I planted a greengage last year, and this year it had lots of blossoms. I flicked off the fruits that weren't strongly attached and all looked good. Then the new shoots and also some of the older leaves curled up, and although I sprayed it with a mixture of tobacco and detergent, it eventually looked so sad that the other evening I cut off all the affected shoots and leaves. Have I done right or wrong?
As long as the roots and stems are still ok, it will regrow. You may want to try treating the plant with neem oil should any more problems arise.
My plum tree has not been pruned for 2 years now, and produced no fruit last year (probably due to a badly timed frost at blossom time), although it kept its leaves. This year there was an abundance of blossoms, but suddenly about two weeks ago the tree seemed to start dying from the trunk outwards. All the blossoms turned brown and dried out/fell off, along with the leaves. Now all I have are a few yellowing leaves at the end of the branches. What have I done? What can I do, and will it die? It's such a shame as I think the variety is 'Early Transparent Gage' and the fruit is delicious.
Hopefully this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/plum/growing-plum-trees.htm
I have a greengage growing espalier fashion. Copious fruits were produced this year (the first year it has properly fruited). But after a few weeks most of the fruits have turned a reddish colour, stopped growing and are slightly shriveled. They are very easily knocked off the branches. How can I prevent this happening next year?
This article outlines some common plum diseases: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/plum/plum-tree-diseases.htm
If it is a rot disease, you need to get it identified so you can treat it. Please get in touch with the nearest botanical garden and the Master Gardener program; they can help you.
Greengages plums are a very special fruit. In doing some research, I found this very interesting article: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/01/dining/01GREE.html?pagewanted=print&position=&_r=0
I have a small greengage tree which must be about 10 years old. In that time I have only had one small sweet fruit from it! At the moment it is covered in blossom, as it is most years, but it's downhill from there. Is there anything I can do to make the fruit set? Or is it too cold where I live to expect a crop? Thanks! Liz, Perth, Scotland
You should be in the right growing zone for a Greengage Plum Tree.
Your trees needs a full sun location with a good loamy soil that is well draining.
Ph should be in the 6.0 to 7.0 range.
Though this is a self fertile tree you may want to add an additional pollinator to your garden.
Fertilize your tree with a balanced fertilizer. This should be applied annually and a good rule of thumb is 8 oz of 10-10-10 for every year of tree age.
Supplement with nitro-chalk sulphate of potash in February each year.
Every third year add superphosphate.
Mulch the tree with a good compost, but do not place it directly next to the trunk.
Will green gage plums ripen abit more once picked, can i pick them when they are still a bit hard or do i have to wait until they are soft, will they soften once I've picked them. Many thanks.
Green gage plums will soften somewhat after you've picked them, but they won't reach their peak flavor unless they're allowed to ripen on the tree. This article goes into depth about it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/01/dining/a-finicky-fruit-is-sweet-when-coddled.html
Young, about three years, greengage. It has nice goblet shape of four branches. It’s early March and all along each branch are new and small buds. Each no more than 2cm. Will it hurt the tree to ‘rub’ off the buds facing into the centre? Thinking that this will give the others more energy and save pruning when they are longer.
There is nothing wrong with this at all! I believe it would focus energy to where you want it. Go for it!
Hello, I have a question about pruning my very prolific green gage plum tree. I read your article on green gage plums and thuroughly enjoyed it. But, in your article you said; "Prune the plum trees in the late spring or early summer. Green Gage plums will be ready for harvest from late summer into early fall." So my obvious question is this; How can I prune my tree in the late spring or early summer if it still has fruit on it?? lol Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.
If it still has fruit on it, you wouldn't prune it because in established plants, you would only prune non productive wood.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/plum/plum-tree-pruning.htm