Hello all
I’m in maybe zone 9a/b in Japan. I have some extra space this year, and was looking to plant something before it warms up next week. The area used to grow sour Ume plums successfully, but it looks like the trees were pruned too far back and died. I think these were pretty tough trees.
Which of these would offer the best chances of success With the least amount of hassle?
I planted a mulberry and fig in the area last year, and they’re doing extremely well and producing fruit already.
I have one peach tree I planted last year in a nearby section and took good care of it. It grew very vigorously and looks very healthy, although almost half of the new shoots were destroyed by OFM I assume (lots of gross jelly). It still looks great, and now for the first time it’s totally loaded with flower buds about to bloom. I have no idea how it will turn out . I’ve heard bugs getting into the peaches are a big problem here. I have some specially designed paper bags to try to protect the fruit.
I’ve heard kiwis are very resistant to all pests here.
Not sure about nectarines and plums.
Nectarines and possibly plums will be more difficult than peaches. But perhaps with the bags they could work. Kiwi sounds like a good idea but need a strong trellis…
That’s surprising, I would’ve thought peaches the hardest. I was under the impression kiwis take several plants, a fancy trellis, pruning, and many years before you can get decent fruit.
You did not ask but persimmon would be my choice if I were you.
Stone fruit, plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries are harder than pome fruit (apples and pears). Easier than apples and pears are persimmons and jujubes would be quite care free.
I know persimmons would work really well here. I just don’t like to eat them.
I like apples and pears, but I don’t know anyone growing them locally for some reason. I’ll look into it more.
You can grow a kiwi without a lot of work. You don’t even need the trellis, you can grow a kiwi on a pole. Just let the kiwi itself make the trellis, let some side shoots stay 2-3’ long. Over the years they get thicker and you can extend them more etc. Pruning is just a butcher job once a year; summer pruning is helpful but not required. A male is good to grow on a pole always, you don’t need a very big male at all.
I would agree pears are another good thing. I would not add any more peaches plums or nectarines until you have your one peach under control.
Thanks. Why exactly are apples/pears considered easier?
There’s a famous pear growing area not too far away, I believe the 20th century variety originated there. I went to Upick last year there, and it looked like an extreme amount of work had gone into caring for the trees and fruit. They commanded a high price. Maybe that’s just because they were being sold in perfect condition.
Regarding kiwis, is there a big difference between growing yellow, gold, and green types? We bought a yellow female and gold male last year which were not cared for at a remote location and one of them died ( not sure which). I moved the surviving one recently to this plot, and it seems to be doing quite well and budding up now.
Plum is the best choice with me. Good luck TheNiceGuy.
You are in Japan so it is hard for us to guess what your climate is like even when we know your zone.
You’d be better of asking your local growers what fruit are easy, what not and what are the pests and diseases fruit trees in you areas are facing.
The US climate most like his would likely be northern FL but probably with a little more chilling. But rain and humidity are issues with the stone fruits.
In the more coastal areas it seems that pears are easier than apples. The trouble with apples is the root diseases and high chill hours that are usually needed. Pears due tend to take several years to start producing. Peaches seem to give you fruit sooner if the right variety(chill hours) are chosen unless the soil stays wet. Plums have fewer root problems (can tolerate more water) but have brown rot worse than peaches due to smooth skin. I know if you look at old farmsteads in Texas there is usually an old pear tree that is half dead but still producing years after anyone has taken care of them. Sometimes there may be an old peach or plum. I very rarely see an apple tree.
All gardening is local. Unless the name is just a clever ruse – something tells me that Japanese plums would perform well in Japan. 
Thanks so much for the info guys, I’ll do some more research localy.
Is there much of a growing difference between the standard green kiwis like Hayward and the gold, yellow, or giant Apple varieties?
Trellis same rules as grapes?