Our plums are tastless. Is there anything we can do to improve flavor? The tree is about 18 years old and hasn't had any maintenance in at least 5 years.
Hard to say - possibly a seed-grown plum so no improvement possible? Does the plant have sentimental / ornamental value to you in addition to producing plums?
Thanks for the reply Daniel, We moved into a new house; it's got 6 fruit trees that the kids love to pick. We don't have an emotional attachement to the plum tree, but it gives us some privacy from seeing into the neighbor's yard. It doesn't look like any of our trees have been grafted; is it common practice?
What size and shape are the plums? My guess is it might be a Cherry-plum (Prunus cerasifera), which has smaller, spherical plums (about 2-3cm diameter) which don't have a lot of flavour. It is commonly grown as an ornamental tree, mainly for its early spring flowers. They do make good plum jam though.
Michael F You mentioned that Cherry Plums (CHUMs) do not have a lot of flavour. Does it apply to the Cherry Plums at the site below as well (i.e. Convoy, Manor, Sapa and Dura)?: http://www.dnagardens.com/catalogue.htm#chum I spent time and money last year acquiring and planting one each hoping for good fruit. I hope I do not have to replace them soon because of tastelessness. beukeveld If you ever think of replacing your plum tree, consider a multi-gratfted PLUM tree such as the 4-way plum combo at Dinter nursery (Victoria or close to Victoria.. Duncan city actually). They don't ship: http://www.dinternursery.ca/FruitTrees.htm
Not necessarily at all, no, I was referring to unselected self-sown specimens, or cultivars selected for flower quality, not fruit quality.
