Q&A for How to Plant a Plum Seed

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  • Question
    Can these be planted straight out of the pits?
    Community Answer
    Not nearly as successfully. Leave it half-covered in water until roots have emerged, then proceed to plant it, leaving it close to the surface.
  • Question
    My plum tree is in a pot and 1 foot high. Should I now plant it in the garden?.
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will need to go there soon anyway. As long as it is big enough to survive the winter, you'll be fine.
  • Question
    Can plum seeds be planted in tropical countries where there isn't really a winter?
    Community Answer
    You can plant them and they might grow, but plums and other stone fruits require the cold to activate the enzymes needed for the seed to sprout. The trees also require a period of cold dormancy in order to set fruit. The tree might survive for a year, maybe two, then die.
  • Question
    Can I plant plum seeds in hot areas of southern Africa?
    Community Answer
    Most stone fruits are very tolerant of hot and dry conditions, the determining factor will be the amount of cold the tree needs in winter to put the tree in and out of dormancy for normal flowering. The cold unit requirement varies between the cultivars but generally, plums don't have too high a cold requirement.
  • Question
    Will plum trees outgrow their pots?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How can I tell if something is a plum tree?
    Community Answer
    Look at the leaves and compare them with images of plum tree leaves on the internet. Do a Google image search and you should find plenty of results.
  • Question
    What kind of soil does a plum tree need?
    Community Answer
    Rich and fertile soil that is well-drained would work best to grow the plum tree.
  • Question
    I didn't freeze the stone. I now have a long vine that has little yellow flowers and leaves like a mini cucumber. Any idea what it will turn out to be?
    Community Answer
    Plums don't make vines -- they are trees. Their flowers are usually white. You must have confused the plum with something else.
  • Question
    How long do I leave the jar with pits and soil in the refrigerator for?
    Community Answer
    Remove the seed from the jar or bag once healthy, white roots form. Take care not to break these roots when transplanting to soil.
  • Question
    Are light colored pums better than their darker cousins?
    Community Answer
    Plums come in a variety of flavors. Each has different characteristics, such as storage life, bug resistance, when they ripen, size, meatiness, etc . Google the different varieties and you can see. No variety is "better" than any other, it just depends on what you're looking for.
  • Question
    After my plum tree flowers it gets little bugs on it and the fruit turns yellow and falls off the tree. The tree is 8 years old, and I do get a handful of fruit from it, but what can I do to make it more productive?
    Community Answer
    Apply neem oil first thing in spring on the tree and the soil around the tree. Later, apply it again, especially if you see signs of bugs. Neem is natural and it works. Just wear gloves and protect your eyes when spraying.
  • Question
    What time of year should I plant plum trees if I live in central Mississippi?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    Plant them in the early spring once the weather has warmed up a bit. Mississippi has fairly temperate weather, so late April to early May would be a good time since you most likely don't have to worry about late-season frosts.
  • Question
    When can I plant plum seeds outside in pots?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    In the early springtime once the last threat of frost has passed. Luckily, if you're using pots you can always bring them indoors if there is a late-season chill. Bring the pots back inside in the fall when the temperatures drop again.
  • Question
    How long should the seeds be in the fridge for the germination process?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    This depends on how long it takes the seeds to start growing roots. It could be anywhere from 4-12 weeks. In nature, plums fall to the ground in the fall and the seeds germinate in the ground throughout the entire winter while preparing to grow roots, so the process in the fridge is very similar. Check them every 2 weeks or so to see if they have started to grow.
  • Question
    My 2 wild plum trees had delicious little plums last Fall. I put many of the small pits in pots outside for the winter without opening them. Will any grow? Should I dig them up and crack them?
    Community Answer
    Yes you need to crack them. Use a vise and slowly crush it until you can hear it snap. This way it is not likely to harm the embryo.
  • Question
    In a tropical climate, can I "trick" a tree into dormancy by chilling the root area?
    Mark Baird
    Community Answer
    Yes, mulch keeps the roots cool and use permaculture methods, close planting of different species that are taller may reduce crop production but for different situations-different methods.
  • Question
    Why do I need a nutcracker?
    Chimmy123
    Community Answer
    So you can break the nut and get the seed inside of it, which will be needed for planting.
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