The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Fruit => Topic started by: AndynJ on September 23, 2013, 05:33:04 am

Title: Plum tree
Post by: AndynJ on September 23, 2013, 05:33:04 am
We have a very old plum tree, its half dead, wrotten throughout though still gave fruit, can we take cuttings ? do we need to graft the cuttings
The tree is in the wrong place plus it's almost had it, how long would cuttings take before we know they are successful?
Title: Re: Plum tree
Post by: HesterF on September 23, 2013, 10:38:49 pm
Is it on its own root stock? Or is it grafted itself? Unless it's very old, I'd guess its on a root stock in which case, yes, you'd have to graft. Hard to do - not even attempted it myself. It's important to match the root stock with the plum variety - do you know what it is?

Also don't underestimate the power of a good prune to regenerate a fruit tree. My friends had five apples and pears that they thought were dead but I gave them all a hefty prune last winter and they're looking loads better now. I think plums are tougher & more headstrong but certainly don't give up without a bit of a fight for it. I've got some big old Bramleys that are half rotten but still showing plenty of vigour. How big is it now?

H