Origin and characteristics of Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan'
Image - Wikimedia / Moonik
Known as Japanese cherry, Japanese cherry or Prunus 'Kanzan', it is a cultivar of Prunus serrulata originally from Japan that belongs to the genus Prunus. Like the rest, it is deciduous, which means that it falls at a certain time of the year (in this case, it is autumn-winter). Reaches a maximum height of 12 meters. The leaves are simple, ovate-lanceolate, with a serrated or double serrated margin, 5 to 13cm long by 2,5 to 6,5cm wide, and turn yellow, red or crimson before dropping.
The flowers, which sprout in spring, are double (that is, they have two layers of petals) and are grouped in clusters of two to five flowers, and are pink. It does not produce fruits, since it multiplies only by grafting, usually on Prunus aviumTo expand your knowledge about these specimens, we recommend you consult Characteristics and care of the Japanese cherry tree.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Climate
When we go to buy a plant, the weather is the first thing we have to think about. If the conditions are not suitable, it will do no good to have a good soil or to be watered when it touches. Therefore, if we intend to acquire a Prunus 'Kanzan', it is necessary to take into account that you will only live well, at ease, in temperate climates, with frosts in winter and mild temperatures in summer. To learn more about ideal conditions, you can consult the laws of the Japanese garden.
Earth
- Garden: Prefers soils rich in organic matter, loose and with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Tolerates alkalis.
- Flower pot: We can also grow it in a pot - which should be made wider and deeper from time to time - filled with, preferably, substrate for acid plants (on sale) mixed with 30% akadama (on sale) or similar (clay, pumice, etc.).
Irrigation
Image - Wikimedia / Jamain
Irrigation must be frecuente, but avoiding waterlogging. During the summer, if it is very hot and dry, we will water 3-4 times a week; the rest of the year about 2 times a week will suffice.
We will use rainwater, suitable for human consumption, or lime-free water whenever possible. It is important to know that if we water with very calcareous water, it could cause iron chlorosis, since lime prevents iron from being absorbed by the roots. To avoid this, also check the Japanese cherry bonsai care.
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From early spring to late summer (You can until the beginning of autumn if the weather is rather mild or the frosts are late) it should be paid with fertilizers for acid plants following the instructions specified on the package.
We have it in liquid form (for sale) which is ideal for potted plants, and in powder form (for sale).
Note: if the garden soil is already acidic, DO NOT use acidic fertilizers as the pH could drop too low. We will use other types of fertilizers, be it the universal one for plants, or other organic ones such as guano, worm castings, etc.
Pruning
Don't need itWe'll remove only dead, diseased, weak, or broken branches in late winter. To learn pruning techniques and maintain their shape, visit how to prune a cherry tree.
Planting or transplanting time
Whether we want to plant it in the garden or move to a larger pot, we will have to wait for spring. The ideal time is when the buds are 'swollen', about to sprout, or when they have started to sprout.
In the case of having it in a pot, we will know that the transplant time has come if:
- roots stick out through drainage holes,
- it has been in the same pot for a long time (more than 3 years),
- their growth has stopped for no apparent reason
For more information about the process, do not hesitate to consult cherry tree care in spring.
Multiplication
As we said above, the Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' multiplies only by budding T or gusset grafts. In Europe it is usually done on Prunus avium, in late winter. To learn more about these methods, visit the extraordinary beauty of the Japanese cherry tree.
Pests
It is very resistant, but in hot and dry environments the aphids They can cause some damage. These are very small insects, about 0,5 cm in length, mostly brown or green in color, that feed on the sap of young leaves and flower buds. If you notice the presence of pests, also check Japanese trees and pests.
Rusticity
El Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' resists frosts of up to -18ºC, but it cannot live in tropical climates. For more information on resistant varieties, see the American black cherry.
What uses is it given?
Image - Wikimedia / Famartin
It is used as isolated specimenAs it grows, it becomes more and more beautiful, so it's important to make it stand out. For ideas on how to integrate it into different garden styles, you can visit .
Bonsai
It's a good plant to grow as a bonsai. Its growth rate allows for control and its leaves aren't too large, making it a good idea to grow as a bonsai. You can learn all about its training at .
Where to buy Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan'?
We can buy it in nurseries and garden stores, both online and, sometimes, physically. Let's remember that it does NOT produce seeds, so if we ever see that they sell seeds supposedly from this cultivar, we do not have to be fooled.
