First Year Plum Pruning

15 years ago

I planted a stanley plum whip this spring. After removing the small spring growth on all the buds except for the 4 future scaffolds, they got eaten off. I think it was a goose. I left it alone and now it already grew back a few small branches at locations where there was no growth earlier. These don't appear to be ideal starting branches and they are scattered in height. What's the best way to get a vase shape with an open center at this point? Will I still get new growth at the same bud locations I removed in early spring? If so, this year or next? Thanks

By the way, the whip was cut back after planting in early spring before any outward growth began.

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theaceofspades
15 years ago
Goodground, the first select buds were eaten and new buds are sprouting anywhere. The tree has only so much energy stored so you want to remove those close to the ground asap. The top bud will be the strongest grower. Growth hormones go to the tips. After the branch has grown a few inches clip a wooden clothes pin above the 4-5 new select branches to train 'open vase'. Stick tie new branches so the don't flop over in a thunderstorm. Retard long green branches by removing the tip. Hormones will go to lower branches and also form new side branches where the tips were removed. Branch growth hormones come from the roots and root growth hormones come from the leaves.

BR planted 1 yr. Superior with plums in footies and tanglefoot wrapping to deter squirrels. Squirrels climb into tanglefoot, flip off the tree and run in horror. Works good in a small tree instead of nets.

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First Year Plum Pruning

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theaceofspades

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