My siblings and I want to surprise our mom with a plum tree for her birthday next week. I read that the best time to plant one is from November onwards, but we want to buy a mature tree so it can fruit sooner. I'm considering purchasing a potted plum tree now and leaving it until November to plant, or should I just wait and go for one with bare roots? What do you all think? Should we buy it now and leave it in the pot, or wait until November to plant it right away?
3 Answers
I had a potted cherry plum before, and while it did produce fruit after a few years, it really thrived once we planted it in the ground. If you’re looking for a quick gift, getting a potted one now might be good, but just know it often takes about 3 years to bear fruit. October planting is generally recommended for root development, but it's not a hard rule!
You’ll likely need to wait a couple of years for the tree to start fruiting after it's planted, no matter its size. If you go with a potted tree now, you can easily keep it as is until November when it’s the ideal time to plant. Just make sure to check that it’s kept well-watered in the meantime!
Buying a potted tree is the way to go if you want something to gift immediately. Just keep an eye on watering, especially since potted trees can dry out faster. The November timing is just a guideline, so feel free to plant it early if that works better for your plans!
Yep, totally agree on the watering! Just make sure it’s well cared for and you should be good!
Right, planting in a pot is fine, but getting it in the ground is even better for growth long-term!