Chokecherry bush is a beautiful ornamental plant that can provide your garden with year-round interest. It is a deciduous shrub that is covered in small, white flowers in the springtime. These flowers are followed by dark purple berries in the summer and fall. The berries are not only a tasty treat for birds, but they can also be used to make preserves and jelly.
Related plant:
Chokecherry Tree
About soil condition, chokecherry bushes prefer well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The soil should be moist but not too wet or dry. Chokecherry bushes are also tolerant of poor soils, including those that are sandy or rocky.
Just like other plants, chokecherry bushes need sun to grow. They prefer full sun, but will also do well in partial sun. If you live in an area with a lot of sun, you will likely have a healthy and productive bush. If you live in an area with less sun, you may need to provide some artificial light for your bush to ensure it gets enough sun to grow.
The temperature conditions for a chokecherry bush are quite specific. The bush needs to experience freezing temperatures for a period of time in order to produce fruit. Without this temperature condition, the bush will not produce fruit.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below this, the leaves will begin to wrinkle and the plant will become stressed. If the humidity rises above this, the leaves will begin to drop and the plant will become susceptible to fungal diseases.
Mentioning fertilizer, this family of plant also responds well to being fed. In fact, they are heavy feeders. Just like with watering, too much fertilizer will burn the plant. An all-purpose fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 16-16-16 applied at the rate of 1 tablespoon per square foot of plant bed area is sufficient. Feed twice a month during the growing season. Also, don't forget to fertilize your chokecherry bush when you first plant it.
Pruning a chokecherry bush is important to ensure its healthy growth. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning, remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Thin out the bush by removing some of the older branches to encourage new growth. Cut branches back to a strong bud or lateral branch.
Propagation of chokecherry bushes is typically done through softwood cuttings taken from the tips of new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 8-10 inches long and taken from healthy, disease-free plants. To promote root growth, the bottom 2-3 inches of each cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone before planting in a well-drained potting mix. The pot should be kept moist but not wet, and placed in a warm, sunny location. After 3-4 weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and can be transplanted into the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the age of the bush. Younger bushes will have a higher growth rate than older bushes. The average chokecherry bush grows about 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide. However, some bushes can grow up to 30 feet tall and 40 feet wide.
Common problems for this kind of plant are insect pests, diseases, and poor fruiting. Insect pests include aphids, caterpillars, and scale. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil. Diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. These can be controlled with fungicidal soap, neem oil, or sulfur. Poor fruiting can be caused by lack of pollination, poor plant nutrition, or bad weather. Improving pollination by planting in groups, adding a pollinator, or using bagging methods can help. Adding compost or manure to the soil can improve plant nutrition.
Source:
Chockecherry - Utah State University
Chokecherry | OSU Extension Service
Common Chokecherry - Colorado Master Gardener
