I was given a small 2 ft. plum tree about 5 or 6 yrs. ago. It has never flowered. Was told recently that suckers don't bear fruit, but my friend says he's never seen suckers around the bigger trees, and figured this one came from a pit. It is slow growing and last year looked sick so I cut it back about 1/3. Only about 4 ft. tall now. Should I get rid of it or will it eventually flower? I only have that tree and an Avalon Peach. They are both self-pollinators.
I have seen suckers growing from the roots of some plums. They are not as rampant as some other fruits at producing suckers, though. These were not Italian Plums that I saw suckers on.
Fruit trees are usually grown grafted in 2 (or more) sections.
The root is disease resistant and good at getting water and nutrients from the soil, but has poor or no flowers or fruit. If sprouts come up from the root they are not wanted.
The upper part is the part that has good fruit. If it is grown on its own roots however, these roots may be disease prone, or not great at getting the water and nutrients. If someone started this from a seed this is what you would get.
Sometimes it takes quite a few years for some fruit planted from seed to flower. Most plums should flower pretty fast, though.
Most fruit needs a rather specific amount of cold during the winter so the flowers will form, then open.
You might do some research to make sure this is a variety that is suited to your zone. Are there Italian Plums grown near you?
I think I would give it one or two more years to see if it will flower, but if it does not, then plan on replacing it. In the mean time do some research to find out if there is a recommended variety for your area.
Thank you Diana. I have been doing research, and did read that a lot of fruit trees are grafted. Italian plums do pretty well in Tacoma. I know a few people that have them. My friends who have them though, the trees were already on their property when they moved there, so not sure if they were wild or bought grafted. I think I will give it a couple more years, but it has not gotten much taller. I think I actually have 2 that are growing around each other. I think in the fall, I will dig it up and try to separate them and see if that helps the speed of growth. I still haven't found a website that will clearly explain if Italian Plums have suckers and if so, will they flower? Assuming they are NOT grafted.
Italian plums are grafted.
The seeds will grow, too. I have no way of knowing if the plant(s) you have were grown from someone planting a seed.
Seed grown plants might not bear the same tasty fruit as the parent plants. You are getting the genetic gamble.
a) Grafted plant: You do not want the rootstock to sprout branches.
If the upper part died, though, the root might still live and grow branches. The variety chosen for rootstock might not be able to flower and fruit in your climate. That is OK when it is being used as rootstock, it is still able to grow well and get nutrients and water for the fruiting part.
If you suspect this has happened to your plant(s), then I would pull it out and get a new plant that will have the fruit you want.
b) Seed grown plant: Will flower, but it may take several years. 5 years is not too long to wait to see if the plant will grow fruit that you like.
Most fruit trees need a certain amount of chilling during the winter or else they may not flower or fruit. If yours is from a seed, then the genetic gamble might have given your plant too much chilling requirement, and it might be that it will not work in your area.
Just came across this old thread of mine. I understand about the grafting. Have read about it, but pretty sure this grew from a seed in my friends yard from one of the large italian plums that are on his property. They grow well here. I believe this may be year 6 for this guy. Looks great but sure hope it eventually bears fruit. They are soooo good!
Good to hear you are hanging in there with this one.
Yes, a seed grown tree will take several years to produce. Hope it turns out to be something you like!
