Sometimes, eating a pretty tasty fruit, there is a desire to try sprout a bone to get a new fruit tree. The forums often have questions about whether you can grow a plum or any other fruitful culture from the stone at home. This can be done, but it is quite difficult, because before planting a plum from a stone, it is necessary to prepare. How to sprout plum stone, we will describe in detail in this article.
Is it possible to grow a plum from a stone and whether it will bear fruit
Many gardeners who have a plum tree growing in their gardens sometimes try to grow a new tree from a stone. Opinions about which varieties are best used for sprouting plum stones are divided: some believe that all varieties can be grown from a stone, others are only those that are relevant to a particular area. In any case, it is possible to grow a plum from a stone, however, there are a few rules that you need to follow if you want to grow a healthy tree at home. Despite the fact that many gardeners are inclined to use all varieties for growing from a stone, it is still better to germinate those varieties that grow in your area, while varieties from other climatic regions are better to be abandoned, otherwise the stone may freeze.
Did you know? When growing thermophilic varieties from a stone, you can at best rely on the fact that a wild plant will grow in your garden.
So, the best varieties for growing in the middle lane are: Belarusian, Minsk, Vitebsk Late and Volga beauty. In the sharply continental climate, it is best to grow Egg Blue, Morning plum, as well as a variety of Eurasia. For warm areas it is better to use such varieties: Victoria, Kuban comet, Kroman.
In general, the germination process is very laborious and requires a lot of effort, and especially patience. Most often they say that a plum grown from a stone will not bear fruit, but experienced breeders nevertheless say that it is still possible to get a tree from a stone with good characteristics. You just need to choose the right variety and use planting material from ripe fruits. Most often, the method of growing fruit from the seed is used for breeding varieties, because in reality you can get a tree that is different from the "parent".
Important! For germination it is better to use a few bones, then there is a high probability that the bone will grow.
How to grow plum from the stone: seed stratification
The plum from the stone is the dream of many, which can be accomplished if the seed and soil are prepared before growing. We first analyze the process of stratification of seeds. This procedure is simple, but rather long and delayed for 6 months.
So, let's take a closer look at the stratification process:
- each bone separately needs to be wrapped in a damp cloth (it is better to use natural cloth, not synthetic);
- wrapped bones should be placed in a cool place (basement or even a refrigerator): the colder - the more likely that the material will germinate;
- it is necessary to constantly keep the cloth, in which the bones are wrapped, in a wet state;
- You need to store such material for about six months (if you started the stratification process in October, then it should end no earlier than March).
In order for the bones to sprout faster, they can be treated with a stimulant, for this purpose suitable drugs such as "Appin", "Zircon", "Ekosil". The stimulator needs to process not only the bone, but also the fabric in which it is wrapped. If you notice the slightest sign of mildew on the bones, they should be immediately deployed and thoroughly rinsed.
Did you know? Stratification can be carried out, not only using a damp cloth. To prepare the seed for planting, you can use river sand or sawdust, after washing it. To do this, the bone is placed in a box with a hole for the flow of water, it is necessary to fill it with sand or sawdust and deepen the bone in the box. You must not forget to water the bone, because the plum needs a lot of water.
How to prepare the soil for planting plum from the bone
Planting plum stone can begin when the bone swells, and the top layer of the skin will crack. If you do not observe such changes on some stones, it means that the preparatory process was unsuccessful, and it is better not to plant such stones, they will not germinate. Before planting the bone, it is necessary to prepare the soil mixture. To do this, mix perlite and sand in equal parts. Perlite is a natural volcanic material that promotes better and faster germination of seeds.
If you decide to plant a plum in open ground, then for this it is better to choose a light, loamy soil with a high content of calcium. If there is too much sand in the soil, it is necessary to mix it with peat, but if the soil is clay, heavy, then it must be mixed with sand and peat.
Important! And when planting in open ground, and when planting in a tank should ensure that the soil was well-moistened, but it is impossible to overflow the drain.
Description of the process of planting plum stone
Plum bones - The material is whimsical, and many gardeners hesitate whether it is possible to plant them in open ground or it is better to first grow them in pots. The answer is simple: it is possible to plant plum stones in open ground and in a tank. The only factor that plays a role in this situation is climate. After all, it is more difficult to grow a tree in the northern regions, and it is unlikely that the plum from the stone will be used in a cold climate. Now let's take a closer look at these two methods of planting: landing in open ground and landing at home.
Landing at home
First you need to prepare the soil as described above. After preparing the ground, it is necessary to prepare the bone, for this it is necessary to hit it with a hammer, however, it is important to accurately calculate the force of the blow, because the bone should crack slightly, but not dissolve. This procedure is necessary so that the seed inside the bone “wakes up”. Next, the bone must be planted in the soil, deepening it by 6-9 cm. The soil in the container must be maintained in a constantly hydrated state, however, it is impossible to transfuse the stone. The container must be kept in a cool place, but the bone will not survive too low a temperature. After a few weeks, the first shoots will appear that can be planted in open ground only after a year.
Did you know? When grown at home plum will begin to bear fruit after 5-6 years.
Planting stones in open ground
If you do not want to spend time on the long process of growing plum from the stone, you can land the stone immediately in open ground. To do this, add slightly humus or manure to a moist, slightly acidic soil and plant a bone. The depth of landing is 6-10 cm, whereas the size of the pit should be about 15 * 20 cm. Pit better to sprinkle so that formed a small hump. For additional protection around the pit is necessary to scatter the poison for mice and other rodents. It is better to plant several bones in one hole, because it is impossible to predict weather conditions, and only one seed can ascend.
Important! Bones may not ascend in the first season, and the first shoots may appear only after 1.5 years.
How to care for a seedling
Plum seedlings do not need special care. They need to be fed, provide them with a sufficient level of moisture, as well as weed them and loosen the soil. Watering seedlings is necessary so that the soil was always slightly wet. Together with irrigation should be carried out and loosening, so that the root system of the seedling is saturated with oxygen. As for fertilizing, they are carried out several times a year, using complex fertilizers for fruit, which can easily be found in flower shops. If you plant a seed in open ground, then over time seedlings will need weeding. It is better to spend it with your hands so as not to damage the plant with a tool.
Peculiarities of growing plum from the stone
There are some subtleties that should be followed when planting to get a healthy tree. First, it is better to plant a plum on an elevation on the north side of the courtyard, then the snow will linger here longer, and the plum will be under more reliable protection. The place should be well lit. The next thing to do is to provide draining protection from drafts. To do this, it is better to land along the fence. When planting in a hole it is better to add a bucket of organic fertilizer, then the tree will take root better. It will also be useful to pour a little egg shell to the bottom of the pit - it contains a lot of calcium. The most important rule in the cultivation of plum from the stone is that you need to constantly maintain a high level of moisture, but do not overfill the plant.
As you can see, there is no doubt whether a plum can grow out of a stone is not enough; you just have to make an effort and you can independently grow a fruit tree from what people consider trash.
