Growing plums/cherries

Hi, Just wondered if it is possible to successfully grow these fruits in containers and if so how many yrs would it take for 2 yr old stock to fruit.LIDL are selling these in my local store from Thurs 25/02 .Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

there are plumbs and cherries designed for pots (on dwarf root stocks) but it these are not (and i suspect from Lidl they wont be) they would need VERY big containers. On the harvest if they are the size I am guessing, you will get some fruit next year and decent crop the following year (any fruit set ths year should be removed as i say if they are the size I imagine).

 

At 2 for £10 it's worth a try! I've some reservations about the rootstock as you need something like Pixie for a dwarf plum and even then you need a very big container.
But what the heck, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go for it!

 

Some cherries/plums need a pollinator. Might be and idea to check if the varieties you're buying need them.:wink:

 

just had a quick look at the Lidl's website and the say either in ground or pots.. 2year old plants at 2 for £10. Go for it.

repot into pots a good few sizes bigger. Pot some gravel in the base for drainage. repot using John Innes based compost add an extra handful ogf bonemeal. Do not let the soil dry out but dont oover-water.

JI and gravel adds to weight which help keeps the pot stable.

Dont prune this year as they should have been prunned already unless there are any damaged parts.- Chrries and plums are normally pruned in June.

granular Rose/tomato feed annually.

Remember to thin crop, especially in first year.

good luck