PLUM
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PLUM
(Plant heights are given at maturity)
FRUIT PLUMS
    Plums are thought to have originated in southwestern Europe or the Caucasian region of western Asia, traveling the world and adapting to differing climates.  The earliest colonists brought the European plum to the US, though there were many native varieties there.  The Japanese plum arrived in 1870, the Damson from Damascus.
    Plums are best grown near large bodies of water, thus the Great Lakes and Pacific coast are the biggest plum producing areas in the US.  The concentration of water prevents temperatures from dropping dramatically and killing or damaging the fruit or early blooming trees.  A sloping site is best, providing air drainage and circulation.  A well drained clay loam is the best soil.
    Trees can be planted at any time during dormancy at a spacing of 20-25ft. apart.  When the trees begin to fruit, they may need to be thinned, so that the fruit can receive adequate air circulation.  This will help to prevent diseases caused by fungus and damp.  Fruits should be 2-3 inches apart and should not touch.  Thinning should be done after the 'June Drop' when the trees naturally shed some of the smaller fruit.
    Plums are referred to as 'European' or 'Japanese'.  European plums are used most often by commercial plum growers and are usually those varieties you see in the supermarket.  They include the following types:  Prune, Green Gage or Reine Claude(yellowish-green or golden; very sweet, high quality fruit), Yellow Egg (fruits are large, egg-shaped and have yellow flesh; skins can be either yellow or purple), Lombard (red, purple or blue skinned fruits - medium to poor quality), Damson (small purple tart plums; prized for jams & jellies).  Japanese varieties are red or yellow skinned and are pointed at the apex.
    Our trees have a trunk diameter of approximately 1/2 to 5/8 inch.   They are chosen for their hardiness and given proper planting and care, will provide years of delicious fruit.

FLOWERING  VARIETIES
    Some plums are grown primarily for their showy blooms.  The fruits of these trees, for the most part,  are not as good quality as the fruiting varieties.  Some blooms are single, some are double, and the trees themselves may grow in a number of different shapes and sizes.


FRUITING VARIETIES


Early Golden - Japanese plum with red blush over golden yellow.  Early ripening.  Fruit is medium sized and very sweet.  Vigorous growing.  Cross pollinate with another Japanese plum for heavy crops.
#P2741SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-2741SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00


Early Italian - European type prune plum with large oval purple fruits that ripen early.  Good shipper.
#P1441SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-1441SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00


  Friar - Japanese type.  Large oval fruits have glossy black skin and amber flesh.  Heavy producer that requires thinning.
#P1440SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-1440SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00


  Green Gage - Self-fertile variety with yellow-green fruits with red specks.  The rich, sweet flavor makes this the perfect dessert plum.  Tends to be a biennial producer.  Ripens mid-season.
#P2742SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-2742SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00



Santa Rosa - Japanese type.   Fruit is large, round and uniform with dark red to crimson skin and aromatic yellow flesh.  Tree is large and productive.
#P1438SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-1438SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00



Myrobalan Plum - Prunus cerasifera (Prunus myrobalan)    Commonly used for rootstock
#0219946 Seed Packet   Approximately 15 seeds   $15.00
#B1-0219946   Bulk seeds    1 lb.   $80.00



Satsuma - Japanese plum with oval dark red fruits - skin and flesh.  Trees are very productive.  Ripens mid-season.
#P2743SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-2743SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00



Shiro - Japanese type.  Medium sized yellow plum - early ripening, sweet and juicy.  Very productive tree.
#P1439SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-1439SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00


  Stanley -  Prune type plum with large fruits with dark blue skin and yellow flesh.  Fine-grained and sweet.  Good variety for the northern US.  Bears young and ripens mid-season.
#P2744SD Semi-dwarf   1/2 - 5/8 in. trunk diameter tree  $56.95
#P2-2744SD Semi-dwarf   Two trees for   $70.00



FLOWERING VARIETIES


  American Native Plum - Prunus americana - Shrub or tree with white springtime blooms.  Very hardy. Hardy to -40F (-40C); height: 50ft.
#2194  Packet $15.50   Approximately 15 seeds
#B4z-2194   Bulk Seed  $32.00   4 oz.   (Approximately 220 seeds)
#B1-2194   Bulk Seed  $52.00   1 lb.


  Chikasaw Plum - Prunus angustifolia - Fast growing native tree with white springtime blooms.  Usually found growing in clumps.  Hardy to -20F (-28.8C);  height: 25 ft.
#4286  Packet $18.00   Approximately 15 seeds


prunus triloba Double Flowering  (Prunus triloba multiplex) Masses of double pink blooms in the spring.  Multi-stemmed shrubby growth habit. Good specimen or border plant.  Hardy to -40F (-40C)
#P1486    3ft. tree   $56.95
#P2-1486    Two trees for   $70.00


  Mexican Plum - Prunus mexicana - Considered a flowering variety as it is covered in fragrant white blooms in the spring, this variety also produces small fruit in the summer that is excellent for jams, preserves, and for wildlife.  Drought resistant and adaptable.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C): height: 25ft.
#P4292    2-3ft. tree   $56.95
#P2-4292    Two trees for   $70.00


thundercloud plum  Thundercloud - Prunus cerasifera  'Thundercloud' - Spring brings a mass of white to light pink blooms, followed by the foliage, which emerges red, then turns purple-red for the remainder of the season.  Small purple fruits appear in the summer.  Upright habit with a rounded crown. Makes a pretty specimen or accent tree.  Hardy to -20F (-28.8C);  height: 25ft.
#P2749    3ft. tree   $56.95
#P2-2749    Two trees for   $70.00

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