What fertilizer is good for plum trees?

Overview of Plum Tree Fertilization

The plum tree is a deciduous tree of the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family. Its bark is gray-brown and its crown is broad and round. It has strong adaptability to climate and it is suitable to choose a place with loose soil, air permeability and good drainage.

The basal fertilizer for plum trees is generally slow-release farmyard manure, such as compost, manure, crop straw, green manure, fallen leaves, etc. Top dressing is done before and after flowering, during fruit enlargement and flower bud differentiation, and in the late stage of fruit growth.

What fertilizer is good for plum trees?

The plum tree, like other fruit trees, has 16 essential nutrients for normal growth and development. It absorbs the most nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil. Its growth and development requires the most potassium, followed by nitrogen, and the least phosphorus.

When the plum tree is first planted, some base fertilizer should be applied. An appropriate amount of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be added to the base fertilizer to meet the large amount of nitrogen needed by the plant when it sprouts and blooms in early spring.

How to fertilize plum trees

There are several ways to fertilize plum trees, including radial ditch fertilization, circular ditch fertilization, vertical and horizontal ditch fertilization, hole fertilization or hole storage of fertilizer and water, foliar spraying, etc. Different fertilization methods are adopted at different times.

Spring fertilization

Plum trees are top-dressed in spring around February to early March, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer used depends on the size and vigor of the tree. Humic acid foliar fertilizer and plant growth regulators are sprayed.

Fall Fertilization

The autumn basal fertilizer application for plum trees is carried out from late September to mid-October. The weather, temperature and humidity are suitable, the applied fertilizer is easily converted and absorbed, broken roots are easy to heal, and new roots are easy to sprout.

Winter fertilization

It is appropriate to fertilize plum trees in winter around November. Organic fertilizer can be applied before the soil freezes, but the effect is not as good as applying organic fertilizer in September and October.

Points to note when fertilizing plum trees

1. When fertilizing plum trees, it is best to do it before 10 am or after 4 pm on a sunny day, and avoid fertilizing on rainy days. The concentration should be appropriate, and do not use concentrated fertilizers or raw fertilizers.

2. The plum tree is a light-loving tree species. It does not have very strict requirements on light and has relatively strong cold resistance and adaptability. After fertilizing, it needs to be exposed to soft light to facilitate the root system to absorb nutrients.