Plum Time

[Watto]

It should be a new rule that everyone has at least one plum in their collection.
That's a topic for another time, but here the plums are ripening and I thought a couple of photos were in order before the birds and the possums got them.
The first one is a green plum usually used for jam, triple trunk that is a reasonable size now. It flowers and fruits well every year, however this year it has a bit of leaf burn (a bit of poor maintenance I think).
The second one is supposed to be a red leaf plum (I've always wanted a red leaf plum) however it appears that the red leaves are only on the outer parts of the growth and when you trim it is mostly green. The fruit however is a very interesting colour, it has a metallic look to it.

[Watto]

Oops, forgot the second one, but here it is now.

[KIRKY]

Hey Watto,
Couldn't agree more, plums are great! I like your trees. Do you cover them to stop the pests getting to the fruit?
I had plums on mine up until three weeks ago then in one night a dozen trees and a few Crab Apples were all cleaned up.
One night! I figure they must have had a party and invited the whole neighborhood. One night! i think I'm going to group them and try some sort of cages next year.
Really nice trees
Cheers

[KIRKY]

Forgot to ask when you say red leaf are you referring to the Nigra? I have a few, only one shows the greenish leaf. The greenish one did start off with the red leaves. Where as the others stay true red all season. I think its just the stock it was taken from. I also find the new growth on the true red, the soft wood growth, is the colour of a Spanish/red Onion but not on the greenish one. These are/were commonly used as street trees. Perhaps you could find one in your area and late in the season with a true red leaf and take a cutting from it, to get your red plum. They strike well with cuttings.
Cheers

[Watto]

Hi Kirky
This photo shows the red leaf growth on the extended branches, but green on the inner. I have dug all my plums from the scrub except one and if I spot a red leaf type I mark it and dig in winter. Maybe part defoliation could work?

[KIRKY]

The new growth on mine is dark still to your photo. Leaves are almost a red/purple black. I do have the lighter red like yours. Also I find the greenish one readily produce fruit. The true red is reluctant and will only produce one or two plums begrudgingly and even the plums are blacker red in colour.
One question I did think of, is yours a single flower or a double?
Cheers

[Raymond]

Question time... Can you air layer plums? I have a work mate wanting to remove a large plum, but have asked him to wait so i can maybe get some layers.

[KIRKY]

You sure can. Air layering in Spring. Before bud burst.
http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com. ... ering.html
Cheers

[regwac]

If 'they' make owning a plum compulsory my contrary nature will compel me to get rid of mine !
Do you defoliate often Greg ? I can't seem to get rid of the coarse leaves on the tree pictured in the tray .

[boom64]

Hi Watto ,Your Plums are looking fantastic as usual ,great to see a few plums. Unfortunately no plums on my Goulburn Plums this year. Working on ramification ,well that's what I tell myself .Cheers John.

[Pearcy001]

I really love your triple trunk Watto! It looks so great with the fruit at that size.

Do you get much branch dieback? I have really been wanting a plum of late, but am turned off by the thought of losing major branches for no reason due to dieback.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[Watto]

I don't defoliate my plums, and that is probably because there is something happening with them all the time (flowers in the spring, fruit in summer, leaf colour in autumn and naked in winter). I do part defoliation on the triple trunk when the leaves are just too big, or there are in the wrong places but I can't say it has an impact on leaf size. However ramification does have an impact but I have found plums a little tricky to get tight ramification.
All fruit trees have a small amount of die-back usually caused by only fruit spurs on short branches but this is a small price to pay for fruit on bonsai. I have experienced no major branches with die-back.
John - on the tree I dug when you were here there has been no flowers (and of course no fruit) but I wait patently.

[Pearcy001]

I don't defoliate my plums, and that is probably because there is something happening with them all the time (flowers in the spring, fruit in summer, leaf colour in autumn and naked in winter). I do part defoliation on the triple trunk when the leaves are just too big, or there are in the wrong places but I can't say it has an impact on leaf size. However ramification does have an impact but I have found plums a little tricky to get tight ramification.
All fruit trees have a small amount of die-back usually caused by only fruit spurs on short branches but this is a small price to pay for fruit on bonsai. I have experienced no major branches with die-back.
John - on the tree I dug when you were here there has been no flowers (and of course no fruit) but I wait patently.

Thanks for the info Watto. Think I'll head out and pick myself up a plum!

[regwac]

There are a couple of huge lumps here in the orchard . Someone can come and dig them out if they like ! Graham

[Duckbed]

It should be a new rule that everyone has at least one plum in their collection.

I'd happily add one to my collection if anyone has a spare