For me plants are some of the most exciting living beings, even though they live in slow motion. They have fascinating abilities and just so much potential! Thats why I studied organic farming. However, since plants are rather thin on the ground in my city, I often spend time hiking in the nearby mountains at the weekend. In the future I would love to run a farm myself. Favourite fruit: strawberries and gooseberries Favourite vegetable: courgettes
Cherry plum trees are one of the first trees to blossom in spring. Discover everything there is to know about cherry plum trees and how to grow one in your own garden.
If you have ever bitten into a cherry plum, you may have found it to be rather sour, but do not be dissuaded, as there are indeed sweet varieties. Read on to learn more about cherry plum trees, how to care for one in your own garden and which types of cherry plum are best for eating.
Cherry plums are a delicious hybrid fruit that combines the sweet juiciness of plums with the smaller, heart-shaped form of cherries. Growing a cherry plum tree from seed can be a fun gardening project that allows you to enjoy homegrown fruit in just a few short years. In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through each step of the process from choosing viable seeds to transplanting seedlings to caring for your mature cherry plum tree.
Selecting High Quality Cherry Plum Seeds
The first step is acquiring fresh cherry plum seeds that have the best chance for successful germination Here are some tips
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Source seeds from ripe, undamaged cherry plums. Cut open the fruit and remove 3-5 seeds, cleaning off any attached pulp.
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For the highest viability, gather seeds from locally grown cherry plums rather than store-bought fruit, which may be treated to prevent germination.
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Look for plump, firm seeds without cracks or discoloration. Soak in water overnight to check – discard any seeds that float
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Stratify seeds by refrigerating for 2-3 months in damp soil or paper towels to mimic winter conditions. This cold treatment helps break dormancy.
Planting and Germinating the Seeds
Once you’ve collected quality seeds, it’s time to plant them. Cherry plum seeds can take 2-8 weeks to germinate. Follow these steps:
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Fill starter pots or trays with loose, well-draining potting mix. Moisten the soil before planting.
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Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart. Gently cover with soil and water thoroughly after planting.
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Place pots in a warm, sunny location (65-80°F). Maintain consistent moisture in the top 1-2 inches of soil.
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Cover pots with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to retain moisture during germination.
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Remove the cover once seedlings emerge. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inch spacing.
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Transition seedlings to partial sun 1-2 weeks after germination to avoid scorching.
Transplanting Cherry Plum Seedlings
Once seedlings are 6-12 inches tall with established root systems, transplant them into the garden. Follow these tips for success:
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Harden off plants by setting them outdoors in partial shade for 7-10 days before transplanting.
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Prepare planting holes twice as wide as the root ball, arranging in full sun locations 20-30 feet apart.
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Carefully remove seedlings from pots, handling the stems, not the roots. Tease out any circling roots.
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Set each seedling in a hole, keeping the top of the root ball level with the soil surface. Refill holes and water.
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Water transplants deeply every few days during the first summer. Add mulch to help retain moisture.
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Stake young trees for support if needed. Remove stakes once trees are established (2-3 years).
Caring for Maturing Cherry Plum Trees
With the right soil, sun exposure, pruning, and pest management, your cherry plum trees will continue thriving. Here’s how to keep them healthy:
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Water 1-2 times per week during droughts, soaking the soil to a 12 inch depth. Avoid overwatering.
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Feed annually in early spring with a balanced, organic fertilizer. Compost and manure also provide nutrition.
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Prune selectively in summer to remove dead/diseased branches and improve air circulation.
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Check for common pests like aphids, plum curculio beetles, and brown rot fungus. Treat organically.
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Protect trees from frost and extreme winters until they mature. Mulch the root zone for insulation.
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Train branches using stakes and ties to maintain an open, centrally balanced shape for the first 3 years.
Harvesting and Enjoying Cherry Plum Fruits
You’ll be rewarded for your diligent care when those first fruits ripen! Here’s what to expect:
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Harvest time depends on the variety, but occurs in late summer or early fall when fruits are plump and fully colored.
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Use pruners to snip ripe fruits from the branches, being careful not to damage the delicate skin.
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Enjoy fresh cherry plums right away, or use them in recipes like jams, compotes, pies and galettes.
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Store extra fruits in the fridge for 5-7 days. Cherry plums also freeze well for long-term preservation.
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Expect full fruit production within 4-6 years. Mature trees can yield 50-100 pounds of fruit per season!
Growing your own cherry plum tree from seed is a fun gardening project that provides an abundance of ornamental spring blossoms and delicious summertime fruits. Follow this guide for success from seed to harvest! Let us know how your cherry plum trees thrive.
The best edible cherry plum varieties
The species Prunus cerasifera has some remarkable varieties. However, most varieties do not self-pollinate and need to be planted near other varieties.
- Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’: also known as black cherry plum tree, this variety bears dark red foliage and pink flowers and produces sweet, dark red fruits that ripen in August.
- Prunus cerasifera ‘Trailblazer’/’Hollywood’: this variety is mainly known for its large fruits that grow up to 5cm in diameter. The fruits ripen in September and are burgundy-red. The red-brown foliage is also noteworthy.
- Prunus cerasifera ‘Zloty Oblok’: this polish variety bears juicy-sweet and aromatic fruit. Like mirabelles, its fruits are yellow and ripen in September. These trees tend to be smaller, reaching 4 – 6m tall.
Planting a cherry plum tree
Cherry plums are robust trees, so are often used as a grafting base for other fruit trees. They can grow in virtually all soils. That said, the soil should have a pH value between six and eight and needs to be well-draining, but not too sandy. Cherry plum trees thrive in wind-protected spots that get full sun or light shade. They only need watering in extremely dry conditions. Nonetheless, young plants need a bit of water from time to time until they have a well-established root system.
Ideal conditions for planting a cherry plum hedge or tree:
- Permeable soil, but not too sandy
- pH value from 6 – 8
- Sun or light shade
- Plant as a tree or hedge plant
how to grow cherry plum tree from seed .| Grow cherry plum from pit .
FAQ
Can I grow a cherry plum from a pit?
All things considered, yes you can, since they can be filled effectively in pots and compartments. To effectively accomplish a decent yield, you will require somewhere around two trees, as most cherry trees are not self-treating and will require one more tree for fertilization.
Can you grow a cherry plum tree from a cutting?
Vegetative Propagation: Cloning Your Cherry Plum
For cuttings, select a vigorous branch and make your snips 4-8 inches long with several nodes. Remember, a slanted cut at the base helps you remember which end to plant. Dip the base in rooting hormone to encourage root growth and bundle them up to keep moist.
How long does it take for cherry plum trees to bear fruit?
| Fruit Tree Type | Years to Bear |
|---|---|
| Pear Trees | 4-6 years |
| Persimmon Trees | 3-4 years |
| Plum Trees | 3-6 years |
| Pomegranate Trees | 2-3 years |
Is there such a thing as a cherry plum tree?
Cherry plum is a broadleaf deciduous tree and one of the first Prunus species to flower in spring. It can grow to 8m. Its bark is dark grey and develops fissures with age, and its twigs are green and covered in a fine down when young. Look out for: the leaf stems (petioles) which have two red glands at the top.
Are cherry plum trees easy to grow?
Cherry plums are small, attractive fruit trees that produce abundant crops of sweet, tangy plums in summer. Though not as well known as conventional plums, these underrated fruits are easy to grow and deserve a place in any edible garden. Here is a complete guide to growing cherry plum trees.
How do you grow a cherry plum tree?
Here is a complete guide to growing cherry plum trees. Let’s start with a quick introduction to cherry plum trees: Small ornamental trees that grow 15-20 feet tall and wide. Attractive blossoms in early spring. Produce clusters of cherry-sized plums in summer. Flesh can be yellow red or purple. Sweet tangy flavor. Extremely hardy.
What is a cherry plum tree?
Cherry plum trees (Prunus cerasifera), which are sometimes called myrobalan plums, have been around for more than a thousand years. The Celts even knew about them. In fact, the cherry plum tree is older than the plum tree (Prunus domestica). We know this because the plum was first made by crossing a sloe (Prunus spinosa) with a cherry plum.
How long does it take a cherry plum tree to produce fruit?
These trees can easily produce fruit within two to four years of planting if they are placed near the correct pollinators. When choosing a location for your cherry plum tree, be sure to consider its pollination needs in order to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Is a cherry plum tree older than a plum?
In fact, the cherry plum tree is older than the plum tree (Prunus domestica). We know this because the plum was first made by crossing a sloe (Prunus spinosa) with a cherry plum. These deciduous trees originated from Central Asia, and were later introduced to Europe.
When to plant cherry plum tree seeds?
The best time of year to sow cherry plum tree seeds is in the spring, generally between March and May. This is because cherry plum trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter and go dormant.