Anyone know some information about cherry blossom trees? According to a bit of research, cherry blossom trees can take 6-8 years to mature and kick into consistent flowering. I'd love to get my hands on some stock that would start blossoming quickly, and so I don't think the standard fare at the online shops will fit the bill. I'm pretty sure the growers are propagating them by rooting cuttings rather than growing them from seed. Are there any sources online where one could get something air layered, and if so, is it possible to get something that could start blossoming the second year?
Mature Cherry Blossom Tree?
- Thread starter Matt B
- Start date
19Mateo83
Masterpiece
Get in contact with Wigerts nursery. They should be able to help you out. 
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Cherries are precocious and usually start flowering at 1-2 years old from seed but it will take a few years to build branches and ramification to have lots of flowers.
Cuttings generally start flowering from year 1 if they come from mature trees. Again, it will take some years to build branches and ramification to get lots of flowers.
Layers may be larger and may even have a couple of branches but not all layers make great bonsai, in fact in my experience very few make good bonsai as they generally have quite straight trunks and branches and little taper so don't be fooled into taking the first one offered or the cheapest. Look for some good bonsai characteristics as well.
There are many selected varieties of flowering cherry. To maintain the selected characteristics we need to propagate asexually - cuttings, layers, etc. Seed grown plants can revert of have different character so commercial nurseries usually stick to cuttings or grafting to maintain selected varieties.
Cuttings generally start flowering from year 1 if they come from mature trees. Again, it will take some years to build branches and ramification to get lots of flowers.
Layers may be larger and may even have a couple of branches but not all layers make great bonsai, in fact in my experience very few make good bonsai as they generally have quite straight trunks and branches and little taper so don't be fooled into taking the first one offered or the cheapest. Look for some good bonsai characteristics as well.
There are many selected varieties of flowering cherry. To maintain the selected characteristics we need to propagate asexually - cuttings, layers, etc. Seed grown plants can revert of have different character so commercial nurseries usually stick to cuttings or grafting to maintain selected varieties.
Maiden69
Masterpiece
I have a yoshino that I bought as a 1 gal bare-rooted tree on December 2020, still no flowers and I have not cut back on it at all. Leaves are on the large side as well, maybe once it goes into a pot they will reduce some but only time will tell.
Should have known. All roads lead to Wigerts in Florida.Get in contact with Wigerts nursery. They should be able to help you out.
Interesting points. I had read they take years to produce flowers, but this is why we ask questions. I need to make sure I know the origins of the tree to make sure it came from cuttings.
Of course, good bonsai characteristics are important, and I know that it will take a while to get ramification. This is a project that can't be rushed, but I think the extra carrot of the annual flowering will be a good motivator to keep me interested while I work to build the structure.
The variety I will be looking to find is Okame, as it seems most suitable for Florida (zone 9), and has simple, traditional blooms, which I like. Many of the other types are much more suitable for cooler climates. I do like the weeping varieties, but they top out at zone 8.
