too late to buy and plant a plum tree now?

[Karen Atkinson]

have I left it too late to buy and plant a plum tree - or indeed any fruit bush?

[Karen Atkinson]

[Alex133]

Should be absolutely fine if pot grown - I don't think bare rooted would be unless anyone knows better.

[shirlton]

We got our trees in a pot. They are a little more expensive.

[Uncle_Filthster]

As mentioned, pot grown should be ok if well tended but watch out for bare roots bunged in a pot, which I have seen a lot and usually are the cheaper potted trees.

The problem with bare roots is the drying out.  Providing what you buy is healthy, looked after by where you are buying it from, with well covered roots (i.e. not drying out at all) and you give it a good soak before planting without exposing the roots you should be ok.  It will need a lot of watering though and is risky

[Robert_Brenchley]

Bare rooted can be OK, provided it has a good root system, hasn't dried out, and you're prepared to water daily for the rest of the growing season.

[Karen Atkinson]

Thankyou so much for your replies. If it's in flower when I buy it, is there a chance of fruit this season?

[GodfreyRob]

I would knock them off if any fruit form to save its resources - let the tree get established for a few seasons first.

[goodlife]

Bare rooted season is over now..and none should be availalbe anymore for this time of the year (trees).
But potted ones are available all year round and can be planted as and when you buy some.

[daitheplant]

I totally agree with goodlife. Pot grown plants can be planted at any time of year as long as the ground isn`t waterlogged or frozen. If the tree is in flower, or, as is more likely at this time of year, carrying young fruits, then leave them ON. Removing flowers to help growth is an old wives tale. ;D

[zigzig]

The roots are the important part.

A lot of people think they can plant a tree and for get about it. The first year at least it needs watering daily

As for getting fruits from it, Well it is up to you. You might.

Fact is the tree needs to firsly establish it's roots then grow fruit. So you might get fruit. but if you do you could be sacrificing root growth for it for the future.

Plenty of water to the roots for year one is essential

[daitheplant]

For the number of fruits you get on a young tree they are not detremental to rootgrowth.