Chaenomeles is one of the most beautiful and easy to grow bonsai trees.

This deciduous shrub native to China and Japan is, among early spring flowering bonsai, one of the most beautiful and easy to grow. 

The flowers - white, pink, orange or red - sprout on the branches still bare, forming cheerful colored masses that produce a contrast of great effect on bare wood.


Chaenomeles is one of the most beautiful bonsai trees.

The flowering, always quite generous, can give rise to fragrant ornamental fruits that make the plant very pleasant even in winter. It is suitable for almost all styles, especially raft styles.

Exposure.

It needs good ventilation. In summer, a half-shade position will be chosen, but during the rest of the year, full sun is preferred. Protect from frost in the colder months.

Watering.

Abundant throughout the growing season. Water shortages can compromise the buds. Leaves should be watered when the plant is without flowers and fruits. In winter watering should be reduced, paying attention not to let the soil dry out too much.

Re-potting.

About every 3 years in early spring or autumn, ideal composition: 50% Kanuma +40% Akadama +10% pozzolana

Pruning.

For the most intense flowering, allow new shoots to grow without topping throughout the summer, then shorten them to 2 nodes of the year's growth in mid-autumn. Remove all basal suckers.

Picking.

If you are working on a specimen that is already at a good finishing stage, pinch off the ends of the shoots when they reach a length of 2-3 cm, so as not to ruin the shape. This is a fundamental point of cultivation because, by carefully pinching the shoots, you can obtain a thick fine outer branching.

Winding.

Wire can be applied year-round, with the exception of the winter period.

Fertilization.

At the end of flowering, after pruning every 15 days until October, excluding the period of July and August.

Cure.

It can be affected by aphids, by quince monilas, by collar galls and by bacterial necrosis.

2 comments:

  1. Chaenomeles have a natural tendency to form suckers at the base, which allows us to compose highly branched bonsai with buds all over.

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    1. Thank you for your always valuable input.

      They are also often done with the roots exposed. For them they are gradually uncovering the roots and even wiring them with impossible twists to show a more crazy and tortuous look.

      Greetings.

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