When is the best time to plant plums?

Best time to plant plums

Plums can be planted from autumn to March next spring before germination, but it is best to plant them in autumn, as they germinate early and grow fast. Plum seeds are best sown in November (before the soil freezes), with a sowing depth of about 10-12 cm. Water thoroughly after sowing, water every 30 days in winter, and every 7-10 days in March. Seedlings emerge in early to mid-April.

Plum trees usually have a long growth cycle, generally requiring a growing period of 3 to 5 years. If they do not bloom after this period, they may not bloom again.

How to plant plums

The best planting density for plums is 2×1 meter. Soak the whole fruit pit in warm water for two to three days to germinate. Plant the fruit pit with developed embryos in sandy soil, keep the soil moist and get enough sunlight to accelerate its growth.

Plum planting management precautions

1. Variety selection: The variety should be determined according to local climatic factors. Generally, the varieties with long growth period and large fruits include Black Amber, Royal Gem, American Late Ripening Plum, President Plum, etc.

2. Planting site: Generally, loose and fertile soil is selected for planting. When planting, the row spacing of each seedling should be about 3.5 meters * 4.5 meters. 32-57 trees can be planted per mu.

3. Shaping and pruning: Plum trees can generally be shaped in natural round-headed tree shapes and slender spindle tree shapes. When choosing a natural round-headed tree shape, more branch pulling methods should be used during the shaping process. The slender spindle tree shape is more suitable for varieties with high germination rates, low branching rates, and fewer branches. During the shaping process, you can use the short-cut method to make it grow branches, and then use the long-release branch pulling method to open the angle.

4. Disease prevention and control: The main disease of plum trees is bacterial perforation, and there are generally two common prevention and control methods. The first is to increase the application of organic fertilizers, improve the soil, and enhance its antiviral properties; the second is to spray agricultural streptomycin in time.