Mirabelle plum is a small, round fruit that is typically deep red or yellow in color. The skin is thin and the flesh is sweet and juicy. The stone is small and easy to remove. Mirabelle plums are native to Europe and have been cultivated since the Roman times. Today, they are grown in many parts of the world, including North America.
About soil condition, the best way to grow a Mirabelle plum tree is in a deep, well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The tree does not tolerate heavy, wet soils. The roots need to be in moist, but not wet, soil.
Just like other stone fruits, Mirabelle plums require full sun to ripen properly. This means that they need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Without enough sun, the fruit will be small, sour, and unripe. So, if you want to grow Mirabelle plums, make sure you have a sunny spot in your garden!
The temperature conditions during the growing season have a big impact on the size and taste of the fruit. If the weather is too hot, the fruit will be small and have a bland taste. If the weather is too cold, the fruit will be large but have a sour taste. The ideal temperature for growing Mirabelle plums is between 20-25 degrees Celsius.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 50-70%. The humidity level should not be too high or too low. If the humidity level is too high, the plant will develop fungal diseases. If the humidity level is too low, the plant will experience stress and will not produce fruit.
The fertilizer, this plant needs is a low nitrogen, high phosphorus fertilizer with a root: to: shoot ratio of 4:1. This will encourage the plant to produce more fruit. The root system of the Mirabelle plum is very sensitive to waterlogging, so the soil must be well-drained.
Pruning is a crucial step in keeping your mirabelle plum tree healthy and productive. Once the tree has reached its desired height, you'll need to remove any dead or diseased branches. You should also thin out the canopy to allow sunlight and air to reach the inner branches. This will also help prevent the formation of fungus and mildew.
Propagation is typically done by grafting or by rooting hardwood cuttings, since Mirabelle plums do not grow true from seed. Grafting is done in late winter, when the tree is dormant. Hardwood cuttings are taken from the previous year's growth and are planted in the fall.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the variety planted. The Dwarf Mirabelle, for example, grows 12 to 18 inches per year, while the Compact Mirabelle grows 24 to 36 inches per year. The average lifespan of a mirabelle plum tree is 15 to 20 years.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, fungus gnat, and root-knot nematode. The powdery mildew will cause the leaves to have a white powdery coating. The fungus gnat will cause the leaves to have small holes in them. The root-knot nematode will cause the roots to be stunted and the leaves to turn yellow.
Source:
Paul Mirabelle - Australian Institute of Business
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