activities to monitor your bonsai tree’s shape and appearance.

9) How to prevent pests and diseases

Cherry blossom bonsai trees are perfect in any way. When grown as an ornamental tree, it will definitely brighten up any room. But despite its hardiness when grown indoors, it is not free from different diseases and is still susceptible to pests

Lovely cherry bonsai trees are prone to mold and root rot so don’t leave the soil overwatered. You must only water when the soil is dry and high and never when the soil is damp or moist. While you can grow bonsai from a variety of pots, a planter with good drainage is the best choice. This will prevent root rot and the development of molds in the roots.

Protect your cherry blossom bonsai trees from pests. Pests like caterpillars and spider mites could eat away your cherry bonsai in just a matter of hours. Never take any kind of pest for granted. Once you find one small insect or bug then it’s sure that there will be more nearby.

Stop pests using natural or organic pesticides which are available in most garden stores and shops. You may also flush pests away by using a spray bottle.

Be smart and diligent to eradicate pests in your garden. Keep your cherry blossom pest-free and disease-free and you will be on your way to growing healthy flower-bearing trees.

Conclusion

Cherry blossom bonsai trees are known to be one of the most beautiful fruit-bearing trees that can be made into a bonsai. This has a large number of species so take note that individual species may have different growing needs and special instructions on how to maintain, define and develop a mature and beautiful cherry bonsai tree. You will find this tree hard to grow but is very rewarding in the end.