{"product_id":"plum-shiro-bare-root","title":"Plum, Shiro, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShiro Plum (\u003cem\u003ePrunus salicina ‘Shiro’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiro bears bright yellow plums with a mild sweet flavor and plenty of juice. It is useful for starting the plum harvest and as a compatible pollen source within a Japanese-type plum planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGolden fruit with an approachable flavor\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe round yellow plums are juicy and relatively mild. Enjoy them fresh or turn the harvest into jam and sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAn early harvest in the plum season\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eShiro generally ripens ahead of many dark Japanese plums. Fruit can soften quickly, so check the tree often as color develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHeavy crops benefit from a little editing\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eShiro may set some fruit alone but crops more reliably with compatible pollen. Thin crowded clusters early to improve fruit size and protect branches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSelf-fertile; a second tree is not required. For a broader harvest, consider \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-a-u-rosa-bare-root\"\u003eA.U. Rosa\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plum-elephant-heart-bare-root\"\u003eElephant Heart\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 15–20 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 15–20 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 Bright yellow plums with soft, juicy flesh and a mild sweet flavor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, jam, sauce, and preserves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e June–July\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 400–500 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partly self-fruitful; cross-pollination improves reliability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 5–9.\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":49845687845123,"sku":"TFT-17127","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Plum-Shiro-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792231840","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/plum-shiro-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}