Air layering a plum...

Well, greengage, I think.


Back in late June 2017, these greengages and cherry plums were so delicious...




... that I decided we had to have them growing in our own community garden.

The fruits came from trees that were originally planted on the housing estate for their ornamental value - producing beautiful cherry blossoms from late February to mid March.


In early April 2018, I set about air layering a single branch of the greengage and four months later in September:


The source trees.


I chose a crossing branch that was destined to be pruned anyway by landscape maintenance.







The new tree was then trimmed to reduce transpiration and potted up in a 14L bucket and placed in a slightly sheltered location.


Late February 2019.





About 15-20 fruits had formed but the majority had dropped off due to the erratic weather and a few were picked prematurely by inquisitive kid(s).


Earlier today.









Plum successfully propagated by air layering!


Of course, they can also be easily propagated through cuttings:






The cuttings for this tree were taken in August 2017. Five taken, two struck.


In the mean time, this year's harvest: