[Arid_gardener] Re: Plum Tree, Selecting & Culture

[Olin Miller]

Publication "AZ1269 Deciduous Fruits and Nuts for the Low Desert " at
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1269/
lists five varieties adapted to our low desert.  Of these, I have had very
good results with the 'Santa Rosa' but have no experience with the others.

Plant following the guidelines of the Pub. "AZ1022 Planting Guidelines:
Container Trees & Shrubs " at
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1022.pdf

I have never seen specific recommendations for fertilizing deciduous fruit
trees in the low desert but I have had good success using a complete
(10-10-10) fertilizer in early spring (early February) before leaves appear,
then again in September.  If you begin with a bare root (getting hard to
find locally) do not fertilize the first year.  As to amount, if you use a
Fruit/Nut fertilizer, the instructions as to the amount will be on the bag.
Irrigate twice weekly for the first month or so, then increase the interval
to 0-4 days in the summer and monthly during the winter dormant period.

Prune following the guidelines of Pub. MC66, "Pruning Fruit Trees in Home
Orchards", temporarily located at
http://home.att.net/~millero/MC66_prune_decid_fruit.pdf

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mamf at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:16 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Mike
> 85296
> mamf at cox.net
>
> Hello, I plan on planting a plum tree soon.  In your opinion which is the
> best tree for the Gilbert area and what should be done after planting,
> such as, pruning, feeding, etc.