Malus species/Crabapples Species Guide

Crab Apples are one of the best flowering trees for use as bonsai. There are many Malus varieties, most of which can be used for bonsai. Varieties can be chosen for use as bonsai according to flower and fruit colour.

Ease of Cultivation 8/10 Suitablity and Ease for Bonsai Styling 7/10

Varieties commonly seen as Bonsai include;

M. sylvestris/ Common Crab Apple, M. halliana/ Halls Crab Apple, M. cerasifera/ Nagasaki Crab Apple, M. toringoides/ Toringo Crab Apple

Position Outdoor tree only. Full sun. Provide good air circulation to discourage mildew problems. Crab Apples are very hardy though trees in shallow pots may need some frost protection.

Watering Give plenty of water when fruiting.

Feeding Feed fortnightly until flowering. Feeding after flowering may cause leaf growth at the expense of fruiting. If trees are in training and vigorous growth is required at the expense of fruit, continue to feed fortnightly, otherwise cease feeding until fruit are well developed. To protect the vigour of the tree, it is better not to allow the tree to fruit every two or three years as fruiting weakens the tree.

Repotting Annually in early Spring before budburst using a basic soil mix.

Pruning In Spring prune back new shoots to one or two leaves. Trees should then be left unpruned until late Summer. Pruning must be undertaken by late August, otherwise vegetative growth is more likely to occur than flower buds for next year.

Propagation Sow seed outdoors in Autumn. Cuttings of all wood-types in Autumn. Layering in Autumn or in late-Spring.

Pests and Diseases As with other native species such as Hawthorn and Oak, Crab Apples attract a wide range of insects and diseases, particularly Aphids, Red spider mites, caterpillars, apple scab and mildew.

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