New plum tree from Morrisons

[nickdub]

I bought an Oulins plum tree from Morrisons back in the Spring for a few pounds. The top of the tree was a good specimen but when I unwrapped the roots I found they'd been radically chopped before packing, and what little there was left was very dry.

Anyway I soaked it for a few hours then potted it up in compost in an old paint tub and put it in my small polytunnel. It recovered enough to make new growth over the summer.

Today as the weather is still pretty warm here I took advantage of a sunny spell to pop it in the ground - fingers crossed for next year :-)

[Chestnut]

Good luck little plum tree ;-)

[It never rains..it pours]

What color paint was it, presumably new life green. Probably be better than any brought potted tree long term, good luck. If not you can always take it back under the warranty.

[nickdub]

What color paint was it, presumably new life green. Probably be better than any brought potted tree long term, good luck. If not you can always take it back under the warranty.

I think its got as a good a chance now as any young tree - the tricky period was immediately after buying it - I wouldn't have wanted to bet much on it making it through the Spring.

[Ocelot]

Is it a self-fertile variety?

[Mark_Riga]

I had a similar experience with one from B&M, I left it in a tub of old growbag compost first year, a lot of the time in the plastic tube it came in to reduce evaporation. I planted it out earlier this year after the cold spell and watered it a couple of times during the drought. It still had leaves into the autumn so it should be OK now. The apple tree I bought at the same time was the main thing I wanted as it was a late season eater that should keep well. That has now been planted for 2 years and will hopefully start producing soon. It was 2 for £8.

[nickdub]

I had a similar experience with one from B&M, I left it in a tub of old growbag compost first year, a lot of the time in the plastic tube it came in to reduce evaporation. I planted it out earlier this year after the cold spell and watered it a couple of times during the drought. It still had leaves into the autumn so it should be OK now. The apple tree I bought at the same time was the main thing I wanted as it was a late season eater that should keep well. That has now been planted for 2 years and will hopefully start producing soon. It was 2 for £8.

Just shows that these bargain trees can be OK to grow on, provided you are prepared to give them some intensive care treatment when you first get them.

[nickdub]

Is it a self-fertile variety?

Generally listed as "Pollination group 4. Self-fertile. " TBH its not an issue for me as I have a number of other plum trees already, my main aim is to get the tree growing healthily, then I'll leave it largely to its own devices.