Plum is one of the first fruit trees cultivated by man. And this is not surprising, because the branchy graceful tree has saturated green foliage. In early spring, it shakes with beautiful flowers and allows you to enjoy the exquisite aroma. Truly, plum is the decoration of any site. Do I need to talk about delicious fruits?
Each gardener certainly tries to plant this tree on his plot. And only a few know how to grow a plum from a stone. Consider how this process occurs.
What caused the interest?
Surprisingly, many summer residents are wondering how to grow a plum from a stone. Why are they interested in this particular tree?
There is a similar desire for several reasons:
- Plum easily adapts to our climate. However, she is not "capricious." Even minimal care is enough for an amazing tree to please with a delicious and plentiful harvest.
- In addition, it should be said about the benefits of fruits for the human body. The concentration of nutrients in the sink is quite high. According to their content, the tree takes an honorable second place, second only to raspberries.
- Plum is widely used in a wide variety of dishes. Juicy fruits become the basis of wonderful sauces. Delicious desserts are prepared from them. Plums are used to make compotes, jellies, juices, jams. In addition, delicious fruits are one of the children's favorite treats.
Such factors make people look for ways to grow a plum from a stone.
Tree species
If you are seriously determined to grow a plum from the seeds (the photo shows a beautiful tree that you can get), there are a few points to consider.
One of them is the right choice of variety. The tree from which you take the seed must grow in your climate zone. Only in this case the seedling will be able to please you with wonderful fruits.
If the parent tree grows in a warm climate, it is difficult to count on the success of the venture. Most often, from such planting material grows a "wild". But even if this does not happen, the drain will “freeze”. So, a beautiful plentiful crop can not be seen. Therefore, we consider what varieties are better to use so that a plum from the stone appears in your garden.
The following varieties can be grown in the middle lane:
- "Belarusian";
- "Minsk";
- "Late Vitebsk";
- "Volga beauty".
In a sharply continental climate and arid regions, varieties will take root perfectly:
- Egg Blue
- "Morning";
- "Eurasia".
For warm areas suitable views:
- Kuban Comet;
- "Victoria";
- Kroman.
Is it possible to grow a plum from a stone?
This question is often asked by beginner gardeners. Sometimes such a dilemma also arises before experienced professionals. Indeed, from time to time there is a desire to plant a completely different variety from those that are on the site.
Initially, we note that there are 3 ways to get a tree:
- Propagation by green cuttings.
- Using root processes.
- You can grow a plum from a stone.
The last method is of most interest. However, before considering this method, you should learn about some features:
- The landing process is quite laborious. He will require a lot of patience from you.
- Not every tree grown from seed will bear fruit.
- Sometimes plums taste different from their "parent".
However, do not rush to despair. Is it possible to grow a plum from a stone, which will have excellent characteristics? Experienced breeders say yes. After all, it is from the seeds that new varieties are derived. And maybe it is you who will be the second Michurin.
Some recommendations
As you can see, a drain from the bone may well appear on your site. At home, even beginner gardeners can grow a tree at home.
It is only necessary to listen to the advice of experienced professionals:
- Planting material should be taken from ripe juicy plums.
- It is best to take a few seeds. Since in the first year some seedlings can not withstand frosts and die.
- It is recommended to plant a seedling initially at home - in a pot. And only in the fall to transfer it to the open ground. Such conditions will provide a high probability that the seedling will take root and begin to bear fruit.
Preparatory stage
Now we will consider how to grow a plum from a stone. Initially, planting material must be prepared.
This procedure is as follows:
- Each bone should be wrapped in a piece of damp cloth.
- Put such "seeds" in a cold place. Use a cellar or basement. Excellent conditions can be provided even in an ordinary refrigerator. Wrapped bones are placed on shelves or in boxes intended for vegetables. The lower the temperature, the more likely that the planting material will sprout. This is how the necessary stratification process is carried out. Or, in other words, a natural cold treatment that allows you to trigger the plant’s growth mechanism.
- The fabric in which you wrapped the bones must always be wet. In no case should it dry out. Therefore, it must be moistened periodically.
- In this state, planting material should remain for about six months. As a rule, this is the period from October to March.
- For better germination, special stimulants can be used. Fertilizers: Ecosil, Epin, Zircon are excellent for this procedure. It is poured by a stimulator both "clothes" and a stone. Use fertilizers according to the instructions.
- Make sure that the bones are not moldy. If you notice such a process, you must immediately get rid of it. To do this, expand the bone and rinse it. It is recommended to use warm water, but not hot.
- You can use another method. According to him, they do not use fabric, but river coarse sand or sawdust. The selected material is poured into a box in which holes for water drainage are pre-made. Bones are placed in such a “ground”. Boxes are carried out in a cold place. You should not forget about watering. Plum is in great need of moisture.
Planting in a pot
Having considered the initial stage, which allows us to understand how to grow a plum from a stone, we move on to the next.
Now your planting material needs such events:
- Around February-March, you will notice a change in the state of the "seeds." The bones will swell, their protective cover will crack. This is evidence that the preparatory phase was carried out correctly.
- Such bones are ready for landing. However, do not rush to plant them in open ground. It is recommended to sprout seedlings at home. For these purposes, an ordinary flower pot is suitable.
- Landing of the bone occurs in moist soil. Be sure to provide care for the seedling during germination. Plum needs watering, top dressing. Be sure to monitor the condition of the seedling and remove pests in a timely manner.
It should be noted that the tree does not need special conditions. If you provide him with the same care as any houseplant, then the plum will quickly please its sprouts.
Transplant to the ground
If you have provided proper care for growing plants, then by the fall of your seeds small seedlings will form. They can already be planted on the site.
Dig a small hole. It is recommended to add compost and sand to it. The future tree is planted in such soil.
Insist that the cultivation process takes approximately 4 years. And the tree will please the fruits only after 5-6 years. Initially, the plums will be quite small. However, year after year, their size will increase.
The second option for growing seedlings
If you are confused by such a lengthy process, it can be significantly accelerated.
Let's consider another method, how to grow a plum from a stone at home:
- Initially prepare the ground. You will need the same parts of perlite and sand. They must be mixed. By the way, perlite is a natural volcanic rock that has a beneficial effect on plant growth.
- Now let's do a bone. Take a hammer and hit it. However, calculate the strength correctly. The stone should crack slightly, and not turn into fragments. Such a process allows you to disrupt the dream in which the seed resides. And therefore, the time has come for the seed to germinate.
- Plant the cracked seed in the prepared soil to a depth of 6-9 cm.
- The soil must be constantly moistened. However, you should not fill it. Since the abundant moisture drain can not stand.
- A container or container with a planted bone is recommended to be placed in a cool place. But keep in mind that frost is completely contraindicated in the plant. You can store the container in the garage if it does not warm up. Or put the container in the refrigerator.
- After a few weeks, transplant the bone into organic soil. Such seedlings should grow over 1 year.
Site selection
Thinking about how to grow a tree from a plum bone, it is necessary to take into account several more important points:
- It is best to plant a seedling on a small hill. Plum is a lover of sunlight. Therefore, to get a wonderful crop, provide her with a bright area.
- It is recommended to plant trees along the fence. Like many plants, plums do not like drafts. It is along the fence or shed that it is easier to find windless places.
- For plums, northern areas are preferred. Since it is on them that the snow lingers longer.
Necessary soil
Now let's talk about the soil.
Gardeners, explaining how to grow a plum from a stone, are advised to adhere to the rules:
- The tree grows best in soil enriched with moisture. Therefore, if your area is prone to drought, be sure to ensure timely watering.
- Plum loves light loamy soil, which contains lime, calcium.
- Clay should be added to soil overly enriched with sand. This will create the necessary soil for plum.
- Heavy clay soil is diluted with sand and peat.
- Acidic soil is extremely difficult to drain. In such conditions, the tree begins to hurt and fade. Therefore, with increased acidity, fertilizers should be added to the soil: chalk, dolomite flour, wood ash, fluffy lime.
- To plum take root, it is recommended to add rotted manure or compost during planting. As a rule, they make 1-2 buckets of such fertilizer.
- An egg shell is very useful for a tree. It should be poured to the bottom of the fossa. Such top dressing will provide the drain necessary for calcium development.
Third landing method
Experienced gardeners do not use long preparatory stages. They plant bones directly in the open ground.
However, the seed in this approach needs protection. Therefore, around the landing lay mouse poison. After all, rodents are very fond of germinated seeds.
Unfortunately, weather conditions cannot be predicted. And, therefore, there is no guarantee that seedlings will appear in the spring. Sometimes the first sprouts germinate from the seeds after 1.5 years.