Japanese, European, and American Plums

Chapter 19

Types• Three types of plums.

– Japanese– European– American

• A new plum-aprium hybrid

The three types of plums• Japanese P. salicina – these are

the fresh market type of plums. Processed into baby food or preserves. “Santa Rose”

• They are large, round, and very juicy.

• They have skin colors of several different colors such as red, yellow, green, to a black.

• Flesh is color is normally amber-yellow or red

European plums – P. domestica• These are types of European

plums with a high sugar content that allows them to dry without molding.

• Thus, prunes• These are normally oval shape.• Blue-purple skin color• Have a dry, mealy, yellow-amber

flesh that’s not good for eating fresh.

American - P. americanum, P. angustifolium, P. munsoniana• These are young varieties• Haven’t had much time to breed

for size• Fruit is round in shape• With skin and flesh colors of red

or yellow

hybrid• Zaiger family bred and named

this hybrid ploutsTM

• In fact they are plumcots which are ¾ Japanese plum & ¼ Apricot

• They have the tangy taste of apricots and the high sugar content as well as hairless skin of plums

Cold Tolerance• Japanese plums and plumcots

grow well in zones 6 to 9.• European plums grow well in

zones 5 to 7• American plums grow well in

zones 3 to 5

Production in the US• California produces 94%, about

768 million pounds per year.• Oregon, Washington, Idaho, &

Michigan produce most of the other 6%.

• Japanese plums make up 55% of total production.

• European plums make up 45%, which are almost entirely dried into prunes. (99% of the US market)

• Plumcots & American make up less than 1%.

Tree growth & limiting factors• Small trees that grow 15’ to 20’

tall and wide.• Japanese & plumcots grow

wider, while European plums grow more upright.

• They can grow for 20 to 30 years.

• Japanese & plumcots come into production, 3rd. or 4th. Leaf.

• European & American come into production, 4th. or 5th. Leaf.

Fruiting wood• Plums bear most fruit on short

spurs arising from 2 year old or older wood.

Site Selection & Preparation• Japanese plums & plumcots

need sites similar to that for peaches.

• Few spring frost since they bloom early.

• 500 – 1000 foot elevations are optimal.

• Excellent soil drainage if grafted to peach rootstocks.

• Moderately well drained soil drainage if grafted to plum rootstocks.

Site Selection & Preparation• European plums need sites

similar to apples.• Early frost are not a problem

because they bloom late.• 1500 – 2000 foot elevations are

optimal.• Moderately well drained soil

drainage.

Selecting Rootstocks

Choosing Cultivars

Orchard Design• Row space• Tree space

Orchard Floor Management

Insects – Codling moth

Shothole borer

Peach twig borer

San Jose ScaleMale Female

KatydidsAdult Nymphs

Diseases – Phytophthora root & Crown rot

Powdery Mildew

Crown gall

Oak root fungus

Brown rot

Weeds