Japanese cherry?: characteristics, description of the variety, photo, planting and care

The leading place in terms of decorativeness, without a doubt, is occupied by sakura or Japanese cherry.

If garden cherries are valued for their fragrant fruits, then sakura has gained its popularity as the most beautiful ornamental plant for landscape design.

Japan and China are considered the birthplace of this ornamental plant. Varieties and hybrids were bred there, which now determine the decorativeness and beauty of Japanese cherries.

Popular types of oriental cherries

Read also: Growing willow in the garden - types and varieties with photos, care, cuttings and diseases	Kiku Shidare lat. Kiku Shidare Sakura The crown is umbrella type (weeping). Double flowers tinted pale pink. In domestic conditions it blooms for 2 weeks in the first half of May. The tree is predisposed to forming a standard trunk. Loves neutral soils and plenty of sun. To get long and abundant flowering, you need to focus on potassium fertilizers
	Short-shielded cherry Considered the ancestor of most modern ornamental hybrids, the second popular name is Inami. The inflorescences are racemose (up to 2.5 cm), the flowers are purple-pink and some hybrids are red. The tree can withstand frost up to 29ºС, but is afraid of winds. Grows up to 7 – 10 m
	Sakhalin sakura A tree with a spreading, wide crown that can grow up to 8 m or more in height. Flowers are white or pale pink. Belongs to frost-resistant varieties. With good regular feeding it can withstand moderate winds, but it is still not advisable to plant it in open areas. A peculiar feature of Sakhalin is considered to be red leaves, which turn bright yellow in the fall, which makes the cherry stand out from the background of other trees.
	Cherry finely serrated Kanzan lat. Prunus serrulata Kanzan A tall tree up to 15 m with large double flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. The leaves are green with a reddish tint, becoming bright yellow in autumn. The flowers are soft pink or white, shaped like a wide inverted cone. Sakura Kanzan is not picky about soil and climate and can tolerate severe frosts. In addition to their decorative component, flowers can be used to make tea and some culinary dishes.
	Ferruginous cherry lat. Cerasus glandulosa Alternative names are Chinese sakura and dwarf almond. It is considered the mother tree for varieties such as Rosa Plena, Alba, Lawrence and Alba Plena. It looks like a shrub, grows up to 1.5 m in height, and can reach 2 m in diameter. The flowers are double, pale pink. It tolerates cold, but for the winter it is advisable to wrap the bushes with spunbond or agrofibre
	Royal Burgundy lat. Royal Burgundy Representatives of this variety have an elongated cone-shaped crown; trees grow up to 10 m. The tree does not bear fruit, it is exclusively decorative. The tint of the double inflorescences is pink. In addition to beautiful flowers in spring, the tree attracts with bright yellow foliage in autumn

Propagate by seeds and cuttings

Growing from seeds

The substrate used is a substrate where river sand, wood ash, turf and sawdust are mixed in equal proportions.
The bone is soaked for a day, after which it is immersed 10 mm into the substrate, covered with film and placed in the refrigerator for 2 months (the substrate is periodically moistened).
Then the container is removed and transferred to a warm and bright place. After germination, the film is removed, and the cherry grows in greenhouse conditions for 2 years. Then it is transplanted and grown outside in open ground.

Growing by cuttings

As a cutting, in early spring, cut a twig with woody bark, 12–14 cm long; there should be at least 3 buds on the twig.
The cuttings are germinated at a temperature of 18 - 20ºС in a moist substrate of peat mixed with sand. When the branch sprouts roots, it is replanted again and sent for the winter to a cool place of 8ºC.
Next spring, the cuttings are transplanted into nutritious soil (humus, turf, peat and sawdust).
Then the young tree will grow in the greenhouse for at least 2 years, after which it can be planted in open ground

Comments (2)

Olga
01/05/2020 at 13:17 |
Why is there no mention of growing sakura from seeds?
Answer
Yulia Expert Plodogorod
01/09/2020 at 20:18 |
Hello Olga! Propagation of such cherries using seeds is not very common due to poor germination - 15-20%. In addition, this is a long and complex process; several years will pass before the first flowers appear.
If you decide to grow sakura this way, it is worth purchasing planting material from several manufacturers, this will increase the chances of getting a sprout. Planting material will require stratification for 3 months. To do this, the seeds must be placed in damp sand and kept at a temperature of about 4 degrees for the specified period.
After, immediately before planting, the seeds need to be soaked for 24 hours. This requires warm moisture. Afterwards, you can lightly scratch the planting material with fine sandpaper so that germination occurs faster.
Planting is carried out in a wide, shallow container filled with disinfected sand or vermiculite. Planting depth is 1 cm. After planting, it is better to water the future sakura with a fungicide solution. It is better to cover the container with film. For germination, a temperature of 7-10 degrees is required.
Read also: Popular short trees for landscape design
After 10-15 days, sprouts will appear. The temperature should be raised to 15-20 degrees, and plenty of lighting and watering should be provided. When they get stronger, pick them up into separate containers.
Answer

Plant to the east

	Where to plant Sakura loves the sun, so the best location would be east, southeast or southwest. It is not recommended to plant in lowlands; the tree may freeze. Find a calm place, somewhere near a fence or building. The distance to the nearest large tree or bush should be at least 1.5 m
	When to plant It is best to plant sakura in early spring after the snow has melted, when there is no danger of serious frosts. You can also plant in the fall, in mid-October. For spring planting, the height of the seedling must be at least 70 cm; in the fall, meter-long trees are planted. There are no special requirements for soil, but trees grow worse on clay soils and loams
	How to plant The hole for the sakura seedling is dug to a depth of about 80 cm. The diameter should be 20 cm wider than the root system. A drainage layer 5–7 cm thick is poured into the bottom of the hole. For this you can use crushed stone, perlite, expanded clay or just small cobblestones. The seedling is buried 5 cm above the level of the root collar. A fixing peg is buried next to the tree. After planting, 30–40 liters of warm water at 20–25ºС is poured under the root of the tree. You can add a glass of wood ash or other mineral fertilizer for the garden to the water.
	How to care Depending on the amount of precipitation, the tree is watered 1-2 times a month. Be sure to water and feed the plant abundantly a week before flowering. Within a radius of up to 1 m around the trunk, the soil is mulched, i.e. covered with a layer of sawdust, straw, fallen pine needles, etc. This technique is especially good in hot weather when you need to retain moisture in the soil. Until July, the emphasis is on nitrogen fertilizers (rotted manure), then potassium should predominate, and nitrogen can be removed altogether. A universal option would be wood ash. Sakura pruning is done in early spring (March-April). After pruning large branches, the cut area is treated with garden solution

The video shows what Japanese sakura looks like, plus an experienced agricultural technician tells how to plant and care for such trees. Special mention is made of preparation for winter and types of fertilizers.

Features of varieties for regions

In central Russia in winter, severe frosts (below -30 degrees) are rare and short-lived. There is enough snow and it lasts until March. In spring, recurrent frosts are an annual phenomenon. Cold snaps occur almost every spring until mid-April, so when choosing cherry varieties, you should take into account the time of their flowering. In summer, the temperature is stable; intense heat can last for several days. There is a lot of rainfall in autumn. This climate is favorable for plants. Frequent rains in summer, in warm weather, can cause the spread of fungal diseases. In this region, varieties with average winter hardiness, resistance to infections and with different ripening periods will grow well. Such as Amorel, Meteor, Memory of Vavilov, Vyanok, Izobilnaya, Vostorg, Leningradskaya black and many others.

In the Moscow region , the seasons are separated, their change takes place smoothly over 2.5–3 months. In spring, return frosts are frequent, which can affect early flowering plants. Summer is warm, the average temperature is 22–25 degrees, intense heat occurs and can last for several days. In some years, there is heat of more than 30 degrees, which lasts for several weeks, but this has not become a constant phenomenon. Stable temperatures in summer, with frequent precipitation, are suitable conditions for the development and spread of fungal infections. Snow usually stays all winter. Frosts, on average, remain at 10–12 degrees. There are thaws and severe colds, but not for long. In autumn, frosts begin in mid-October, and by the end of November snow cover may be established. In the Moscow region, cherry varieties with average winter hardiness and disease resistance will grow and bear fruit well. There are no restrictions on the ripening period; berries of late types have time to ripen until autumn. Prichuda, Assol, Studencheskaya, Brusnitsina, Tamaris, Griot Moskovsky and others will be most suitable for growing in the Moscow region.

Kuban is one of the few regions in the country where climatic conditions allow cherries to be grown without regard to winter hardiness, flowering time and ripening time. The southern regions are located in the subtropical zone, where citrus fruits grow and bear fruit well. Winter is characterized by unstable weather, with frequent thaws and frosts. The thermometer rarely drops -5–8 degrees, so the soil rarely freezes. Snow melts very quickly and rarely remains for several days. The warm period of the year is 9–10 months. Warmth sets in very quickly; air temperatures of +20+22 degrees in early May are common. The duration of summer here is 4–5 months. There is enough precipitation, but in the steppe regions dry periods occur frequently. In Kuban you can grow varieties with any winter hardiness and different ripening periods. A lot of varieties of cherries are grown here, which in more northern regions do not produce such quality berries due to lack of heat. Varieties such as Kelleris, Novodvorskaya, Black Morel, Victoria, Anthracite and others will grow well here.

Bashkiria is characterized by a clear division of seasons. Summer is hot and dry. Winter is frosty, with rare thaws. Snow remains for up to three months. Spring and autumn pass very quickly, in just 1–1.5 months. Plants have a difficult time with a sharp transition from cold to heat. There is very little precipitation in the summer, but droughts and hot winds from Kazakhstan are a common phenomenon in Bashkiria. To successfully grow cherries, it is better to choose varieties with resistance to frost and drought. Tall trees (over 4 m) will suffer from strong winds, so low-growing and bushy forms will be the best option. For Bashkiria, we can recommend varieties such as Anthracite, Fairy, Oktava, Bolotovskaya, Rusinka, Biryusinka and many others.

in Belarus is mild. In winter, the average temperature is -8–10 degrees, and in summer it stays at around +20 degrees. There are fluctuations in one direction or the other, but they don’t last long. There is a lot of precipitation throughout the year. Fogs are frequent, which can lead to the development and spread of fungal infections in gardens. Strong winds are not typical for the local climate. Selection work is being carried out in the Republic, including with cherries. There are many excellent Belarusian varieties that are in demand not only locally, but also in Russia and other countries. Meteor, Kelleris, Khutoryanka, Lada, Rusinka, Ksenia and others can also be recommended for growing here

Diseases and pests

Cherry coccomycosis
Symptoms:

Red spots appear on the leaves, which turn brown or brown within a few days.
A gray coating with a brown tint appears on the bottom of the leaf. Further holes form in the leaves and by the end of June they fall off.

Treatment:

In early spring, at the stage of developing buds, spray the plant with 3% Bordeaux mixture.
Towards the end of flowering, spray the tree with a preparation - Ordan, Skor, Oksikhom or Topsin-M.
Spray with copper oxychloride in autumn

Cherry moniliosis
Symptoms:

The wood looks burnt. First, young shoots and flowers wither. Then the foliage dries and rolls up. At the final stage, large branches dry out and crack.

Treatment:

Affected branches are cut and burned, and the cuttings are treated with garden solution.
The tree is sprayed for the first time immediately after pruning, and the second time after 10 days, using drugs - Cuprozan, Skor, Captan or Oleocuprit

Cherry slimy sawfly
Symptoms:

In June-July, small dark slugs appear on the underside of the leaves and feed on tree sap. In a short time the leaf dries completely.

Treatment:

Slugs are destroyed with Piliton or Actellik

Options for using berries

The fruits of Chinese cherries are tender, distinguished by their juiciness and taste, harmoniously combining sweetness and acidity. Thanks to this, the berries are suitable for making juices, syrups, and fruit drinks. In home brewing, wine, tincture and liqueur based on these cherries are popular.

Housewives often use the harvest to make jam, jam, and compote for the winter. Cooks make marmalade from berries.

Advice! When canning vegetables, you can add cherry leaves to marinades and pickles.

Felt Chinese cherry looks beautiful throughout the season. In May it is densely covered with luxurious flowers. And by the end of June, garlands of burgundy or red berries are visible on the branches. This plant is popular among amateur gardeners.

Reviews from gardeners

Iren1
Sakura is a “made” variety of cherry with a DECORATIVE purpose... not for the sake of fruits, but for beauty... But there are, of course, cherries with fruits...

Source: forum-beta.sakh.com

Ruslan... Just Ruslan
in the city of Alexandria, Kirovograd region. three or four cherry blossoms have been growing in the central square for 5-7 years, very large trees; when it was in season, I saw them blooming - a very beautiful sight

Source: forum.gorod.dp.ua

What to remember

Features of Japanese cherry . Varieties of this tree are distinguished not by fruits or crown, but by color, size and number of petals in the inflorescence. For landscaping in a small garden, shrub varieties, for example, Chinese sakura, are more suitable.
Purchasing a seedling . At home, sakura can be grown from a seed or cuttings. A purchased seedling must be at least 70 cm tall.
Planting and care . Sakura loves sunny meadows in a quiet, windless place. The planting technology is the same as for all fruit trees. For abundant flowering, you need to abandon nitrogen fertilizers in the second half of summer and focus on potash fertilizers.