Propagating plum trees allows you to expand your garden, save money, and preserve specific fruit varieties. This process involves growing new plants from parts of an existing tree, such as seeds, cuttings, or root offshoots.
Propagating Plum Trees from Cuttings
Propagating plum trees from cuttings creates an exact genetic replica of the parent plant. Softwood cuttings come from new, flexible growth in late spring or early summer. Hardwood cuttings are collected from mature, dormant wood in late fall or winter.
For softwood cuttings, select a healthy 6-8 inch shoot with several leaves. Remove lower leaves, leaving a few at the top, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Hardwood cuttings should be 8-12 inches from the previous season’s growth, with at least two to three nodes. Make a slanted cut below a node at the bottom and a straight cut above a node at the top.
Insert prepared cuttings into a well-draining rooting medium, such as perlite and peat moss. Maintain high humidity for softwood cuttings, perhaps with a humidity dome. Consistent moisture, warmth, and indirect light aid root development for both types.
Propagating Plum Trees from Seeds
Starting plum trees from seeds is economical, but introduces genetic variability; the resulting tree may not produce fruit identical to the parent. Collect seeds from ripe plums and clean them thoroughly to remove pulp, which inhibits germination. Plum seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy, mimicking natural winter conditions. Place cleaned seeds in a moist medium, like peat moss or a damp paper towel, in a sealed bag in a refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) for 8 to 12 weeks.
Once stratified, or when small roots emerge, plant seeds 1-2 inches deep in a well-draining potting mix. Maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding overwatering. Germination can take several weeks to months. Seed-grown trees may take three to seven years to bear fruit. This method is often used for experimental purposes or to create rootstock for grafting, rather than replicating a specific fruit variety.
Propagating Plum Trees from Suckers
Plum trees produce suckers, which are shoots emerging from the root system or base of the main trunk, often below the graft union. These are vigorous, vertical growths that may differ from the tree’s main branches. If the parent tree is on its own rootstock, suckers will grow true to type. However, if grafted, suckers from the rootstock will produce fruit characteristic of the rootstock, not the desired scion variety.
To propagate, carefully dig around a healthy sucker during dormant season or early spring. Sever it from the parent plant’s root system, ensuring some of its own roots are attached. Make a clean cut close to the origin, avoiding stubs that can lead to more suckers. Replant the separated sucker promptly into a prepared site with well-draining soil, providing immediate water for establishment.
Advanced Propagation: Grafting and Budding
Grafting and budding are advanced techniques that join a desired plum variety (scion or bud) onto a compatible rootstock. This method ensures the new tree produces fruit identical to the parent, bypassing genetic variability. Grafting also allows growers to control tree size, enhance disease resistance, or adapt to specific soil conditions by selecting an appropriate rootstock.
Common grafting methods include whip-and-tongue grafting, performed in late winter or early spring when scion and rootstock are dormant. Budding, such as chip or T-budding, involves attaching a single bud to the rootstock, typically in late summer when the bark separates easily. These techniques require precision and practice for successful union and growth.
Caring for Newly Propagated Plum Trees
Once plum trees are established, proper care is important for their continued growth. Consistent watering is key; keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root issues. Young trees generally need deep watering weekly, especially during dry periods. Gradually introduce new plants to brighter light, providing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for healthy development and future fruit production.
Fertilization should be approached cautiously for young plum trees. Initially, newly planted trees may not require fertilizer until new growth begins or after their first crop. When needed, apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 NPK ratio, in early spring. Conduct a soil test to determine specific nutrient deficiencies before applying any fertilizer. Acclimate young trees to outdoor conditions through hardening off, gradually exposing them to increasing sunlight, wind, and temperature fluctuations before transplanting.