Q. I lost two fruit trees this
winter because of an irrigation problem. I would like to replace them with
4-in-1 pluot and plum tree. I’m hoping it’s not too late to plant.
winter because of an irrigation problem. I would like to replace them with
4-in-1 pluot and plum tree. I’m hoping it’s not too late to plant.
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| Two-in-one hole fruit trees…one Santa Rosa plum and pluot by reader. |
A. It is not too late to
plant fruit trees in containers but it is too late to plant them bare root or sold
in packages.
plant fruit trees in containers but it is too late to plant them bare root or sold
in packages.
I
am not a big fan of fruit trees that have more than one variety on the same
tree. In a few years the more aggressive varieties dominate and kill the weaker
varieties. In a very short time the tree is dominated by one or two varieties
instead of four.
am not a big fan of fruit trees that have more than one variety on the same
tree. In a few years the more aggressive varieties dominate and kill the weaker
varieties. In a very short time the tree is dominated by one or two varieties
instead of four.
I
prefer separate trees planted very close to each other and managed as one tree.
I would plant these trees about 12 to 18 inches apart; one on the east side of
a large hole and the other on the west.
prefer separate trees planted very close to each other and managed as one tree.
I would plant these trees about 12 to 18 inches apart; one on the east side of
a large hole and the other on the west.
In
the case of pluots and plum, the plum tree should be a Santa Rosa which is a
good pollinator for pluots. Pluots are self-pollinating in our climate but
having a Santa Rosa plum tree close may help with fruit set and increase yield.
the case of pluots and plum, the plum tree should be a Santa Rosa which is a
good pollinator for pluots. Pluots are self-pollinating in our climate but
having a Santa Rosa plum tree close may help with fruit set and increase yield.
Two
rules should be followed when planting trees close together; never let them
grow back into each other and keep them both pruned and trained to the same
size.
rules should be followed when planting trees close together; never let them
grow back into each other and keep them both pruned and trained to the same
size.