Cherry Blossom Planting: Expert Tips Unveiled

The cherry blossom is the flower of the cherry tree. For the blossoms to bloom on schedule, the cherry tree must be well-grown.

Planting cherry trees is simpler than most people imagine. By following planting and maintenance tutorials, you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms once the tree matures. Let’s look at how to plant a cherry tree. First, you need to buy the seedlings and prepare them.

Then, dig a hole and place the tree in it. During the planting process, pay attention to the planting method.

How to Plant Cherry Trees

1. Preparing the Seedlings

Before planting cherry trees, it is best to purchase good quality seedlings from a specialized flower market. Choose strong and healthy cherry seedlings for easier planting and a higher survival rate.

Besides using seedlings, you can also cultivate your own cherry trees. Select good seeds, treat them, and sow them into the soil for cultivation. This will stimulate germination and seedling growth, which can then be transplanted.

2. Treating the Seedlings

Before planting, cherry seedlings should be properly treated to facilitate planting. Keep the original soil in the root system, but trim long and old roots. Retain healthy roots, and disinfect if necessary.

To reduce water evaporation, prune the branches and leaves, removing some overly dense branches and leaves to minimize water and nutrient loss.

3. Ground Preparation and Digging Holes

Choose a sunny location with loose, fertile soil, and convenient irrigation for planting. Prepare the planting soil by removing stones and weeds from the soil surface.

Then, deeply till the soil, about 20 cm deep. Based on the diameter of the seedling’s root system, start digging the planting hole. Apply a layer of organic fertilizer at the bottom of the hole, then cover it with a layer of soil.

4. Planting in the Hole

Straighten the cherry tree seedling and plant it in the hole, adding soil to ensure the roots adhere to the soil. After planting, lightly compress the soil and water thoroughly to promote root setting. Provide shade after planting.

What to Pay Attention to When Planting Cherry Trees

1. Fertilization

Cherry trees grow fast and bloom densely, so they need to be fertilized twice a year, preferably with acidic fertilizer.

Fertilize once in winter or early spring with composted bean cakes or chicken manure; and another time after the flowers fall with quick-acting fertilizers like ammonium sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and superphosphate.

2. Maintain Soil Aeration

Cherry trees are shallow-rooted sun-loving species, with 60% of their root system within 60 cm of the soil surface, mainly in the top 20 cm of soil.

Therefore, choose well-drained, loose, and aerated sunny locations for planting. Avoid waterlogging and drying.

Around the tree, especially the root distribution range, avoid trampling by humans and animals or vehicle traffic, which can compact the soil surface, affect root growth, shorten lifespan, or even cause death.

3. Avoid Monoculture

If the previous crop was a cherry tree or similar species in the Rosaceae family like peaches, plums, or apricots, it will seriously affect the growth of the cherry tree.

Therefore, pay special attention to the type of preceding crops when choosing a nursery for cherry trees. Improve the soil using leaf mold or charcoal to replace the soil.

4. Wound Disinfection

Wounds on cherry tree branches heal slowly. Therefore, be careful when pruning cherry trees and mainly prune overlapping branches or branches affected by pests.

Disinfect wounds promptly after pruning to prevent rain from washing in bacteria, causing rot. Applying a preservative is effective.

Cherry Tree Seedling Care

1. Avoid overwatering the cherry tree seedlings throughout their growth period, as cherry trees are susceptible to waterlogging, which can cause root rot. Generally, watering once every 8-10 days is sufficient.
2. Avoid excessive pruning of branches, as the branches of cherry trees may not regrow like oak trees. After the flowering period, remember to prune old leaves to promote a new cycle of growth. Prune branches at least once a year.
3. Pay attention to moss. Use a garden hose to wash off any moss on the branches that may hinder the growth of the cherry tree, or clean it off by hand.