Plum Tree Breeding Features:

Climate Demand:

• Plums prefer temperate climates.
• Regions with cold winters and hot, dry summers are suitable for plum cultivation.
• Areas free from frost risk are preferred.

Soil Requirements:

• Well-drained, deep, and organic matter-rich soils are ideal.
• Soil depth is important due to the tree’s height (at least 1 meter).
• Acidic soils are not suitable for plums.
• Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.

ROOTSTOCKS (Rootstock Names):

• Common rootstocks used in plum cultivation are:
  • Plum Rootstocks (Prunus domestica): The most common rootstocks. They are resistant to plum diseases.
  • Raspberry Rootstocks (Rubus idaeus): Resistant to drought and calcareous soils.
  • Mirabelle Rootstocks (Prunus insititia): Suitable for heavy soils.

POLLINATION BIOLOGY (Trees Used for Pollination):

• Plum is a wind-pollinated plant.
• Male flowers open before female flowers. This reduces the possibility of pollination problems.
• Planting different varieties in the orchard is beneficial for increasing yield.
• To aid in pollination, other fruit trees compatible with plums, such as cherries, almonds, peaches, and apricots, can also be included in plum orchards.

VARIETIES (Names of Tree Types):

• There are numerous plum varieties available for cultivation.
• Some of the most popular plum varieties include:
  • Yellow Plum: A sweet and juicy plum variety.
  • Black Plum: A sour and aromatic plum variety.
  • Hungarian Plum: A plum variety used for making dried plums.
  • Bursa Black Plum: A plum variety consumed fresh and dried.
  • Sweet Plum: A sweet and seedless plum variety.

ORCHARD ESTABLISHMENT:

Sapling Planting and Time:

• Plum saplings are typically planted in the spring after the harsh winter frosts have passed.
• The best time for planting saplings varies by region.
• Generally, March-April is preferred.

Preparation of the Garden Place for Planting:

• Deep tillage should be done in the planting area to ensure drainage.
• Soil improvers can be used if necessary.
• Planting holes should be dug large enough to accommodate the sapling roots comfortably.

Features to be Sought in Saplings:

• Healthy, disease-free saplings with proper pruning marks should be preferred.
• Sapling roots should not be pruned.

Planting Distance and Shape (How Many Meters by How Many Meters to Plant):

• Plum trees are medium-sized trees. The planting distance should be determined accordingly.
• The planting pattern can be square or triangular depending on the land structure.
• Generally, planting is done at 5-6 meters x 5-6 meters intervals. However, these values may vary depending on the plum variety and soil fertility.

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE OF ORCHARDS:

Tillage:

• Soil tillage (tillage) can be done once or twice a year for weed control and soil aeration.
• However, care should be taken not to excavate near the tree to avoid root damage.

Irrigation (Average Water Requirement per Tree):

• Plum trees need water throughout the year. Regular irrigation is especially important during fruit set and development periods.
• A drip irrigation system saves water.
• On average, a young plum tree (up to 3 years old) needs 20-30 liters of water per week, while an adult tree needs 40-50 liters of water per week.
• These values can vary depending on rainfall, soil structure, tree age, and fruit condition.

Fertilization (NPK Values):

• Soil analysis should be done and fertilization should be done according to the need.
• In the first few years, fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) can be applied.
• Generally, the recommended NPK values for fruit-bearing plum trees are 100:30:80 kg/ha. However, these values may vary depending on soil analysis results.

Diseases and Pests (Names of Diseases):

• Plum monilia disease
• Plum leaf spot disease
• Plum bacteriosis disease
• Plum rust disease
• Plum moth
• Aphids

Pruning (How Many Types of Pruning Shapes Are There):

There are generally three types of pruning done on plum trees:

• Formative pruning: Done on young trees to develop their shape.
• Fruiting pruning: Done to increase yield and rejuvenate branches.
• Rejuvenation pruning: Done on older trees with
• Rejuvenation pruning: Done on older trees with declining yield.

Harvest (Months It Starts and How Many Kilos It Yields):

• Plum harvest typically begins between July and September, depending on the variety.
• Plum yield varies based on age, variety, maintenance practices, and climatic conditions.
• Plum trees begin to bear fruit after 3-4 years and can provide a yield of 8-10 tons per hectare under ideal conditions.

Storage (Number of Days It Can Be Stored):

• The storage period depends on the plum variety and ripeness.
• Firm and unripe plum varieties can be stored for 2-3 weeks under suitable conditions (such as a cold storage facility).
• Fully ripe plum varieties spoil faster and should be consumed soon after harvest.

Additional Information:

• Wind protection is important for plum trees, especially during the flowering period.
• Plum is a self-fruitful tree. However, planting different varieties together is recommended to increase yield in some cases.
• For more detailed information on plum cultivation, you can consult the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry ([relevant ministry of agriculture website in your country]) and research reports from agricultural universities.
• To obtain specific care practices for your plum variety, consult the nursery where you purchased your saplings or a local agricultural engineer.

Note: This information provides a general framework. For success in plum cultivation, it’s crucial to obtain and apply knowledge specific to your region and plum variety.

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