The Japanese carnation cherry with its attractive blossom is a little exotic, but it can still be cultivated very easily in this country if you follow a few care instructions.
The Japanese carnation cherry (Prunus serrulata) is a plant of the rose family. East Asian cherry or Oriental cherry are other common names. The ornamental cherries are preferably planted in parks and along avenues.
In the home garden, Japanese carnation cherries are particularly decorative on their own. The deciduous trees can grow about three to five meters high. Not only the cherry blossom in May is an eye-catcher, the carnation cherry is also impressive with its attractive autumn colors.
A short pleasure - flowering and customs
The semi-double pink flowers of the Japanese carnation cherry appear between the end of April and mid-May. The buds contrast nicely with the copper-colored leaves. The different types of Japanese cherry trees have differences in flower color and shape. The timing of flowering also varies. Some species already flower at the end of March. Late varieties bloom at the end of May. However, the flowering period lasts only a few days and by the end of May the spectacle is over and the flowers fall to the ground.
The cherry blossom is very important in Japan. The delicacy of the flower is associated with the pure and simple life, one of the tenets of Japanese culture. The short heyday and fading at the height of their splendor is often equated with courageous young warriors and samurai, and this has endured in Japanese culture for many centuries.
Types of the Japanese carnation
The Japanese carnation cherry - small but fine
The Japanese weeping cherry is also a good choice for small gardens. The plants form funnel-shaped treetops and have strongly overhanging branches. At first, the carnation cherry grows upright, but older plants show the characteristic arched branches, which often reach down to the ground. The hanging cherry is about three to fiveMeter high. Clusters of pink flowers resembling carnations appear in April.
The Japanese carnation cherry prefers loose and nutrient-rich garden soil and grows best in a sunny spot. In the first few years, the plant can also thrive in a bucket. The increased need for water and nutrients must be taken into account. The bucket should have a capacity of at least 30 liters.
An overview of other varieties with their special features
| Plant species | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pillar Cherry |
|
| Hokusai |
|
| Shirofugen |
|
| Tai Haku |
|
| Shimidsu Sakura |
|
| Ukon |
|
How to plant the Japanese carnation cherry
The Japanese carnation cherry can also be an eye-catcher in smaller gardens. If the demands on the location and the soil are observed and care mistakes avoided, the hobby gardener becomesenjoy this exotic plant with its pretty flowers.
❍ Location:
The Japanese carnation cherry is quite undemanding in terms of location. A sunny location is preferred so that the flowers can be seen in large numbers. A spot in full sun can definitely be chosen for the solitary plant. There should be enough distance to other plants so that the plant can remain in its place and does not have to be transplanted, which is less well tolerated by older plants.
» Tip: The Japanese carnation cherry can grow several meters high. This must be considered when choosing a location. The plants should not be transplanted if possible.
In short:
✔ sunny
✔ unique position
✔ enough distance to other plants
❍ Substrate:
The plant is not very demanding on the soil. A loamy and nutrient-rich soil accelerates growth. It is advisable to loosen the substrate sufficiently before planting and to enrich it with compost or peat. Then the Japanese carnation cherry gets a long-term fertilizer when it is planted.
» Tip: The soil should not be too compacted, then the deep-rooting plant will have a hard time developing its root system and will grow more slowly, because the roots then spread out have to search.
In short form:
✔ fresh
✔ moist
✔ nutritious
✔ loamy
✔ fluffy
❍ Planting Instructions:
❶ Best planting time - autumn
❷ Water the root ball
❸ Dig a planting hole at least twice the width and depth of the root ball
❹ Enrich the soil with compost
❺ loosen hard soil
❻ insert root balls
❼ fill up soil
❽ press soil well
❾ water generously and muddy
❿ create watering rim around the plant
How to properly care for the Japanese carnation cherry
❍ casting:
After planting, the Japanese carnation cherries need regular watering. Otherwise, no special criteria need to be observed when it comes to pouring behavior. The plant does not like waterlogging, nor should the soil dry out. By drooping the leaves, the plant will show when it needs extra moisture during hot summers. In summer it is a good idea to create a watering rim around the plant so that the water can be evenly distributed. Watering edges are created when planting the carnation cherry and should be regularly provided with a layer of mulch. This protects against weeds and stopsthe evaporation of water on hot days.
»: Tip: The Japanese carnation loves to be irrigated with low-lime rainwater.
❍ Fertilize:
The Japanese carnation cherry has no increased nutrient requirements. In order to get a particularly expressive flower, many hobby gardeners use a fertilizer containing phosphorus. However, since many domestic garden soils tend to have an excess of phosphorus, fertilization is more economical. An analysis of the soil brings certainty. Synthetic fertilizers tend to be high in nitrogen, which can also have negative effects, encouraging budding rather than lush flowering. There are compost and other organic fertilizers that the plant can use when needed without over-fertilizing.
Some species can also be cultivated in tubs. Potted plants have an increased water and nutrient requirement. The bucket should be big enough to give the roots enough space. The substrate should be enriched with compost and a liquid fertilizer with a high phosphorus content can also be used during the flowering period.
❍ Pruning:
The Japanese carnation cherry can be thinned out immediately after the flowering period. For this purpose, the branches are cut directly on the trunk and not just shortened proportionally. In the first few years, pruning measures should be avoided. The summer months should be chosen for cuts, pruning in winter is not tolerated. Since the plants develop a lot of sap in the cold season, they would bleed profusely, which has a negative effect on growth and can lead to winter damage.
» Tip: The first pruning measures should be carried out on plants that are at least three years old.
When pruning for the first time, make sure that you only remove the oldest shoots. These are usually easily recognizable by their darker bark. If there is already a wide branching, the side shoots can also be shortened so that an attractive growth habit can be maintained.
Annually cut back in summer is appropriate for older plants. Use clean and sharp cutting tools. Pruning means stress for the plant and can damage it. In addition to dead branches, twigs and shoots that have grown too quickly and thus affect the shape of the plant must also be removed.
» Warning: The Japanese carnation cherry is sensitive to pruning. Therefore, after the incision, a wound closure agent is applied to theaffected branches.
❍ Multiply:
Sticks have proven to be a successful method of propagation. Even inexperienced hobby gardeners will be successful with it. When the leaves have fallen and there is no frost, this is the best time to cut the wood. Woody shoots are selected, which should be about 15 centimeters long.
» Tip: Make sure there are several pairs of eyes so that new shoots can develop there later.
If you want to speed up rooting, rubbing root powder on the lower ends of the logs can help. The sticks are now placed in potting soil. The distance should be about ten centimetres. Alternatively, individual planters can also be used. The sticks can also remain outdoors over the winter, as most
varieties of ornamental cherries are hardy.
If propagation is successful, new shoots should appear in spring. Select particularly strong plants and place them in a suitable location. However, propagation is not always successful. Another disadvantage is flowering, which appears in cuttings only after a few years. If you are less patient and want to enjoy the flowers as soon as possible, you should use grafted plants available in specialist shops.
❍ Overwintering:
The Japanese carnation cherry is hardy and does not need any special protection in the cold season. Young plants should be protected from major temperature fluctuations in the first winter. Potted plants are more sensitive to frost and can be wrapped with garden fleece to protect them from frost. Placing the planter on a Styrofoam base also prevents frost from attacking the plant's roots.
Detect and control pests and diseases
The Japanese carnation cherry is generally easy to care for. If the indications regarding location, soil conditions and watering behavior are taken into account, the plant will prove to be robust and resilient.
Nevertheless, the carnation cherry is not completely spared from pests and diseases.
Can occur:
- Peak Drought
- Shotshot Disease
- Frost Moth
The peak drought - danger for the shoots
This fungal disease is also known as Monilia and causes the shoot tips to die off. Often the disease appears immediately after the flowering periodobserved. Affected branches should be cut back into the he althy wood. As long as there are still brown spots in the cross section, the infestation has not yet been completely eliminated and another cut back is necessary.
» Attention: Varieties with thin shoots are more likely to be affected by the drought than ornamental cherries with stronger shoots.
The shotgun disease - danger for the leaves
If unsightly holes appear in the leaves of the Japanese carnation cherry and reddish to brownish spots appear, these are signs of shotgun disease, an infestation with the fungus Stigmina carpophila. Since the fungus overwinters in the leaves, the disease usually occurs in spring. Shotgun disease usually hits already weakened plants and is a frequent consequence of incorrect care. An infestation also occurs more frequently if the climate is too humid. Infested leaves should be removed and should not be disposed of in the compost. Spraying with a decoction of field horsetail has also proven itself.
The winter moth - danger for the entire plant
If the leaves are bare in spring, the winter moth was probably at work. The caterpillars of the winter moth are particularly voracious and if you don't react in time, you will quickly have a bare tree in front of you. Collecting the animals is only partially successful and extremely difficult, especially in the case of older plants. Glue traps attached to the trunk prevent the females from reaching the treetop and laying their eggs there.
Keep the Japanese carnation cherry as a bonsai
Ornamental cherries are popular bonsai plants. The most popular bonsai varieties come from Japan. The bonsai needs a bright and sunny location. The blazing sun in summer should be avoided. When watering, a sure instinct is required, waterlogging is just as little tolerated as the plant is affected by dry balls. You can fertilize from the flowering period until the end of August. When cutting, pay attention to the flower buds. These form in autumn. After flowering, you can cut back into the old wood. The bonsai should be repotted every two to three years. A special bonsai mixture should be used for this. There are no limits to the design, all styles can be realized. When wiring, the sensitive bark should be wrapped in raffia to protect the bonsai from injury. Bonsai also need protection in winter.