How to grow Plums in pots in the balcony garden

2 months ago 72

Feb 3, 2025

Aakanksha Sharma

Grow Plums at home

For so many people Plums are a favourite fruit. They are juicy, slightly crunchy when ripe, the perfect mix of sweet and sour, and just a delight to add to sweet bread and cakes. And if you’d like to grow your own Plums, here is how you can do it in pots.

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Right time to grow

First things first, it is important to know what is the right time to grow Plums. According to many experts, it is best to start the plant in January or February as the onset of Spring makes it grow better and the fruiting season will also come sooner.

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Seed or sapling?

One of the easiest ways to grow Plums is undoubtedly through a sapling. Especially if you are low on space and want to grow it in a pot, a grafted sapling from the nearby nursery will be the perfect choice.

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The right Plum type

Another thing to remember is that Plums usually grow on trees, not pots, and trees grow straight in the soil. So, if you want the Plum to grow in pots, go for dwarf varieties that grow well in the temperature around you.

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Pot needs

Plum plants have deep, spread out roots and thus need a large and deep container to grow well. Even when grown in a balcony, make sure the pot is about 20 inches deep and wide to support the plant and a hard bamboo stick.

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Soil needs

Plum plant will need a soil that is well draining and partially sandy. A mix of garden soil, some sand, some cocopeat, and some vermicompost would give the plant the perfect nutrition.

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Planting the sapling

The grafting that you buy from the nursery usually comes in a thin black bag. So when transferring it to the pot, gently cut or tear open the black bag without breaking any root balls inside. Then place it in the pot and gently press down more soil.

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Sunlight needs

For the first few days after placing the grafting in the pot only give the plant indirect sunlight. Keep it near the balcony floor where direct sunlight does not shine but there is plenty of bright light.

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Watering

Plum plants will need watering everyday, especially as summers are coming up and the soil will start drying faster. Water it with Epsom salt water atleast once a month for extra minerals.

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Does it need fertiliser?

Most plants that need to push out fruits need fertiliser. And when growing in a pot, it is best to feed the plant some form of fertiliser for added nutrients. According to experts, Plums need a calcium nitrate-rich fertiliser so ask your local gardener for the right choice.

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Flowering stage

Before the plant starts to give fruits, it will bloom some really beautiful flowers. Flowers on the Plum plant will be white and pink in colour and really soft to touch.

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Time till fruiting and harvest

When grown through grafted saplings, the plant will produce fruits in about 7-8 months and then it can take an additional 6-10 months for the plant to produce fruit depending on the temperature.

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Thanks For Reading!