How to Grow a Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba) Bonsai? Growing Methods and Precautions

Many people in daily life like to grow bonsai and place them at home, and indeed some bonsai are deeply loved and sought after for their beautiful flowers and unique shapes. The flowering almond bonsai is also one of the more common bonsai; its flowers are especially similar to those of the plum blossom, and when it blooms it is brilliantly eye-catching with extremely high ornamental value. So how should a flowering almond bonsai be cared for and managed?

How to Grow a Flowering Almond Bonsai

To know how to grow a flowering almond, you must first understand its growth habits. The flowering almond is native to northern China and is cold-hardy, able to overwinter at -35°C. The flowering almond is drought-tolerant, not tolerant of waterlogging, and prefers a sunny environment; it is not shade-tolerant, and the soil used for cultivation should be fertile, loose and well-drained.

Next you need to understand the propagation methods of the flowering almond. It can be propagated by division, grafting, layering, cuttings, sowing and other methods. Among these, division and grafting are most commonly used.

Flowering almond division can be carried out in autumn and spring after the soil thaws and before the plant sprouts. After division, 1/3-1/2 of the branches should be pruned away to reduce water evaporation, which helps the plant survive.

Flowering almond grafting includes bud grafting and scion grafting, with bud grafting generally being more common. Bud grafting propagation of the flowering almond is best carried out in mid to late August. The rootstock can be 1-year-old flowering almond seedlings, or seedlings of wild rose species, peach, or mountain peach. Scion grafting should be carried out in February-March of spring. The scions should be cut before the plant sprouts; scions can also be cut in early winter and stored in sandy soil for use in spring.

Growing Methods and Precautions for Potted Flowering Almond

I. Growing Methods for Flowering Almond

1. Light

The flowering almond is robust by nature and loves sunlight, so it should be planted in a place with sufficient light. When planted in a place with insufficient light, the plant becomes thin and small, with few flowers or even no flowers at all.

2. Soil

The flowering almond generally grows on slopes at low to medium altitudes or beside gullies, under tree and shrub forests or at forest edges. It is not strict about soil requirements, but grows best in fertile, loose soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline.

3. Watering

The flowering almond has a relatively well-developed root system and strong drought tolerance, but it is not tolerant of waterlogging, so it is best not to plant it in low-lying areas or beside ponds and ditches. When planting in spring, if the weather is dry, water 2—3 times; normally no watering is needed, and at the same time pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.

4. Fertilizing

The flowering almond likes fertile soil, so during care you should pay attention to the frequency and amount of fertilizing. When planting, a few shovelfuls of decomposed cow or horse manure can be applied as a base fertilizer. From the second year onward, once normal management begins, fertilizer can be applied once each year after the spring flowers fade, during the summer flower bud differentiation period, and before winter begins.

II. Precautions

The flowering almond grows best in well-drained sandy loam, and can also grow normally in plain sandy soil, but in clay soil it mostly grows poorly, showing small and yellow leaves, no branching, and small or no flowers. From May to June, 1-2 applications of topdressing can be given to promote flower bud differentiation in the plant.

Fertilizing Tips for Flowering Almond

The flowering almond likes fertilizer, so when planting, a few shovelfuls of decomposed cow or horse manure can be used as a base fertilizer.

From the second year onward, once normal management begins, fertilizer can be applied once each year after the spring flowering period, during summer flower bud differentiation, and before winter begins.

After the early spring flowering period, the flowering almond has consumed a large amount of nutrients; topdressing at this time is very beneficial to the plant's subsequent growth, allowing it to grow vigorously with abundant branches and leaves.

From June to September in summer is the flower bud differentiation period of the flowering almond; at this time an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied, which is beneficial to flower bud differentiation and also helps the new branches of the year fully lignify.

Topdressing before winter should be combined with watering for freezing; applying some pen manure can effectively raise soil temperature, enhance soil permeability, and help provide sufficient nutrients when the flowering almond blooms in early spring of the following year. Therefore, this fertilization should be shallow rather than deep, and the plant should be watered promptly after fertilizing; ring-shaped fertilizing can be used.

How to Repot a Flowering Almond

1. Place the flower to be repotted on the ground, and first gently pat the sides of the pot with your palm so that the root system is shaken and separates from the pot wall.

2. Turn the pot upside down on your left hand, gently grip the plant between the index and middle fingers of your left hand, brace your wrist and fingertips against the rim of the pot, pat the bottom of the pot with your right hand, then use your thumb to push the root soil downward from the drainage hole so the plant comes out.

3. After it comes out, gently pat the root ball with both palms to let excess soil fall away.

4. Place the plant into a prepared pot, fill with nutrient soil, leaving about 2—3 cm from the pot rim.

I believe everyone now has some understanding of how to care for and manage a flowering almond bonsai. In fact, ordinary bonsai are all quite easy to care for; as long as you pay attention to watering and fertilizing techniques, they can be grown for a very long time. If you place a bonsai with a rather unique shape in a study or office, it is absolutely classy!