Watering Mirabelle plums

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

Pruning is an important part of caring for mirabelle plum trees. The best time for pruning is in late summer after harvesting. This late pruning slows down vigorous natural growth and promotes rapid wound healing. The crown is thinned by removing old and poorly positioned side branches. Regular pruning ensures a bountiful harvest. It is important that pruning is carried out carefully to avoid damaging the plant.

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.

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 impacting the environment and especially trees. These trees are suffering under the extreme conditions and may need to be watered more often than before. However, traditional watering methods can result in applying too much water at once, which the soil cannot absorb.

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 irrigation, 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.