As I read thru the comments here, two thoughts occur than some may find useful. With regard to lack of pollination in colder climates, I can say that my plums all suffered until I started keeping mason bees. While they did not solve all of my pollination concerns, I have noticed a much more enhanced fruit set since obtaining my mason bees. Each spring I release four types of early native bees and they are the first to my blossoms! In early spring my first blossoms appear 4-5 weeks before the native honeybees and pollinating wasps are active but as soon as we have 50 degree highs the mason bees are out waiting for my plums to break bud.
The other observation that surprised me this year was how delicious the Beauty plum can be when the rootstock matures several years. So I suspect that often growers may try too soon to judge a variety grafted onto immature rootstocks. Ten years ago my first Beauty plums were prolific but not very tasty, now they rank among my favorites each year on trees that have matured.
Dennis
Kent, Wa
Waneta was the last of my asian or hybrid american plums to bloom, even later than any of the grafts that could have been Alderman, but youre right, it isnt all that special, and probably not worth pursuing. I find it interesting that we are so close (one state over) but such different outcomes with respect to plum fruiting.
Dennis, I haven’t grown fruit long enough to experience the upside of your observation, but I hope it applies to a few varieties I fruited this year. Especially Bruce, it was watery and tasted like gasoline!
@SoMtHomestead … Waneta may be just what I need.
Superior, Vic Red and AU Producer all bloomed for about the first half of Alderman bloom. Waneta sounds like it may cover the last half.
Hopefully Beauty comes in there somewhere.
I will put Waneta on my wish list.
Thanks
TNHunter
Here is how Waneta compares to Beauty in my area:
Blossom data: BAL- ballon stage, Tran- First blossom opens, BO - all blossom open, PF - Petal Fall
Variety. BAL. TRAN. BO. PF
Waneta 3/18. 3/25. 4/5. 4/12
Beauty plum: 3/15. 3/18. 3/25. 4/5
When I am back home I can tell you how both compare to Alderman
Dennis
As I recall Robert, my rootstock grafted with Beauty did not fruit at all about three years ago when it was a volunteer plum tree sucker from nearby trees. Then I decided to top work this sucker with several varieties. Immediately it fruited the next year, but all were sub par in size and taste. But this year all varieties were very nice quality with Beaty being the most improved one. So as the tree trunk grew from 1.5” to 2.5” in diameter, there has been a remarkable improvement in fruit size and quality
Dennis
@DennisD … it sounds like some of Wanetas early blossoms 3/25 may mix with Beauty’ full bloom 3/25.
My alderman and au producer were both blooming well on 3/25 last year.
Some year soon… that will be after my last hard frost and I will surley get some plums.
TNHunter
Hi Trev,
In my climate I could expect an Asian or hybrid American plum to be pollinated by one of these two only if it opens blossom between 3/25 and 4/12. I would expect these dates to be earlier in warmer spring climates and later in colder northern areas, e.g. in your climate I would expect all of my dates to shift to later periods.
Dennis