Hi @lawrence-b
It looks like your Mirabelle plum is chlorotic, which means there's a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves, allowing it to photosynthesize. These plums are native to France and produce the sweetest most delicious fruits and are usually quite easy to grow.
Growing conditions for a Mirabelle Plum
Mirabelle plums prefer the following:
- Free draining soil
- No water-logged conditions or clay
- Full sun
- Warmth
- No fussy about soil PH
Mirabelle plums are pretty hardy so it looks like it's something very specific that's causing the issue.
How to fix plant chlorosis
The term "chlorotic" is often used in reference to plants and refers to a condition where the leaves of the plant become yellow due to a lack of chlorophyll, which is a pigment that gives leaves their green colour and is necessary for photosynthesis.
Chlorosis can occur due to various factors, such as nutrient deficiencies (e.g. iron or magnesium), environmental stress, diseases, or pests. When a plant is chlorotic, it may appear weak, stunted, or have reduced yields. Most of the time it's the micronutrients magnesium and iron. Which fall outside the usual NPK but are found in most general-purpose plant foods.
https://youtu.be/iFc7YByFIeo
Magnesium and iron are only taken up into plants' food and water transport systems at lower PH or acidic soil conditions. So adding some pine needles to the top of the soil or using a watered-down ericaceous feed can be helpful. If you have really high alkaline soil it's near impossible to get iron or magnesium into a plant quickly unless ruling a foliar spray.
When it comes to chlorosis, a boost of iron is usually a good sign which is found in most general-purpose plant feeds. I'd give it a good liquid feed which is the fastest way to address such plant issues. See my video guide below on your options.
https://youtu.be/5BhGtCjT2TQ
The soil you've planted it in does look quite dry and if it's next to a wall or house then the concrete and brickwork which is porous can suck out moisture so if anything I'd give it a bit more watering or apply a very thick mulch around the base of the tree. See my guide below on how to mulch. Always use peat-free compost or homemade if possible.
One last thing to note is that plums should only ever be pruned in late spring or summer and never in winter to avoid silver leaf disease.
https://youtu.be/RMKWBu_Bxv4
I hope this helps and am sure your Mirabelle plum will be fine once established!
All the best
Lee
Hi @lawrence-b
It looks like your Mirabelle plum is chlorotic, which means there's a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves, allowing it to photosynthesize. These plums are native to France and produce the sweetest most delicious fruits and are usually quite easy to grow.
Growing conditions for a Mirabelle Plum
Mirabelle plums prefer the following:
- Free draining soil
- No water-logged conditions or clay
- Full sun
- Warmth
- No fussy about soil PH
Mirabelle plums are pretty hardy so it looks like it's something very specific that's causing the issue.
How to fix plant chlorosis
The term "chlorotic" is often used in reference to plants and refers to a condition where the leaves of the plant become yellow due to a lack of chlorophyll, which is a pigment that gives leaves their green colour and is necessary for photosynthesis.
Chlorosis can occur due to various factors, such as nutrient deficiencies (e.g. iron or magnesium), environmental stress, diseases, or pests. When a plant is chlorotic, it may appear weak, stunted, or have reduced yields. Most of the time it's the micronutrients magnesium and iron. Which fall outside the usual NPK but are found in most general-purpose plant foods.
Magnesium and iron are only taken up into plants' food and water transport systems at lower PH or acidic soil conditions. So adding some pine needles to the top of the soil or using a watered-down ericaceous feed can be helpful. If you have really high alkaline soil it's near impossible to get iron or magnesium into a plant quickly unless ruling a foliar spray.
When it comes to chlorosis, a boost of iron is usually a good sign which is found in most general-purpose plant feeds. I'd give it a good liquid feed which is the fastest way to address such plant issues. See my video guide below on your options.
The soil you've planted it in does look quite dry and if it's next to a wall or house then the concrete and brickwork which is porous can suck out moisture so if anything I'd give it a bit more watering or apply a very thick mulch around the base of the tree. See my guide below on how to mulch. Always use peat-free compost or homemade if possible.
One last thing to note is that plums should only ever be pruned in late spring or summer and never in winter to avoid silver leaf disease.
I hope this helps and am sure your Mirabelle plum will be fine once established!
All the best
Lee
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