PLUMs in southeast Indiana ?????

1shotwade · #1 02/06/14, 09:21 AM

So here's the deal. I've got a plum tree that's 20 years old and I get ZERO plums each year. I guess all the wild plum in the area are gone 'cause I'm not getting any pollination.It's time to trim fruit trees so I'm hoping to find 3-4 different"disease free" varieties to bark graft onto this tree in hopes of future production. This is a last ditch effort.If this don't work It's outa' here! I don't have a place to plant more plum trees that may not produce either!
Anyone?

Thanks

Wade

K.B. · #2 02/06/14, 02:33 PM

disease free is a tall order

almost all plums will pick up something, in my experience. The good news is they are fast growers and can usually outgrow damage from a bad year. I don't use any sprays or anything on mine.

If your area is zone 6 or warmer, I've got a couple types I can send you - Elephant Heart and Howard Miracle.

1shotwade · #3 02/06/14, 02:47 PM

That's kind of you! I might take you up on that but I'd like to see if I can find them local.Problem is I don't know what kind this tree is and everyone I know has that fungus disease. I don't need that in my ONLY tree. I may be getting back with you on that. Thanks again.

Wade

This will be my first attempt at bark grafting so I'm thinking local is better.WB

light rain · #4 02/06/14, 06:34 PM

If you ever tasted an Elephant Heart plum you might reconsider. Westmoreland Berry Farm in Va. sells them when in season.

light rain · #5 02/06/14, 06:37 PM

Sorry. I don't know what I did to choose THAT icon. I wanted to do a smiley face!

1shotwade · #6 02/08/14, 06:59 AM

OK KB , I guess we're on if the offer still stands.Where do we go from here?

Wade

unregistered5595 · #7 02/08/14, 07:39 AM

WI: we had a plum tree and it lasted for 20 years. Stanley plums, self pollinating. It was a great tree and we loved the plums.

1shotwade · #8 02/08/14, 08:11 AM

I wish it was "have" instead of "had"! Right now I'm thinking if I can get 20 different kinds to graft in I'd do it. I'm tired of getting nothing.If anyone out there has som I'd gladly find a place on the tree to graft them in.

Wade

unregistered5595 · #9 02/08/14, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1shotwade

I wish it was "have" instead of "had"! Right now I'm thinking if I can get 20 different kinds to graft in I'd do it. I'm tired of getting nothing.If anyone out there has som I'd gladly find a place on the tree to graft them in.

Wade

Well so sorry, I wish it had been "have" instead of "had" too. From what I read the Stanley plum will also help cross pollinate others. It is a European plum. I might have suckers come up from the roots of it this spring but I'd be afraid it was grafted, so the suckers wouldn't help. I really can't recommend any other plum from experience besides the Stanley, it was great.

K.B. · #10 02/08/14, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1shotwade

OK KB , I guess we're on if the offer still stands.Where do we go from here?

Wade

Sure thing. Just PM me an address to ship the scions. I bark grafted a couple other varieties last year, so I should have scions from additional types within a few years if all goes well.

light rain · #11 02/08/14, 11:06 AM

We had a prune plum, that I think was a Stanley, that did great until I didn't keep up with the Concord grape that I planted about 8 ft. away. It went out and covered it and it died last year. But we have another plum that has smallish golden plums that really produced last year. If someone can tell me what/where to cut and when to cut, I can send some too. But, last year, after a heavy load, I had a lot of plums get a mold. If this will threaten you tree, I don't want to cause you problems. I planted both of these trees over 15 years ago. Planning on planting a crabapple and an apple from St. Lawrence Nurseries this spring whether it's in the budget or not.... Have you seen the price of fruit at the store even in season!

1shotwade · #12 02/08/14, 12:07 PM

KB-pm sent. Also any info on bark grafting would help. I've never done this before. I had a video clip on it saved but now can't find it. Thanks again,Wade

LR_ I would love to try to use yous also but don't know that much about it. Maybe someone here can help?

Wade

K.B. · #13 02/08/14, 12:15 PM

Thanks - Here is a video that I think does a nice job of covering the bark grafting process:

light rain · #14 02/11/14, 01:00 PM

K.B. thanks for posting that video. Just watched it now and I was surprised how simple he made it sound. I am assuming the scion wood is just the outer growth of the tree. I know that an orchard near Milw. sells the scion wood for heirloom apples and does classes. 1st shot Wade I'd be happy to send you some and maybe I can obtain some from a friend to send. Looks like the time schedule should be closer to spring. You are zone 6 I believe, and we're zone 4. I don't know what pm means but let me know/remind me closer to the correct time for grafting. It would be a shame for you not to take advantage of that root system.

1shotwade · #15 02/11/14, 02:11 PM

L R - PM is just private message. I just learned that this year so don't feel bad.
The scions are the "whips" you cut out when pruning the tree.A friend has advised me to put them in a ziplock bag with a damp cloth and put in the fridg. untill about the end of March. He says just before the tree starts budding but he also told me to do my pruning now and leave about 2" extra on the tree. Then when you start grafting make a fresh cut of that 2" and graft to it.
I'd love to get some off you also. Like I sdaid this is a last ditch effort. If it don't produce after all this It's outa' here.I kind of would like to get whatever I'm going to end up with as far as grafting stock as soon as I can so I can prune accordingly. My friend is doing his pruning this weekend so I can't wait too long.

Wade

1shotwade · #16 02/11/14, 03:17 PM

light rain- check your email. PM sent !

Wade

light rain · #17 02/11/14, 03:53 PM

I'll get them mailed tomorrow. Got to go out anyway to mail other things and get some shopping done. Hope they work out for you!

1shotwade · #18 02/11/14, 04:54 PM

That sounds great! Let me know how much I owe you!

Wade

K.B. · #19 02/11/14, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by light rain

K.B. thanks for posting that video. Just watched it now and I was surprised how simple he made it sound. I am assuming the scion wood is just the outer growth of the tree. I know that an orchard near Milw. sells the scion wood for heirloom apples and does classes. 1st shot Wade I'd be happy to send you some and maybe I can obtain some from a friend to send. Looks like the time schedule should be closer to spring. You are zone 6 I believe, and we're zone 4. I don't know what pm means but let me know/remind me closer to the correct time for grafting. It would be a shame for you not to take advantage of that root system.

Bark grafting is a nice technique to use to get comfortable with grafting.

Scion cuttings are usually best if they are ~8-12 inches long off the end of branches from last years growth.

I've got the scions in the frig and they should go out tomorrow.

1shotwade · #20 02/12/14, 11:18 PM

KB-Thanks! Sounds great!

Wade