Yellow plums can be propagated, but it's not that easy. This requires a lot of technical knowledge and a sure instinct.
The Mirabelle is a subspecies of the plum and is particularly popular because of its small, sweet fruits. Like many other fruit plants, the Mirabelle can of course also be propagated. For example, you could germinate a core. However, this takes a long time and is often not even successful.
Propagation via root cantilevers works more reliably. But here you have to consider whether you have an ungrafted or grafted Mirabelle plum bush or tree in the garden. Propagating Mirabelle plums via root shoots only makes sense if you have an ungrafted original plant.
Unrooted or refined mirabelle?
Mirabelle plums come in two forms. In addition to the original, natural tree, there is also a refined variety, in which the mirabelle plum is grafted onto a carrier, for example plum. You can tell the difference in the root extensions, the leaves and the trunk. Several shoots regularly appear around the trunk. The shoots are referred to as root shoots, root shoots or root shoots. When the wild shoots get leaves, the offshoots of ungrafted mirabelle plums have the same leaves. On grafted plants the leaves look like those of the rootstock.
The trunk of a grafted tree varies in thickness near the ground. The lower four to eight inches are thinner than the upper trunk, and grafted trees often do not grow straight. This is due to the grafting point, because the relevant eye for grafting is very far down. The tree will sprout laterally from there. This bend and the bulge above it indicate a grafted tree.
That means using Mirabelle plums as an example:
- Ungrafted Mirabelle: Leaves of the wild shoots like Mirabelle, straight stem with even circumference, multiplication results in an ungrafted Mirabelle.
- Grafted mirabelle plum: Leaves of the wild shoots like plums, bend in the trunk, smaller trunk circumference near the ground, propagation results in a plum.
Propagation overRoot cantilever
Root propagation only makes sense if you have an ungrafted tree. In early summer, carefully dig up the stolons. There should be some leaves on the aerial part, the lower part must be roots. Then sprinkle the lower end of the offshoots with rooting powder (such as this one) and place them in potting soil. Alternatively, you can plant the root shoots directly in the garden. The soil should always be slightly moist. A mild to warm climate encourages the process.
Germinate Mirabelle Seeds
If you still want to try the cores, proceed as follows:
For this method you need seeds from fully ripe fruit. File the cores lightly on the outside, soak them in warm water overnight, and then place them in containers of regular garden soil. Not every seed will germinate - feel free to take several. Keep moist and warm, and with a bit of luck, the first shoots will appear after a few weeks. Keep only the strongest! The young plants are not allowed outside until next year. It takes several years for the new Mirabelle to bear fruit - so you need staying power.
With the help of a gardener: Safely propagate old varieties
The main reason for propagation is usually that you have an old variety in the garden whose fruits you particularly like. Here it is worth having a professional refinement done by a gardener. You will then reliably get a Mirabelle plum tree that has the same properties - and you will get fruit much faster, which is one of the main advantages of grafting.