Also known as cherry plum , ' Thundercloud ' ( Prunuscerasifera’Thundercloud ' ) is a striking deciduous plum tree cultivar that boastsdark purple farewell , scores of former spring booms and small edible plums . Even with proper care and care , ' Thundercloud ' is a short - lived tree diagram that usually begins to decline after 10 to 15 years .
Plant in a Sunny Site
' Thundercloud ' produce in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8 , where it will turn in full or fond sun . The rich purple parting will be at their most vivacious in a spot with full sun — in shade leaves will turn greenish rather than purple . If you ’re planting multiple plum , provide 18 to 22 feet of space in between trees . yield and leaf can make a mess , so plant the tree diagram out fromwalkways and patiosto avoid extra clear - up .
Use Well-Draining Soil
Plant ' Thundercloud ' in a well - enfeeble soil . In pitiable , succinct dirt , ' Thundercloud ' is more likely to appeal boring worm . Poorly debilitate soil also increases the risk of fungal disease such as rot . pee regularlyto keep the soil moist , but not waterlogged or flooded . ' Thundercloud ' is reasonably drouth tolerant but will become try during prospicient ironic stop .
Fertilize Regularly
During the plum’sfirst year , fertilize in other springtime with 1 cup of a 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer spread evenly in a roofy with a diameter of about 3 feet . inseminate again with 1/2 cup of ammonium nitrate or atomic number 20 nitrate in a traffic circle about 2 foot in diam . Always irrigate the arena well after spreading fertiliser .
From the second year on , fertilise inearly Marchandearly August . In March , apply 1 cup of a 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer per year of tree ’s long time , not exceeding 12 loving cup . In August , put on 1 cup of calcium nitrate or ammonium nitrate per year of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s age , not exceeding 6 cups . Apply plant food in a circle as full as the tree ’s canopy , keeping fertilizer from concentrating next to the trunk . fund fresh fertilizer in a inviolable location aside from children and pets .
Check for Pests
' Thundercloud ' is susceptible to a wide-eyed chain of mountains of pest infestations . Pests such asscale insects , cottony or operose insect that form dense settlement on branches;mites , tiny cosh - sucking pests;aphids , sap - sucking insects that feed on raw growth ; andtent cat , which chew holes in leaves , may all be controlled with horticultural rock oil .
Mix 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 tablespoons of horticultural petroleum in 1 gallon of water and stream it into abackpacksprayer . Wear tenacious sleeves , longsighted pants and goggles and spray evenly over to wet the tops and bottom of ramification , main branch and trunk . Apply when the trees are hibernating — before heyday buds show green — or when Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are detain sleeping — when blossom buds have emerged 1/4 to 1/2 column inch . Store idle petroleum out from children and favorite and follow the label ’s program line cautiously .
Keep It Clean and Tidy
usual plum tree fungal disease such asblack knot , which causes warty ontogeny on ' Thundercloud ' branch , andbrown rot , which get cankers and rotten fruit , can be manage by travel along good sanitation practice . Rake up and destroy fallen fruits and leave-taking , which may harbor diseases , and prune out and demolish limb with fungal growth . off any dry out out plums that stay on the tree diagram .
Thundercloud Plum Tree Is Going Into Shock – What Can I Do To Help It?
Transplanted trees lose large amount of root , which must be reclaim over time for the plant to have adequate water . H2O so that the filth is moist , but not waterlogged or flood . Remove pot and grass from around the tree and mulch with 3 to 4 in of wood chip or bark to help suppress young competitory plants , as well as regulate soil temperatures and husband wet . According to Montana State University , it may take several years for new ascendant to push through very compacted clay soils enough for stem and canopy growth to resume at a normal rate . Without right planting from the beginning , some Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may never recover and may simply bomb to thrive . right planting is vital to the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s succeeding success . "
Warning
To reduce possible damage to the plum tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , do not apply horticultural crude when plants are stressed or evolve fresh shoot maturation . Do not applyhorticultural oilwhen temperature are above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or during immobilise conditions .
Tip
To forbid the spread of fungous spores to healthy plants , disinfect pruning equipment by soaking tools for five minutes in a root that is adequate parts scratch alcoholic beverage and piddle . Rinse with clean water supply and allow the tools to strain dry .
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