{"product_id":"plum-black-ice-bare-root","title":"Plum, Black Ice, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Ice Plum (\u003cem\u003ePrunus hybrid ‘Lydecker’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Ice is a cold-hardy hybrid plum with dark skin, sweet red flesh, and a comparatively compact habit. It is useful for growers who want a dessert plum in a colder orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDark fruit with a sweet red center\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe round plums develop dark purple to nearly black skin around red flesh. Let the fruit soften slightly and develop flavor before picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA smaller habit with northern breeding\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Ice was developed at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls from cherry-plum and Japanese-plum ancestry. Its moderate size can make pruning and picking easier than on a very vigorous plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eToka completes the orchard plan\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Ice needs compatible pollen and Toka is a well-established choice. Do not substitute a European prune plum simply because both trees have ‘plum’ in the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCross-pollination requires a different compatible cultivar. Options in our 2027 selection include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-toka-bare-root\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e. Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Mature Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for approximately 10–15 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. The offered variant identifies the rootstock; keep the graft union above soil level and remove rootstock suckers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 10–15 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early to mid-spring; white flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark purple-black skin and sweet red flesh; dessert-quality hybrid plums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, jam, baking, and preserves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e July–August\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Published estimates differ substantially; a reliable cultivar-specific requirement has not been confirmed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cross-pollination with a compatible cultivar required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 4–8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Plum Orchard Guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eA good start\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFertility and fruit-tree guilds\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tree-planting-kit\"\u003eTree Planting Kit fertilizer blend\u003c\/a\u003e is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/resources\/transform-your-garden-build-a-fruit-tree-guild-that-practically-grows-itself\"\u003efruit-tree guild guide\u003c\/a\u003e for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003ePractical pest and disease care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThin crowded fruit to improve size and protect branches, prune for airflow in dry weather, and remove fallen or mummified fruit. Monitor for brown rot, plum curculio, and black knot where it occurs. Early sanitation and fruit bags where practical can reduce problems; protect bees during bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rusty Mangrum","offers":[{"title":"Bare Root \/ 11\/16\" caliper \/ Standard Halford Rootstock","offer_id":49845687648515,"sku":"TFT-17167","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Plum-Black-Ice-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792230926","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/plum-black-ice-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}