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Plums
Varieties The group of stone fruits collectively known as plums are actually varieties derived from numerous separate species that are indigenous to various parts of the world. The two primary species utilized in the United States are Prunus domestica, the European plum and Prunus salycina, the Japanese plum. The European plum is responsible for varieties such as 'Stanley', which is grown fresh and frequently dried and used as prunes. These varieties have poor production records in Texas because of a relatively high chilling requirement and high susceptibility to fungal diseases such as brown rot. The varieties adapted to Texas climatic conditions are usually hybrids between P. domestica and P. salycina. These varieties are listed here. The production of plums is very similar to that of peaches with some exceptions. Most plum varieties are not self-fruitful. That is, for consistent production, two varieties with similar blooming periods (chilling requirements) are needed for pollination and fruit set to take place. Plums do produce fruit on previous season's growth, but they also produce small lateral perennial fruiting sites known as spurs. Disease and insect pressure is generally the same as that for peaches. |
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/hillcountry/