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It is very important that you up-pot your plant to a larger container as soon as possible when it arrives. Your plant's new container should have a couple of drainage holes, and should be at least a couple gallons larger than the nursery pot. Check out our up-potting video for detailed instructions on how to ensure a happy healthy new home for your plant.
All our varieties of plums are self-fertile, meaning that they don't need a partner plant to produce fruit. That being said, all fruit-bearing plants have more abundant harvests when they have a friend blooming at the same time.
Plum trees need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for good growth and fruit production. However, in areas with intense sun and heat, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch and fruit sunburn.
Plum trees can tolerate temperatures between 30°F and 95°F. If your area is experiencing prolonged temperatures above 95°F, consider moving your plum tree somewhere partially protected from the sun, and keep the pot shaded to not overheat the roots.
Plum trees should be watered deeply once a week. Water until the soil is saturated and water comes out of the drainage holes. Let the container dry until the soil is dry to the touch 1-2inches down. A plant that has wilted can be receiving either too much or too little water.
Your plant should have come with both a compressed potting soil, and a soluable fast-acting plant food. Fertilize your plant once in spring (during re-potting can be a great time) by mixing ½ tablespoon of fertilizer with ½ gallon of water, and again at the end of spring.
"June drop" is a common phenomenon in plum trees where the tree naturally sheds some of its fruit in early summer, usually in June, before it is ripe. This is a natural way for the tree to regulate the number of fruit it can support and ensure proper growth and development of the remaining fruit. Don't worry if your fruit start dropping! This is a natural and healthy process for the tree.
When your tree starts producing a decent amount of fruit, it can be beneficial to prune some of the fruit before it ripens to ensure a healthy harvest. The rule of thumb is to keep a fist-sized space between fruits, and prune any crowding fruits. It can be heartbreaking - we know! But if your tree is over-producing fruit, the result will be quantity over quality. You don't want to end up with a ton of fruit that isn't good to eat.
In the winter, plum trees go into dormancy. They can stay outside, unprotected from the cold down to 32°F.
Below freezing temperatures, your plant should be protected from the cold. Group all your plants together and cover them with bags of leaves or old burlap sacks. If your winters are extensively long and cold, consider bringing your apple tree into an unheated garage for it's first winter.
Plums ripen on the tree, but if they are harvested when they are mature but not fully ripe, they will continue to ripen off the tree. After harvesting, keep them in a cool dry place to prolong their shelf life.
Your fruit isn't just delicious for you, lots of other critters would be happy to get their hands on your hard work. Pests and diseases vary greatly depending on region, so we suggest you take advantage of your local resources. If you can't determine what is ailing your plant by googling the symptoms, give a call to your local county agricultural extension office.
