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Plum Tree Care (continued - page 4)
Care of Plum Trees
An Autumn application of a long lasting
fertiliser such as bonemeal will keep them well fed and ready for growth
next year. Because plum trees have lots of roots near the surface, they will often produce
lots of of suckers (mini-trees) for 3 metres (9 foot) around the trunk.
Regular cutting of these suckers will keep them under control. A more
permanent way is to gently dig away the soil to the point where the
sucker joins the main root system. Simply pull the sucker away from the
root. This will slow down the production of suckers considerably.
Thinning Plums Thin the fruits at two stages in the year. First in late
mid-May
when the fruits are beginning to form, the again in
July
when the plums are about half their full size. First, remove any damaged
or diseased fruit. Then, aim to thin the fruit so that there is enough
room for the plums to develop without touching each other - about 7cm (3in) between each plum. Supporting
Branches
Plum Tree Care
(continued - page 4)
With newly planted trees, check in their first winter that they are not lifted by frost, and provide them with
water during dry spells. Plum trees grown against a wall or fence will need more regular watering throughout their life.
With
more mature trees, very little care other than pruning and thinning (see
later in this article) is required. Your plum tree will definitely thank you for a layer of
well-rotted compost spread around, but not touching, the trunk. Early spring
is the best time for this, to help preserve water and keep weeds at bay.
Plum trees can be a bit erratic in producing fruit - one year they
produce too little and the next year they produce too much. In years
when they produce too much, it's best to remove some fruit before it
matures to ensure a good crop next year and also better quality fruits
this year. The other danger of producing too much fruit is that the
branches may not be able to support their weight and they may break.
If the weight on some of the branches looks like it may cause them to break, it will
be necessary to support the branch with a stake from below. Where this
is done, pad the branch with some sort of material at the point it is
supported by the stake. This will prevent the branch rubbing on the
stake and maybe letting disease in.
Name: Ian Firth
E-mail: Private
Date posted: September 10, 2011 - 02:23 pm
Message: I have a Victoria plum tree that produced a huge crop on some branches wsome of which sadly broke due to the heavy weight. Other branches had no fruit. I cut the broken ends but the tree is in need of serious pruning. The problem is the time of year. Must I wait until June? I would like to prune it now. What should I do?
Name: ken b
E-mail: kenneth.burg@comcast.net
Date posted: September 05, 2011 - 07:11 pm
Message: i have 2 plum trees just put them in last year the plums were eaten before i could get any what can i do to stop this
Name: Lucy Moreton
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 15, 2011 - 09:25 am
Message: My Victoria Plum tree is 3 years old and has plenty of plums, however, on the bottom they apear to have a clear silicon/sugar like substance almost like clear honey. There is no sign of any infestation do you have any idea as to what this could be? and do you think that the plums are still edible? Any help greatfully received.
Thanks
Name: dilini kannangara
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 14, 2011 - 02:33 am
Message: hi!we have a green plum tree which is flowering very well.the tree is healthy too.some small fruits come out but then become blackish and fall.can anybody please giv us a clue?thanx.-dilini
Name: Linda Dickinson
E-mail: spdickinson@btinternet.com
Date posted: August 03, 2011 - 02:10 pm
Message: Hi,I Purchased a Tree some 15 years ago as an almond tree which blossoms in may june,I have just noticed it has which look's like plums on it i picked one and cut it in half and there is a stone in it but still green inside,Its 20ft high can you help me Thank you
Name: Bill
E-mail: w.atkins@att.net
Date posted: July 31, 2011 - 02:35 pm
Message: I have a prune plum tree. Age unknown. Appx. 20 ft tall. Three main branches that fork from the ground and a third from a main branch. The rest is a mangled mess. Not a strait branch in the bunch. Produces some fruit each year. Hoe do I start over with this tree. Plz help.
Name: Raji
E-mail: Private
Date posted: June 30, 2011 - 12:45 pm
Message: I have 1 japanes plum tree 2yrs. old. never get any fruits. this year saw some flowers, and 1 babyfruit came, but my unluck the branch was broken. now my problem the leaves and curling ants are there, give me some advise please
Name: Arthur
E-mail: arthughe@gmail.com
Date posted: May 17, 2011 - 04:46 am
Message: I bought my tree last year but never pruned it, can I do it now, also do I have to spray with anything.
Thanks Arthur.
Name: Guy Howitt
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 15, 2011 - 07:22 am
Message: WE have a Victoris plum tree. When should we prune it. The advice I've read says June/July but is this right for this type of plum?
Name: Anene
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 09, 2011 - 02:56 pm
Message: Hiya
I never pruned my tree last June. It's two years old can I prune is a bit this January? or is it best to leave it be.
Thanks
Anene
Name: Rebecca
E-mail: rebecca.marcotte@live.com
Date posted: October 20, 2010 - 01:52 pm
Message: I have two plum trees in my yard which produce alot of fruit but makes more of a mess than is wanted If I cut one down one of the trees does this prevent the other one from producing fruit?
Name: wanda brote
E-mail: wandabrote@yahoo.com
Date posted: August 29, 2010 - 07:34 pm
Message: We planted plum trees around February. The leaves are curling? And not looking healthy. HELP!!
Name: D. Heaven
E-mail: dug1@talktalk.net
Date posted: August 28, 2010 - 04:10 pm
Message: Roadside trees with small yellow or red plum like fruit, about 1 & 1/2", ripe now and fairly sweet. Are they ok to eat or bottle with gin or vodka?
Name: jane pickering
E-mail: jane-pickering@hotmail.co.uk
Date posted: August 19, 2010 - 06:55 pm
Message: our victoria plum tree has masses of fruit and a lot of it has a kind of maggot in them.also some ar bad and the fruit is droppin faster than we can rescueit. we have never pruned it and dnt know wen to do it and how much to cut of or wer. if u cud advise please wud be gratefull.
Name: alan firman
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 06, 2010 - 03:35 am
Message: can i prun my plum tree and will get fruit next year