When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom
The most anticipated cherry blossom spectacle of the spring always blooms quietly without people noticing. As the most representative woody flower of spring, cherry blossoms captivate the hearts of countless flower viewers with their brief but brilliant blooming period. This article will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the blooming patterns and cultivation techniques of cherry blossoms, helping you not to miss this fleeting visual feast.
Patterns of Cherry Blossom Bloom Times
Geographical Location Influence
Cherry blossom blooming in China shows distinct latitude differences: the south of Guangdong province starts to bloom in late February, the Yangtze River Valley enters full bloom in mid-March, while the northern regions delay until mid-to-late April. The "Cherry Blossom Front" prediction system released annually by the Japan Meteorological Agency is a scientific prediction system based on a temperature accumulation model.
Species Difference Characteristics
Early cherry blossom varieties like Kawazu-zakura bloom in February, while late cherry blossom varieties like Sekiyama-zakura can extend to early May. Common Yoshino cherry blossoms have an average blooming period of 7-10 days, while multi-petaled varieties like Hanzan-zakura can have a viewing period of up to 15 days. When the day-night temperature difference reaches 10°C, the flower color shows the best saturation.
Analysis of Cherry Blossom Morphological Features
Flower Structure
Typical cherry blossoms have 5 ovate petals, with a V-shaped notch at the top as an important identification feature. The flower diameter varies from 2 to 5 cm, with 32-40 stamens arranged in a radial pattern and 1 pistil protruding from the center of the flower. Flower colors range from snow-white to deep pink, and petals appear translucent under sunlight.
Annual Growth Cycle
Cherry blossoms start to differentiate flower buds from June to July, after experiencing winter low temperatures and spring aftereffect, the flower buds swell and bloom the following spring, which takes about 25 days. The blooming period starts when the daily average temperature stabilizes above 10°C, and reaches 18°C to accelerate flower opening.
Key Cultivation Techniques During Bloom Period
Soil Management
Keep the soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before spring germination to promote flower bud differentiation. Heavy clay soil needs to be improved with perlite, and decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied every autumn to enhance soil fertility.
Water Control
Keep the soil moist during the swelling period of flower buds, avoiding waterlogging that can cause bud drop. Use drip irrigation to control water amount, and the flower shape is best when the air humidity is 60%. In case of continuous rainy weather during the blooming period, manually shake the trees to drain water.
Pruning Essentials
Remove residual flowers promptly after blooming, leaving 2-3 strong buds. Thin out crossing branches to improve ventilation, and pinch the tips of new shoots in summer to control excessive growth. Pay attention to tool disinfection, and apply healing agents to cut surfaces to prevent disease infection.
Mastering the phenological patterns of cherry blossoms and combining scientific cultivation methods can not only extend the viewing period of individual plants but also cultivate high-quality plants with dense flowers. It is recommended to pay attention to the blooming period forecast from local meteorological departments in advance, choose different varieties to plant together, and let this spring-limited beauty bloom for a long time.