Plum Care Guide

Plum Care Guide

Introduction to Plums

Plum trees are not only beautiful, but they can also be a rewarding addition to any yard. Whether you're planting Japanese, European, or native Chickasaw plums, these small trees typically take up a 10–15-foot circle of space. They can add both ornamental value with their early blooms and delicious fruit for fresh eating, jams, and preserves.

Japanese Plums: These plums tend to bloom and fruit earlier than other types. The fruits have a soft, juicy texture, delightful sweetness and can come in a variety of colors, from purple and black to red and yellow.

European Plums: Known for their firmer flesh and slightly drier texture, European plums are typically sweeter. These are the plums used for prunes, jellies, and jams, and are also great for fresh eating. 

Native American Plums: These plums are typically smaller and can be found growing wild in rural areas. They range in color from blue to red or orange and can vary in flavor from sweet to tart. 

In addition to fruit, plum trees are known for their ornamental value, especially during the bloom period. Early-blooming varieties, such as Bruce and Methley, create a striking visual display with their vibrant flowers. The Hollywood and All Red plums have beautiful, deep purplish-red foliage. 

Choosing a Variety

Before planting a plum tree, it’s important to choose the right variety for your area. While many plums are bred for commercial use, they might not be the best fit for your local climate.

Recommended Varieties : based on their display of adaptability and disease resistance in a range of climates and growing zones. 

• Japanese Plums: All Red, Methley, Bruce (japanese x american)
• European Plums: Stanley, Damson, Hollywood (european x japanese) 
• Native Plums: Chickasaw, Geraldine 

When selecting a variety, look for brown rot resistance, which is a common issue in many Japanese and European plums. We select our varieties to sell by looking for those with the highest levels of resistance, with Bruce and Stanley exhibiting the strongest resistance. 

Insects and Diseases

Plum Curculio: The biggest pest threat to plum trees is the plum curculio, a small, weevil-like insect that lays its eggs in the fruit. The larvae hatch and cause the fruit to drop prematurely. To combat this, you can apply a deterrent spray made from Surround, a clay-based product, at petal fall. This works by creating a coating on the fruit that prevents the curculio from laying eggs. Continue spraying for about four weeks until the insect's egg-laying cycle is over.

Brown Rot: This fungal disease is a common issue in plums, appearing as a powdery brown covering on fruit, especially in humid, rainy conditions. Brown Rot spreads easily from fruit to fruit and can destroy an entire crop. Consult your local extension services for recommendations for sprays if you’d like to use them to try and manage it. We have not had success here with organic brown rot sprays. Risk level of brown rot appearing is weather dependent, it will typically be worse with heavy rain and humidity, but drier fruiting seasons should yield better results. One need not be discouraged from growing plums, but it’s good to be aware of the common issues you may face. 

Other Considerations:

• Late Frost: Plums are especially vulnerable to late frost, particularly the early-blooming Japanese varieties. If you live in a frost pocket, such as a valley near a river, this could be a concern. In areas prone to late frost, choosing a later-blooming variety or planting higher up on a slope may improve your chances for fruiting.

Planting and Care

The right location is crucial to the success of your plum tree. Here’s what to consider when choosing the planting site:

Site Selection and Preparation

1. Sunlight: Plums need full sun to thrive. Choose a spot where the tree will get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
2. Air Circulation: Ensure good air circulation around the tree to prevent disease and encourage healthy growth.
3. Soil Preparation: While plums are adaptable to a range of soil types, it’s important to prepare the planting area well.
• Remove any grass or weeds within a 4–6-foot radius around the planting hole.
• Aerate the soil with a digging spade. 
• Adding a small amount of lime, rock phosphate, or greensand can help improve soil fertility, but it's not necessary if your soil is already rich.
4. Watering: Keep watering simple. Plums don't require constant attention once established, but ensure they have adequate water, especially during dry spells. A slow, deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering.
5. Spacing: Plant your plum tree close enough to the house so that watering is easy, but far enough to allow for healthy growth. For most plums, 12 to 15 feet away from structures and other trees is ideal.
6. Pruning: Early in the tree's life, minimal pruning is required. Plum trees naturally develop a pleasing shape, so you can leave them mostly to grow on their own. When pruning later, focus on clearing out the center of the tree to ensure good air circulation and to make picking easier. Keep lower branches accessible for easy harvesting from the ground. 
• Varieties differ in growth habit. For example, Methley benefits greatly from the pruning method above. Bruce and Stanley will be smaller at maturity and require much less pruning. 

Care and Maintenance

• Fertilizing: Plums don’t require heavy feeding, but you can apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth, or a slow release organic fertilizer in the fall. 
• Pest and Disease Management: Monitor your tree regularly for pests like aphids, scale insects, and the plum curculio. Using organic pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, can help manage small infestations.
• Pruning: In the first few years, prune the tree to encourage a strong structure. After that, prune lightly to remove dead or diseased wood and maintain good air circulation.
• Harvesting: Plums are best harvested when they are fully ripe and have reached peak sweetness. Japanese plums, in particular, should be picked when soft, while European varieties are best when they are firm.

Conclusion

Growing plums is a rewarding experience, whether for the beautiful flowers or the sweet, juicy fruit. By choosing the right variety, planning your site carefully, and managing pests and diseases, you can enjoy years of bountiful harvests. With minimal effort in the first few years, your plum tree will become a beloved part of your garden, providing both beauty and a delicious crop of fruit. Happy planting!