Plum is a unique traditional flower and fruit in China with a history of more than 3,000 years. In ancient times, plums were used to replace cheese as seasoning, which was indispensable for sacrifice, cooking and gift. At least 2,500 years ago in the Spring and Autumn Period, wild plum was introduced and domesticated into the plum of Jiamei. 1975, Chinese archaeologists discovered the plum pit in the bronze tripod of Shang Dynasty in Yin Ruins, indicating that plums were eaten as food as early as 3200 years ago.
The rise of ornamental plum blossoms began in the early Han Dynasty. "Miscellanies of Xijing" contains: "In the early Han Dynasty, a forest garden was built, and different trees were offered far away, including Zhu Mei, and plum blossoms were married." At this time, the plum blossom varieties are both ornamental and strong, which may belong to Jiang Mei and Guanfen. At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, Yang Xiong wrote "Shu Du Fu", saying: "It is cherry plum and the tree is magnolia." It can be seen that plum has been used as a garden tree species for urban greening about 2000 years ago.
Cultivation techniques:
According to the ecological habits of plum blossom, the high dry land with loose soil, good drainage and sunny ventilation is also selected for open planting. After survival, it is generally unnecessary to water when the weather is not dry. Apply fertilizer three times a year and base fertilizer in winter to improve the ability of wintering and cold protection and prepare enough nutrients for growth in the coming year. Apply quick-acting flower-accelerating fertilizer before flowering, and apply quick-acting flower bud fertilizer after new shoots stop growing to promote flower bud differentiation. Every fertilization should be combined with watering. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent cold in winter in the north.
When planting on the ground, special attention should be paid to pruning and shaping. Reasonable pruning is beneficial to control plant type, improve the light condition in crown and promote the early flowering of young trees. Pruning is mainly based on thinning, and it is best to make it beautiful and natural. When pruning, it is advisable to cut off the branches a little. Overweight can easily lead to excessive growth, which will affect the next year's flowering. Prune more dead branches, diseased branches and long branches than in early winter, and trim and shape the whole plant properly after flowering. In addition, management should be strengthened at ordinary times, and attention should be paid to intertillage, irrigation, weeding and insect prevention.