How many years after planting does the black plum (black amber plum) bear fruit?
The black plum (black amber plum) is a type of plum. This variety was introduced from the United States, and the fruit is purple-black in color. It has strong adaptability and good disease resistance. In recent years, its market sales have gradually increased, and its cultivation prospects are good. So, how many years does it take for the black plum to bear fruit? What are its cultivation techniques?
1. How many years does it take for the black plum to bear fruit?
The black plum generally begins to flower and bear fruit in the second year after planting, and by the third year the fruit yield per mu can reach about 1000-1250 kg.
2. What are the cultivation techniques for the black plum?
1) Establishment of a new orchard
It can be cultivated on hills, slopes, terraced fields and flat land. It is best to choose a site with high, dry terrain that does not accumulate water. When planting on flat land, deep furrows and high beds should be made. Avoid mixed planting with pear trees.
2) Planting density
Planting can be done after leaf fall or in early to mid-March. The spacing between plants and rows is 2 m × 3 m or 3 m × 3 m, with 74-110 plants per mu. Sufficient organic fertilizer should be applied in the planting holes. When planting, pollinator trees should be planted at a ratio of 8:1.
3) Fertilizer and water management
The principle of fertilization is to apply thin fertilizer frequently, and it is best to apply diluted human urine and feces; in addition, during normal times, drought resistance can be combined with watering, and 0.5 kg of urea can be added to every 100 kg of water before application. After harvest, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, and the amount of base fertilizer applied should account for 60% of the annual fertilization amount. Green manure can be intercropped between rows to help improve the soil.
4) Pruning methods
The black plum grows vigorously and the tree habit is upright. Winter pruning should follow the principle of light pruning and long shoots, and opening up the angle; heavy cutting and random heading back should be avoided. Apart from heading back the extension shoots of the scaffold branches, the main approach is generally to thin out dense branches and use light pruning and delayed pruning. The branch-bending method is used to increase the angle; tall branches generally require 45-50 degrees, and side branches and branch groups 60-70 degrees.
Summer is the growing season for the black plum, and the pruning methods are: (1) use pinching to suppress apical dominance, promote secondary shoots, increase leaf cluster shoots and bouquet-like fruiting branches, and promote flower formation; (2) thin out vigorous branches on the back and competing branches; if they are to be used, they need to be heavily headed back twice in May and June; (3) ring barking or ring cutting on vigorous trees to promote flowering.
The black plum bears fruit early and has strong high-yield potential, saves fertilizer and labor, and has high economic benefits. It is a good planting project, and friends who are interested can give it a try.