Prunus cerasifera

El Prunus cerasifera it is a tree that can be considered both ornamental and fruit-bearing, although it is used much more as a garden plant. It does not grow much, so it is highly recommended for small plots, and it does not have invasive roots either.

During the spring its innumerable flowers sprout happily from the branches, a little before the leaves do or just at the same time. Thus, it offers food to pollinating insects as soon as the cold gives way to the pleasant temperatures of this season.

Origin and characteristics of Prunus cerasifera

It is a deciduous tree native to central and eastern Europe, and central and southwestern Asia whose scientific name is Prunus cerasifera. It is popularly known by other names, such as garden plum, red plum, myrobolan plum, and cherry-plum. Its maximum height is 15 meters, although in cultivation it is difficult to find specimens that exceed 8 meters.

The crown is rather narrow when young, but as it grows it opens up to about 3-4 meters. The leaves are green in the type species, but in the variety Prunus cerasifera var atropurpurea They are, as the name suggests, purple in color.

As we commented, blooms in spring. In fact, he is believed to be one of the first we have in Europe to perk up. The flowers are white or pink, have five petals, and measure about 2 centimeters in diameter. The fruit is a drupe about 3 centimeters in diameter, with yellow or red skin, and edible as soon as it ripens in autumn.

Garden Plum Uses

El Prunus cerasifera It has very interesting uses, both in the garden and in the kitchen. Let's see what they are:

• Ornamental: it is a tree that looks great in all kinds of gardens, for example on both sides of a path, in high hedges or in groups. If varieties with purple leaves are chosen, these are ideal for adding color to a garden in which green predominates.
• EdiblePairing: the fruit can be eaten fresh, just picked from the tree; or in the form of jam.

Caring for the Prunus cerasifera

The garden plum it is a very easy plant to care for. For example, it has surprised me a lot, since in my area apart from the almond tree (Almond) and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerassus), it is difficult to find a species of Prunus that lives really well. So, of course, I recommend it for all those who have a garden in a temperate region, even if they are in the Mediterranean.

Location

Outside, in full sun. It is necessary that it be outdoors, in an area where it has enough space to develop. If we want it to shade a path, it is interesting to plant it one meter away from it so that, when it grows enough, it fulfills our purpose.

Earth

The land has to be fertile. It is also important that it has good drainage since excess water can suffocate the roots, and therefore cause very serious problems to the rest of the plant. It tolerates practically all types of soils, including alkaline-clay soils, so you won't have to worry about this.

In the event that you are going to have it in a pot, first tell you that it is a plant that can hardly be in a container, unless it is pruned and kept as a bush. But if you have it like this, you have to use a universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite (for sale here).

Irrigation

You have to water the Prunus cerasifera from time to time. During the spring it is advisable to water once a week if it is a dry season, and in summer go to two or even three times a week. if in our area it rains little or not at all and temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

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During the warm months, and since it will be growing, you can pay. For example, mulch (for sale here) or manure if it is planted in the ground, but if we have it in a pot it will be better to use liquid fertilizers. In addition, the instructions for use must be followed in order not to take unnecessary risks.

Planting time

The garden plum it is planted in the ground or in a pot in spring. The ideal is to do it before it blooms so that the flowering is not interrupted, but if it already has flowers, it can be transplanted but being very careful not to manipulate the roots.

It is also important that it is not removed from its pot if the roots do not come out through the drainage holes, or if it has been in it for less than three years, since this will mean that it has not rooted well yet.

Multiplication

It is multiplied by seeds in autumn/winter and cuttings in late winter. Let's know how:

• Seeds: as they have to go cold before germinating, the ideal is to sow them in autumn or winter, in a forest seedbed tray or in pots with universal substrate. One or two will be placed, separated from each other, and they will be buried with a little substrate. Then, the seedbed will be placed outside, in full sun, and it will be watered in order to keep the substrate moist. They will germinate throughout the spring.
• Cuttings: semi-woody branches about 40 centimeters long are taken, and their base is impregnated with rooting hormones (for sale here). Later, they are planted in pots with vermiculite, for example, which is a substrate that maintains humidity well while facilitating the passage of water. Finally, it is watered and placed outside, in partial shade. You have to spray it with water once a day so that it does not dehydrate, but in about two weeks it will start to sprout.

Pests and diseases of the garden plum

The pests that usually attack it are: mealybugs and aphids. These can be treated with diatomaceous earth (for sale here), since it is a natural insecticide. But there are other animals that can also cause some damage, and those are the rabbits by gnawing the logs. To avoid this, it may be interesting to protect it with wire mesh.

Finally, although they are not a pest at all, we have the birds, which eat the fruits.

If we talk about enfermedades, there are basically three: rust, powdery mildew and leprosy or denting of the leaves. All of them are transmitted by a fungus, so if we see a kind of whitish or grayish powder on the leaves, or if the leaves appear misshapen, yellow and fall early, we will have to treat it with a copper-based fungicide (for sale). here).

Pruning

Pruning will be done in autumnwhen the leaves fall off. It is not recommended to do it at the end of winter since it could cancel flowering and, consequently, also fruit production.

And even so, you just have to remove dry, diseased or broken branches. You can also cut the ones that grow a lot.

Rusticity

Resists up to -18ºC.

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