Fruiting and Flowering questions

Joanie

I posted a while ago, but received no responses. So having re-phrased the questions, here I go again...

With a flowering cherry (or any of the flowering/fruiting trees) does it help or harm the tree to cut off the spent flowers before they become fruit? Does it send more energy into branch or trunk production, or does the tree need to have at least some fruit development for its health?

Same question with flowering trees that don't produce fruit...does it hurt or help to cut off the flowers or the pre-flowers? Can the energy that the tree would put into flower production be diverted into more meaningful growth?

Thank you!
Joanie

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Tobias

joanie,

to my understanding, both flowers and fruit take lots of energy for a tree to produce. if you don't want flowers or fruit for aesthetic purposes, its best to remove them for the health of the tree.

i don't have a lot of flowering/fruiting trees. my knowledge is based on what i've read an seen other do.

peace,

toby

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~Self-proclaimed dendrophile!

Joanie

Yes, Tobias, that seems to be what they say....but when do you cut off the blooms or fruit? If you do it too early, do you force the tree into a second blooming the same year, as you would by defoliating an elm? Do you leave a few fruits or blooms? The books are not specific, if they say anything it is to prune after fruiting. But *can* you prune before, if you don't care about the fruit this year?

Does anyone out there specialize in flowering and fruiting non-azalea trees?

Joanie

Lesley

Joanie,
If you can get your hands on a copy of The Art of Flowering Bonsai by Peter D. Adams, I believe you'll find most of the answers to your questions in it. I've read it a number of times, but I'm too new at styling flowering trees to give advice to you. I'm still experimenting myself! Good Luck though! John Naka's books also have valuable info in them!

Lesley =('):

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Ladybug

Sandi

Joanie, I have Peter Adams book. It's great! There are very few flowering/fruiting plants that will have a second bloom. Some flowering cherries but the ornamental ones that don't produce fruit. I don't think there are any that will produce a second flush of fruit. I always remove the flowers from my crab apples if I'm trying to build the structure of the tree. You get a lot faster results. I also remove the fruit after a time of enjoying it so the tree can rest. If you want to leave just a few fruit for aesthetic purposes leave 3 or 5 or so. When I remove the fruit I cut the stems and let the stems dry up and fall off by themselves. With cotoneaster I just pick the berries off. On firethorn I cut them off. I cut off the flowers too if the plant seems weak. Quince have various types. Some rebloom off and on though not as heavily as the first time. I always pick the flowers off as they start to fade because the fruit will start forming right away. I cut the flowers off my cherries if I'm building branches. I don't see why you couldn't prune before they flower and get a head start on the growing season.

Best of Luck, Sandi