Prunus Mume

[Brian Van Fleet]

Pretty much in full-bloom now. Happy New Year all.

 

[just.wing.it]

Wow!
Beautiful....

 

[kale]

Wow what a difference 9 years makes!

 

[bonhe]

Pretty much in full-bloom now. Happy New Year all.
View attachment 276637

Really nice!
You are very lucky in 2020 because your ume is in full bloom in the New Year day
Thụ Thoại

 

[barrosinc]

Nicee

 

[Cadillactaste]

It's a beaut Brian! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

One last shot in full bloom.

 

[JudyB]

Man that tokonoma is very nice, and the pool stone looks great with the setup. I can smell the blooms off the screen!

 

[just.wing.it]

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but did you use anything to darken the deadwood after the lime sulfer early on?....or is that just time?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but did you use anything to darken the deadwood after the lime sulfer early on?....or is that just time?

Nope, that’s natural aging.

 

[MACH5]

Truly outstanding Bri! Very, very beautiful.

 

[cmeg1]

Pretty much in full-bloom now. Happy New Year all.
View attachment 276637

Nothing like flowers on a gnarly old tree....really nice

 

[fredtruck]

You've done really well with this ume, Brian. Very nice!

 

[AndyJ]

Brilliant tree Brian. Something for me to aspire to with my Ume’s

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Wired this tree, which is about like wiring a pretzel stick and trying not to break it or knock off any of the salt, which is attached about as well as the precious buds. I’m content with the lower 2/3 but the upper area will take some work. At least I was able to tame it a little. I’ll wire the green new shoots in the spring, and that should get the tree by for another 3-4 years. Then, probably some grafting...

 

[Trueblackpercula]

Well after reading through all 18 pages of post I can only say outstanding!!!!! You have given me so much inspiration as I will apply all that I have learned form you to my prunus.
Your work of art is just incredible
Michael

 

[Clicio]

Brian, this thread and your work on this beautiful Ume are both stunning, thank you so much!
Now I have a plan and a schedule to follow, trying to make my prunus better and better over the years. Great work!

 

[Trueblackpercula]

Not to take away from this thread but what is the best time to do some serious tree bending as I want to split my main trunk and wire it into shape. Do I have to wait until mid summer?

 

[Clicio]

@Brian Van Fleet , could you please check if this Ume schedule below is alright?
And a question, do I need to defoliate it in the summer?
Thanks in advance.

Winter:

DECEMBER
- Prune lightly to a good shape for the flowers.
- Carefully wire it if needed.

JANUARY
- Enjoy the flowering show.
- After flowering finishes, cut back hard to 2/3 nodes.
- Structural pruning if needed
- Repotting if needed.

FEBRUARY
- Let it grow


Spring

MARCH
- Feed and water well.
- Let it grow

APRIL
-Cut the first two leaves closest to the trunk
- Let it grow

MAY
- Prune to 2-3 nodes and wire.
- Let it grow

Summer

JUNE
- Let it grow

JULY
- Dormancy
- Take off the wire

AUGUST
- Dormancy
- Curly leaves

Autumn

SEPTEMBER
- Let it grow

OCTOBER
- Stops growing

NOVEMBER
- Leaves fall

 

[leatherback]

Hm.. Nearly January. Nearly Mume flowering.. !