Meet The Prunus'es

Hi

Plums

We have had the largest container ever parked out the back of the nursery filled to the brim with trees of all types. I tell you, its like Christmas, unpacking the container to find all the goodies inside. We have the team hauling the stuff out, measuring it and recording all the details, then it gets passed onto the boys who do the potting, just like the roses really, but just on a much bigger scale. The trees that have arrived are massive, some must be at least three metres tall and they all have to go into bags. Takes a few days but we on track now!

Now whilst on about plums, the plants are just awesome!!! These too must be three metres high with trunks to match. Now there are heaps of different varieties but I guess that we should clear a few things up if you're going to plant a plum or two.

Japanese Plums

There are Japanese plums (Prunus salicina) and some good examples of these that we all probably know would be Santa Rosa, Burbank Elephant Heart and Black Doris. Now these so called Japanese plums (the species actually comes from China, work that one out LOL) fruit way better if they have a mate around. They like it better in a warm climate that doesn't get late spring frosts.

European Plums

Then there are the European plums (Prunus Domestica) and to drop a few names, Greengage, Coes Golden Drop and Luisa.  The Damson plum whilst still an European plum is a different species (Prunus institia) and is a classic for flavoured gin or preserves. There is probably one more European plum that I will mention and that is the prune. I keep forgetting that prunes are really a dried plum, but a special plum of which Stanley is an example that we have.  Now European plums are usually later flowering and like it slight cooler than their Japanese cousins. Some of these do better with a mate and there a few of these that will go solo and do it alone.

If you need more info then check out this link out with who will do it with whom, Plum Pollinators.

Now you gunna say "I have only room for one tree" Well for those that only have space for one plum tree then we have the answer. There are double or dual grafted plums and there are the right two varieties all on the one plant.
Choose from Plum Billington and Black Doris, Hawera and Burbank and Santa Rosa and Omega. The plants are excellent and stocky with really good thick strong trunks and well branched with each variety going either side.
You will end up with a tree that will have a longer fruiting season because it will have two crops a year.

Peaches and Nectarines
We have a lot to love about the family Prunus as Peaches, Nectarines (Prunus persica) Apricots (Prunus armeniaca)  are all cousins to the plums as well. It has never ceased to amaze me but almonds (Prunus dulcis) are also related here and whilst another cousin, are more closely related to the peach! They are not a nut at all but if you want the techno term for the fruit, its the unsexy name of drupe. The almond has fruits that look like small nectarines and inside that stone is actually the seed that we know as an almond.

Tony tells me how his grandmother used to add a peach leave or two to Blamange for flavouring. I leave the resulting flavour to you but what an amazing family of plants, flowers, fruits, nuts and leaves!!!

Peach Flatto  Now here something thats a little different to add to the garden or orchard, this delicious tasting peach that looks a little like a donut LOL! It a cute, some what flat shaped, white and pink blushed, sweet and delicious

Nectarine Mabel  Founded as a seedling underneath a 'Blackboy" tree by the Waikato by a gardener named Mabel, this Nectarine is unique with it's stunning dark purple foilage and delicious sweet nectarine.  Grows well in all areas of New Zealand and is quite hardy to disease.  Self fertile.

Downy Mildew eye watch

The weather has been pretty miserable with all these sporadic cold showers, ideal for conditions for all sorts of fungal infections. Keep an eye out for downy mildew on any new roses. You probably won't see any symptoms other than the new leaves falling off. Spray with Bravo if unsure and do two or three sprays close togather.

Strawberries, These have just arrived in, so if you had ordered them and not been contacted yet then please come on out and collect them

Asparagus hasn't arrived in yet but if you want some put aside then please order with the link

Magnolia Grandiflora Saint Mary These are the most amazing buy!! Huge plants over two metres high and large bushy heads $49.99 just $24.99. Dont  just bring a car for these beauties, bring a trailer!

Give me a good ole frost any time as the day that follows is usually fantastic. The last couple of days have been awesome. Hopefully well have the same over the weekend so make the most of it

Cheers,

Lloyd and Harry

Make it a Wairere weekend where gardenings not a drag!!!!!