When in season, a kilogram can retail at Ksh 300 to Ksh 350. Even with the pricing being higher compared to other fruits, people still buy this fruit. Plums have more than 2,000 varieties all over the world. In Kenya, some of the common varieties include Shiro, Harry, Cherry plum, Santa rosa, Methyl among others.

Plums are a rare seasonal fruit common from around December to early March in Kenya. In terms of value addition, plums have unending possibilities. From being served as a snack or dessert, to making jams, sauces, puddings, jellies, wine, baking and even dried to extend shelf life.

They come in different shapes, sizes, colours and flavor profiles, the inviting colours red, yellow and green spread the markets and grocers with great display. When ripe, they can be sweet and juicy to a luscious tart.

Plum trees prefer deep, well-drained soils, ranging from sandy loam to sandy clay loam, with an effective depth of at least 600mm.

The trees are more tolerant of heavy or waterlogged soil than most other stone fruit types. The soil should have a pH of between 5,5 and 6,5.

Cultural practices of plums farming in Kenya

Take the following into account before establishing the trees: slope, plant density, orchard design, planting date and planting depth.

Plums are grown on a wide range of soils. However, deep, well-drained, medium-textured soil with a pH of between 5.5 to 6.5 is generally best.

If the soil is ridged, plant the trees 2m apart in the row and with an inter-row spacing of 4,5m.

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Plum trees are the most tolerant of all stone fruits regarding heavy soils and waterlogging, and they tolerate drought better than peach trees do. It is important to choose suitable varieties adapted to a specific location.

Propagation of plums

Plums do not produce true from seed. Therefore to maintain โ€˜true to typeโ€™ cultivars, they must be propagated asexually by using grafting. Grafting can only be carried out if suitable rootstock material is available.

Myrobalan seedlings have been used as the principal rootstock for plums. They are resistant to drought and root and crown rot, but susceptible to root-knot nematodes and bacterial canker.

Planting plums in Kenya

In most cases, a planting distance of 4 metres by 5 metres is recommended. A spacing of 3 metres by 4 metres is sufficient if trees are regularly pruned, which is done to maintain a balance between vegetative growth and fruiting.

When transplanting grafted plum seedlings, ensure that the graft union is about one inch from the ground. Ensure that the seedlings are set at the centre of the hole and the roots spread inside.

Varieties like Methly, Beauty and Santa Rosa are self-fertile, adequate cross-pollination is needed for other cultivars to ensure sufficient fruit setting for commercial purposes.

In case cross-pollinating varieties are needed, these should be distributed at a rate of about every third tree in every third row. Water young plants regularly for proper establishment. Mulching should be done to avoid moisture loss and to suppress weeds around the tree root zone.

Where to buy plums seedlings in Kenya

You can purchase plums seedlings and other fruit seedlings at any of the Farmers Trend nurseries or via online shop by clicking here or by contacting 0724-559286 or +254 790509684

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Plums Pest and disease control

The most common pests of plum trees are banded fruit weevil, scale (red and pernicious), thrips, bollworm, fruitfly and codling moth. You can control these biologically, culturally, physically or chemically.

Birds are useful predators of these pests, and chickens and guinea fowl can be used to reduce weevil numbers. If weevils are a particular problem, remove weeds from the rows and place sticky bands around the trunks of the trees to prevent the adult weevils from reaching the canopy.

Harvesting plums in Kenya

Depending on variety, plums are ready to be picked from 80 to 120 days after flowering. Fruits may be picked before they are completely ripe since they can finish ripening off the tree. Fruit maturity first begins at the top of trees and later at the bottom, which usually necessitates more than one picking which can go for seven to ten days. โ€œPlums are highly perishable and must be picked and handled with care.

Market of plums in Kenya

Market for plums is available both at domestic and export level. Farmers who meet criteria for export should go for it as it may be more fulfilling.

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