Cherry tree blossom is a wonderful natural spectacle! Not just because of their beauty - when the flower buds open there is a promise of enjoying delicious cherries. With no flowers, the hope of a harvest dwindles.
Why doesn't my cherry tree have any flowers?
If a cherry tree does not produce flowers, this may be due to age, incorrect pruning, lack of nutrients or over-fertilization. Young trees require 2-3 years before flowering; For older trees, regulation of nitrogen fertilization and regular pruning are helpful.
Young cherry trees without flowers is no problem
If a young cherry tree does not bear flowers in the first 2-3 years after planting, there is no reason to worry. In young trees, shoot formation precedes flower formation until a strong, stable crown structure has developed. Only then does the cherry tree begin to form flowers and bear fruit.
Lack of flowers on older trees
From a certain age, the tree is expected to bloom and bear fruit. Various factors play a role in the formation of flowers, such as variety, climate and location conditions, supply of nutrients, etc. Some types of fruit, including sour cherries, are extremely flowering, i.e. H. that they set flower buds early without any special incentives. The sweet cherry, which begins to bloom in mid-April, is defenseless against late frosts in many springs.
Promote flowering ability
It is not uncommon for gardeners to report that their cherry trees only bloom every 2nd or even 3rd year. Apart from the specific characteristics of the variety, every cherry tree of productive age can be stimulated to produce flowers through various measures. Please note the following:
- Regular pruning at the right time promotes flowering,
- Too many nutrients lead to increased shoot growth and thus reduced flower bud formation,
- Lack of nutrients initially causes excessive flower bud formation, but later premature exhaustion,
- Cherry trees on weakly growing rootstocks are more flowery,
- Restriction of nitrogen fertilization prevents shoot growth and promotes the formation of fruit shoots with flower buds.
Tips & Tricks
Even if flowers appear on a young cherry tree in the first year, it is better to break them out. The tree should first be given the opportunity to grow properly, as flowering and subsequent fruiting come at the expense of growth.
