Only a few flower buds

shazza 3 · May 2023

Hello. During the first lockdown, we planted two newly bought Cherry and Plum trees. Both were kept well watered and both flowered the following year. We had a few tiny cherries but no plums. I realise that it can take longer for them to become well established so i'm not that worried. However, the cherry tree is in flower again this year but the plum tree only had 4/5 tiny flowers. The cherry is doing better than the plum. They are both sited in a similar position ang get plenty of water (it rains constantly here). They've both put on a lot of growth and are covered in new leaves. Do I need to feed them ???? Thanks, Shazza

clematisdorset · May 2023

My plum tree only started issuing any flowers at all in its 7th plus year and from what I have read, this is not unusual. I understand plum does well after a period of cold weather in winter. Do you know what type of rootstock your plum is on and its age when you bought it?

Dovefromabove · May 2023

What seems to us like constant rain can be misleading.

Following last summer’s drought and then below average rainfall since then, in many parts of the UK the soil a few inches below the surface is quite dry.

Your trees’ roots will/should be a foot below the surface … it might be an idea to dig a hole nearby just to check that the soil in your garden, down at root level, is moist. If the rain only penetrates the top few inches, the roots of your trees will stay near the surface and that’s not good.

😊

bédé · May 2023

Dove, I have just noticed your latest sign-off. That is helpful. I wish more would do it.

Fairygirl · May 2023

Most plum trees are a bit earlier, as @pansyface says, and they were finished a long time ago here. They did ok because it was very mild early in the year and they came away well, and weren't badly affected by the frost/ice at the important time for the blossom, although it's mostly the wild ones here. Lots of early flowering cherry trees round here have had blossom aborted, or it's been a bit less than normal due to that March freeze.
We had our driest summer on record last year, and that's certainly been a factor, as well as the freeze in March just happening at the wrong time for those early flowers. The cherries that have flowered are all just finishing now.
It can be a combination of factors, so don't worry too much. It can take trees a good couple of years to settle in well. Definitely worth checking the moisture levels of your soil though, and ensuring they're well hydrated through this year if you're in one of those dry areas. Don't feed though, just make sure you mulch after the ground's well soaked and that will help through summer as well.

Only a few flower buds

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