Plum – watering plum trees

• Plum Origin
• Plum care and location
• Cutting plums
• Watering plums
• Fertilizing plums

Plum Origin

The plum (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica) is a subspecies of the plum and thus belongs to the rose family. It originally comes from southeastern Europe and has been cultivated in many parts of Europe and Asia for centuries.

In mythology, plums are often considered a symbol of fertility and growth, as they ripen in late summer and are full of life and energy during this time. In some cultures, plums are also considered a sacred symbol and are used in rituals and ceremonies.

The flowers of plum bushes appear in spring together with the leaves and are usually single and in the colors pink and white. They have very short stalks and a diameter of 2,5 to 3,5 cm. The flowers are hermaphroditic and have five petals and a double perianth.
The leaves are mostly elliptical to obovate and about 4 to 10 cm long. The upper surface is dark green and the underside is light green. The dark blue drupes ripen in August to September and are 4 to 8 cm long. They have a delicate, velvety skin and are known for their sweet flavor.

Plum care and location

Plums prefer sunny and airy locations where they receive sufficient light and air circulation. The location should be frost-protected, as they are susceptible to late frosts, which could result in the entire harvest being lost. The soil should be heavy, deep, and loamy with a high lime content. Adding mature compost to the hole is helpful during planting and promotes plant growth. Plums are heart-rooted, with roots about as wide as the crown and up to one meter deep. They require well-drained soil and regular watering and fertilization.

Cutting plums

An important part of caring for plums is pruning. The best time for pruning is in late summer after the harvest. The late pruning slows down the strong natural growth and promotes rapid wound healing. The crown is thinned out by removing old and poorly positioned side branches. Regular pruning ensures a bountiful harvest. It is important that pruning is carried out carefully to avoid damage to the plant.

Watering plums

Another important plum care measure is watering. Plums require regular water, especially during the growth and fruiting phase. It is important that the soil is kept evenly moist to encourage the plant's growth and ensure a bountiful harvest. However, it is also important that the soil is well drained to avoid waterlogging.

Climate change is leading to higher temperatures and more frequent droughts, which are having an impact on the environment and especially on trees. They suffer from the extreme conditions and may need to be watered more frequently than before. However, traditional watering can cause a lot of water to seep away or evaporate before it can be absorbed by the roots.
A more efficient way to water plums is to water with tree bath tree bagsThe bags have two small holes in the bottom that release water evenly into the soil over several hours as drip irrigation. This ensures consistent moisture levels and better absorption by the surrounding soil and roots. The soil beneath the watering bag remains moist and protected from the sun during watering, allowing the tree to replenish its water reserves. Attaching and filling the watering bag is simple and straightforward: The bag is wrapped around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped up. Then it is filled with water until no wrinkles are visible at the bottom. The water requirements of plum trees depend on various factors, such as the age of the tree, its size, soil conditions, and climate. A full watering bag provides young trees with sufficient water. For older and larger trees, it is possible to connect several watering bags using the zips.

Fertilizing plums

Plums are fertilized once a year in spring with manure or mature compost, especially when they are young. Older trees are fertilized every two years with Fertilizer provided.