skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Pollinator for Beach Plum?

12 years ago

Hi--

Could anyone recommend a pollinator for a Beach Plum? I just planted one this year, and despite its reputation as a cold-climate tree, it seems to love its home on the Florida Gulf Coast. It needs another European plum to pollinate, and I could get another Beach Plum; however, I have limited space for trees, so I'd rather have a second variety.

The nursery which sold it to me doesn't have another European plum it would recommend for my climate zone. I'm hoping for a dwarf or at least semi-dwarf variety.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

lucky_p
12 years ago
I don't know much(almost nothing) about pollenation requirements for stonefruts.
Would P.angustifolia(native Chickasaw plum) work? If so, I think Just Fruits & Exotics, down there in Crawfordville, carries the 'Guthrie' selection - it's a good one, and adapted to your region. They may also have some other varieties that will perform.

I've had some beach plums growing here in KY for about 115 years. Hope you don't find yourself as disappointed as I've been - fruits are very small, with minimal 'meat'; quite tart and flavorful, just not much there. Granted, mine are just seedlings, but I suspect their performance is typical of the species, when grown in my locale.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
12 years ago
Emerald Sea, looks like this very unique native plum to the Northeastern shore (Cape Cod), doesn't need a cross pollinator. It is suggested to get two Beach plums to improve pollination. That way, there's no issue with timing of blooms for cross pollination. Neat plum, and Cornell is running an entire project around the Beach Plum, so you might want to contact them if you're really wanting a different variety to use for cross pollination.

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell Extension: Beach Plum Project
Related Discussions
plum pollination question.
Q
Comments (2)
Beach plums bloom a lot later than plum trees. I've had good experience with Carmine Jewel bush cherries. I like the sweet tart flavor. St Lawrence N. sells CJ bush cherries and they also have a line of hardy plums.
...See More
Recommended Pollinator for Satsuma Plum
Q
Comments (13)
To the posted question, I've never had trouble with any J.plum pollinating another at many sites here in southeastern NY. Scott has had difficulty with Santa Rosa and I also used to believe it to be a shy bearer but I've found that on certain sites up here it does quite well. I don't know if Scott is speaking only of his experience or of other growers in his area as well. I would follow his advice if you don't have another local grower with contrasting experience. Methely is an extremely reliable plum that should also work, but if you want good fruit from it, expect to spend a great deal of time thinning fruit. It won't have any overlap with Satsuma although I think SR might. Methely's much earlier than either plum and SR is earlier than Satsuma. I can't remember if SR is done when Sat comes in. Before planting Methely, find out if black knot is a big problem in your area- Methely is the ultimate black-knot sponge and becomes a typhoid Mary over time at many sites I manage. Shiro is also extremely reliable, but I find it rather bland although others really like it a lot. In it's season Earli Majic is far superior to Shiro to me but I can't find a source for it besides Hilltop which requires a 100 tree purchase. To F.P, never trust a guy from an all purpose nursery for your information- even if he has a beard. Some J. plums are partially self fertile but all are reputedly more reliable and heavier bearing with a suitable pollinator.
...See More
Asian plum and hybrid Asian plum pollination with Asian apricot
Q
Comments (1)
Matt, In the link below have Q&A about apricot pollination. Tony Here is a link that might be useful: Hortiscope
...See More
Beach Plum as Foundation Planting?
Q
Comments (8)
Prunus maritima (I assume this is the beach plum you're referring to?) is a suckering and spreading larger shrub-type of woody plant, so it would be best I would think kept away from the foundation of your home, to be safe. They can get up to about 10 feet tall. You can cut back suckering growth yearly in late winter from the base to encourage a trunk to form and thicken if you like the tree form, or let it grow how it will and it'll form a dense mounding shape. The general rule for cross pollination of fruit trees is no more than 100 feet apart for good pollination- the closer the better. I have apple trees on my property that are about that far apart from the big old crab apple that I use for pollination and this works well. Nurseries say 2-3 years after transplant and you can expect a crop, but depending on initial size and health after transplant and all that, it could take a longer or shorter amount of time. These beach plums are a great addition to the landscape for a lot of reasons, so I think you're making a great choice here. Cornell is working on making them more suited to commercial production even, given the quality of fruit these produce and how hardy the species is. Can't argue with the blooms in the early spring either. :) And in case you're interested, the pawpaw is another great edible landscape tree. They get larger than beach plums of course. They're also a native of the US, hardy, healthy, and the fruit is a long time forgotten treat which deserves more recognition. You don't see them in commercial production because pawpaw fruit don't store and ship well- best eaten fresh! They're delicious. Here is a link that might be useful: Pawpaw tree
...See More
lucky_p
12 years ago
Oops. 115 years? Not quite. Fifteen.
I don't know how those 'northern' plums are gonna do down South, with regard to chill-requirement, etc.

Got mine from OIKOS Tree Crops years ago. Seedling selections, but relatively inexpensive.

Here is a link that might be useful: OIKOS Tree Crops
EmeraldSea
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to both of you for your kind responses, and especially the links. I do hope the tree will manage without extended cold in the winter. It appears to love the sandy soil around here, at least.

I plan to ask the two nurseries for possible options, but perhaps to be on the safe side I'll add a second Beach Plum... they don't seem to grow too big. It's interesting Cornell has a whole project around them.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES You Don't Need Prairie to Help Pollinators

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Woodlands, marshes, deserts — pollinators are everywhere

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Calico Aster Is a Shade-Loving Pollinator Nirvana

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Plant Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, an eastern U.S. native, in summer for fall blooms that scores of wildlife species will love

GARDENING GUIDES Sand Wasps Keep True Bugs in Check and Help Pollinate Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Look for these solitary wasps nesting in sandy sites and foraging on flowers in July and August

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Juicy Plums

By Marianne Lipanovich

Easier than other stone fruits and with a variety of colors to choose from, plums are a versatile garden addition

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Fuss-Free Venice Beach Bungalow

Global vintage finds and an idyllic landscape set a scene for style and life

COLOR 21 Reasons to Decorate With Purple

Whatever shade you choose — lilac, plum, mauve or aubergine — purple makes a statement

DECORATING GUIDES Color Feast: When to Use Purple in the Dining Room

By Jennifer Ott Design

Decadent and different, purples from lavender to plum can make a dining area a treat for the eyes

FARM YOUR YARD Hello, Honey: Beekeeping Anywhere for Fun, Food and Good Deeds

By The Best Bees Company

We need pollinators, and they increasingly need us too. Here, why and how to be a bee friend

GARDENING GUIDES What Prairies Teach Us About Garden Design

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Wild spaces offer lessons for home gardeners about plants, pollinators and the passage of time

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Asclepias Incarnata for a Butterfly Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Beautiful swamp milkweed makes it easy to help monarchs and other pollinators in eastern U.S. gardens

Sponsored

Red Pine Landscaping

Industry Leading Landscape Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

what is wrong with my indoor mango????

13

best cantaloupe for this area?

0

Peach tree dead buds

2

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

What's causing this strawberry problem?

2