How to Feed Ornamental Plum Trees
Ornamental fruit trees add texture to a landscape. Popular ornamental plum trees include purple-leaved varieties, such as Thunderbird and Krauter's Vesuvius. In addition to the beautiful flowers and attractive purple leaves, some varieties produce small, edible fruits. Caring for an ornamental fruit tree is relatively easy. With proper care and feeding, your plum tree will be the traffic-stopper of the neighborhood when it blooms in the spring. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant the ornamental plum according to the nursery's directions. Do not add fertilizer to the planting hole. Doing so may void the tree's warranty.
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Spread 1/2 pound of general purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer around the tree one month after planting. Starting 6 inches from the trunk, spread the fertilizer out to the drip line of the branches. Water according to the fertilizer package directions. Fertilize again in June. After the first year, apply 1/4 pound of fertilizer in April and 1/4 pound in June.
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Spread 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the tree, keeping it 6 inches away from the trunk. If possible, mulch all the way to the drip line. Keeping the ground under the tree covered with mulch helps to prevent weed growth and to maintain a constant soil moisture.
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Tips & Warnings
Fertilizer labeled "10-10-10" contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate and 10 percent potassium---or potash.
The drip line is the outer edge of the branches of the tree.
Consult with your local cooperative extension office for specifics on growing ornamental fruit trees in your area.
Many ornamental plums have edible fruit.
Do not over-fertilize. When in doubt, use less fertilizer.
The mulch should not be more than 4 inches deep.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Nancy Nehring/Photodisc/Getty Images
