Prunus SUBHIRTELLA 'PENDULA'

Prunus SUBHIRTELLA 'PENDULA' - Weeping Higan Cherry, Weeping Spring Cherry, Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', Itozakura, Prunus ITOSAKURA.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Prunus (Plum, Cherry Laurel, Bird Cherry, Cherry) is a genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees in the rose family (Rosaceae), comprising about 250 species distributed predominantly in temperate and subtropical zones of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. In nature, members of the genus occur in forest understories, on forest edges, slopes, and along rivers, preferring fertile, adequately moist soils.

Most species are small trees 4-5 m (13-16 ft) tall, but shrubby forms and occasional giants up to 30 m (98 ft) are also found. The crown is usually dense, shoots are elongated or shortened, sometimes thorny. The bark is brown; wood is hard and heavy. Leaves are alternate, leathery or thin, simple, ovate, elliptic, or lanceolate, serrate along the margin, often with glands on petioles or at the base of the blade. In some species, the upper surface of the leaf is smooth and lustrous.

Flowers appear in spring, white or pink, single or double, with five petals and sepals, gathered in umbel-like clusters, racemes, or panicles. Flowers typically have 20 stamens, a unilocular ovary, and of two ovules, one seed usually develops. Flowering is accompanied by abundant nectar secretion and a pleasant aroma that attracts insects.

The fruit is a one-seeded drupe with a relatively large stone, smooth or grooved, oblong-ovoid in shape. Fruit coloration varies from dark blue and black to yellow and red; in some species the fruits are edible. Ripening occurs in summer or autumn; in evergreen species, fruits can remain on the plant for a long time.

Weeping Higan cherry is a deciduous ornamental tree native to Japan, with an elegant weeping crown. It grows up to 5-8 m (16-26 ft) in height and forms a broad umbrella-shaped crown up to 5 m (16 ft) in diameter with slender, pendulous branches creating a "waterfall" effect of foliage and flowers. It grows slowly and stands out for its high ornamental value throughout the entire season.

Leaves are elliptic or ovate, glossy, dark green in summer and yellow-orange or reddish in autumn. Flowering is profuse, occurring in April-May before leaves unfold. The flowers are single or semi-double, pink, up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, gathered in small umbel-like inflorescences and profusely covering the entire tree, creating a "pink cloud" effect. Fruits are small drupes, inedible to humans.

Seeds are sown in autumn immediately after collection or in spring after stratification for 2-3 months at a temperature of 2-5 °C (36-41 °F) (at home, placed on the lower shelf in the refrigerator). For sowing, a light substrate based on humus, sand, and sod soil with the addition of rotted sawdust and wood ash is used. Sowing depth is 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in). Sowings are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 18-22 °C (64-72 °F) with regular ventilation, avoiding waterlogging and drying out.

Seedlings emerge in 30-60 days; the minimum germination period is 30 days, and the maximum possible is over 90 days. Prick-potting is performed upon the formation of 2-3 true leaves, after which young plants are gradually adapted to open ground conditions.

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The plant is preferably placed in a sunny and wind-sheltered spot. Cultivation in light partial shade is permissible with sufficient moisture. Under conditions of intense heat, light shading is provided. The optimal temperature during the growing season is 20-28 °C (68-82 °F). Most varieties can withstand brief frosts down to -25 °C (-13 °F). When container-grown in winter, maintenance at 2-8 °C (36-46 °F) is recommended. In spring during flowering, plants are protected from strong wind. Drought is tolerated poorly, so watering is carried out regularly. The soil is kept slightly moist, while water stagnation is eliminated.

Fertile, loose, well-drained loamy soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction and a fertile top layer is used. Sites with close groundwater tables should be avoided. Planting holes are prepared in advance. Two weeks before planting, the soil is dug over with the addition of humus, non-acidic peat or rotted compost, and ash. In spring, fertilizers with high nitrogen content are applied. In summer, balanced feedings are applied every 3-4 weeks. In autumn, feeding is reduced, and in winter none is applied. Mulching tree basins throughout the season is considered an effective practice.

Transplanting is carried out in early spring. Young plants are repotted annually. Mature specimens are transplanted once every 3-4 years. In autumn, trunks are covered with spruce branches or other material for protection against rodents. Ripening fruits are protected from birds with netting. Weeds and tall grasses around the base of the tree are removed.

Shaping and pruning are performed in early spring before bud swell or after flowering. If necessary, leader branches are shortened, the crown thinned, and dry, damaged, or poorly placed branches removed. Trunk training or hedge shaping is carried out. For better fruiting, 2-3 additional trees are planted for cross-pollination.

Propagation is carried out by seeds, grafting, root suckers, softwood, root, and hardwood cuttings. Horizontal and vertical layering or budding onto seedlings are also used. Under natural conditions, seed propagation predominates.