How to Fertilize a Plum Tree: Detailed Guide to the Correct Methods and Techniques

The nutritional value of plums: they contain extremely high levels of antioxidants and have anti-aging and disease-preventing benefits. Eating them regularly can nourish the complexion, beautify the skin, and keep the skin smooth. When growing plums, mastering scientific fertilization methods is the key to improving fruit varieties and increasing yield and income. So how should plums be fertilized? Let's take a look.

1. Base fertilizer

Base fertilizer can supply the nutrients needed for plant growth over a relatively long period and is the foundation of plant growth. It is generally applied to the soil before planting or placed at the bottom of the planting hole when transplanting. Base fertilizer is usually mainly organic fertilizer or farmyard manure, such as compost, stable manure, and green manure. At the same time, some quick-acting chemical fertilizers, such as nitrogen fertilizer, can also be mixed in to meet the nitrogen needs of the plant during early budding and flowering. Base fertilizer is best applied in autumn because the soil temperature in autumn is relatively high, so the base fertilizer can decompose as quickly as possible after application and will not cause excessive damage to the plant roots. Of course, decomposed farmyard manure can also be applied directly.

2. Topdressing

In addition to applying base fertilizer, topdressing should also be done 4-5 times each year according to the plant's growth conditions. This can speed up plant growth, help it flower and fruit earlier, and also have a certain yield-increasing effect.

1. Topdressing at the flowering stage

To meet the large amount of nutrients consumed by budding and flowering, apply a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer once 7-10 days before the plant buds, generally about 200-250 grams per plant, increasing or decreasing according to tree vigor.

2. Topdressing after flowering

After the flowers fade, it is exactly the peak period of young fruit growth and new shoot growth. At this time, in order to prevent new shoots and young fruit from competing for nutrients and causing poor young fruit growth, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer should be applied in time to reduce physiological fruit drop, increase the fruit-setting rate, and promote the growth of young fruit and new shoots. The application rate is also about 200-300 grams.

3. Fertilization during the fruiting stage

From after physiological fruit drop to the fruit enlargement stage, in order to speed up fruit enlargement and increase yield, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer should be applied in time to enhance leaf photosynthesis and promote nutrient synthesis in the tree. This is beneficial both for fruit enlargement and for flower bud differentiation. At this time, the application rate can be increased somewhat, depending on the number of fruits set.

4. Fertilization in the late fruit growth stage

From when the fruit begins to color until before harvest, topdressing should also be done once at this time. At this stage, apply less nitrogen fertilizer or no nitrogen fertilizer, focusing on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with an appropriate amount of boron fertilizer, using foliar spraying. This can increase individual fruit weight and quality, and also help accumulate nutrients in the tree, which is extremely important for the yield of the following year.

The above is an introduction to how to fertilize plums. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.