How to grow plum from the bone?

Plum tree is a fairly popular garden culture in our country, which bears fruit every year. Most people in our country think that plum trees can only be bought in the form of ready-made seedlings.But there are alternative ways, among which the popular cultivation of wood from the usual plum stone is popular.

This procedure is quite possible to perform at home, but you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances of the process. Information on how to properly grow a plum tree from seeds of the same fruit will be presented in detail in this article.

The first stage of the process is the selection of the variety. This stage is fundamental, because the result will depend on it. It is important to choose those varieties that are resistant to interbreeding with others in order to produce a plant of a certain breed with edible fruits. Otherwise, in the process of pollination, the species may mix, and this will bring unexpected results, including the unsuitability of fruits for eating.

The most favorable varieties for cultivation, which are quite resistant to mixing genes, are:

• "Canadian";
• "Ussuriyskaya";
• "Chinese".

The maturity of the fetus is important because the immature plums in the bone have not yet fully formed the embryo, which determines the physical qualities of the future plant. Only from fully formed seeds can you grow a strong and fruiting tree.

But also do not limit yourself to the selection of only one seed. It is better to sprout several at once, so that later there would be an opportunity to choose the most successful option.

The main procedure of this process is stratification. It is a curing material for planting in conditions with a cool temperature and optimum humidity level. This makes it possible to germinate the plum stone at home. The main components of the substrate can be the following:

• moss, taken in a ground state;
• lowland peat;
• sawdust wood;
• perlite;
• river sand with large grains of sand.

A very important step is the process of moistening the selected components. A solution consisting of 5 grams of potassium permanganate diluted in a liter of water is used as a humidifier.

In this case, the bones for three days before planting in the substrate must be kept in water. They are immersed in the liquid by half so that the germ has access to oxygen. And also it is necessary to change the way during which the seed is lowered into the water. Remember that if you fill the bone entirely, the embryo faces death. This procedure helps to wash out from the stone substances that inhibit further growth of the plant, and also allows it to swell.

So that in a pot or other container where the stratification will be carried out, fungal formations do not appear, it is necessary to make holes. Through them will be the process of air exchange. Holes are usually located on the sides. In addition, you should place the bones themselves at some distance from each other, and also cover the container from above with a material of polyethylene or glass.

To carry out the stratification process as faithfully as possible, you must follow the step by step instructions.

• The first is carried out heating. In the first 15 days after planting, the temperature should be at least +15 and not more than +20 degrees. As the location of the pot, you can choose any place with a warm temperature.
• Next is a contrasting first procedure - cooling. Capacities with stones are placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. It is important that the temperature be from +1 to +5 degrees. This period lasts from 60 to 80 days.
• The final stage is pre-planting. During this period, the temperature drops to 0 degrees. Period duration from 25 to 30 days. A basement where the air temperature is low can be used as a place to hold a tank. At this stage, monitor the moisture level of the substrate. It is possible the emergence of mold, which immediately need to be sprayed with a three percent solution of potassium permanganate.

To ensure the most comfortable conditions, you should choose a suitable pot that is at least 20 cm in diameter. It is also important to pay attention to the composition of the soil layers.

From 3 to 5 cm should be taken with broken bricks or expanded clay. This will be the lowest layer. It is followed by a layer of coarse sand, as an alternative, charcoal can also be used. The two lower layers will not only ensure optimal exchange of air, but also will not allow excess moisture to accumulate at the roots. But also remember that the pot itself before adding all the necessary components should be disinfected with a 3% formalin solution.

As the main layer, you need to use the following components, mixed together in equal proportions:

• vermiculite;
• humus;
• peat (can be used as an alternative to leaf earth).

After you place all the soil substrate in a pot, it should be watered carefully. The bone itself is placed in the central part of the vessel, pressing about 5 cm deep. Then wrap the entire pot with plastic wrap, which will create a favorable microclimate. A sprout should appear within 45 days. But in order to be able to grow it, it is necessary to regularly perform a number of procedures and comply with certain conditions.

• Ventilation. It is carried out by raising the film and using a spray.
• Good lighting. The pot should not stand in a dark place. If the windows overlook the west or south side, then it is optimal to place the future plum on the windowsill. But if there is not enough light in the room, install additional devices, such as fluorescent lamps or amplifiers that reflect the rays of the sun.
• Temperature and humidity. The first indicator should be from 20 to 25 degrees of heat. If the air in the apartment is rather dry, it is necessary to turn on a humidifier or spray the moisture around the pot using a spray bottle.
• Watering. It should be carried out infrequently, but in large quantities - it is enough to irrigate the soil abundantly twice a week. In this case, the water itself must be pre-settled. To pour the optimal amount of liquid, place a special pan under the pot and pour it until moisture starts to flow into it. Water temperature should be at room temperature.
• As soon as a sprout appears, it is necessary to introduce a feed. To do this, use nitrogenous fertilizers, which are introduced in three stages. Ammonium nitrate is also suitable, 30 grams of which should be dissolved in 10 liters of water. To feed one sprout, you will need about 100 ml of solution.

An important stage is the picking. It is carried out when two true leaves have not yet appeared, and is a pinching of 1/3 of the root. After pinching, the sprout is transplanted into a new soil with nutrients. This procedure is necessary so that in the future the plant has strong roots.

Remember that cultural, not wild plum can be obtained only if every 90 days the plant is transplanted into a larger container. In the open ground, it is permissible to move the plum only a year after planting the seed.

Before moving the future plum to the open ground at the cottage or in the garden near the house, you need to choose a place, preparing it for planting. The ideal option would be a place with good lighting. Often for planting plum slope is selected, which is directed to the south-west or south. If on the site the soil level is low, then it will be necessary to artificially create a hill, the height of which should be 0.5 m, and the base diameter - 1 m. Pay attention to the level of groundwater occurrence. The minimum permissible figure is 3 m. Otherwise, conditions favorable for rotting processes in the root system will be created.

The preparation time of the selected site depends on what time of year it is planned to plant the plum. For the spring version, the soil should be prepared in the fall, and for the autumn - in the early summer. The time between processing and planting is necessary so that the soil layers settle, as well as all the necessary components and minerals mixed with the soil.

The selected site should be carefully digged up and fertilized with manure in the amount of 6 kg, potassium salt in the amount of 30 g and superphosphate in the amount of 60 g. The specified number of components is calculated per 1 m2. When digging up the ground, form the steep slopes of the pit so that further soil shrinkage is not too strong. Put off the excavated land, because it will be needed for further procedures for creating a substrate.

Insert a stake into the center of the created groove. The plant will be attached to it. Next, fill the pit with the following components:

• manure in the amount of two buckets;
• river sand in the amount of two buckets;
• 30 g of superphosphate;
• 20 g of potassium sulfate.

In case of high acidity, limestone in the amount of 300 g should also be added to the soil.

Planted plum in the ground should be very carefully, observing certain nuances.

• Straighten the roots so that they do not deform by touching the substrate.
• Please note that the root neck should be at a distance of 5 cm from the soil level during planting. Otherwise, it may deepen with further shrinkage of the soil.
• When you fall asleep the roots, shake the plant from time to time so that unwanted voids do not form in the root system.
• When filling the plant, tamp the soil and pour it with plenty of water. Then the seedling is tied to a previously installed cola with a soft cloth.
• After the soil is mulched with peat and sawdust.

For two years, the plant does not need to be fertilized, it is only necessary to maintain the condition of the soil around, removing weeds. And also timely remove overgrowths. Treat the plant with chemicals against aphids, rodents and other pests. And also need to regularly moisturize the soil, especially if there is little rain.

Before the first winter, mulch the soil by 30 cm and until December protect the tree trunk with a warm material that does not let the air through.

If you comply with all the conditions, you can easily grow a beautiful fruit tree that will decorate your garden and delight you with tasty fruits.

In the next video you will find a description of the process of planting plum stones in the ground.