Plums require well-drained soils. Avoid low-lying areas. A good site is a sloping area with good air drainage on a northern or northeastern slope to help delay bloom. Plant in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Dig a hole that is big enough to accomodate the roots. Cut long, and dead roots before planting. If unbranched tree is planted, cut it back to 30 inches above the ground. European and hybrid plums are trained on central leader system. The major pruning operation need to be done in early spring before buds swell.
Fertilizer application is based on the age of the tree, and generally 1/2 pound of complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 for each year of tree's age use up to a maximum of 6 pounds per tree, and spread on a circle one ft from the trunk extending to the dripline. During the first five years, mulch needs to be put on a circle around the trunk to control weeds. The trunks need to be protected from mice and rabbit damage, and also need to painted with white latex paint to protect them from fluctuating winter temperatures. Plums are grown on rootstocks that vary from native prunus species to other commercial rootstocks such as St. Julien. In nothern climates, select varieties budded on cold hardy rootstocks.
European Plums: Damson, Dietz, Green Gage, Italian, Lombard, Mount Royal, Stanley, Golden Drop, Long John, Kuban, Comet, Yellow Egg, Grand Duke, Diamond, Tragedy, President ,French Sugar, German Robe, Reine Claude, Jefferson, Washington
Japanese Plums: Beauty, Cocheco, Early Golden, Hollywood, Methley, Obinaja, Shiro, Santa Rosa
Hybrids & other american types: Alderman, Chinook, Ember, Fiebig ,Gracious, Hanska, Kaga, Lacrescent Monitor, Redcoat, Redglow, South dakota, Superior, Underwood, Waneta
Animal Damage
Bacterial Disease
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Insect Damage
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
Insects and insect relatives:Diseases:
