Most purple leaf plums grow to cover a 20 by 20 foot area. This translates to a fully grown plum requiring more than 50 gallons of water on a 100 F, windy summer day or as little as 18 to 20 gallons in the cool of the early spring or fall.
How much water does a Purple Leaf plum need?
In a moderate summer, your first-year tree is likely to need 5 to 10 gallons a week, applied every 1 to 2 weeks. You want to wet the soil to a depth of 18 to 24 inches. As the tree grows, move the watering to the outer portion of the canopy.
Why is my purple plum tree losing leaves?
Why is Plum Tree Dropping Leaves? Listed below are the most common reasons for a plum losing leaves: Nutrient deficiencies – Nutrient deficiencies such as boron, iron, manganese, sulfur, or nitrogen, may contribute to the plum tree leaves falling off. Stone fruit trees need nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Why are the leaves turning yellow on my plum tree?
Lack of water – trees in pots need regular watering as they dry out quicker and do not catch as much rain water as plants and trees in the ground. Small pots – are the pots big enough? Nutrient deficiencies – as with watering, trees in pots need regular feeding to give them the nutrients they require to grow.
How long does a Purple Leaf plum live?
The purpleleaf plum is a relatively short-lived tree, lasting only around 20 years, and it requires a bit of maintenance.
Can you over water plum trees?
You can easily overwater your plum trees. Plums grow poorly in wet soil. Too much water prevents roots from absorbing nutrients and oxygen. Avoid overwatering your trees by adjusting your approach to the weather conditions.
Can plum trees get too much water?
Deeply water your plum tree once every two to four weeks. This ensures that the soil is saturated down to the root line, but also has time to dry out a bit. Watering too much or too little can cause stress-related diseases, so always make sure you are checking for dry or waterlogged soil.
Why are the leaves on my purple plum tree turning green?
Often the new leaves of a plant come out green and change to a darker color as they mature. The green foliage on purple leafed Loropetalum is often just baby foliage. The new growth can cover the older leaves, preventing sun from reaching them, so purple Loropetalum turns green under the new growth.
How much water do plum trees need?
Irrigation Amounts
Enough water must be used during irrigation to hit the plum tree’s root line and beyond. For juvenile trees, approximately 2 gallons of water is sufficient. Adult plum trees require approximately 8 gallons of water at every watering.
How do you fertilize a purple plum tree?
Water them every two to three weeks during dry, hot conditions. Fertilize purple leaf plum trees in spring with 1/2 cup of 12-6-6 fertilizer if growth is slow. In sited in fertilized lawns, they probably don’t need additional fertilizer.
What is the best feed for plum trees?
For newly planted plums, fertilize in the early spring by broadcasting one cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer over an area that is roughly three feet (. 9 m.) across. In mid-May and mid-July, apply a ½ cup of calcium nitrate or ammonium nitrate evenly over an area about two feet (.
How do I fix yellow leaves on my tree?
With too little water, plants can’t take up essential nutrients. Yellow leaves result. To fix or prevent water issues, start with porous, well-draining soil. If you grow in containers, choose pots with good drainage holes and keep saucers free of excess water.
Why are my plum tree leaves wilting?
Check the soil moisture and make sure the tree is receiving adequate water. Too much or not enough water can cause wilting and leaves to drop. Even established trees suffer during extremely hot and droughty summers. Gardeners often overcompensate with improper watering.
Does purple leaf plum lose its leaves?
Throughout its hardiness zones, purple leaf plum drops its leaves in fall and needs no extra protection against winter lows. But at the mild end of its growing zones, unexpected highs and lows can warrant stepping in to save the clusters of 1-inch blossoms that appear before purple leaves unfurl.
Are purple leaf plum trees messy?
Purple Leaf Plum Care
This tree also benefits from regular feeding and pruning. It can be a messy tree if fruit forms in spring. It’s best to plant this tree away from walkways and other sites in your yard that get a lot of foot traffic, so you are not walking on the fruit.
How big does a purple leaf plum tree get?
around 25′
Mature Size
The purpleleaf plum grows to a height of around 25′ and a spread of around 25′ at maturity.
What is the best time of day to water fruit trees?
The best time to water is in the morning or evening, so the roots have a chance to absorb most of the water.
Should I water fruit trees daily?
Regular watering is perhaps the single most important and useful thing you can do to help your new fruit tree get established. Usually a bucket of water once a week will be sufficient, but if the weather is hot and there is no rain it may be necessary to water every 2-3 days.
How do you keep plum trees healthy?
How to Care for Plum Trees
- Be sure to water the young trees heavily every week during the first growing season to help promote growth. Then, water regularly.
- If rain is lacking, water your tree well into mid-October to give it plenty of moisture through the winter months.
How often should I water a newly planted plum tree?
They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals: 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily. 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days. After 12 weeks, water weekly until roots are established.
Where do plum trees grow the best?
Plum trees need to be planted where they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight as measured in early summer (late June to early August). Sufficient sun exposure triggers the initiation of new flower buds for the next growing season, without which there will be no fruit.