Texas A&M University horticulturists recommend * * Japanese plums * * ( genus Prunus salicina ) rather than European plum ( Prunus domestica ) for cultivation in Texas , as European plum want colder climate than are establish in Texas and are susceptible to brown decomposition and other fungous diseases .
Growing Conditions
Winter iciness hoursare hours of wintertime temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or a longer period of hour with temperatures average 45 grade F necessary for plum tree tree to break sleeping . Once the wintertime chill hours are foregather , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will break quiescency and prepare for the outpouring to autumn grow time of year .
European plum require 800 to 1,100 60 minutes at temperature from 32 to 45 degrees F , or five to six weeks at a 45 arcdegree F average . Nipponese plum need only 700 to 1,000 hours from 32 to 45 degrees F , or four to six calendar week at temperatures averaging 45 degrees F.
Nipponese plum areself - fruitful , mean they grow plum if they are imbed by themselves , but they will yield more plums if they are planted with another Japanese plum cultivar forcross - pollination . Most Japanese plums will grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 , although some cultivar may deviate .
Best Varieties for Texas
Texas A&M horticulturist commend these standard - sizedJapanese plum varietiesfor growing in Texas .
Planting and Locating
Plantbare base nursery treesfrom January 1 through February 15 andtrees in containersfrom January 1 through March 31 .
Plant plum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in a blot where they getsunall daytime . Plant standard - sized plums , typically 18 to 20 foot high and just as broad , about 18 understructure apart . plum likesandy loams or other loamy soilswith asoil pH between 6.5 and 7.0 . If the soil does n’t drain well , plant the tree diagram on a heap at least 6 inches high and 5 feet or more broad .
Tip
If you have clay ground with a pH above 7.0 , depend for a plum grow on the peach rootstock of ' Lovell ' ( genus Prunus persica’Lovell ' ) . If you have acidulous sandy soil with a pH below 6.5 , ask for a rootstalk of ' Nemaguard ' ( Prunus persica’Namaguard ' ) . These rootstalk are compatible with the plum tree cultivars recommended for Texas gardeners by Texas A&M University . Peaches acquire in USDA zona 4 through 8 .
Watering and Fertilizing
Water plum tree trees enough to keep the soilconsistently moist throughout the root zona — but not soggy — during their springtime to fall growing season . Give a small tree diagram about 2 gallons a hebdomad and a large tree up to 8 gallons during teetotal weather condition . This is no one - size of it - fits - all watering formula for all condition . blistering weather condition will cause the grunge to dry out more apace . Feel the filth with your paw a couple of inch down ; if it finger and look dry , it demand water .
Do not applyfertilizerwhen you plant plum tree trees . Give your tree more or less 1/2 quid of 10 - 10 - 10 water - soluble , granular plant food for each year of the tree ’s age , up to 6 Syrian pound for a matured tree diagram .
Begin with bud break in the leap after you plant the tree . dissipate the fertilizer in a circle around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree extending 1 foot from the tree trunk to the spreadhead of its branches , and water good . ( See Reference 15 ) Break the yr amounts in three applications , once after the tree diagram breaks buds in the spring and again in tardy bound and late summertime . ( See Reference 14 )
