This time, I want to share my attempt to grow cherry blossoms in Hong Kong. I think most people who buy cut cherry blossom branches keep them in water and throw them away after they finish blooming. I wondered whether adding soil might make the flowers last a little longer. By a fortunate accident, that idea led to the following story—and I managed to grow them successfully.
I have always felt an inexplicable attachment to cherry blossoms. Beyond the way the flowers are arranged, I love the colour of their petals and the beauty of the tree itself, with branches spreading out one by one. I find it genuinely beautiful.
Friends who followed my Instagram last year may remember a similar cherry blossom branch. Unfortunately, I broke its roots while moving it, and it later died after a pest infestation. All year, I kept telling myself that if I saw cherry blossoms again, I had to succeed in growing them. After waiting a full year, I finally found them. I had not realised that so many places in Hong Kong sold them at this time of year. Before posting the Story, I thought only a few shops imported them, but your messages helped me find some at last. Now, let us get straight to the point.
What I learned from growing cherry blossoms
This time, I want to share my attempt to grow cherry blossoms in Hong Kong. I think most people who buy cut cherry blossom branches keep them in water and throw them away after they finish blooming. That was what I thought last year, but I also wondered whether adding soil might make the flowers last a little longer. By chance, I discovered that the branch had developed new growth—and it was a substantial branch. Sadly, I broke it just as I noticed it, which led to the story above.
Sharing my experience of growing cherry blossoms
When I bought cut cherry blossom branches again this year, I looked for soil that might suit them. Several sellers told me it was impossible to grow cherry blossoms in Hong Kong: the climate was unsuitable and the branches would not develop roots. I was immediately discouraged, but I was not ready to give up. I carried a pile of soil home from the Flower Market, did more research and tried last year’s method again. This time, there was new growth and there were green leaves. It still seemed to be growing, so perhaps it could be saved. I decided to document it in this post. I had previously searched Google to see whether anyone had grown cherry blossoms in Hong Kong, but most examples kept the branches in water for only a short period. I wanted to keep mine growing long-term and still see it a year later, rather than enjoy it only during the flowering period. If it succeeds, I think the leaves alone will still look lovely next year, even without petals.
The growing process and my conclusions
As I write this, I am glad that I saw new growth two days ago and that part of the branch has taken successfully in the soil. I think the main factors are good drainage, a deep layer of soil and enough oxygen. That may sound obvious, but anyone who has tried growing something in a very large pot may have noticed that its growth can gradually slow before the stem deteriorates and the plant dies. I have experienced this before and believe the pot may be part of the problem. Many large pots sold commercially have only one small drainage hole at the bottom. The plant’s roots can receive oxygen only through the soil surface; the lower section mainly retains water, and the bottom hole comes into play only when excess water drains away. Before six months have passed, you may find the plant growing more and more slowly before it eventually dies for no apparent reason. Now, whenever I buy a pot, the first thing I do is add as many holes as possible. I hope this improves drainage while allowing the soil and water to retain suitable moisture and have more contact with air. The disadvantages are that the pot needs to be much larger than usual and may require more watering. I have written the method on the images for anyone interested.
I recorded and spoke all of the above as I went, so I am not sure whether everything is easy to follow—it may feel a little fragmented. When I have time, I will buy another pot and show everyone how to use this method for planting.
