PLANTING A PLUM PIT
#1
07-16-00, 04:08 PM
I WOULD LIKE TO GROW A PLUM TREE FROM A PIT. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT IT?? SHOULD I START IT IN A LARGE POT OR DIRECTLY IN THE GROUND?? WHAT IS THE BEST PREPERATION OF THE SOIL, OR WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN THE POT TO START IT??
#2
07-19-00, 07:39 PM
My reference library yielded nothing on starting from seed only on grafting which assumes presence of vegetative growth. Two sources which may be able to help are your local county extension agent (locate in phone book in government section under county) or RODALE PRESS, Emmaus, PA. Also, if your state has a land grant college their agriculture department may be able to help.
There are so many different requirements depending on what you are trying to start i.e. stratification, scarification, chilling, etc. that you could just take a wild fling at it and plant one seed in a pot, one in the soil outside and see what happens. Some plants take a year or more to germinate so don't be surprised if nothing seems to be happening or if nothing happens. In addition, when grown from seed the fruit, if you get any, may be useless. It would be fun to try though. Good luck - retired commercial grower.
There are so many different requirements depending on what you are trying to start i.e. stratification, scarification, chilling, etc. that you could just take a wild fling at it and plant one seed in a pot, one in the soil outside and see what happens. Some plants take a year or more to germinate so don't be surprised if nothing seems to be happening or if nothing happens. In addition, when grown from seed the fruit, if you get any, may be useless. It would be fun to try though. Good luck - retired commercial grower.
#4
06-08-08, 09:44 PM
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Planting A Plum Pit
hmmm, you can also grow a plum tree from a plum stone. Plums are nice, hardy fruit trees, especially best for more northern climates. However, you must be VERY patient; it can take five to seven years for your little guy to bear any fruit!Plant your guy in well-drained, fertile soil, and feed him with a wee bit of ammonium nitrate (not too much!) Make sure he gets lots of sun.
Last edited by Shadeladie; 06-09-08 at 09:29 AM. Reason: Removed link and non beneficial info
#5
06-08-08, 09:56 PM
Member
Welcome to the forums, Hank! If you notice the date on the original post, it was 2000. If they tried to start a plum tree from seed, it would have grown into something by 2008 according to your post.
Planting pits is supposed to provide good results. You plant pits about 4" deep in the fall. Freeze/thaw will crack the pits and seeds should germinate. When about a year old you can transplant where you want them in the orchard or landscape. The problem is squirrels. They are a terror on flower bulbs and fruit pits. You can cover soil with hardware cloth or chicken wire until plant emerges and continue to bend up the wire until it achieves enough height that it will not fall victim to squirrels or other plant predators.
And, yes, it can take some fruit trees several years before they are mature enough to produce fruit. Thank you for sharing and reminding us about plum trees.
If you grow plum trees, perhaps you can share some of your experiences. I am especially interested in how you preserve the fruit. Do your dry them for prunes?
Planting pits is supposed to provide good results. You plant pits about 4" deep in the fall. Freeze/thaw will crack the pits and seeds should germinate. When about a year old you can transplant where you want them in the orchard or landscape. The problem is squirrels. They are a terror on flower bulbs and fruit pits. You can cover soil with hardware cloth or chicken wire until plant emerges and continue to bend up the wire until it achieves enough height that it will not fall victim to squirrels or other plant predators.
And, yes, it can take some fruit trees several years before they are mature enough to produce fruit. Thank you for sharing and reminding us about plum trees.
If you grow plum trees, perhaps you can share some of your experiences. I am especially interested in how you preserve the fruit. Do your dry them for prunes?
