Plum tree, poor growth?
 

Hi,

I have a plum which i planted as a bare root back in Feb. (two year old, st julien A).

At first it grew well, with even some blossom.

But, growth has very much slowed down, the leaves are small and imature looking. many of the new buds have died. There is some new growth occuring but its very limted. (compared to my apple, planted at same time, it looks in a very poor state)

Im not sure whether this is just a feature of plums being slow to establish, or there is problem. I cant see any evidence of "common diseases".
I wonder whether its waterlogged or conversly under watered.

I thought id just see if anyone has any ideas before i start digging around the roots, watering or something.

Cheers

Ed

Sounds as though it is suffering from stress, not too surprising in
veiw of the poor spring and cold weather when we are usually expecting
better. I would just leave it, amke sure it is well watered and it
should recover. Most fruit trees will drop their fruit the first year
after planting, don't forget the flower buds were formed while it was
growing with a good root system and was established. Now it is in what
to it is an alien environment that it has to get used to. First thing
to go is any fruit that may be forming.

Mike

Cheers, I'm a huge fan of masterfull inactivity.