Advice on fruiting bonsai's

[astroboy76]

Hi all, i am new here and quite new to the art of bonsai. I have a love affair with flowering furit tree's. At the moment i have a japanese apricot, a crabapple, some flowering cherries and 3 cherry plums.

i live in sydney and have heard bits and peices about hwo the weather can stop them flowering and certains to and not to prune etc.

can anyone offer some simple sound advice on caring for and getting the most out of these beautiful bonsai?

[Jester]

Hi Astroboy, I can't answer your question for all the species you have identified because even though I have them all, I have not had extensive experience with some of them. As for say, the flowering cherries, it really depends on the species. For example, I have 2 Prunus Okames (Japanese. Flowering Cherries) and they are fine, very robust fast growers. The same applies with my flowering Plums (prunus Elvins) and flowering almonds. On the other hand, if I were to try growing a Prunus Yeodensis(Yoshino cherry) well, I probably would'nt have much luck in that whoever you speak to, they will tell you that they just don't grow well here. What I can tell you is, keep a close eye on the root ball. I had some young trees in ten inch pots and in 2 years they were almost pot bound. Lucky I caught the problem in time. They will splay their roots far and wide any chance they get. The ramify quite well if you keep cutting back but be diligent with your wiring as I don't need to tell you how quickly the branches harden. If you don't prune it will , in my opinion just get out of control. You have to be quite diligent with them during the growing season depending on what you want. Having said all that, they are one of the most rewarding family of trees I have ever owned. I just just a little surpised more people don't grow them. Hope this has been of some help.

[astroboy76]

hi Jester, and thanks!

the cherris i have had a lable of japanese flowering cherry but i have come to realise one cannot always trust the card in the pot. My cherries are small and very twiggy and the flowers are small reddish pink and hand like cherries woudl off the branch. they are all flowering now. they are small and dont have much shape and i am not sure what to do to regain the shape as they have hardened already (well, before i bought them). perhaps i should just cut them right back once they finish flowering and trian the new shoots?

have you had any experience with crabapples? this is a picture of my crab. i want to make sure i look after it as best i can

[Jester]

Hi Astroboy, can u post a photo of the flowering cherries? With a closeup photo of the flower? As for the crabapple, you look like you are already getting some good ramification. Personally I would be patient and wait for some new shoots to come out this spring and then work on those. I think it's quite a nice specimen with nice bark. Is it Floribunda?

John

[astroboy76]

hey John,

i belive it is a Purple Crabapple-Malus Purpurea. i have done a little work on it since that pic. i cut back the main branches at an angle to increase taper. the crab gets clusters of pyrple flowers and purplish leaves that turn green in summer.

i will have to take a pic of the cherries. will do so soon. my main concern is keeping all the flowering tree's healthy and flowering in spring!! from what i read this can be quite difficult. where did u get your flowering almond from? i have a new japanese apricot that i am yet to actually see flower or foliate.

[Jester]

Hi Astroboy, judging by what you are telling me,the trees are in good hands!!! I'm not sure about putting potash of sulphate into the soil and onto the foliage to encourage flowering. I honestly have'nt done any research into it. It may be counterproductive. Something I will have to look into. As for the flowering almond, (Prunus Amygdalus Communis),I got them from Lee Wilson at Bonsai Artistree in Belrose.


John


PS I just read that, if you feed after flowering and on through until summer when new branches start to grow, and in the process cut back as desired, this is where your new buds will come from for next late winter.

[Jester]

Don't forget too Astroboy that the Prunus family is notorious for mixing up common names to Botanical names. I've seen bonsai nursery owners who still get confused with it. I have seen Prunus Okame called about 7 different things so don't think your the only one.


John

hi Jester, and thanks!

the cherris i have had a lable of japanese flowering cherry but i have come to realise one cannot always trust the card in the pot.

[astroboy76]

hey john,

Cheers for the advice! so how do the flowering almonds go? i dont knwo much about them... do they strive well in sydney? where in sydney are you? can you post a pic? i woudl love to see one

[Jester]

Hi Astroboy, mine are still very small but I have planted them in open ground. I will however send you a pic of what they should look like. They are one of the more spectacular flowers of the prunus family. I am in Bondi Junction. Where are you?


John

[astroboy76]

wow, awesome flower! will have to definately try and get me one! am going to bonsai south on the weekend with my bro (the one responsible for creating this passion in me!) so might go on the hunt for one.

I go between Mascot and Moorebank. Long story hehe but my Bonsai's are at Moorebank as i have a lot more space there