|
 |
 |
|
Wild beach plum, ‘on
the edge,’ in the harsh coastal environment of Montauk
Point State Park, New York. |
 |
Soil Preparation
Spring one year before planting
Add lime and fertilizer as specified by the soil testing service
and plow it into the soil to 16 inches if possible. In general,
a pH of 6-6.5 is recommended for production of most tree fruits.
Incorporate lime and fertilizer into the root zone before planting.
As with all perennial crops, after planting you do not get a chance
to work the soil again. Dolomitic lime (lime with 10% of magnesium
or more) is recommended because it raises the soil pH causing nutrients
to be more available and it is also an important source of magnesium
and calcium.
If needed, the addition of phosphorous before planting is important
as it is relatively immobile and may not reach the root system if
only applied to the soil surface. Nitrogen on the other hand is
very mobile and if put on at this time will leach through the soil
profile long before the plants are installed. Incorporate lime and
phosphorus a year before planting. It may be desirable to re-test
the soil again before planting to verify pH adjustment and nutrient
levels.
Early spring of planting
At the time of planting, water in each plant with water-soluble
fertilizer. As foliage develops (mid-May) apply 0.6-1.0 oz. nitrogen
per tree, which is equivalent to 4 to 6 ounces of calcium nitrate
or 2 to 3 ounces of ammonium nitrate to the surface of the soil
(5).
Fertilization
Fertilization needs will vary with soil type and plant size. Application
of fertilizer based on soil and foliar nutrient analysis can optimize
crop performance by tailoring fertilizer levels to the specific
needs of fruit trees. Ample growth of 1.5 feet of shoot growth during
the growing season may be desirable for beach plum. Depending on
soil type, fertilizer application rates will vary. Keep track of
rates and measure growth every year. Young transplants may be fertilized
with 0.6 to 1.0 oz. of nitrogen per tree, as foliage emerges in
mid-May. On established plants, 0.1 to 0.2 pounds per tree of nitrogen
applied under the drip line may be sufficient for beach plum fruit
production. As nitrogen is easily leached from the soil, it should
be applied under the drip line in the weed-free strip. If too much
nitrogen is applied, excessive vegetative growth could occur at
the expense of yield. On sandy soils, nitrogen might be best applied
as split applications over two to three weeks to minimize loss due
to leaching. On soils with a greater clay and organic matter content,
little or no additional fertilizer may be needed once plants are
established.
Pruning
Beach plums may be pruned in late winter to early spring. Remove
crossed, shaded, cracked, and down-pointing branches. Diseased branches
with cankers and black knot should be removed. If black knot occurs,
it should be removed at least 6 inches below the gall, disinfecting
the pruning shears with a 10% bleach solution in between cuts.
Maintain an open canopy to facilitate light penetration and air
circulation. Keep plants at a size where picking is practical. If
biennial bearing is a problem, do your heavy pruning in years where
you are expecting a heavy crop. Beach plums form their fruit on
the base of one-year-old wood and spur formation is uncommon. Peach
also bears on annual wood and could serve as a model for pruning.
Page: 1
| 2 | 3
| Next Section
 Top
|
