Homemade sakura. Sakura bonsai: how to grow Japanese cherry from seeds. Sowing sakura seeds

With the arrival of spring, people who have a homestead or garden plot, thoughts arise on how to decorate it. First of all, what to plant? Most of all we have heard about sakura, that it blooms beautifully. We know that the birthplace of sakura is Japan. They even have a holiday when sakura blooms, and crowds of Japanese come to admire its blossoms. In this tip we will talk about how to plant and grow sakura on your personal plot.

Japan is located on islands, and cherry blossoms bloom there from January, starting in the southern islands, and ending in May in the northern islands.

In addition, you need to know what is considered sakura among the Japanese. This is a collective name. It's not just one variety. Japanese scientists classify certain types of plums, cherries and bird cherry trees as sakura, including about 16 species and approximately 400 varieties. But for ordinary Japanese, the type or variety of sakura is not important. Most of them don't understand this at all. It is important for them to see the blossom and inhale the aroma. In their homeland, these can be shrubs and trees, even reaching a height of 8 meters. There are 3 trees of advanced age throughout Japan, approximately 600 years old. Sakura are different plants with simple or double flowers, light pink, light red, white, light lilac in color.

Sakura grow both in other countries and in our country in different places. If the species and variety are not important and not even known to most Japanese, then for us, planting and growing sakura is important. Not every Japanese sakura You can grow, but only 2 - 3 species. In our conditions, which differ from Japan in that the winter is completely different, for example, in the Moscow region, that we can have severe frosts in winter, only varieties brought from the northern Japanese island are suitable. Therefore, when planting traditional Japanese sakura, you will not have a guarantee that the tree will take root.

It's better to plant hybrid varieties that can withstand frost. In the Moscow region they bloom in late April - early May. Seedlings can be found in special shopping centers, V garden centers, in nurseries of ornamental crops. There you can also ask what conditions must be observed when planting and caring for seedlings, because some cherry trees can grow well in humid places, while others, on the contrary, grow in drier ones and cannot tolerate waterlogging.

Usually, for planting sakura seedlings, choose a place where groundwater do not rise close (no closer than 2 m). The place should be sunny, where there is no big trees. The soil is prepared fertile, in which there is a lot of humus. It is mixed with soil dug out when preparing the hole. A hole is dug 40 cm deep and 40 - 50 cm wide. The hole is filled 2/3 full, a seedling is placed in the center, filled 10 - 15 cm deep, and watered. Then they add more, lightly compacting the soil so that the soil is at the same level as the seedling grew before - no lower, no higher. A peg is driven in and the seedling is tied up for stability in the wind. For the winter trunk circle seedlings are covered with leaves or grass.

Sakura seedlings are rarely sold anywhere and are expensive. Therefore, anyone who loves and knows how to garden can grow a sakura hybrid themselves. To do this, you must first grow seedlings of cherries or wild cherries. Or maybe you already have them. They can be used for budding from sakura cuttings from the end of June until approximately September 10th. Vaccinations are not given in the fall. You will find sakura cuttings yourself if you already have sakura. If the eye has taken root, the bud will be convex and shiny. If the bud does not take root, you can repeat the budding. Keep in mind that there are varieties of sakura, cuttings from which are better suited for sloe grafting.

If you were unable to purchase sakura seedlings or they did not take root, do not be discouraged. There are a number of frost-resistant plants that are similar in flowering to sakura and are its competitors. Believe me, having planted and grown such a plant, you will worry less: “whether it takes root or not,” and you will get no less pleasure, and maybe even more, than a Japanese does when admiring sakura, because it was with your participation that a beautiful and amazing miracle, which with its flowering and aroma makes life more beautiful.

From such plants you can plant Sakhalin cherry; there are varieties of Kuril cherry and terry Rex cherry. They are frost-resistant. Sakhalin cherry is closer in appearance to Japanese sakura. This beautiful tree, in nature it grows up to 25 m, in culture 10 - 15 m. It can be propagated by sowing seeds in spring or by summer cuttings.

Kuril cherry "Diamond" is a shrub up to 2 m, has white flowers, the leaves turn bright red in autumn.

There is a Kiku cherry - shidare - a small drought-resistant tree with weeping branches and double pink flowers. Its fruits are inedible. Planted in spring and autumn.

Most likely, all these cherries will be sold to you under the name sakura.

Felt cherry grows well in the Moscow region. This is a bush. Felt cherry is cultivated here in Primorye, in the Amur region. In order for it to bear fruit well, it is necessary to plant several bushes for pollination, since it is self-sterile.

A competitor to sakura is considered to be the three-lobed almond or Louiseania. This is a bush. Its fruits are inedible. Blooms luxuriantly. The flowers, depending on the variety, are pink, dark pink, light red, crimson and appear before the leaves bloom.

It is not afraid of pruning, so the branches are used to make bouquets. In spring, water generously, but so as not to wet the root collar. Drought resistant. In winter, branches can be damaged by frost. They are cut out. Almonds recover quickly. In the Moscow region, the most resistant to frost are almond hybrids grafted onto sloe. Three-lobed almond bushes look beautiful on the lawn alone or 3 to 5 pieces together. Three-lobed almonds are propagated by seeds, cuttings, suckers and layering.

In addition to almonds, you can replace sakura with double large-flowered hawthorns. Prickly hawthorn has several forms: with double dark pink flowers, with double purple-red flowers, and with white double flowers. There is a variety called Semper flores that blooms all summer. Prickly hawthorn can be used as a hedge. It produces a lot of shoots. It is easier to propagate by offspring.

In early spring, the site will be decorated with exquisite incense. Bergenia flowers bloom at the same time as tulips. Bergenia leaves are green in summer and emerge purple and burgundy in winter. There are several dozen varieties of bergenia that are used in decorative purposes. They differ in rosettes, leaf shape, size and color of flowers. Bergenias with semi-double pink flowers are more common. There are bright red, purple, white. There is a variety of bergenia called “Sakura”. Bergenia is found in many gardens. Looks good along paths, grows under trees and bushes on moderately fertile soil. Not afraid of frost and drought. Propagated by seeds and division of rhizomes.

When we think about decorative plantings, it is best to remember the apple trees we love so much. Eat decorative apple tree Nedzvetsky (popularly - Raechka). It is listed in the Red Book because it is now rare. The tree is 8 m high, slender and very decorative. Resistant to frost, diseases and pests, tolerates drought, does not tolerate stagnant water. The tree grows quickly. It will delight every spring with its flowering and aroma for many years. Can be a decoration for any park and garden.

Apple tree, wild. Grows in European deciduous forests. We widely use it to decorate gardens and parks. It has several forms: red-fruited - with dark red fruits; golden - with yellow-variegated leaves; terry - with numerous double flowers; weeping - blooms profusely, has edible fruits without seeds.

Plum leaf apple tree. This includes the Chinese and many of the Siberian ranetki, such as: Purple ranetka, Altai pepinka.

Siebold apple tree - it has a pyramidal crown, the fruits are small red, the leaves are orange-red in autumn, which makes it more decorative. Distributed in Europe and East Asia.

Siberian is unusually winter-hardy. Its flowers are large, the fruits are bright red, and remain on the tree for a long time. The leaves are yellow-orange in autumn. It has many decorative forms.

Beautiful ornamental plants help and teach us to see the beautiful and amazing things that are next to us. Grow them in your garden and let them bring you a feeling of joy and enjoyment of the beauty and harmony of nature.

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Sakura bonsai can reach large sizes in natural conditions. With proper care, it will fit in a small pot, while remaining an exact copy of a Japanese cherry. Sakura is a recognized symbol of East Asia, the flowering of which is accompanied by national holidays. It is possible to grow a reduced reproduction of such a tree at home, but this process is long and painstaking.

Description of the variety

Bonsai Japanese sakura- decorative tree, which easily takes root in the house. It is resistant to increased indoor air pollution, but requires good lighting and daily watering.

Sakura is appreciated for unusual flowers, in bonsai they reach 1 cm in diameter. In nature they are bright Pink colour, but you can purchase artificially bred varieties with red, green, purple and other colors. Individual flowers are collected in inflorescences.

How to grow a tree from seeds

Growing bonsai sakura from seeds at home is difficult, but possible. You need to prepare for the process in advance and be patient. In terms of formation time, bonsai is not inferior to ordinary trees, and you can get a full-fledged home garden in 10-20 years, provided daily care.

Sakura bonsai seeds can be purchased in special stores. It is better to take more seeds, because the percentage of their germination and survival rate is quite low. You need to be prepared for the fact that only 1-2 seeds out of 10 will turn into full-fledged trees. There is a certain algorithm for preparing and planting sakura bonsai at home:

1. The seeds are scarified (pricked) to speed up the germination process. The day before sowing, they should be placed in water at room temperature.
2. Next, the seeds are placed in slightly moistened soil, deepening by 0.5 - 1 cm.
3. To germinate, sakura bonsai seeds must undergo stratification, which will imitate natural winter conditions. The container is covered with film and placed in the refrigerator for 2 months.
4. After this time, the seeds continue to germinate at room temperature and good light, maintaining constant soil moisture.

When the seeds begin to germinate, they need to be planted - transplanted into new soil. If seedlings are placed in a common container, the distance between them should not exceed 10 cm. It is best to plant the plants in separate bonsai pots - special flat pots.

It is worth consulting with the seller on how to grow sakura bonsai from seeds. Different varieties have their own preferences regarding soil, fertilizing or watering regime. Along with the seeds, you need to purchase all the necessary equipment and learn in advance about the rules for caring for dwarf trees.

Bonsai care rules

Those who have managed to grow a full-fledged bonsai tree at home admit that the plant is very capricious and requires daily care. Special attention allocated to the irrigation regime. In summer, bonsai needs half a glass of water a day, otherwise it can quickly die from drought. IN winter time You can water it less often. Equally important is the lighting in the room. Bonsai pots are located in the brightest areas, protected from drafts.

Bonsai are grown in flat pots with a diameter of up to 20 cm, so that the root system does not have the opportunity to grow. The plant is replanted annually, shortening the roots if necessary. The choice of soil must be taken responsibly - sakura grows well in soils with high content, humus and potassium. Organic fertilizers are applied to the ground approximately a month before planting, nitrogen fertilizers are added directly with the seedlings.

When growing sakura bonsai, you can shape the crown at will, using available means. Trunk young tree fixed with wire or tension. When the plant reaches 25-30 cm in height, the main shoot is cut off so that the crown grows in breadth. After flowering, you can trim the side shoots, thus changing the direction of their growth. The rhizome is shortened at each transplant to prevent the tree from growing in height.

Another way to control the growth of the plant is to make horizontal cuts along the bark. They will release sap, which will weaken the bonsai and leave it dwarfed.

There are many varieties of crowns in sakura bonsai. You can leave the main trunk straight, or you can form unusual bends. If you follow the growing technology correctly and devote a small amount of time to the plant every day, it will bloom with decorative flowers every spring.

When we mention the phrase “Japanese cherry”, a bright picture with sakura trees buried in lush pink blossoms immediately emerges from the depths of our memory.

In Japan, sakura is traditionally considered a symbol of female beauty and youth; many beliefs and legends are associated with it. The flowering period of this plant is celebrated by the Japanese as a universal family celebration. Decorative cherry trees were brought to Russia at the beginning of the 20th century by Professor Krasnov and planted in the Batumi Botanical Garden, and later in the Sukhumi Arboretum.

Description of the tree

Japanese cherry blossoms

In fact, sakura is a generalized name for several forms of East Asian species of finely serrated cherry that have double flowers. Belongs to the Pink family. IN natural environment in their homeland, Japan, these trees can reach a height of 20 meters.

The crown is round, spreading. Tree bark – red to Brown, with small cracks. Large oval leaves, jagged at the edges, green in color, in autumn they turn from dark crimson to brown tones.

The flowers are painted in colors from bright pink to white and are collected in brushes of 7–9 pieces. There are cherry blossoms with red, yellow and crimson flowers.

You may be interested in information about what

Cherries may have them.

ABOUT unusual variety cherry felt read here.

We also bring to your attention an article about the Miracle cherry variety.

The flowering of one tree lasts no more than a week, but since there are many types of sakura and they bloom in different time, this wonderful spectacle can be enjoyed for about two months.

Modern garden varieties of sakura are created by crossing sharp-serrated wild cherries with cultivated relatives, as well as through grafting. Now there are about 400 varieties of this elegant plant. It is quite understandable that many gardeners want to have such a beauty on their plot.

Sakura fruits and their uses

Sakura fruits

Sakura, as an ornamental plant, does not produce valuable fruits, which is why it differs from ordinary cherries, which are a fruit tree.

Of course, fruits exist and are called sakura-no-mi in Japanese. They are so small, hard and sour in taste that the Japanese use them only in pickled form and for making wine and jam.

The size of the berries is about 8 mm, the skin is smooth, from pinkish to dark red in color.

Good to know: The leaves of the tree are also suitable for food - after pickling or salting, they become sweet-salty, sour or spicy in taste and, together with the fruits, they are added as a seasoning to rice.

Planting in a garden plot

Blooming sakura tree

Considering the homeland of its growth, sakura is very thermophilic and can die at outside temperatures below -15C. For cultivation in Russia, the best varieties are those grown on the northern islands of Japan, where the climate is at least somewhat similar to ours.

The place for this tree is chosen to be quiet, protected from drafts, and with a high degree of illumination. The area must be well drained to avoid stagnation of water, or a mound of soil must be prepared on which the seedling is planted.

Sakura loves light loamy soil of neutral or weak acidity, containing a lot of humus. In heavy soils, it is necessary to add some kind of loosening agent, for example, sand, compost, vermiculite.

As when purchasing any planting material, you must carefully examine root system so that it has a sufficiently branched shape for better survival in a new place. You cannot cut the roots, you can only carefully straighten them with your hands.

Annual trees no more than 1 meter high with mature wood (reddish bark color) are best suited.

Gardening advice: for getting abundant flowering plant a couple more cherries of a different variety nearby.

Tree care

Sakura is more demanding to care for than cherry. It needs not only regular watering, but also spraying of the foliage, especially in hot summer weather. However, it also does not like excess moisture in the soil - the root system may die.

In the spring, before the buds open, it is necessary to carefully thin out the tree crown, removing dry, excess branches. Since sakura does not tolerate the cutting procedure very well, the cut areas must be treated with garden varnish or other antiseptic.

Sakura requires regular spraying with fungicides to prevent fungal infections and damage from pests (such as aphids): first spray before bud break, then a month after the berries set.

You might be interested in an article about how

graft cherry

Read about the Shokoladnitsa cherry variety here.

Application of organic and complex mineral fertilizers has a beneficial effect on the overall development of the plant and its productivity; cherry is especially responsive to potassium and phosphorus. Application rates depend on soil fertility. From autumn fertilizing nitrogen fertilizers are excluded. For the winter, it is better to wrap young trees with some material to prevent it from freezing and also protect it from rodents.

How to grow sakura at home, watch the following video:

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Japanese Cherry tree it is not without reason that many people are known for its exquisite beauty in spring time, curved branches and wide crowns. In the Land of the Rising Sun, celebrations and cultural festivals are dedicated to the flowering of this tree, loved by residents not only throughout the country, but also by many connoisseurs around the world. Those who do not want to stay away from beauty should inquire about information about planting and necessary care behind the sakura. Outside of Asia, this plant will look unusual, and in cold regions it will bring a sunny aura to everyday life.

Before deciding whether it is worth purchasing such a tree for yourself, and whether maintaining it in a healthy state will result in great difficulties, it is useful to inquire about how to properly care for sakura.

When actively growing, this tree prefers abundant watering, so in the absence of natural precipitation, you will have to take care of this issue yourself. Moreover, if the soil is poor in nutrients, such a plant will need significant feeding in the form of organic and mineral fertilizers.

It is quite natural that not everyone will be ready for this. But for those who do not have the opportunity to grow this tree in their own garden, experts have prepared an alternative option.

How to plant sakura bonsai seeds at home

It would be interesting to find out how you can plant sakura bonsai in own home. Such knowledge will be extremely useful, as it will allow you to start a unique plant that will bloom even in a city apartment. For these purposes you will need to purchase suitable pot relatively flat in shape, reaching a diameter of 20 cm. The choice of soil will also need to be approached responsibly: as already mentioned, for proper germination you will need soil rich in minerals. Organic fertilizers will need to be applied manually.

To figure out how to properly plant a classic cherry bonsai, certain aspects should be taken into account. Such a plant will require careful care, sufficient sunlight and fresh air. It is also important to maintain a sufficiently warm temperature conducive to active growth. Some experts advise purchasing an already sprouted tree, planted in advance, and continuing to monitor it at home. This simplified option is suitable for those who would prefer to avoid the inconvenience of planting and growing seeds themselves, but are still interested in answering the question of how to plant Japanese sakura correctly.

However, for those who wish to tackle the planting process themselves, it is recommended to find out how you can plant purchased cherry bonsai seeds yourself. It would be useful to consult with a salesperson in a specialized store about choosing a seed variety. He will help with advice in choosing a plant and detailed guidance on its further maintenance. These trees are quite finicky, so it is best to listen to the instructions down to the details.

For example, see how to properly plant sakura from purchased seeds according to the points below:

• prepare the seeds a day before immersion in the ground, placing them in water at room temperature;
• transfer from water to pre-moistened soil, 2 cm deep;
• conduct preparatory process, covering the pot with film and leaving it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months;
• care for the plant already in normal conditions, watering steadily, monitoring temperature and light.

Thus, planting the seeds of purchased sakura may look rather unusual, but such steps are necessary in order for the seeds of this miniature tree were able to form into a full-fledged plant. Further monitoring of the sprouts involves constant monitoring and regular watering, and such a painstaking process will take up to several years.

In addition, you should be prepared for the fact that you will need to stock up on as many seeds as your budget allows, since few of them will actually sprout. But also in further care You cannot deviate from the established ritual: watering, fertilizing and other procedures are vital for a new pet. Thus, having been puzzled by the problem of how to properly plant real sakura from seeds, you will also need to take into account that the worries will not end with just one planting.

Having figured out how to plant the seeds of home cherry bonsai and successfully grown them, the happy owner of the new seedlings will need to plant them in separate pots so that they do not interfere with each other and have sufficient space for further formation. Replanting must be done annually, moving soil rich in nitrogen and potassium to new soil. Organic fertilizers are applied about a month in advance, and the roots, if necessary, are shortened before placing them back into the container.

Propagation of sakura tree by cuttings

Reproduction of sakura trees is possible thanks to in various ways: for example, wild trees are propagated by seeds, while varietal subspecies are propagated by cuttings. In the case of the latter, there are also several options, the simplest of which is to purchase ready-made seedlings in a specialized store, which risks costing the buyer quite a bit.

However, a more natural way of propagating sakura is by self-grown cuttings, which are prepared in mid-summer, in July, when shoots about 10 cm long are cut from the tree and placed in a mixture of peat and sand. The main thing is to maintain the required temperature, which is approximately 18 degrees, and after root sprouts begin to appear on the cuttings, transplant each of them into a separate glass. Experts advise leaving them to winter at 5 degrees Celsius, replanting them in a larger container in the spring, and after a couple of years it is possible to plant the sprouts in open ground.

Planting sakura in spring and autumn, care and cultivation in the Moscow region and Siberia

Residents of cold habitats want to please the eyes bright color no less, and perhaps even stronger, than the settlers of the southern lands. Planting the whimsical sakura in Siberia, as well as caring for it, is not the easiest task, but with the right approach it is completely solvable. Since a wide variety of varieties of this tree is known today, you can always choose something for everyone who is not indifferent to such unusual and partly recognizable beauty. It is possible to plant bright sakura in frosty Siberia if you choose the right variety of this plant, which will be resistant to frost and will not require additional shelter. And the Siberian flower, by the way, can last up to several weeks, blooming in the usual spring, in the last month of the warm season - May.

There will also be useful recommendations and advice on care, interesting for those wishing to plant sakura in the Moscow region. Flowering in this area begins in April and continues into May, depending on weather conditions and the purchased variety. It will probably take a lot of time to find sprouts, since they are not sold in all stores in the region. Having resolved this problem, it is imperative to consult about the conditions for their germination, since some varieties prefer wetter places, while others prefer drier ones. In general, a sunny area is selected, not planted with larger trees, whose crowns can block the sun. It is strongly recommended to remember that sakura needs careful cultivation and care, and this is the main component of success in this difficult but exciting business.

Families of these crops are most suitable for planting in the spring, which is often the most favorable season; however, it is also possible to plant sakura in the cool autumn. What is really important with any option is to monitor the winter, not allow the tree to freeze, and fulfill the additional conditions described above so that the plant can delight the owner with luxurious flowers of a sophisticated, delicate shade.

Sakura, or Japanese cherry, (Prunus serrulata) – ancient symbol Japan and a plant distinguished by its amazing splendor and graceful flowering. In fact, the name "sakura" hides several East Asian tree species, but they all have pink double flowers. Japanese cherry can reach a height of 25 m, the leaves are large, flowering occurs from March to June.

The meaning of cherry blossoms for the Hanami holiday

At the end of March - beginning of April every year, the Japanese celebrate the cherry blossoms. This day is celebrated in family circle, outdoors or in the park. In Japan, cherry blossoms bloom everywhere - near rivers, in the mountains, in the park. The festival of its flowering is called Hanami, and is a day off for all Japanese.

In the media, before the sakura blooms, it is covered on what day the holiday will fall and from where it will be most convenient to watch it. The process lasts from a couple of hours to several days. Hanami is very popular in the country, and some Japanese travel to cities to catch the cherry blossoms several times.

How is Japanese cherry different from others?

Japanese cherry trees grow quickly and can reach considerable heights. The width of its crown reaches about 10 m. Sakura differs from ordinary cherries in some biological features and growing requirements.

Also read: How to treat trees in the country

Cultivation requirements and meaning of sakura

Japanese cherry blossoms begin in early spring. The tree is not able to withstand low temperatures - temperatures below 15 degrees are fatal for sakura. Trees should be planted only on humus soils and in well-lit areas.

The main purpose of Japanese cherry is to decorate the site.

Differences between sakura and ordinary cherries

The main difference between sakura and ordinary cherries is that Japanese cherries do not bear fruit. Sakura is an ornamental plant, cherry is a fruit plant. Japanese cherries also have fruits, but they are sour, small and not as tasty. The berries of ordinary cherries are tasty and are actively used for food.

Eating sakura fruits

Despite the peculiar taste of sakura fruits, they are used as food by the inhabitants of Japan. The fruit of the Japanese cherry is called sakumbo, and its color can be pink or red. Different plant varieties have different taste qualities fruit.

Sakura leaves are also used as food. They are pickled or salted like tomatoes. Sweets are wrapped in Japanese cherry leaves. The taste of the leaves is sour, spicy or salty-sweet. Another way to use them is as an addition to rice. Sakura fruits can be used to make jam and wine.

Main varieties of sakura

Modern varieties of sakura are created by crossing it with cherries (Cerasus yedoensis), (C. Lannesiana) and (C. Incisa). The most famous varieties:

• "Shirotae". The tree reaches a height of 4.5 m, the flowers are white, non-double. The variety is actively used in England and Japan. The homeland of cherries is England.
• "Hally Tolivett." Frost-resistant variety with a ball-shaped crown. The flowers are 4 cm, pink in color, the diameter of the inflorescences is 8 cm. The tree is propagated by green cuttings.
• "Kwanzan". One of the most famous varieties. The flower contains 30 petals, the color is purple. The downside is that the tree does not have longevity.
• "Kikushidare-zakura." The tree reaches a height of 5 m. The flowers are double, pink, and reach 6 cm in diameter. Of the minuses, cherries are not able to withstand severe frosts.
• "Amonogawa" The height of the tree reaches 8 m, the width is only 1.25 m. The flowers are numerous, pink, fragrant.

Sakura: care (video)

How to plant sakura in the country

Sakura is often planted with seeds, which must be carefully prepared - dried and washed. Planting is carried out in the summer, but can also be done in spring or autumn. If you decide to purchase a seedling, you should choose a healthy one planting material. Its planting occurs in April. The best scheme arrangement of seedlings - 2x3 or 3x3 meters.

It is recommended to plant sakura on a slope. It is important that the place is lit, but the lighting is moderate so that the tree does not get sunburn. The acidity of the soil should be neutral, the best option is loamy soil.

How to care for a tree

At proper care Sakura is taking root well in Russia. Moreover, its flowering occurs in April-May. Only those tree varieties that grow on the northern island of Japan can be planted in Russia.

Features of watering

Sakura requires not only watering, but also periodic spraying of the leaves. Particular attention should be paid to watering in hot summers. During the first three years after planting, while the root system is not yet fully strengthened, watering is carried out once a week. If it rains, there is no need to add moisture.

Fertilizing

Japanese cherry trees will not bear fruit if they do not have enough nutrients. The tree requires the addition of organic matter, nitrogen and potassium. The following amount of minerals is added per m2 of soil:

• medium in terms of the presence of soil nutrients - minerals 8 g, organic matter - 5 kg;
• poor soils – minerals – 16 g, organic matter – 9 kg.

Shaping and trimming

Sakura is pruned to prevent thickening. It is produced in the spring, before the juice begins to flow. Dry and excess branches are removed, and after the work is completed, the cut areas are treated with garden varnish.

Pruning work must be carried out carefully so that gum does not begin to stand out. To prevent the appearance of a sticky substance, the plant needs good drainage and proper watering.

You may also be interested in the article in which we talk about how to grow decorative almonds on your plot.

Protecting the tree from pest diseases

If you do not protect the cherry from pests, the flowers will be damaged and the plant itself will develop slowly. In some cases, sakura branches begin to split. To prevent this, growths on the branches should be removed, and the cut areas should be treated with healing preparations.

Sometimes cherry trees suffer from drying leaves. This is a fungus that a mixture of sulfur and coal can help get rid of. A pest, for example, the ringed silkworm (Malacosoma neustria), can also provoke the appearance of fungus. The pest must be controlled by removing the branches on which it laid eggs. It will be necessary to collect caterpillars, as well as use insecticides.

Sakura in the country: planting (video)

Sakura is one of the most beautiful flowering trees on the planet. To grow an elegant plant you will have to work hard, but the result is worth it. Nowadays, everyone has the opportunity to admire cherry blossoms on their property, and not just residents of the Land of the Rising Sun.

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The double-flowered forms of East Asian species of small-serrate cherry are known under the general name "sakura" or Japanese cherry. Distribution area and homeland exotic plants considered Japan.

The difference between Japanese cherries and other varieties

The trees belong to the rose family, are fast-growing and reach a height of 20 meters in their natural environment. Modern selection includes about 400 varietal options.

The breeding of garden varieties is based on grafting and crossing cultivated species with sharp-serrated wild cherries.

Characteristic of sakura spreading round crown. Its bark is brownish-red in color and covered with a network of small cracks.

Cherry-sakura refers to ornamental plants, its fruits are not suitable for eating

Oval leaf blades with jagged edges change color in the fall, ranging from dark purple to brown. The fruits are not suitable for eating Therefore, sakura cherries are classified as ornamental plants.

East Asian cherries have gained worldwide fame for their colorful blooms. The petals of the plant have shades of white and pink. There are species with yellow, red and crimson tassels.

During the period of their blossoming in Japan, working days are canceled and the national holiday Hanami is declared.

The meaning of the plant for the Hanami holiday

According to one version, the sakura petals were stained reddish with the blood of family members of one of the village elders.

After he showed the ruler the scars on the backs of his children due to the cruel treatment of the princely servants, the latter flogged them to death on the top of the mountain where the cherry trees grew.

The fallen petals turned pink with bloody stains. Now they symbolize the fragility of children's destinies in the modern world.

Hanami celebrations are symbolically carried out in a family atmosphere. The duration of the process depends on the flowering period of the legendary cherry.

When cherry blossoms bloom, workdays are canceled in Japan and Hanami is declared a national holiday.

Each tree blooms for several days: earlier or later - depending on the type. As a result, a chain is formed - the fading plants pass the baton to the blossoming ones.

Japanese media notify residents in advance about the expected time of cherry blossoms and its duration: many prefer to travel around the country in order to catch the grandiose spectacle more than once.

Traditionally Hanami falls at the end of March or beginning of April.

Main varieties

Kiku Shidare

The most suitable variety of garden finely serrated cherries for steppe and forest-steppe zones with temperate continental climatic conditions. Healthy trees grow to a height of 4 m, with an annual growth of about 30 cm.

The crown of Kiku Shidare plants is spreading and prone to thickening. The leaf blades have an elliptical shape with small frequent notches along the cut and a relatively large size (7-9 cm).

The decorative feature of the kiku shidare is in the early extended flowering period (end of March – first ten days of April). Clusters of large-diameter (5-7 cm) densely double pink flowers are numerous and abundantly cover the branches.

Self-fertile variety. With qualified care, a single planted tree blooms and bears fruit intensively.

For growth, it prefers sunny areas on sandy-clayey, alkaline or neutral soils. The abundance of flowering depends on the regularity and timeliness of fertilizing with superphosphates.

Sakura kiku shidare is most suitable for steppe and forest-steppe zones with temperate continental climatic conditions

Kanzan

This finely serrated tree-like variety of garden sakura is lower than its decorative counterparts (up to 10 m in height for an adult tree). The crown shape is obverse conical. Because of this, Kanzan is recognized as an exotic and creative decoration for suburban areas.

The growth rate of trees of this variety is average. Elongated foliage oval shape with the arrival of autumn it turns fiery yellow.

Sakura Kanzan blooms with massive fragrant pink flowers, which are grouped into hanging elongated inflorescences of 3-6 pieces. Flowering time is average.

The plant loves light and gives priority to neutral or highly alkaline soils.

Sakura Kanzan is light-loving, blooms with massive fragrant pink flowers

Planting and growing

For landing decorative sakura necessary choose a lighted and ventilated area without stagnant moisture during periods of floods and rains. Optimal choice hillocks and elevations will serve.

When choosing a landing site, it is necessary to strike a balance between light transmission (sakura does not like shadows) and the absence of strong winds. A wall-mounted option may be ideal.

It is recommended to opt for grafted seedlings, which are traditionally purchased in the fall and aged until the spring thaw in humidified spaces with room temperature. Before planting, the plants must have a height of about 1.5 meters, a mature trunk and a formed root network.

It is preferable to plant in late autumn or early spring., before the swelling of the buds, at a stable warm temperature. Simultaneous planting of several seedlings ensures a greater degree of abundance of flowering and fruit formation in the future.

Plants should be planted at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other and a row spacing of 2.5-3 m.

To plant decorative sakura, you need to select a lighted and ventilated area without stagnant moisture.

Holes for planting must be prepared in advance. It is advisable to place in them a mixture of the upper fertile layers of soil and humus.

Immediately before planting, it is necessary to fertilize the soil with 15-18 liters of potassium sulfate solution with the addition of superphosphates. The root collar cannot be covered with soil..

At the end of planting, the tree trunk area is watered and carefully mulched with humus or a thin peat layer of 4-5 cm.

At the initial stage of tree growth, caring for the tree trunk should be careful and thorough. Do not allow damage to the root system and quickly remove weeds. In this case, the sakura will strengthen faster and survive the winter without damage.

Features of care

Successful growth of sakura is possible with proper care and creation optimal conditions development. Systematic drainage and regular fertilizing promote the growth of a healthy tree.

The condition of cherries is largely influenced by the nitrogen and potassium content in the soil. Their deficiency is fraught with manifestations of acute reactions of sakura: poor flowering and premature shedding of foliage.

Soil depletion is eliminated by adding humus and compost (6-8 kg) under each root. Chemical fertilizing is carried out with a solution of the necessary elements at the rate of 15-18 g for one square meter of the tree trunk zone.

Several abundant waterings of sakura are acceptable during the active growth stage. The rest of the time it is enough to maintain the natural balance of soil moisture. Excessive hydration leads to low bud formation, poor flowering and shredding of petals.

Young sakura needs feeding, infrequent watering, pruning and shelter for the winter.

Before the start of sap flow in early spring dry and damaged branches are cut out and the crown is thinned.

Mature plants are frost-resistant, and young trees successfully winter in a covered form. Before the start of the cold season, the scion sites, trunks and bases of large branches are wrapped in agrofibre or improvised materials that do not create a greenhouse effect.

During the growing season cherry blossoms are sprayed chemicals : primary - before the start of flowering, secondary - after a month after the berries set.

Trimming

Removing affected and dried branches, sprouts that interfere with comfortable light absorption and sufficient air exchange, is carried out in early spring, before the start of sap flow.

Fragments with traces of the activity of harmful organisms must be cut out and burned.

The cut areas should be treated with garden varnish.. It is important to ensure that gum does not form at the cut site. The appearance of sticky growths is excluded in case of proper drainage and watering.

Diseases and pests

If sakura is exposed to harmful organisms, the intensity of flowering decreases, the petals wrinkle, and the tree develops behind the norm. Evidence of delamination of the bark and the formation of growths may be observed.

A common disease of sakura, like other cherry trees, is infection by a fungus that leads to drying of the foliage, blackening and mummification of the berries.

Spraying sulfur-coal powder can help the plant in this unpleasant situation. It should cover the affected segments and prevent further spread of fungal aggression.

A common ailment of sakura is a fungus, which leads to drying of the foliage, blackening and mummification of the berries.

Foliage that falls from unhealthy cherry blossoms, should not be left under a tree for the winter. Healthy and infected leaves and branches must be taken outside the site and burned.

This precaution helps prevent the spread of fungal diseases to neighboring crops.

The effect of combating pathogenic organic matter is enhanced by the use of insecticides. Restrictions on the use of chemicals are imposed for the period of flowering and fruit set. In case of urgent need, this rule can be ignored.

Growing one of the most impressive things on your garden plot flowering plants planets is a feasible task and does not require excessive physical, material and emotional expenses.

The reward for your labors is the contemplation of the unsurpassed aesthetic impact of a natural miracle. Worth a try: The gurus of cherry blossoms, the Japanese, consider a person soulless if he is deaf to the manifestations of the surrounding beauties.

Sakura, or Japanese cherry, is a fashionable and beautiful decoration for any garden or summer cottage. Japanese cherries differ from the usual cherries, which are grown for their tasty and healthy fruits, in their flowers: they are larger, pale pink in color, and there are so many of them that the crown of the tree looks like a light airy cloud. Decorative cherries during the flowering period are a fascinating sight, attracting with their colorful freshness and overseas exoticism.

The luxurious overseas guest is capricious and whimsical to grow, but, nevertheless, it is increasingly found in our gardens, parks, and city squares.

As befits a cherry, a Japanese beauty grows from the seed of a cherry fruit. The long journey of turning a small cherry pit into a mature tree is not the easiest, however final result worth the effort and time. It starts, of course, with the acquisition of planting material.

If you have an adult fruiting Japanese cherry tree in sight (from friends or on your own farm), you can stock up on seeds from it by collecting ripe fruits and freeing the seeds from the shell. Another option is to purchase ready-made seeds from an online store.

The species diversity of sakura is quite large, but not all varieties take root in the Russian climate. Our winters tolerate the following varieties of sakura without problems:

• Kikushidare – 3-5 meter tree with double flowers
• Kwanzan – with large flowers purple
• Spire and Shidare Yoshino are specially bred frost-resistant varieties that can withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees
• Halle Olivetti is also a frost-resistant species

Thanks to selection and development of new varieties, it is not uncommon today successful cultivation sakura even in Siberia.

Before planting in the soil, the seeds should be soaked in warm (30 degrees) water for a day. It would be good to add fungicides or growth stimulants to the liquid - additional protection capricious fruits will not be superfluous. The outer shell of cherry seeds is very hard, therefore, to facilitate germination, you need to carefully prick or cut the shell, but in no case damage the inside.

On a note! Sakura seeds do not germinate well, so you need to plant them “with a reserve”, taking into account potential losses (even just 20 percent germination of the material is considered the norm).

After soaking for a day, the bones are ready for further procedures.

Planting and picking seedlings

Sakura loves slightly acidic, loose soils; the ideal option is coarse sand. You can slightly dilute it with compost and wood ash. The soil, in order to avoid diseases of the seedlings, must be calcined.

The container for planting should be shallow and always have drainage holes. The seeds are buried in the sand by about a centimeter, and a three-centimeter distance is maintained between them. You can pour a half-centimeter layer of fine sand on top and cover the container with film.

The answer to your question: best time for planting seedlings - spring (after the last frost) and late summer - early autumn.

Then the planted seeds undergo cold stratification: the temperature should be 2-4 degrees, the period should be two months. The best option is the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. After two months, you need to take out the box with seeds, and then germinate the seedlings indoors. It is necessary to ensure constant soil moisture and a sufficient amount of indirect sunlight. Shoots usually appear in one and a half to two weeks. With the emergence of seedlings, you can slightly lift the film so that more fresh air can enter inside.

Sprouted seedlings are immediately planted in separate pots or in a common container bigger size, leaving a 10-centimeter distance between the sprouts. Picking “trains” the root system, so seedlings are replanted annually - in spring and autumn, excluding winter. With each transplant, plants need to select larger pots and add humus to the soil (or feed them with special fertilizers from April to September).

Destination: a place in the garden

Two-year-old seedlings are ready for planting in open ground. To do this, dig a planting hole with a diameter of about 35-40 cm, a depth of 40 cm. Drainage (pebbles, crushed stone, etc.) is poured onto the bottom, the soil from the hole is carefully separated from stones, roots and the like and poured onto the drainage up to half the height. The seedling itself is planted in a mixture of humus, compost, sand and field soil.

Planting rules are standard for all tree seedlings: trample the ground, water, add more upper layer, make a watering ditch around the trunk. A thin stem must be attached to a supporting post.

Planted trees still require careful care: they need to be watered without overflowing, weeded, loosened the top soil layer, and wrapped for the winter. In spring, when flowers and leaves form, nitrogen-potassium fertilizing is required.

Just 3-4 years after planting the seeds in pots, young sakura in the garden will already delight with annual flowering and continue to grow. Mature tree It blooms with bright and fragrant flowers for about a week every spring; in the fall, sakura is also picturesque - the foliage takes on a yellow-purple hue.

Sakura is the common name for certain types of cherry trees. Their harvest is meager, but during flowering the plants amaze with their beauty. A guest from Japan can be grown from seeds in domestic gardens. home tree may have the size of an ordinary sakura or be its copy several tens of centimeters high. Gardeners share their experiences, photos and video recommendations on how to avoid mistakes and successfully go through the long journey of growing a tree.

Sakura from seeds: preparation for planting

The basis for growing any crop is high-quality seed material. Sakura seeds can be bought at specialized retail outlets. Seed germination is poor - no more than 20%. On this score, gardeners advise:

• buy more material;
• use products different manufacturers to determine who has better quality.

Sakura seeds

The process of planting a tree requires the following actions:

1. Perform stratification. For seeds, you should imitate natural winter weather. To do this, put them in a bag of wet sand and place them in the warmest compartment of the refrigerator. At a temperature of +4...+5 °C the material should be stored for at least 2-3 months.
2. A couple of days before planting, soak the seeds for a day in lukewarm water.
3. To help seedlings break through the seed coat, scratch or puncture outer layer mechanically.

Sakura seeds are planted in calcined or otherwise disinfected coarse sand. This substrate is most suitable for germinating seeds and, in addition, will protect the crop from diseases. An alternative to sand is moss or vermiculite. Use a wide and shallow container as a pot. Be sure to have drainage holes.

How to plant and pick sakura at home

Proper planting is half the success of future sakura growing:

• treat the seeds with a fungicide;
• moisten the substrate;
• deepen the seeds half a centimeter into the grooves made (there should be at least 3 cm between them);
• cover the planting with a thin layer of fine-grained sand;
• cover the pot with film or glass;
• leave at a temperature of +5…10 °C.

Seedlings should appear in 1.5-2 weeks. Until this point, care consists of keeping the top layer of soil moist, providing plenty of light, and gradually raising the temperature to room temperature. When shoots appear, plant them in separate pots. The distance between seeded seedlings should not be more than 10 cm if you move them to a new common container.

Sakura blossom

Picking - important condition normal development of sakura. Repeated transplants help strengthen the root system. Sakura seedlings are left untouched only in the cold season. They are placed in a cool, shaded room until spring. Key moment in picking grown seedlings - selecting new pots. The gardener has two options:

• leave the crop to grow in a cramped container and form a bonsai version of the tree;
• move it to deeper and wider pots and prepare the tree for the garden.

Features of tree care

Sakura varieties have many differences in cultivation techniques. To grow bonsai sakura, the roots are shortened every season, and horizontal cuts are made on the bark, right on the trunk. For a garden tree, these methods are irrelevant - you form a seedling in a room, and then transplant it into open ground.

The rules for caring for a specific variety differ. A common feature is that trees are capricious and require daily attention. The tree needs soil enriched with humus, potassium, and nitrogen. During the season, sakura is watered with half a glass per day, in winter - less often. It is important for the plant good lighting and absence of drafts.

Sakura bonsai

The secret of the beauty of sakura is not only in large and abundant flowers, but also in the aristocratically built crown. It can be formed starting from 2-3 years of age of the plant. In the natural and miniature versions, the branches are arranged according to the same pattern. The crown may imply a straight trunk, a bend in the spirit of centuries-old Japanese cherry blossoms or widely spread branches.

Advice. To create a wide crown, prune the main shoot when you think it is tall enough. You can also trim the side shoots to correct their direction.

How to prune bonsai sakura correctly

To grow miniature crops, experts use various tricks and techniques. The goal is to make even a young tree look like a hundred-year-old tree. For this:

1. Expose some of the roots by removing a small layer at the base of the trunk. It should be thick. To do this, regularly remove all vertically growing shoots.
2. The barrel should not be too long. Cut off part of the root at its base. When replanting, deepen the cutting area into the ground. Over time, new roots will grow on it. Then the tree can be picked again, removing the old rhizome.
3. The heaviest branch of the tree will be the bottom one. Which shoot to leave for its formation - decide based on the compositional idea.
4. For a broom-shaped crown, prune vertically growing branches as much as possible. For vertical - on the contrary, protect vertical branches. In this case, only horizontal ones are cut.

The bonsai tree needs all these manipulations constantly. Otherwise it will lose its shape. The gardener's goal is to maximize decorative effect from sakura. If you adhere to cultivation technology, provide the plant with a little care and attention every day, then the Japanese guest will delight you with lush, large and bright colors every spring.

Growing bonsai: video