Has your plum suddenly started to "cry" and become covered in a sticky, resin-like substance?
This sign indicates that the tree has begun to undergo so-called gum flow.
Gum flow is a term that means the appearance of gum on the trunks and branches of garden crops, as described by agronomist Anastasia Kovrizhnykh.
For what reason can gum start to be released? The expert answered this question in detail in the second part of our material.
The plum begins to “cry” if it is affected by pathogenic fungi or an infection.
As a rule, pathogens penetrate under the bark of trees in places where mechanical damage has been noted.
It is for this reason that it is extremely important to prune trees with tools treated with alcohol, and also to avoid breaking branches and tearing off bark.
In order for the “weeping” plum to return to normal as quickly as possible, it is necessary to first scrape off its affected tissues and burn them outside the area.
Next, it is recommended to treat all ulcerated areas of the tree with Bordeaux mixture or a fungicide based on thiophanate-methyl.