European PlumPrunus domestica

European Plum

Plums

1. Prunus communis
2. Prunus sativa

1. Plum tree
2. Common plum

1. Domestic plum

1. Gatsche
2. Pflaum

1. Dessert plum

1. Pflaume
2. Zwetschke

1. NamePflaume

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Vulva

   Clarification

   Botanical term for the fruit and tree of Prunus domestica.

1. Plum
2. Prunus domestica
3. Fruit tree

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiospermae
3. Eudicotidae
4. Rosids

Rose family

1. Prunus spinosa
2. Prunus cerasifera
3. Prunus armeniaca
4. Prunus persica

1. Fruits

The European plum (Prunus domestica) is an indispensable classic in European orchards. Whether as a juicy dessert plum, firm-fleshed damson, or honey-sweet mirabelle, the variety of cultivars offers the right choice for every taste and garden size.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Spring planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4

   Conditionfrost-free soil

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Planting hole twice as big as root ball; install stake for support.

Full sun to partial shade; warm and sheltered from wind preferred.

Viticultural climate ideal for late varieties.

Medium-heavy, rich in humus, deep.

Supplementary irrigation during dry spells, especially during fruit development.

Compost application in spring; use complete mineral fertilizer if deficiency occurs.

Plan for pollinator varieties nearby if the variety is not self-fertile.

Watch for soil sickness when replanting in the same spot; avoid Rosaceae as previous crops.

Small, pale green leaves; poor growth.

Leaf margins brown and curled; poor fruit quality.

1. Slugfruit-cracking

   Name

   Fruit cracking

   Cause

   Heavy rain after a dry spell.

1. Moths
2. Sawflies
3. Aphids

1. Viruses
2. Fungal diseases
3. Bacterial diseases

1. Choose resistant varieties (especially against Sharka).
2. Regular thinning cuts for good ventilation.
3. Removal of mummified fruits in winter.

Suspected cases of Plum Pox (Sharka) must be reported to the plant protection office.

1. Slugsharka

   Severitycritical

   Conditions

   1. Transmission via aphids or infected scion wood

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Fruits
   3. Stones

   Prevention

   1. Certified planting material
   2. Resistant varieties like 'Jojo'

   Organic control

   1. No cure possible; grubbing of infected trees

1. Symptom

   Fruits rot on the tree and become dry/hard.

   Possible causes

   1. monilinia

   First checks

   1. Check for fruit skin injuries
   2. Check for overcrowding of fruit

Regular inspection of bark, leaves, and fruit set.

1. Bud break
2. Flowering
3. Fruit set
4. Fruit development
5. Fruit ripening
6. Leaf fall
7. Winter dormancy

Bud break occurs in early spring, often simultaneously with or shortly after flowering.

April to May

White

Insect pollination (primarily bees and bumblebees)

July to October

10-50 kg per tree depending on age and training system

Multiple pickings are recommended as fruits ripen sequentially.

1. Fruit yields to gentle finger pressure
2. Typical variety color is fully developed
3. Fruit detaches easily from the stem
4. Intense aroma in dessert plums

Handle carefully to avoid damaging the natural waxy bloom (epicuticular wax).

Short-term

Fresh consumption or prompt processing

Can be kept in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks.

1. Freezing (pitted)
2. Drying (prunes)
3. Canning (compote/jam)
4. Preserving in alcohol

1. Baking
2. Distilling
3. Juicing
4. Preserving

Versatile use for cakes (plum tart), jam, dumplings, or as a side dish for meat.

1. Fruit flesh
2. Skin

1. Seeds (pit)
2. Leaves
3. Bark

The pits contain amygdalin, which can release hydrogen cyanide in the body. Do not consume.

Excellent for raw consumption; skin is edible.

High (varietal purity not guaranteed)

Cold stratification of cleaned pits over winter.

Seedlings usually deviate significantly from the parent variety; mostly used as rootstocks.

Store in moist sand at 1-5°C for 3-4 months.

1. Spindelbusch
2. Buschbaum
3. Halbstamm
4. Hochstamm
5. Spalier

The choice of rootstock and training system is crucial for the eventual tree size, yield, and maintenance intensity of plum trees. Dwarfing rootstocks are suitable for small gardens and containers, while vigorous ones are for large gardens and traditional orchards.

Early blossoms are a vital food source for wild bees. Overripe fruits left on the tree are valued by butterflies and birds.

Time for planting and fertilizing with compost.

Main harvest time and summer pruning after harvest.

Planting time for bare-root trees; remove fallen leaves.

Check for mummified fruits and perform winter pruning.