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Plum tree rootstock
eileen_meara
Posts: 3
I've recently taken on an allotment which has a young Victoria plum tree growing on it. What looks like a blackthorn bush is growing from low down on the main stem. The bush is quite vigorous. I guess this is coming from the rootstock (St Julien according to the label) Should I remove the blackthorn or will they grow together quite happily. I like plums but also like slow gin!
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Hi eileen. The blackthorn is the stock that your Victoria plum has been grafted on to so it should be removed from the trunk of the tree otherwise it - being the more vigorous grower of the two - will take over and eventually you may lose the Victoria plum.
Thanks very much Ladybird! I'll have to go foraging for my sloes! Is it the right time to do it?
Yes! Get out there and forage for sloes ... go up the public footpaths and bridleways around the fields rather than roadside verges where everyone goes and picks them too early before they're ripe.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hear hear Dove
Whoops! I meant is it the right time to cut away the sloe bush that's smothering the plum tree! But hear what you say about the sloes! I must get out there and get some to make next Christmas 's gin!
Last edited: 08 November 2016 12:15:15
Do it as soon as possible eileen and good luck with the Sloe Gin!