Michigan Plums
Fruit Growth Stage Reference -- Plums
| Plums - Stanley |
Description | |
| Dormant | No swelling visible | |
| Bud Swell |  |
Swollen buds become noticeable and no green tissue is visible. |
| Bud Burst |  |
Also called "White Side". The bud is opening and the newly exposed sides of the bud scales are white. |
| Green Cluster |  |
Also called "Green Tip" or "Tight Cluster" the top of the bud has opened and the individual flower buds are visible. Plums have several flowers in each bud. |
| White Bud |  |
The flower buds continue to open and the white petals are visible. |
| First Bloom |  |
When the first flowers open. |
| Full Bloom |  |
All or most of the flowers on the tree are open. |
| Petal Fall |  |
When the petals are falling off the tree. When all the petals have fallen the fruit is said to be "In the Shuck." |
| Shuck Split |  |
When the growth of the fruit splits the shuck. |
| 8 mm Fruit | Refers to fruit diameter. | |
| 10 mm |  |
|
| 12 to 25 mm Fruit and 1.0" to 2.0" Fruit |
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| Pit Hardening | Not really a visible stage this is when the pit of the fruit becomes hard. This is tested by trying to cut the fruit in half. | |
| Pale Green Fruit |  |
The fruit color changes from green to yellowish green. |
| Coloring Fruit | Fruit begins to show purple. | |
| Harvest |  |
The fruit is ripe and ready to harvest! |
