Thinning plums

[miniroots]

I've got a young Victoria Plum tree in it's second season on my plot.  Last it had one flower - but no fruit.

This year there was lots of blossom and now lots of developing fruit - they are all about 2cm long now and it quite big clumps.  Should I thin them out?  How many fruits should I leave per clump?

[miniroots]

[tim]

Can't do better than this - "Thin the fruits at two stages in the year. First in late May when the fruits are beginning to form, the again in mid-July when the plums are about half their full size. First, remove any damaged or diseased fruit. Then, aim to thin the fruit so that there is enough room for the plums to develop without touching each other - about 7cm (3in) between each plum."

On a young tree, even more so. Be cruel to be kind!

[miniroots]

Ooh I've missed the first thinning... I'll dash up there now and take a few off.
Good news is there isn't any diseased or damaged!

Thanks

[Digbycat]

My thinning was carried out very early by pigeons ::)  They have left me some, but not many.

[dandelion]

Then, aim to thin the fruit so that there is enough room for the plums to develop without touching each other - about 7cm (3in) between each plum."[/i]

On a young tree, even more so. Be cruel to be kind!

I haven't got the courage to do it  :'( :'(.

[louise stella]

I inherited an established  Vic plum tree - which I pruned today!  I cut out all the old/crossing/in the way wood and in the process the tree thinned itself!  Don't forget that "June drop" happens naturally and thins the trees out all by themselves.  After that just thin out the ones that are crowded - give each one some room to breathe and expand! 

The more you thin - the more you get as the fruits will be bigger!

Be cruel to be kind!

Louise
X

[cleo]

Some years back in my Leeds days a chap had a Victoria-I suggested he thin the fruits. He thought? I was jealous so did nothing. The branches broke.

Be cruel to be kind indeed

[Robert_Brenchley]

i've seen branches break on a plum as well, and the other danger is that if a small tree overloads itself with fruit, it may lack strength for growth the following year. You can also get biennial bearing, where a tree exhausts itself in one year, then produces nothing the next.

[Buzz]

I must be doing something wrong - planted a tree 2 years ago and never had blossom or fruit ???

Finally this year 2 flowers and now two fruits - don't think mine will need thinning!

[Robert_Brenchley]

It happens. As long ws the tree's growing OK, there's no need to worry. It'll give you a crop in its own time.

[miniroots]

Dandelion - you must do it - I know you feel the same towards all you baby fruit - and it seems like terrible parental favouritism to select some to grow and some to be CULLED.   :'(

But remember - in the end you're going to EAT them all - and what kind of parent does that make you?
:o

[dandelion]

Did it yesterday!

[miniroots]

Wow!
Did you leave any on the tree?

[dandelion]

Wow!
Did you leave any on the tree?

Yes, plenty  ;D! In fact, I'll probably have to do some more thinning later in the season.

[Buzz]

Wow, puts my two plums to shame!