how long does it take to grow a plum tree

How long does it take to grow a plum tree? Look at the leaves and compare them with images of plum tree leaves on the internet. How long do plum trees live? Take care not to crack too hard. Over the first weeks, water regularly as long as it doesn’t freeze. When learning how to grow a plum tree, you should know that plums can belong to one of three groups: European, Japanese or Damson. Would make a good project to do with your children so they can learn about growing their own fruit, etc. "I was wondering how to plant from a seed so this has explained it very precisely, and is easy to understand. ", "Spot on, all I needed to know. Thank you. ", "I find all "wikiHow to..." guides very practical and have had great success with many, including this, "This gave me the correct step by step instructions to germinate the seed and have it grow! It’s better to water during the day, since nights tend to be much cooler. Unwanted laterals must be removed during mid-summer. Thank you!! Check the pit … A tree that is well branched can support more fruits, hence the major pruning must be done during the dormant season, during the first two to three years. Many of the European varieties are self-fruiting, which means that you only need to plant one tree in order to get fruit. Plum Tree (Prunus) Learn How to grow Plum Tree in containers, Growing Plums, pests and diseases, and more about this Prunus tree. If your tree is young and not producing fruit, it may need more time. Approved. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Japanese plum trees grow vigorously and require high pruning and fruit thinning. Not nearly as successfully. Not all varieties of plums turn quite the same color at ripeness, so that’s not always a good way to judge. Give your tree at least 15 feet (4.6 m) of space all around to grow. The tree might survive for a year, maybe two, then die. This article received 17 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Stakes or training wires may be needed depending on the type of tree form you decide to grow. A smashed seed can’t be planted. Fortunately, plums are among the easiest stone fruit trees to propagate from cuttings and produce identical trees. Can plum seeds be planted in tropical countries where there isn't really a winter? Purchase ripe plums from a market stall. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. ", "Since I wanted to plant a tree, this article gave me the info I needed. First video in a new series about growing plum trees - or at least my attempt at it! Apply 1 pound (0.5 kg.) Growing plums doesn’t require as much work as, say, apples or cherries.There are also many different types of plums that take to a wide variety of climates, so there’s likely one that will thrive in … For trees to reach full growth, it depends on the climate and the water available. They are self fertile, winter hardy and the luscious fruit can be eaten fresh, dried or canned. of organic fertilizer or well-aged manure in March of the first and second year, in addition to one cup (240 ml.) Care of plum trees is not difficult as long as you are consistent. When can I plant plum seeds outside in pots? of organic fertilizer or well-aged manure in March of the first and second year, in addition to one cup (240 ml.) ", "I loved the floating/sinking test. Which group is best for you depends on your growing region and personal preference. Growing plum trees is really not all that difficult as long as you give them what they need! How to Grow Plum Trees Growing Plum Trees: Plant seeds or seedlings in well drained soil. Plums require full sun and well-drained, sandy soil in order to thrive. Plums are super healthy to eat by themselves, but they also make great jams, jellies, and desserts! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. and as self-fertile varieties that will crop well without the need to consider pollination issues. As if the beautiful spring blossom of the plum were not enough to make it a lovely small tree choice for the home garden, it also deliver splump juicy fruit for eating, stewing, bottling, drying and cooking. Plums are excellent fresh but also make a wonderful jam or jelly. Some varieties of plums don’t need to be planted in groups of two or more, because they don’t require cross-pollination. Nursery trees are often already two to three years old when you buy them, reducing the length of time you have to wait for fruit. How can I tell if something is a plum tree? She found the. Seeds can be harvested from most market varieties, and then undergo a process called “stratification.” Once germinated the seed can be planted outdoors or in a container. Plums grow and hybridize easily, making this group of fruit trees extremely diverse and well-adapted to a variety of soils and climatic conditions. Save several plum seeds from the fruit after you've eaten them, because not all of the seeds are viable. Avoid spots where frost might settle and spots that experience high winds. What time of year should I plant plum trees if I live in central Mississippi? Plum trees can survive and bear fruit for as long as 30 years. Provide plenty of water for new trees and during times of dry weather. Growing plum trees is not only rewarding but also extremely tasty. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. ", "I didn't know to put it in the fridge and for how long. Jujube produces a 30- to 50-foot-tall tree with wide, leathery leaves on spiny branches. Still have … After this time, you can add 2/3 cup (160 ml.) of calcium nitrate in May of the first and second year. Linda Ross considers the options. Three main types of plum trees are grown in home gardens: the American plum, European plum and Japanese plum, which is the type most commonly grown for its fruits. Last Updated: April 22, 2020 They must be pruned lightly during the growing season so that the tree acquires the desired shape. Make sure your planting site gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. In this episode we learn how to grow beach plums and how to breed beach plum seedling plants that will thrive in your unique conditions. It is possible to grow a plum tree from the seed of a plum you just ate. Relevance. Plum fruit Tree is adapted to a great extent, it is very compact and its care is quite easy compared to other fruits. Of course, depending on the variety of plum tree you plant, it may take a longer time for your tree to begin producing fruit. Italian prune plum trees (Prunus domestica) are an excellent choice of plum varietal to grow. Planting Damson Plum Trees: Choose a spot where your tree will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. of calcium nitrate in May of the first and second year. Plum trees need full sun to produce sweet fruit, so pick a planting site that gets at least six hours a day. Regular pruning just above healthy buds, as well as the removal of dead wood, will encourage a bowl shape which will make fruit retrieval easy. 2 Answers. ", Thank you very much for the information! It is always a good idea to have your soil tested before planting any fruit tree to be sure that they pH is appropriate. ", "My mom and I really want to grow plums and we had no idea how, but now we do. Do a Google image search and you should find plenty of results. If it sinks, it should grow. How to Take Care of Plum Trees. This article has been viewed 155,099 times. Italian prunes can be kept as dwarf trees around 10-12 feet through careful pruning, a very manageable size. Most plum trees sold in plant nurseries are hybrid cultivars, and the seeds don't produce trees that are identical to their parents. If you are looking for a nice selection of trees to start growing, for your patio, or for a smaller garden then you will be pleased to know that you can get a nice ready made selection of 1 apple, 1 pear and 1 plum tree, separately labelled. Apply 1 pound (0.5 kg.) Answer Save. How long should the seeds be in the fridge for the germination process? [1] X Research source ", "Very helpful. Do your research about the type of plum you want to plant in order to find out if you need to plant a few trees at a time. Once established, the damson plum tree requires very little care. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Keep reading for more information on how to grow a plum tree in your garden. unlocking this staff-researched answer. It is planted most often for its deep reddish-purple leaves and white to pale pink flowers, which are among the first to appear in spring.Although it is short-lived compared to other trees, it grows fast and is great for use as a specimen, street, or shade tree. As long as it is big enough to survive the winter, you'll be fine. They prefer a soil with a pH that ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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The tree has very small white to green flowers that become drupes, or fruits. 12 years. I'm sure we will have success! Plums are my favorite fruits to eat, so it’s lucky that they’re one of the easier fruit trees to grow. Choosing a Plum Tree. You should also work the appropriate amendments into your soil before planting. You can plant them and they might grow, but plums and other stone fruits require the cold to activate the enzymes needed for the seed to sprout. 1 decade ago. Most plum trees will reach 16 feet (5 m.) at maturity or 14 feet (4 m.) if they are a dwarf variety. Place the bag in the refrigerator and maintain the pit's temperature at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) for six to eight weeks. Once it’s time to plant your plum tree: Choose and prepare the spot. Plum trees are one of the least winter hardy plants and should not be grown in zones where temperatures may be -15 F. (-26 C.). By using our site, you agree to our. Wish me luck! The cold unit requirement varies between the cultivars but generally, plums don't have too high a cold requirement. How to grow Plums Plums The late summer bounty. Support wikiHow by Can these be planted straight out of the pits? ", will plant anyway as a seed has sprouted beautiful leaves and is looking kind of like a "vine". The divinely flavoured Victoria Plum is quite likely the most famous fruit tree ever raised, certainly for garden growing. Please answer! wikiHow's. Such cold temperatures kill flower buds and are a reason plum tree fails to bear fruit. 0 0 ☼♥♥♥HAwT CHiCa BaBe♥♥☼[вαиgѕ☮] Lv 4. Their overall size may also need to be considered. Trees bear fruit in four to six years after they are planted. However, unless you are eating the fruit from a wild plum or other true plum, the chances of the tree producing the same kind of fruit are slim. Plant the seed directly into the ground and water deeply. Learn more... A plum is a type of stone fruit that carries its seed inside a pit in the core of the fruit. Position. Plums will usually start to produce fruit when they are 3 to 5 years old. An American wild plum tree doesn't exactly look like a tree, but it doesn't exactly look like a shrub, so I'm guessing that pruning has a great deal to do with your tree's appearance. Buy plums that were grown locally or in a similar climate, so that you ensure it will grow in your hardiness zone. Photo - photolibrary,com. Care of plum trees is not difficult as long as you are consistent. Favorite Answer. Yesterday I planted a plum seed and I wanted to know . Most, but not all, plums are self-unfruitful, and trees require cross-pollination to set fruit, so you need to plant two or more compatible varieties. Plum trees prefer locations with a rather high exposure to sunlight to give good plums. When planting plums as a container-grown or burlapped tree that’s no longer dormant, plant them in spring or early summer before hot weather. Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? I didn't know about it. This is because most plums come from grafted trees. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! ", "Awesome details and explanations of why you do certain things. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 155,099 times. 1 decade ago. Yes, it will need to go there soon anyway. Leave it half-covered in water until roots have emerged, then proceed to plant it, leaving it close to the surface. As a result, a tree planted from a seed or pit of a hybrid such as pipestone or superior may produce a tree that will not grow similar fruit. Very easy to interpret the, "Trying to plant a plum tree here in South Florida. How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit? Heavy bearing trees may not produce fruit the next year. Even though the article suggests a tree needing dormancy, I, "I know a lady who is not computer-friendly, yet wanted to know about rooting fruit trees from seeds. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants, step-by-step process. A tree in cooler regions may take several hundred years to reach full maturity. "It was written so even a child could learn how to plant a plum tree from the pit. The loquat also goes by the moniker of the “Japanese Plum Tree.” This evergreen variety grows to heights of 30-feet, making it a tall tree for the yard that takes up a significant amount of floor space in the yard. it would have to be fully grown about 13/12 to 15 years. Although it is possible to grow fruits such as plums from the pit, many fruits on the market today grow from hybrid trees that were created to improve the cold tolerance and disease resistance of a tree. In tropical climates with warm weather and a plentiful supply of water, a tree can become fully grown in 30 years. Thinking about growing prune trees, hmm? Germination of plum seeds usually begins in approximately three to four weeks, depending on growing conditions. First video in a new series about growing plum trees - or at least my second attempt at it! ", "The steps are very clearly described, and the illustrations were helpful to understand the how-to as well. Plums are a delectable addition to any home garden. 0 0. It’s important to choose a type of plum that will work with your location. You can transplant each of the plum tree seedlings into their permanent location when they have grown to about 10 to 12 inches tall. A plum tree will produce fruit 3 to 6 years after planting, and dwarf varieties will produce fruit 2 to 5 years after planting. There are three major categories of plum trees: European, Japanese, and American hybrids. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Can I plant plum seeds in hot areas of southern Africa? The tree performs best in deep, loamy, well drained soil. Plums are a type of stone fruit, which also includes peaches, nectarines, apricots, and cherries. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Some homeowners even put little Christmas lights on their plum trees to keep them warm in early spring. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Plant-a-Plum-Seed-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-a-Plum-Seed-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Plant-a-Plum-Seed-Step-1.jpg\/aid5347033-v4-728px-Plant-a-Plum-Seed-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"