Plum tree

[Mac]

Hi All, I was given a Victoria Plum tree by my Outlaws recently. I've put it in a large tub as have nowhere to plant it in the garden yet. There were little green plums on it when we got it - should I take these off to let the energy of the plant go into the growth at the moment, and then let it fruit (if it survives!) next year? Also, what should I do about pruning? It's about 7ft tall with quite a few branches coming off the main "trunk".

Totally new with fruit trees (or anything else as it happens) this year.

[sarraceniac]

I'd take off the fruit especially considering the time of year you transplanted it Mac, unless your hmmmm relatives had it in a container too.

For pruning instructions go here:

How to prune your plum tree with step by step pictures

[Mac]

Thanks for your help Sarraceniac. They bought it from a garden centre and it was in a pot (about the size of a Morrisons one). The guide you referred me to said prune in June, do you think I should just leave it til next year now?

[sarraceniac]

If it came from a good GC then it will have been pruned correctly. I'd just leave it. Maybe give it a dose of a good slow fertiliser like BFB.

[Mac]

Hi, it's a Dobbies, so hopefully a good un. Will try the fertiliser and see what happens. Thanks for your help.

[FB.]

I would be more inclined to let it fruit this year and not next year, if you're craving the fruit. While the plant is in the pot, the roots have nowhere to grow, so directing it's energy into fruit won't matter.
Once the tree is in it's final planting position, then it needs to be allowed to grow and not fruit for a season or two. Newly planted trees take a few years to grow and establish their root system.

When the tree is planted into it's final position (ideal would be early September), bearing in mind it's extended period in a pot, it will need any pot-bound roots untangling.
While it may seem frightening to untangle the roots in the complost ball (and inevitably damage a few in the process), you will prevent the circling roots from strangling the tree. My preferred method for planting pot-grown trees is to break up the outermost inch of the compost ball and expose the bare roots. While it seems strange, it really does ecourage faster and stonger establishment.

[Mac]

Thanks FB. I unfurled the outside of the roots when I potted it into the larger pot. I think I'm going to just leave it be this year and see what happens with the growth and the fruit.

[smallblueplanet]

I'd take off the fruit especially considering the time of year you transplanted it Mac, unless your hmmmm relatives had it in a container too.

For pruning instructions go here:

How to prune your plum tree with step by step pictures

Just reading through the info, it says prune the plum in June, does it have to be June? Is it too late?

[FB.]

Just reading through the info, it says prune the plum in June, does it have to be June? Is it too late?

It's not too late. July is the last chance to prune plums.