Yae-kanko Japanese apricot

Yae-kanko 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 and prune right after flowering. It tends to make long shoots, so pinch them around May to build short flowering twigs (buds form in July–August)

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

About Yae-kanko Japanese apricot

Yae-kanko is an extremely early-blooming Japanese apricot with deep red double flowers, opening in the coldest weeks of winter. It flowered earliest in a Fukui Prefecture cultivar trial and suits intermediate bonsai growers.

7 things to know before growing Yae-kanko Japanese apricot

1. 1Keep It Outdoors in Full Sun

   Yae-kanko is a sun-loving ume, so it should be kept outdoors year-round in a spot with plenty of light and good air circulation. Even during its winter bloom, it does best outside, since exposure to cold helps its flower buds develop properly. Extended time indoors can weaken the tree, so limit indoor display to short viewing periods.

2. 2Water Thoroughly When Dry

   Because bonsai pots hold little soil, they dry out quickly, so the basic rule is to water thoroughly once the surface of the soil feels dry. Pay extra attention during the bloom period and the early spring growth spurt, when the tree can dry out fast. At the same time, avoid letting water sit in the saucer, since constantly soggy soil can lead to root rot.

3. 3Use Free-Draining Soil

   Ume dislike staying wet, so use a well-draining, well-aerated mix built around akadama soil. A bonsai blend or a potting mix formulated for ume and flowering trees makes upkeep easier. Soil breaks down and drains less well over time, which is another reason regular repotting matters.

4. 4Repot Regularly

   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). Use an akadama-based mix with about 20 percent free-draining sand; repotting is also a good chance to prune roots and refine the shape. Afterward, watch for drying out and keep the tree out of harsh direct sun while it recovers.

5. 5Prune and Feed After Bloom

   Once flowering finishes, prune back overly long shoots promptly and leave the short spurs where next year's flower buds will form. Apply a slow-release fertilizer regularly during the growing season, cutting back in summer so the tree isn't overtaxed. Exposure to cold during winter dormancy also helps the flower buds mature fully.

6. 6Keep Airflow Good to Deter Pests

   Ume can attract aphids and scale insects, so thinning out crowded branches to keep air moving is a useful preventive step. If you spot a problem, deal with it promptly before it spreads.

7. 7Check Branch Shape and Buds When Choosing

   When selecting a tree, look for one with vigorous overall growth and no severe damage or dieback on the trunk or branches. If flowering is your main interest, check that the short spurs are carrying well-formed flower buds, which gives a good sense of how it will look in bloom. For bonsai styling, it also helps to pick a tree whose branch arrangement is already close to the shape you want.

Frequently asked questions about Yae-kanko Japanese apricot

Q.When does Yae-kanko bloom?

A.It's an extremely early-flowering cultivar that blooms in the depths of winter, from the start of the cold season through early February. It flowers noticeably earlier than most other ume varieties.

Q.Is Yae-kanko suitable for beginners?

A.Yae-kanko is generally considered a variety for intermediate growers, since it helps to already know the basics of ume bonsai care such as watering, pruning, and repotting. It suits people with some prior experience growing ume.

Q.How large does it get as a bonsai?

A.As a bonsai it is trained to match the size of its pot, so it can be kept compact in a container. Its shoots tend to grow long, so pinch them back to create the short branches that carry flower buds.

Q.How long can this tree live?

A.With ongoing care such as repotting and pruning, Yae-kanko can be enjoyed for many years.

Q.What do the flowers look like?

A.It produces deep red, double flowers with many overlapping petals for a showy bloom. Among kanbai (cold-season ume), it stands out for both its rich color and its very early flowering.

Handy Growing Tools for Yae-kanko Japanese apricot

Learn more about Yae-kanko Japanese apricot in the encyclopedia

More in this category