I have a cherry plant about 20 inches tall. Do I need to cut it short if I want to keep it short and grow in pot (may transplant into big pot in future), make it grow more branches?
What kind of Cherry tree is this @Outgoing ? Does it have a name on the label? Did you buy it as a particular variety, or is it a seedling from another tree in your garden?
I'd leave it alone for now. Seedlings often don't branch out until they get to a certain stage, and yours may be pretty young to be pruned.
Cherries from seeds do not usually breed true to type. Do not prune your tree yet, however when it is in its dormant phase, it would be a good time to transplant into a larger pot.
May not even be a cherry ! Depends on what root stock was used if the cherries you bought came from a grafted tree ! But its worth waiting to see !
Lordy, I hadn't even thought of the original being grafted! Thank heavens two more experienced (and brighter) members pointed out many fruit trees are grafted onto sturdier stock. Side story: when the guy across the road had one of his cows come over and graze on a newly planted apple tree right down to the ground, he told us "it will grow back." We pointed out that it might grow back but wouldn't be a Winesap so he was going to replace it, including digging the hole. After that he mended his fences.
Sorry what do you mean by dormant phase? Here is Australia is late spring, summer until March. I noticed this cherry plant grows fast in last month from 3 inches to 20 inches tall in 40 days. So I have to wait until June here (winter) ?
Yup winter will be the time it is dormant. You can transplant it now if you wish. That will work fine I am sure.
@Outgoing, if you want the plant to grow into a nicely shaped tall tree, you should leave it alone. Let it grow taller, and plant it outside in the ground. If you prune off the top it will grow like a bush - take the top out and it'll get fatter! Whereabouts in Australia are you?
I have to plant the cherry plant in a pot as my backyard has no enough space to plant in ground, can put a pot size up to 60cm though. I cannot let it grow too tall, may be up to 2 metre tall. I am in NSW.
To be bluntly honest I wouldn't hope for too much from your tree in that case if you're hoping for fruit - but I really hope I'm wrong. It will keep growing away now as you have come into your main growing season. I would give it as much root space as possible now and see how it does. Lets hope it surprises you. I still don't reckon I would prune it though, as I think it would spoil the shape. Some years ago I lived in Oakville near Windsor and Riverstone, with a view over to the Blue Mountains. My son bought a house in Toongabbie.
Your seedling will probably need to be treated like a large bonsai. Cherry trees get huge. Start planning the shape and style you’d like in the pot. Many varieties need a cross pollinator to fruit but you will always have flowers in spring. I have a couple of evergreen trees in very large outdoor pots that are decades old. They have moved around the yard and will move with me this winter.
Now my cherry plant is up to 5 feet 10 inches tall. But no branches and not many leaves (see photo). Wonder I should add more fertilizers (added fertilizer a month ago).
