If the cherry tree in the garden remains without tasty fruits despite its great flowers, then it may be an ornamental cherry of the Prunus serrulata plant species. Although these do not produce usable fruit, they can be trained into attractive bonsai shapes, similar to apple trees and lemon trees.
How do I grow a Japanese cherry tree as a bonsai?
To grow a Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata) as a bonsai, you should choose a low-growing, hardy subspecies, consider the flower color and growth habit, check the root condition and examine the plant for diseases and pests. When wiring, use the raffia ribbon to protect the bark.
The attractive flowers make the Japanese cherry a particularly attractive bonsai material
The Japanese flowering cherry also adorns its trunk and thicker branches with numerous pink flowers before the first green leaves emerge. Even varieties that are not completely frost-hardy should be kept cool over the winter so that lush flowering occurs.
Choose the right subspecies
Several subspecies of Prunus serrulata are also hardy in this country and can therefore be cultivated outdoors as bonsai. To ensure success in raising a shapely bonsai, you should pay attention to the following factors when purchasing a young plant:
- Select relatively low-growing subspecies
- select a specific flower color and growth habit depending on your preference
- pay attention to the shape of the tree root (the root may still have to fit into a flat bonsai pot)
- Examine bark and leaves for diseases and pests
Tip
When wiring your budding bonsai from a Japanese cherry, make sure to protect the trunk from injuries caused by the wire with special raffia tape (€8.00 on Amazon). Otherwise, unwanted traces of wiring may appear in the bark of the plant.
