Plum TreeA plum tree grows well in full sun and in soils that’s well-drained and fertile. The tree produces dark pink to while blossom in the spring. It produces delicious, succulent fruit in the summer and autumn months. European plum trees, which can grow up to 6 meters in height, are shaped well. This type has a dark and shiny bark. The dwarf variety, which grows to only around 2 to 3 meters in height, are a bit more difficult to find. Commonly, the European plum doesn’t require cross-pollination, however, this type appear to make more plums when another European plum is close by. Many European plum varieties can be found which are tasty to eat right out of the tree or cooked. Some of these varieties are Brooks, Greengage, Golden Drop, Mt Royal, Reine Claude, and President. The tree is perfect for colder regions and its fruit is sugary with a stunning range of flesh and skin color. Another form of the European plum is the prune plum. The sugar content of this fruit is quite high so it is perfect for drying, that’s the prune. The fruit is still tasty fresh or cooked. Fruit The tree produces a sweet and pastry fruit. It’s from the genus of Prunus. Plums are also closely related to peaches and cherries. The fruits grow jointly in groups and are strongly set together. They appear to look dusty coated, like powder has been dusted on it. Plums are colored deep purple or a light fuchsia. There are different species of plums but all its fruits have the same taste and consistency. Plums taste very tart when they’re ripe. They may also be sour sometimes. Plums can be eaten right out of the tree and they can be made into jams and plum juice. The dried fruits are called prunes; they’re chewy and has a texture that’s wrinkly. The fruit, which is one of the most useful of the fruits, is widely used in the culinary arts widely. It is also used to make the sweet-tasting plum wine. Time and Location The best time for planting is in October or November, although you can still plant it from late Autumn to early Spring if you’re brave enough. Plum trees grow best under the full sun and a moist location. This tree needs warmth and lots of light. Stay away from places which preserve frost. You’ll need soil that’s well-drained. And if your tree doesn’t self pollinate, you have to plant your plum trees in pairs. Planting Trees If the space you have to cultivate your fruit trees is relatively small, choose a small variety that you can train against a hedge or wall. First, you need to immerse the roots. Then, using a spade, dig a hole that’s at least wider by a third than the roots. You then need to fort the soil over at the base of the whole. The tree needs to be staked, put the stage beside the root before you fill the hole with soil, piling towards the foot of the tree. The joint as well as the grafted portion of the tree should be at slightest 5 cm above soil level. Using your feet, slowly firm down the soil and then water it well. The tree has to be watered properly until it is established. If you’re growing the tree against a hedge or wall, plant it 15 to 20 cm apart. Apply fertilizer around the plum tree, up to 15 cm away from the trunk. This should be done early in spring. Harvesting A plum tree only starts to produce fruits when they are 4 or 5 years old. The period for harvesting lasts for approximately 4 weeks. You’ll know if the fruits can be harvested already whey they can be easily removed from the tree. Diseased fruits should be removed because they lure wasps and other plant diseases. Ripe plums don’t last so long. Even when stored in a refrigerator, they’ll only last for a small number of days. Plums that are under-ripe will last much longer if harvested and then stored in a box that’s paper lined. It can then be stored in a dark and cool environment until it ripens. You can keep wasps from eating your fruits by hanging, jars of sweetened water or ‘wasp traps’. Pruning When fruiting period ends, your plum trees should be pruned. Pruning also helps in keeping away the silver leaf disease. Growing Plum Tips To concentrate the flavor as well as energy on a lesser and higher crop quality, the fruits on the plum tree should be thinned. A plum tree that’s over-laden and produces a water bounty of fruits is not a good outcome for a lot of gardeners. Thinning the fruit also takes the stress off the branches. It helps prevent plant diseases which go through ends of broken bark. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Plum Tree Listed under Landscape Plants |