Prunus Mume flowers

I bought an imported mume 2 yrs ago, and it was in flower.
Last year it had no flowers only new leaves.
This year it is starting to bud up, how do I tell the difference between flower buds and leaf buds.
Any ideas???

The flower buds are big, fat and roundish. They should have been present on the tree for several months now. The leaf buds are more pointed, and probably won't have started swelling yet in your area.

This tree arrived this week, Prunus Mume, variety 'Peggy Clarke'. It is scented; and very spicy-sweet. It will be my second attempt to try and grow one. I lost a smaller one approx three years ago. I am enchanted with these and hope I can start some cuttings. This one has a good start and will probably be put into the ground. I will untangle the roots next month when the overnight tempts are above freezing. I am currently putting her outside during the day (above freezing temps) and store her inside a cold closet at night. I hope this will not stress her out too much. You may be able to see the difference between bloom buds and leaf buds. Any comments or suggestions on care is appreciated. (this is our kitty "Yona" sniffing... )

Howzit Todd,

Question, Can this grow in Hawaii or does it need a cold temp?

-Tim

Hawaiian77 wrote:Howzit Todd,

Question, Can this grow in Hawaii or does it need a cold temp?

-Tim

Everything I read, and hear from growers says, that it needs a cold/dormant period. I believe what I am told. I have not had one for the four seasons, so I will be learning more about this tree as it grows. I talked with a grower on the west coast (zone 8, Northern CA) who shared that they are suseptible to the Freeze-thaw cycles in late Winter/Early Spring; this is what causes them problems. I have heard stories of people growing Jap. maples in Hawaii; putting them in refrigerators for '6-8 weeks' for their cold period. Perhaps others will share their thoughts. Best regards, Todd

Tim,

I posted a comment about ‘Peggy Clark’ in an older thread about Prunus mume. I live on the north Gulf Coast (zn 8b) and have a couple of this variety. They perform very well here. I’ve not tried any of the other P. mumes, so I can’t comment on them. ‘Peggy Clark’ is the only one I’ve ever seen for sale around here, my suspicion is that it was developed for areas with less chill hours. In a usual winter (NOT this one), we have a few frosts and a couple of good freezes and that’s about it.

The same chill hour factor is true for cherries, also in the Prunus genus. Varieties like ‘Kwanzan’ and ‘Yoshino’ bloom poorly here because of the lack of chill hours, but ‘Okame’ and P. campanulata (Taiwan cherry) pictured below in my front yard do wonderfully here!

Unless you try the frig method, I don't think you stand much of a chance.

Russell

Russell Coker wrote:Tim,

I posted a comment about ‘Peggy Clark’ in an older thread about Prunus mume. I live on the north Gulf Coast (zn 8b) and have a couple of this variety. They perform very well here. I’ve not tried any of the other P. mumes, so I can’t comment on them. ‘Peggy Clark’ is the only one I’ve ever seen for sale around here, my suspicion is that it was developed for areas with less chill hours. In a usual winter (NOT this one), we have a few frosts and a couple of good freezes and that’s about it.

The same chill hour factor is true for cherries, also in the Prunus genus. Varieties like ‘Kwanzan’ and ‘Yoshino’ bloom poorly here because of the lack of chill hours, but ‘Okame’ and P. campanulata (Taiwan cherry) pictured below in my front yard do wonderfully here!

Unless you try the frig method, I don't think you stand much of a chance.

Russell

Russell,
Thank you for the information. I will treat this tree as a "very" tender temperate when growing in containers. I plan to put the main tree in the ground and will select a protected area with lots of sun; probably close to the house so I can keep my eye on it. I have an old collected Titi tree, which came from Louisianna, and has done very well, in a pot and mulched in the ground and protected under a bench for the Winter. The man who gifted it to me lived in Zone 6a, Northern VA, and grew it for over ten years. The tree was estimated to be over 75 years old when he collected it; an old established bayou tree. I hope "...if that tree can survive this climate, perhaps a younger tender temperate can too..." Time and care will soon tell. Those cherry trees are gorgeous! Thanks.
Todd

Lol, I have more trees than food in my fridge right now.

Mahalo Guys for the information. I love being in Hawaii but sometimes I wish I could have some of the trees you have there. But thats the price of paradise I guess.

-Tim