Growing Plum Trees
Plums can produce excellent fruit in Alabama, but they need the right pollination setup and protection from common stone-fruit pests.
Choose the Right Type
Plums grown in the South often include Japanese-type and hybrid plums.
Cultivars vary widely in:
- Chill requirement
- Bloom time
- Disease resistance
- Pollination compatibility
Pollination
Many plums require cross-pollination.
Plant two compatible cultivars with overlapping bloom periods unless your chosen variety is specifically listed as self-fruitful.
Site
Plant in:
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil
- Good airflow
Avoid low areas where late frost collects.
Pruning
Plums are often trained to an open-center or modified leader form, depending on type.
Remove:
- Dead wood
- Crossing branches
- Excess upright growth
- Crowded interior shoots
Thin the Fruit
Plums can set extremely heavy crops.
Thin fruit while small to:
- Improve size
- Prevent broken limbs
- Improve ripening
Watering
Provide steady moisture during fruit development.
Avoid saturated soil.
Common Problems
Watch for:
- Brown rot
- Plum curculio
- Black knot
- Bacterial diseases
- Scale insects
- Borers
Sanitation and pruning improve disease management.
Harvest
Harvest when fruit:
- Develops full color
- Softens slightly
- Detaches easily
- Tastes mature
Some varieties are best eaten immediately, while others store briefly.
GardenGrowz Tip
When buying plums, ask the nursery specifically which varieties pollinate each other.