The flowering quince, Chaenomeles, is a popular bonsai plant. The flowering species is hardy, thorny, and deciduous. Many cultivars produce vivid flowers. The blooms of the bonsai quince can be red, pink, or salmon in color.
Pruning is best done during early spring after new growth has appeared. Then, cut back the new growth to two leaves. Another technique is partial outer canopy defoliation. This involves pruning about 80 percent of the outer canopy leaves. This will induce a second flush of growth with smaller leaves and more branch ramification in a growing season.
The flowering quince bonsai tree needs lots of shade during hot days. This will prevent the soil from becoming too dry. However, the tree is not drought-resistant. Therefore, it is not necessary to prune it during winter. The flowering quince bonsai tree can survive temperatures of up to 23 degF (-5 degC).
Pruning a flowering quince bonsai requires regular watering every two weeks. It doesn’t require wiring, and you can prune it to the shape you prefer. After flowering, prune back the old growth to a traditional shape. After mid-summer, prune back the old growth in moderate amounts, as it may contain flowering shoots next year.
A flowering quince bonsai tree needs a balanced fertilizer. A soil mix that is neutral to slightly lower in pH is best for the tree. It should contain a certain amount of calcium, as this promotes flowering.