Growing Conditions For Plums How To Take Care Of Plum Trees

How to Care for Plum Trees

Be sure to water the young trees heavily every week during the first growing season to help promote growth. Then, water regularly. ...
If rain is lacking, water your tree well into mid-October to give it plenty of moisture through the winter months.

What conditions do plum trees like?
How much sun does a plum tree need?
Do plum trees require full sun?
Where do plum trees grow best?
How do you keep a plum tree healthy?
What is the best fertilizer for plum trees?
What month are plums ready to pick?
How do you move a plum tree without killing it?
Can I plant a plum tree near my house?
What is the best time to plant a plum tree?
How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit?
Do you need 2 pear trees to produce fruit?

What conditions do plum trees like?

Plums grow best in a sunny spot in well-drained, fertile soil. Most trees in the plum family come in sizes to suit all gardens. If you choose your tree carefully you can train it into your preferred shape – as a standard or fan. Smaller trees, grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock are easier to maintain.

How much sun does a plum tree need?

Prepare Site

Plums do best with at least six to eight hours of full sun a day. They also prefer well-drained soil, so work a thick layer of organic soil conditioner into the top 10" of the planting site.

Do plum trees require full sun?

Plum trees should be planted in well drained moderate soil that gets full sun exposure. Plant plum trees at the highest point of your garden to discourage frost from settling around the base as it can damage the tree. Plum trees do well in areas that are a bit sheltered from wind exposure as well.

Where do plum trees grow best?

Plum trees grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 3–8. The American hybrid (Prunus americana) plum grows well in northern New England, while the Japanese (Prunus salicina) is more acclimatized to the warmer South and its short chill season. The European (Prunus domestica) grows well in both regions.

How do you keep a plum tree healthy?

How to Care for Plum Trees

Be sure to water the young trees heavily every week during the first growing season to help promote growth. Then, water regularly. ...
If rain is lacking, water your tree well into mid-October to give it plenty of moisture through the winter months.

What is the best fertilizer for plum trees?

10-10-10 Fertilizer

The fertilizer 10-10-10 is an all-purpose fertilizer that meets the needs of plum trees throughout the growing season. A plum tree that is three years or younger needs no more than 1/2 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer once in mid-April and once in early June.

What month are plums ready to pick?

The California plums start to ripen usually in late May. The season goes until around the start of September.

How do you move a plum tree without killing it?

You can actually move a tree without killing it. Just remember that transplanting a tree successfully requires some skill.
...
Simple Steps for Uprooting a Tree

Water the tree well. ...
Secure the branches. ...
Dig up the root ball. ...
Wrap the root ball with burlap. ...
Uproot the tree.

Can I plant a plum tree near my house?

Fruit trees can often be planted closer to buildings than large ornamental trees because the rootstocks constrain the spread of the roots. ... You can also prune the roots on the wall side, and if necessary protect the back of the planting hole with paving slabs.

What is the best time to plant a plum tree?

It's best to plant plum trees as bare-root trees in late winter or in early spring, while they're dormant—this minimizes the shock of transplanting and encourages the tree to start new spring growth soon after being planted.

How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit?

Plum trees begin to bear when they are three to six years of age. You can tell right after bloom if your tree will set fruit. Inspect the terminal ends after blossom drop. The ovary should be swollen with the beginning of the new fruit.

Do you need 2 pear trees to produce fruit?

Plant pear trees in early spring. ... Plan to plant at least two varieties of pear trees, as they will need to be cross-pollinated to produce fruit. Make sure the varieties are compatible with each other. Space standard-size trees 20 to 25 feet apart.