When Do Hansen Bush Cherries Bloom?

Sunlight and Soil Requirements

• Selecting a suitable planting site for your Hansen bush cherries helps them to grow, bloom and bear fruit more successfully. Hansen bush cherries grow satisfactorily in partial sun locations with as little as four hours of direct daily sunlight. However, for best results, plant Hansen bush cherries in a full-sun site receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Look for a location that also offers light, fertile and well-draining soil. Bush cherries perform poorly in slowly draining, clay soils. Plant the Hansen bush cherries at the same depth they grew in the nursery. Space multiple bushes 4 to 5 feet apart.

Irrigation Requirements

• Hansen bush cherries perform best when provided with regular supplemental irrigation during the spring and summer. Start watering Hansen bush cherries in the early spring before observing new growth. Irrigate the bush cherries at least once per week, providing up to 1 inch of water each time. Maintaining moist, well-draining soil is essential.

Fertilization Requirements

• Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer in the very early spring before the bush presents new growth. When the Hansen bush cherries start setting flower buds, fertilize them with a water-soluble, high-phosphorus fertilizer. Apply a subsequent application of high-phosphorus fertilizer as soon as the bush cherries set fruit.

Pruning Requirements

• Hansen bush cherries require little pruning to grow successfully. However, bush cherries benefit from occasional pruning to control their size and shape, remove problem branches and revitalize growth. Prune Hansen bush cherries in the early spring around the same time you start watering and fertilizing them. Remove diseased, damaged or dead branches with sharp, sterile pruning shears or loppers. Cut the length of the branches back by one third to shape the bush and stimulate new growth, if desired.