Crabapple Inspiration

[Watto]

I was inspired by Lisa's crabapple and thought I should take a photo of mine as it too is in flower. In was probably best a few days ago but I think it still looks OK.
I try to avoid watering the flowers as this tends to shorten their flowering period, but it has rained on it a bit over the last two days so it is currently undercover.
Thankyou Lisa for continuing to inspire us.
Hope you enjoy.
Watto

[LLK]

Very lovely tree, Watto, and, contrary to mine, a true bonsai. Thanks for showing it here.

Do you happen to remember which cultivar it is, and do you have more tips on how to make Crabbies flower? Since I wrote down mine, something new occurred to me, and that is the question of dormancy. I think a lengthy exposure to cold and frost could possibly be necessary for the Crabapple to flower well. Both you and I live in areas with long and really cold winters, so maybe that's the secret to the abundant flowering of our resp. trees. Of course, I could be completely wrong!

Lisa

[Craig]

Very nice Watto, cheers

[kcpoole]

I have a crab apple that was flowering well this year and we have had not many frosts this year

it has finished now but had lots of flowers earlier.

Ken

[Watto]

Thanks for the kind replies.
Lisa - this year I used the fertilizer "Bloom Booster" for the first year properly and I think it is the difference between good flowering and very good flowering. Also we had quiet a few mornings where the temp was very cold, minus 8 and a bit cooler so maybe your theory has some merit?

[GavinG]

"Floribunda" flowers 'bundantly in Sydney with no special treatment - usual neglect. Don't know about other varieties. Micromalus seems to flower better in Canberra, although maybe it's the ferts. "Profusion" was in good flower at the BSA show at Castle Hill a few weeks ago.

Gavin

[LLK]

Thanks, all! It doesn't seem as if dormancy has any influence, with Crabs doing equally well in Sydney and around the SE Tablelands.
Thanks, Gavin, for naming a few worthwhile cultivars!

Lisa

[Watto]

I thought I would have another post just to get all the crabs on the same page!!!

[GavinG]

The main problem seems to be getting stock on its own roots. Cuttings rarely work for me, spring or summer, and I've resorted to layering.

Sargentii and Halliana are in Japanese books, and I've seen them round. Purpurea, and varieties Aldhamensis and Lemoinei are lush mauve, and Golden Hornet and the like are good fruiters...

Too much fun, too little space.

Gavin

[Watto]

Gavin - this one is from an air-layer and that appears to be the best method just for certainty