Data protection settings

Besides technically required cookies and functions, at W. Neudorff GmbH KG we also use cookies the purpose of which is to analyse website visits or optimise marketing measures. To this end, we need your consent under Art. 6 (1 a) GDPR and Section 25 (1) TTDSG (German Telecommunications-Telemedia Data Protection Act) which you can grant us by clicking on “Agree to all”. Personal data will then also be sent to Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, for the purpose of preparing statistical evaluations and personalising advertisements; and cookies will be set by the operator. It is therefore possible that the provider will be able to store your visits and analyse your behaviour. You can find Google’s privacy policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Notice of the processing of your data collected on this website by Google in the USA: By clicking on “Agree to all”, you are at the same time consenting to the processing of your data in the USA under Art. 49 (1) Sentence 1a GDPR. The European Court of Justice considers the USA to be a country with an inadequate level of data protection by EU standards. In particular, there is a risk that it may be possible for US authorities to process your data for supervision and monitoring purposes, possibly with no right of redress. You can obtain further information on the individual cookies used and your right of objection in our data protection notices.
Reject allAllow selectionAgree to all

Balcony & Patio

Late summer is reserved for the fruit harvest. Picking sun-kissed plums straight from the tree and the aroma of home-baked plum cake have been around since childhood. But plum trees are more than just fruit suppliers: in spring, they proudly boast a white sea of flowers filled with the buzzing of bees and bumblebees.

With the new varieties now available, you can also buy small plum trees for the balcony. Make sure to look out for the term “self-pollinating” and for resistance to “plum pox” and “Monilia fruit rot” when buying.

The difference between plums and damsons, by the way, is less to do with the taste and more with the shape: Plums are usually bigger than damsons and have a distinct longitudinal groove. Damsons also freeze well but plums not.

Plum trees need large plant containers with a minimum volume of 25 litres. Make sure that terracotta pots are frost-resistant. Before planting, add a few centimetres of gravel or lightweight aggregate to the bottom of the pot for drainage. Mix a peat-free, special potting soil into the container to give the tree a good start. The best time to plant is in the spring or autumn.

Tip: Do not plant the fruit tree deeper than the pot in which you bought it. The grafting point, which can be seen by the thickening in the trunk section, must be above the soil.

Recommended varieties

In the open, stone fruit trees need lots of space. So for the balcony, you should choose columnar trees and spindle bushes up to a maximum height of 2 metres or create a space-saving plum tree trellis. Columnar damson trees are, for example, Fruca, Imperial, Haganta, Pruntop, Tophit and Topper. Small columnar plums and spindle bushes are Champion, Empress, Gelbe Eierpflaume, Königin Victoria, Magna Glauca and the giant plum Jumbo. All these varieties are self-pollinating, i.e. you do not need a second pollinating tree.

Location & Care

Plum trees need a sunny location, while damsons also tolerate semi-shade. They have normal water requirements, avoid waterlogging. Don’t forget to water on frost-free days in winter. Fertilise once in the spring with Organic Multipurpose Plant Food, in autumn with a potassium-based fertiliser, in order to improve hardiness.

The young shoots can be cut back by half in February/March. Young shoots are slightly greener and not quite woody yet. Only cut back columnar trees when they have reached or exceeded the desired final height. After the harvest, prune downward-growing side shoots back to three “buds”, i.e. three buds remain.

Magnificent plums and damsons can be harvested from August or September depending on the variety.