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Fruit & Orchards

Mariposa Plum Trees - Pollination

amateurgardening45

9 years ago

Hi there,

I'm seeking a bit of advice on a plum tree pollination issue. I planted the Mariposa with a Santa Rosa in the same garden - the labels suggested that these two Japanese plums were compatible for pollination.

However, my Santa Rosa became diseased so I had to remove it. The Mariposa is thriving and yielded a few fruits in the first anniversary (before the Santa Rosa was culled).

My question is whether I need to plant a replacement pollinator tree, or are these common enough in suburban areas that you do not need to worry. I'm in the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

Thanks so much. Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Comments (5)

itheweatherman
9 years ago
A pollinator is required, otherwise you won't get any fruit.

My Mariposa plum gets pollinated by Satsuma and Santa rosa plums, and even by Krauter vesuvious myrobalan plum. In fact, a have a red-leaf Mariposa x KV myrobalan plum hybrid. The pollen parent is the KV myro plum and the seed parent is the mariposa plum. Oh...my hybrid will start producing fruit this year.
itheweatherman
9 years ago
I have a question, have you heard of Nadia sweet cherry x plum hybrid? It was invented in Australia, and this is the first time that is been introduced in the USA for the home gardeners.

My Questions are: have you tasted them? Have you plant it a nadia tree? Are they popular in Australia?

I will be planting two trees this year, so any addtional information will be highly appreciated.
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If you're leaning towards Santa Rosa, that would be an excellent pollinator of your Satsuma. I love(!) Satsuma plums, my very favorite! Santa Rosa plum is really nice too, both are very sweet, with the typical tart Japanese plum skin. Santa Rosa is a really good pollinator for many Japanese plums, so it's nice to have anyway, in case you wish to get more JPs in the future. Beauty is a good pollinator also. Btw, just wondering, do you have Japanese plums in your area already growing? I think these need a good deal of summer heat to have the best flavor. If you have enough heat in you should be fine, but if you are close to the coast they may be more bland than they would be in a hotter climate. If you have neighbors who are growing them successfully and they like the flavor, then you're probably fine.
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Santa Rosa should be self pollinating, and that should get you more than 3 a year. When I had Santa Rosa and only that tree for a plum I would set quite a few but they would quickly fall off because of Plum Curculio. They would fall off so small that I didn't even have time to bag them. Are you spraying? Find one of the small ones and check it over closely for a tiny crescent shaped hole. If they don't have any holes then I would think about another for pollination. Or if you bought this tree at a box store it's possible it's not a Santa Rosa at all.
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I have used my Santa Rosa's as a pollinator for my Satsuma's for 35 years. The pair have worked nicely for me. The plums are both good...albeit very different tasting. Santa Rosa is tart, and Satsuma is very sweet and "fleshy". They are good low-chill fruits.
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They look great. I have no idea what type of plum tree I have (this is the second year). Hope to get plums next year. This year I only have persimmons, cherries, peaches and figs.
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Bradybb WA-Zone8
9 years ago
Yes,that depends if there are pollinators within the area,better to be within about a hundred feet or so.
The ones I read up on so far,that can do the job are Beauty,Nubiana,Santa Rosa,Late Santa Rosa,Satsuma and Catalina.
Grafting a scion or two onto the Mariposa is another option to increase success. Brady
amateurgardening45
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the info. I'd heard that the other pollinators would have to be within the same neighbourhood or a 4 km radius before. I think I might craft a scion on to the tree as I have a small garden.

I've never heard of the Nadia sweet cherry x plum hybrid, sorry.

Thanks again.
Frances Marzella
7 years ago
Hi seeking help. I purchased a Mariposa (approx 6ft) bare rooted and planted in late June. To date no flowers at all and buds are not swollen at all. Branches appear still green so I think it's alive. Can anyone give me some advice. My neighbour has a number of fruit trees including a plum (not sure of species) thanks

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