Plum        
Information

For information on pest and disease control in plums see;
the MSU Fruit IPM Page,
the Fruit Crop Alert which focuses on Fruit IPM
the Stone Fruit IPM webpage.

Plum Pox, a serious disease of stone fruit has been found in Michigan!

Mira Danilovich is the lead MSUE extension agent in plums. The Peach and Plum committee directs the plum extension effort.

There are about 1000 acres of plums in Michigan. Oceana County is the foremost plum county in Michigan with over 200 acres.  Berrien and Van Buren counties rank second and fourth. Plums are a crop in decline in Michigan.  A majority of the crop is processed into baby food or canned.  There is a local market for fresh fruit, but the majority of fresh fruit is shipped out of state.   There are a wide variety of plums grown in Michigan with variety trials at the Northwest Horticultural Station.

Plum growth stages used in the MSU Fruit CAT Alert

Plum Insect Pests:

Green Fruitworm is often a problem on young green fruit.

Green Peach Aphid will also attack plums, curling their leaves early in the season.

Plum Curculio are often seen first on plums, their distinctive half moon egg laying scar are the first clue that this insect is laying eggs.

Oriental Fruit Moth can attack plums.

Apple Maggot will attack plums as they ripen.

White Apple Leaf Hoppers are a problem late in the season.  Stippling of the leaves is an indication of their presence.

Fertilizing Fruit Crops - MSUE Bulletin (E-852) has general information on fertilizing plums.

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