Description: (Sunset Zone 3-9,12-22,31-34,30, USDA Zone 6). Very showy, fragrant, late winter blooming trees. Kobai has deep red semi-double flowers. Native to China and Korea, where it has been cultivated for 1500 years, and long known in Japan for it’s ornamental value. Old bonsai can develop bark similar to old black pines.
Basic Care: Grows best in full sun to light shade. Never allow root ball to dry out completely. Protect tree from winter freezes. Pruning is typically done in spring after it blooms and summer. Prunus mume bloom on last years wood so don’t prune in the fall or winter. Directional prune, pinch, and wire to train.
Feeding: Fertilize just before and during growing season until autumn. Many brands of fertilizer are available and it is beneficial to use a variety of these. Follow all package instructions.
Repotting: Repotting is best done in early spring and usually after two to three years of being in the same pot. Correct root pruning is very important and cannot be addressed in a line or two. Please refer to your favorite bonsai book or local bonsai experts.
