Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot

Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot key facts

Growing Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Ume is long-lived; some potted ume are said to be 400 years old

Size

Ume is a small deciduous tree of 3–10 m; as bonsai it is trained to suit the pot

Watering

Fertilizer (March–June after flowering and Sept–Nov; none in summer)

Light & placement

Needs plenty of sun from spring to set flower buds. Keep in a sunny, airy spot, with shade cloth in summer as leaves scorch easily

Watering

Naturally thirsty and dries fast while in leaf: 1–2 times daily in spring/autumn, 2–3 in summer, every 2–3 days in winter, soaking once the surface dries

Temperature & overwintering

Dormant in winter. Protect under the bench or in a cold frame so frozen soil and late frosts do not damage the roots

Soil & repotting

Mostly akadama with about 20% free-draining grit. Repot around February before budbreak, together with post-flowering pruning: every 1–2 years, 2–3 for old trees

Fertilizer

A heavy feeder: small regular feeds March–June after flowering, stop in summer while buds form, then feed well Sept–Nov. Use a phosphorus-rich flowering/fruiting fertilizer

Pruning & styling

Remove spent flowers at 50–70% bloom to save the tree's strength, and prune right after flowering. Buds form in July–August, so in May pinch new shoots on mature trees at 4–6 nodes

Pests & cautions

Watch for aphids, spider mites, scale, clearwing moth borers (oozing sap), powdery mildew and scab. Flowering ume are prone to bacterial canker, so avoid strong wind. The colour mix varies yearly and some years are single-coloured

About Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot

Omoi-no-mama is a late-blooming ume variety blending red, white, pink, and streaked double blooms on one tree. Which color appears where shifts each year, making it an intermediate-level bonsai choice.

7 things to know before growing Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot

1. 1Light & Placement

   Japanese apricots thrive in bright, well-ventilated spots, and Omoi-no-mama is no exception — keeping it outdoors in good light encourages strong flowering. In regions with intense midsummer sun, moving it to partial shade helps prevent leaf scorch.

2. 2Watering Basics

   During the growing season, water thoroughly once the soil surface dries out. Keep it slightly drier through the dormant season to avoid root rot from excess moisture, adjusting frequency with the weather and temperature.

3. 3Well-Draining Soil

   Ume dislikes soggy roots, so well-draining soil is essential. A bonsai mix built around akadama with some leaf mold and coarse sand works well, and a ready-made bonsai potting mix is an easy option too.

4. 4When to Repot

   Repot around February, before the buds break, together with the post-bloom pruning, roughly once every one to two years (every two to three years for old trees). Tidying the roots at repotting helps keep the tree healthy and in shape for the long term.

5. 5Pruning & Shaping

   Flower buds form on the previous year's growth, so pruning at the wrong time can reduce next year's blooms. Trim overgrown branches soon after flowering to maintain shape while preparing for the next season's flowers.

6. 6Colors Shift Yearly

   Omoi-no-mama can bloom in red, white, pale pink, and streaked patterns on the same plant, but which color appears on which branch changes from year to year. Some years lean toward a single dominant color, so no specific color pattern is guaranteed.

7. 7Choosing a Plant

   As a late-blooming yabai-group variety, Omoi-no-mama calls for a bit of growing experience. First-time ume bonsai growers should confirm the basics of watering and pruning and approach it with patience for the long term.

Frequently asked questions about Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot

Q.Is Omoi-no-mama suitable for beginners?

A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level variety, so it helps to be comfortable with basic ume care first. With attention to watering and pruning, growers can work up to it as they gain experience.

Q.Does it bloom in the same colors every year?

A.No — which color appears on which branch changes from year to year. Some years bring mostly a single color, while other years show a mix of red, white, pink, and streaked blooms.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.As a bonsai, Omoi-no-mama is shaped to fit its pot, and regular pruning keeps it at the size you prefer.

Q.Can it be grown for many years?

A.Yes. With ongoing care such as repotting and pruning, it can be grown for many years. It is a vigorous variety suited not only to gardens but also to pots and bonsai.

Q.Does it have another name?

A.Yes, Omoi-no-mama is also known as 'Wachigai.' Its defining feature is that a single tree bears double flowers in red, white, pale pink, and streaked patterns.

Handy Growing Tools for Omoi-no-mama Japanese apricot

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