Red Plum Cultivation Techniques Explained: Planting Methods and Care Essentials

The red plum is a type of plum blossom, and its bright colors make it suitable for decorating gardens and courtyards. How are beautiful red plums grown? Let us learn about red plum cultivation techniques.

Red Plum Cultivation Techniques

1. The red plum is not strict about soil requirements and can grow well in well-drained clay, loam, sandy loam and slightly alkaline soil. It is best to choose a wind-sheltered sunny slope or semi-sunny slope with sandy loam rich in humus for planting.

2. Plant at an appropriate density as needed, generally with a spacing of 3-5 m. The plum tree is a shallow-rooted species, with roots distributed in the top 40 cm of soil, so a tree hole size of 50cm×50cm×40cm is generally sufficient.

3. Choose suitable varieties according to local conditions.

4. Generally choose to plant in November-December, as this helps it take root and grow earlier. When planting, mix base fertilizer into the dug tree hole; if the soil is too sticky, fine sand and gravel, chopped straw or coal ash must be added to the tree hole to help drainage. Before planting, trim overly long roots; if conditions allow, it is best to dip the roots in mud slurry before planting. Rooting powder, carbendazim, plant growth regulators and the like can be added to the mud slurry. The planting depth should be the same as the original ground level of the seedling; after planting, water thoroughly; when the young plant is 50-70 cm, cut it back, and to prevent strong winds from shaking it, it can be fixed with a triangular bamboo or wooden stake.

5. In seasons with more rain, drainage measures should be taken for the red plum to prevent root rot and pest damage caused by high-temperature fermentation. Red plum propagation methods include sowing, grafting, cuttings and layering; the most common planting method is still grafting. This is because grafted red plum saplings not only grow quickly and preserve the basic characteristics of the red plum, but also improve its disease resistance and cold tolerance. A red plum tree can generally grow to about 10 m, set fruit around June, and bloom around February.

6. In May-June, the flower buds of the red plum generally begin to differentiate. At this time, it should not be watered; wait until its leaves curl and shrink, and through this repeated process the flower buds gradually develop, then resume normal watering. Fertilizing can also be done once or twice before the flower buds form, and then two or three times in autumn. In this way, with careful care, by the time Spring Festival arrives, you can see the red plum in bloom.

The planting method for red plum is relatively simple; it can be grown not only in the open ground but also as a potted plant, and interested friends can learn more about it.