Watering Mirabelle plums

• Mirabelle origin
• Mirabelle care and location
• Cutting mirabelle plums
• Watering Mirabelle plums
• Fertilizing Mirabelle plums

Mirabelle origin

The mirabelle plum (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca) is a subspecies of the plum and thus belongs to the rose family. Its origins are probably in the eastern Mediterranean or western Asia. It arrived in Europe in the Middle Ages. The Lorraine region of France is particularly famous for mirabelle plums, where the "Mirabelle de Nancy" is registered as a protected designation of origin. In Germany, the mirabelle plum is found primarily in warmer regions such as Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.

Mirabelle care and location

The Mirabelle plum loves a location in full sun to partial shade. The sunnier the location, the sweeter the fruit. For a good harvest, we also recommend a windbreak, such as a hedge or a house facade. The soil should be loose, nutrient-rich, and well-drained. Sandy-loamy soils with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (6–7) are ideal. The Mirabelle plum is generally considered a low-maintenance and robust tree that requires little care. However, if you want a bountiful and aromatic harvest, the Mirabelle plum needs plenty of water, especially in summer.

Cutting mirabelle plums

An important part of caring for mirabelle plums is pruning. The best time to prune is in late summer, after harvest. This late pruning slows the vigorous natural growth and promotes rapid wound healing. The crown is thinned out by removing old and unfavorably positioned side branches. Regular pruning ensures a bountiful harvest. It is important that pruning is performed carefully to avoid damage to the plant.

Watering Mirabelle plums

Another important care measure for mirabelle plums is watering. Mirabelle plums require regular water, especially during the growth and fruiting phases. It's important to keep the soil evenly moist to promote plant growth and ensure a bountiful harvest. However, it's also important that the soil is well-drained to avoid waterlogging.

Climate change is leading to higher temperatures and more frequent droughts, which are having an impact on the environment and especially on trees. They suffer from the extreme conditions and may need to be watered more frequently than before. However, traditional watering can cause a lot of water to seep away or evaporate before it can be absorbed by the roots.

A more efficient way to water mirabelle plums is to water them with tree bath watering bagsThe bags have two small holes at the bottom that release water evenly into the soil over several hours as drip irrigation. This ensures consistent moisture levels and better absorption by the surrounding soil and roots. The soil beneath the watering bag remains moist and protected from the sun during watering, allowing the tree to replenish its water reserves.

Attaching and filling the watering bags is simple and straightforward: The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped shut, then filled with water until no wrinkles are visible at the bottom. The water requirements of mirabelle plum trees depend on various factors, such as the tree's age, size, soil conditions, and climate. A general guideline is 30 liters per square meter. One full watering bag provides sufficient water for young trees. For older and larger trees, several watering bags can be connected using the zippers.

Fertilizing mirabelle plums

Mirabelles, especially when young, are fertilized once a year in spring with manure or mature compost fertilized. Older trees are fertilized every two years.