Why not just harvest plums from your own garden? Tips on planting and pruning the Mirabelle plum tree so that you can get a bounty soon.

Purple trees always please their owner with a rich harvest

If you have a plum tree (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca) in your own garden, sweet hours are guaranteed, because the small plum-like fruits are real delicacies. And many a hike can be wonderfully sweetened with a Mirabelle here and there along the way. We've summarized what you should know about this easy-care plant.

Mirabella tree: origin and properties

Actually, Mirabelle plums are a subspecies of plums (Prunus domestica). But that doesn't make them any less special, because their small yellow fruits are a real treat. Mirabelle plums probably came about by crossing plums with cherry plums (Prunus cerasifera) or sloe (Prunus spinosa), but that is exactly what it can be today say no more. In any case, its scientific name syriaca indicates its origin: the region around Syria in Asia Minor. However, the world's largest cultivation area for mirabelle plums is not so far away from here, but in the middle of Lorraine. Mirabelle trees do not grow particularly large, around six meters. Their growth is usually bushy and sparse, but they can certainly be raised into pretty trees. They are particularly beautiful in the months of April and May, when the white flowers captivate the observer and provide a valuable source of food for numerous insects. Due to the countless hybrids and close relatives Mirabelle plums are not always easy to recognize. Important distinguishing features are the late flowering, the hairy flower stalks and the oval, slightly jagged leaves. The tasty yellow fruits are about 2-3 centimeters in size and can be easily detached from the stone.

The delicate blossoms of the plum tree appear in April and May and attract insects.

Note red plums: Wait, can't plums also bear red fruits? This opinion is widespread, but in fact mirabelle plums are always yellow. That isThey occasionally show red speckles or cheeks, but there are no deep red mirabelle plums. Mirabelle-like fruits with a red color usually belong to the cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera), which is very similar to the Mirabelle Mirabelle. Cherry plum fruits can be either red, yellow or purple and are similar in size and shape to mirabelle plums. During flowering, however, you can easily tell the two species apart. Cherry plums flower about two weeks earlier and, in contrast to mirabelle plums, have a bare flower stalk. Cherry plums also ripen a little earlier than Mirabelle plums and begin as early as the end of June. If you are still not quite sure, then the fact that the stone can be removed from the pulp is also an important distinguishing feature, because cherry plums are far less easy to remove from the stone than mirabelle plums.

Mirabelle varieties

Mirabelle plums have been around for a long time, even if the sweet fruits only reached Europe in the 16th century. A wide variety of varieties have emerged from centuries of culture. Important selection criteria are vigor and size, when the fruit ripens and susceptibility to diseases such as plum pox virus (PPV).

Recommended plum varieties:

  • 'Mirabelle von Nancy': This old variety is very common. Its fruits are large, extremely sweet and only moderately juicy. The pulp is quite firm, but can be easily separated from the stone. The fruits ripen from August. The 'Mirabelle von Nancy' is vigorous and is characterized by its high resistance to the Sharka virus.
  • 'Mirabelle von Pillnitz': This mirabelle variety was only bred in the 1980s in Pillnitz near Dresden. It is robust and has a very compact habit. With an average size of about 3 meters, it is also suitable for small gardens. The fruits leave nothing to be desired in terms of taste and are aromatic and juicy-sweet. They ripen between August and September. The variety is also resistant to the Sharka virus.
  • 'Early Mirabelle von Bergthold': An extremely early harvest can be expected for the 'Early Mirabelle von Bergthold', because the sweet fruits begin to ripen as early as the end of July. The variety is quite undemanding in terms of location and soil.
  • 'Metzer': The 'Mirabelle von Metz' is an old Mirabelle variety that probably once came from the region around the Lorraine city of Metz. It is weak and small, but still delivers a high yield. The fruits are extremely aromatic and very juicy and ripenMid-August.
  • ‘Herrnhäuser Mirabelle’: This Mirabelle variety bears large fruits, even larger than the ‘Mirabelle von Nancy’, which it is quite similar to in terms of fruit. Fruits that are particularly sunny often have red speckles on the otherwise yellow skin. Mirabelles ripen from mid-August and are juicy and tender. The tree is rather small.

Plant plum tree

Purple plum trees, like most plants, should be planted in either the fall or spring, which is basically the off-season for plant growth. After planting, you should water the young tree regularly until it is well rooted in the soil.

Expert Tip: You can expect particularly high yields if you have two Mirabelle plum trees in the garden so that they can pollinate each other. However, this is not necessary.

In the landscape Mirabelle plums often grow along the edges of forests, in hedges or along the side of the road

Sandy to sometimes even loamy soil is suitable as a location, even if mirabelle plums have no objection to nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil. Mirabelle plums are therefore less demanding in terms of soil. This should only be permeable and not prone to waterlogging. A pH value in the neutral to slightly alkaline range is optimal. The sun, on the other hand, is more important, because mirabelle plums love it warm and sunny. However, penumbra is well tolerated. To keep it nice and warm, a sheltered location is ideal, especially in rough locations. Mirabelle plums therefore often grow in the countryside at the edges of forests and in hedges, where they get enough sun but are reasonably protected from the wind.

Preserve Mirabelle Tree

Mirabella trees are fairly undemanding. The maintenance effort is therefore extremely low. Once the tree is well rooted, you no longer need to worry about the growth. However, if you value a bountiful harvest, regular pruning is advisable.

Pruning Mirabelle Tree

Pruning is not essential, but regular pruning thins the crown and brings the tree into shape. Translucent light allows larger fruits to form and you get a richer harvest. Your plum tree should be pruned in the spring or in the fall after the harvest. On the other hand, it is better to let your tree rest in winter, because at this time of year the pruning wounds of the plum tree are susceptible to fungi. As a goal of a cut you should imagine an oval crowneyes that spread in all directions.

Note on fertilizing Mirabelle plum trees: Mirabelle plum trees don't need great fertilization. However, a bit of compost or manure in spring or early summer will benefit the crop.

Propagating Mirabelle Trees

Mirabelle plums are usually not varietal, i.e. the seedlings do not belong to the same variety as the mother plant. Mirabelle trees would also be produced when propagated by seeds, but it is difficult to predict what properties they will have. But who knows, maybe a very tasty mirabelle will come out of it? An attempt can be worthwhile, but it takes about seven to eight years before the first harvest can be expected. Propagation via grafting is faster and safer. For this purpose, a scion is cut from the mother Mirabelle and grafted onto a base, for example a plum. This procedure requires some practice, but is worth it. You can read about how the refinement works here.

Granching young fruit trees is a small challenge - but a success is all the more beautiful

Last but not least, there is the variant with the cuttings, which are cut in the spring and then potted. However, the success rate for fruit trees is moderate.

Pests and Diseases on the Mirabelle Tree

Like most plum trees, Mirabelle plums can be afflicted by a number of pests and diseases. Nevertheless, the small plums are far less susceptible than their larger relatives.

The most important harmful organisms on the plum tree:

  • Plum pox virus (PPV) is caused by the Sharka virus. This is transmitted by aphids and has been widespread in Germany since the middle of the last century. In early summer, yellow rings appear on the leaves of infested trees. Later, many fruits show smallpox-like dents and are no longer tasty. In addition, affected fruits tend to fall from the tree prematurely. There is currently no known way to combat the virus. The most important precaution is the choice of variety.
  • The plum moth (Grapholita funebrana) is a moth that lays its eggs on the ripening fruit. The caterpillars burrow into the inside of the mirabelle plum and enjoy the pulp. They are easily recognized by their red coloring and dark head capsule. The fruit usually fall before maturity and should then be collected to reduce infestation next year.
  • The fungi Monilia laxa and Monilia fructigena occasionally attack the fruits of Mirabelle plums. These then show brownish spots and fall to the ground or dry up on the tree. It is best to remove infested fruit immediately and thin out the crown with the next cut. In this way, the tree is better aerated and fungal pathogens have a worse hand.

Harvesting plums: harvest time and procedure

Depending on the variety, Mirabelle plums ripen between August and September, but individual varieties such as the 'Early Mirabelle Mirabelle von Bergthold' ripen from the end of July. For harvesting, you can pick the small fruits directly from the tree. However, if you want to harvest larger quantities right away, you can shake the tree and catch the falling fruit with nets or cloths.

You can bake wonderful cakes with fresh or frozen plums

Use Mirabelle plums and preserve

Unfortunately, the sweet fruits cannot be stored. They survive well in the refrigerator for two to three days, but after that they start to rot quickly. On the other hand, mirabelle plums can be easily frozen and can be enjoyed even in winter or in the coming year. To freeze plums, no great preparation is necessary. Halve the fruit and remove the stones. Now all you have to do is pack the halves in freezer bags and pull the air out of the bags and put them in the freezer. You can also boil mirabelle plums wonderfully and preserve them in this way, for example as compote, jam or jelly. Mirabelles are even an excellent ingredient for schnapps and fruit mustard.

The so-called red mirabelle plums are actually the fruit of the cherry plum. You can find out everything you need to know about this topic in our special article on the cherry plum.

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Fruit