How to Grow a Bush Cherry
- 1). Select the planting site. The Chinese Bush cherry is cold hardy, and thrives in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 7. This plant prefers full sun, but can grow in partial sun.
- 2). Prepare the soil by adding sandy loam with some clay. The ideal soil pH is between and 4.5 and 7.5. Add crushed limestone to increase the soil pH.
- 3). Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to accommodate the shrub at the same soil level as the container.
- 4). Remove the shrub from the container, and spread out the roots without damaging them. Place the shrub in the hole, and fill in the hole with soil. Firm the soil around the trunk, and water it thoroughly. Apply a layer of mulch.
- 5). Apply a fertilizer with phosphorus according to the label instructions. This helps the young shrub develop a good root system quickly. Apply fertilizer at least once during the early part of the growing season.
- 6). Water the plant once per week with at least an inch of water during the growing season. This is especially important during the first two years.
- 7). Pinch the tips of the growing stems on the Chinese Bush cherry to encourage branching. Prune any dead or diseased branches immediately.