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crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 9:06 am
by PAUL2229
I repotted a little crab apple a couple weeks ago and I think its confused and thinks its spring, its got these really red leaves come out with what I think are flowers pushing out the middle. being winter still should I cut off the flowers?? and if I do will I get new flowers in spring??
and does anyone know why my crab apple would have really red leaves but my mates one has green leaves opening?
ill get a pic up asap I just need to find my iphone cable
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 10:05 am
by Sno
G'day Paul . Spring has sprung in your part of the world. Enjoy the flowers. If the weather turns really cold again just give it a bit of protection . With the leaves ,some types of crabapples new growth start red then go green. I wouldn't worry unless they stay red. Photos are still a good idea.
Cheers Craig
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 11:42 am
by mq1742
Spring has sprung here too & my crab is one of the first to fire up
Don't worry about the leaf colour even if it doesn't change later in the season, I have a green leaf form, one that starts out red then fades to green as the growth matures & a 3rd that starts a vibrant red & darkens to a dirty purple/red as the season progresses. Enjoy!
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 12:15 pm
by cre8ivbonsai
Yeah, don't cut or trim! just enjoy the flower display - after all that's what growing these as bonsai is all about

Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 12:29 pm
by Rory
Yeah ditto. Believe it or not, buy my pear started flowering just over 2 weeks ago, smack bang in the middle of winter. It is going fine now, and still slowly putting out teeny tiny leaves. My crabapples haven't sprouted yet, but don't sweat it, they often come early. Obviously only from my personal experience, but shielding the new growth from cold can sometimes make it worse, but everyone is in a different place, so whatever works for people obviously is different. Technically it is getting warmer from the 15th July, and thus your little bonsai may want to start photosynthesis asap as it no longer feels cold enough to lay dormant.
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 5:40 pm
by thoglette
My nectarine is in full bloom - first out of the box and before all of the maples & the other stone fruit have lost last year's leaves.
But my four seasons are Summer, Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 8th, 2013, 9:28 am
by PAUL2229
thoglette wrote: my four seasons are Summer, Autumn, Spring and Summer.
^^ I like that.
here is a pic of the little fella it isn't much to look at yet but eventually I want a semi cascade, I like the idea of the flowers and fruit hanging over
and this one is my mates, its obviously a lot bigger and doesn't have the red leaves like my little one

Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 8th, 2013, 3:28 pm
by astroboy76
two different varieties of crabapples. the first one, with the dark red growth has pink flowers. the leaves stay a reddish colour as fade to a sort of greeny brown red by late summer.
the second pic looks like a white flowering crabapple. probably floribunda
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 8th, 2013, 3:28 pm
by astroboy76
and i wouldnt cut the flowers off cos that is all you will get for this year.
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 8th, 2013, 3:49 pm
by PAUL2229
astroboy76 wrote:two different varieties of crabapples. the first one, with the dark red growth has pink flowers. the leaves stay a reddish colour as fade to a sort of greeny brown red by late summer.
the second pic looks like a white flowering crabapple. probably floribunda
thanks for the information mate
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 15th, 2013, 4:22 pm
by PAUL2229
some updated pics, I cant wait for all the flowers to open up
How long do crabapple flowers hang around for??
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 15th, 2013, 5:51 pm
by Guy
that's a keeper
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 15th, 2013, 9:10 pm
by Boics
Cool little tree with a bright future!
Nice!
P.S. My crab apples are near to dormant with not a leaf in sight but considering budding soon I'd say!
Re: crabapple flowering early
Posted: August 17th, 2013, 8:32 pm
by Gav
Hey Mate,
That's a nice tree and I really like the pot that you have it in too...
Cheers,
Gav