Plum Tree Question.

[Chrispy]

My dad bought a patio Victoria plum tree from the evil empire.
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/fruit/fruit-trees/stone-fruit-trees/plum-victoria/cww3217TM

When it arrived it was in a 6ft box, and the tree in nearly 5ft tall+roots, where as the final size is meant to be just 3ft.
He rang T&M to query it, to which he got the standard reply of 'We will send you another one'

So I have been gifted this tree.
It came bare rooted, but the main root has a 90 deg bend, so guess to has been pot grown.
Anyway of telling if he has been sent the wrong tree, or if it is correct and just needs pruning.
Never grown a fruit tree before so I have no idea.

[Chrispy]

[goodlife]

There is no telling what you've got in this stage..it is possible to confirm by look at the bark and the buds that if its stone fruit or something else..like apple.
What ever you do...don't do any pruning now...just get it planted and allow it to make some growth. Once it has started to grow you can identify from leaves if its plum or cherry..or any other type of fruit. If there should be any pruning in its first year(unlikely) you only do it when the tree is actively growing (in case of stone fruits)...but it is more likely that you can leave the tree to be and allow it to do its own thing and do its first pruning next year. However..if there is some damaged branches..you can tidy those off once the growth have started.

[chriscross1966]

I'd stick it in a massive pot if you have one and see what it turns into...  is it possible you have the pregrafted  whip?

[Chrispy]

I have read other up about the VVA1 rootstocks on other sites, and they give a mature height of 7-9 ft but when planted in open ground.

Also on T&M, the height of their maiden tree on St. Julien A rootstock is given as 8' were other sites give the final height as 10-12'

For now I am going to assume the correct tree that has been sent, and I am going to plant it in a 35L pot.

is it possible you have the pregrafted  whip?

No I can see the graft clear enough.
How do trees normally arrive? My dad has bought other dwarf trees from a different supplier, they all arrived as a rootstock with an 8 inch scion, so imagine his supprise when this 6ft box arrived.
I'll wait and see what the replacement is like.

[goodlife]

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How do trees normally arrive? My dad has bought other dwarf trees from a different supplier, they all arrived as a rootstock with an 8 inch scion, so imagine his supprise when this 6ft box arrived.
Depending where you buy the trees...nurseries tend to state the age options of their new trees as the size vary so much. I usually by mine as 'maidens' which are just whips..no more than 2-3 ft..usually 'pip' fruits tend to be shorter than stone fruits(for what I've received). 8" scion does sound bit short..I would expect bit more than that to arrive in post...that to me sound like its almost like straight from propagation 'table'.
Last year I bought nectarine..and not where I normally buy it from. They send it as 6FT tree!..I wasn't very happy bunny..how do fit that in GH and start training it once the growth start  I rang the company as a possible new customer to ask questions about their trees...and yes..usually their new trees are 3-4 ft'ers.
I've had trees from T&M too...and with varying 'quality'..one was that 'old' that it didn't fit their 6ft box..but it was chopped down into 4 ft size and all branches shortened into 2" stumps from the trunk... It looked horrid. It is alive and I've had to train one of the new branches as a new leader to get it grow height again..but the tree still doesn't look 'pretty'.

[Chrispy]

8" scion does sound bit short..I would expect bit more than that to arrive in post...that to me sound like its almost like straight from propagation 'table'.

I just ask him where he got them, Jersey Seeds Direct
Looking on their web site, they come in 9cm pots so I think you might be right.