Japanese Plum
Prunus salicina
Zones
5b–9a
Chill hours
500 to 900
Sun
full
Lifespan
15 to 20 years
Growing japanese plum
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Recommended varieties
- Methley. Very sweet, juicy, dark red flesh and skin; outstanding fresh-eating plum, juice runs down your chin. Self-fertile and broadly adapted. Zones 5b–8a.
- Santa Rosa. Sweet-tart with rich complex flavor, juicy, deep red skin and amber flesh; the classic California fresh-eating plum, also excellent for jam. Zones 6a–9a.
- Shiro. Sweet, mild, juicy, yellow skin and flesh; fresh eating and good for cooking. Heavy producer, often the first plum to ripen. Zones 5b–7b.
Soil and site requirements
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Common diseases
- Brown Rot (fungal). The most damaging stone-fruit disease, causing blossom blight and fruit rot.
- Bacterial Spot (bacterial). Bacterial disease causing leaf spots and fruit blemishes, severe in warm humid regions.
- Black Knot (fungal). Fungal disease producing characteristic black warty galls on plum and cherry branches.
Common pests
- Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar). Native weevil that lays eggs in young stone and pome fruit, causing characteristic crescent-shaped scars.
- Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica). Defoliating beetle introduced to North America in 1916. Skeletonizes leaves of many fruit trees.
- Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta). Stone-fruit pest whose larvae tunnel into shoot tips and later into fruit.
- Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne species). Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Common challenges
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Grafting and rootstocks
- Methley on Marianna 2624 · semi-dwarf, 12–16 ft.
- Santa Rosa on Myrobalan · standard, 15–20 ft.
Companion plants
- clover (beneficial): White clover fixes nitrogen and provides a living mulch under Japanese plum trees.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- What zones does japanese plum grow in?
Japanese Plum grows in USDA zones 5b through 9a.
- How many chill hours does japanese plum need?
Japanese Plum requires approximately 500 to 900 chill hours below 45°F to break dormancy properly.
- How long until japanese plum produces?
Days to harvest range from 120 to 150 days after bloom, depending on variety and zone.
- What sun and water does japanese plum need?
Japanese Plum prefers full sun and moderate water. Lifespan is typically 15 to 20 years.