How to Plant Plum Tree from Seed

If you’re a tree lover, then you know how planting and cultivating trees, especially fruit trees, can be fulfilling. If you want to learn how to plant a plum tree from seed, this article will guide you through the process.

Step 1: Get Ripe Plum Fruits

The first step involves getting fully ripe plum fruits. Make sure to select large and juicy fruits. When the plum fruit is overripe or soft, the seed is at maturity, which makes it viable for planting.

Step 2: Extract the Seed from the Plum Fruit

After carefully selecting your plum fruits, cut them open and extract the seeds. Rinse the seeds in water and gently wipe them with a dry cloth. You may remove any leftover flesh, but be careful not to remove the outer layer of the seed.

Step 3: Stratification

Once you’ve removed the seeds from the plum fruit, you can opt to stratify them to enhance germination rates. Stratification is simply a process of simulating winter and giving seeds enough time to break dormancy naturally. To stratify your seeds, place them in a moist medium such as sand, moss, or damp peat moss, put them in a sealed plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 months.

Step 4: Planting the Plum Seeds

Once you’ve completed the stratification process, it’s time to plant the plum seeds. Select a suitable location that’s exposed to full sun and has well-draining soil. Dig a hole that’s two times the size of the seed and fill it with fertile soil mixed with organic manure.

Place the seed in the hole with their tips pointed upwards and gently cover the seeds with a small layer of soil. Water the soil until it’s moist, but not soaking wet. You can also use a mulch layer to keep the soil moist and keep weeds at bay.

Step 5: Care and Maintenance

Your plum tree will need constant care and maintenance to thrive. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Water the tree deeply during drought periods to encourage deep root growth. Prune the tree regularly to maintain its shape and promote air circulation.

Fertilize your plum tree twice a year, in spring and fall, with high-quality organic fertilizer. Be sure to watch out for pests and diseases and take necessary measures to control them.

Conclusion

Learning how to plant a plum tree from seed is an exciting and fulfilling process. With proper care and maintenance, your plum tree will grow and bear fruits after a few years. Remember that it takes patience, diligence, and knowledge to cultivate healthy fruit trees, so don’t give up and keep learning.