The June plum tree produces a distinctive tropical fruit that is not related to the common plum. A June plum has the texture of an apple and the taste profile of mango and pineapple.
The taste of the fruits may be moderate or sour, depending upon their ripeness during consumption. June plums are an unusual fruit that is likely unavailable at your local grocer.
Should your climate permit, this fruit tree would constitute an excellent addition to the backyard garden. June plums thrive in high temperatures but are adversely affected by chilly conditions. They are especially favored in the South Pacific Islands, where they originated. They are very uncommon in the United States; nonetheless, Florida and California possess them. They are highly favored.
June plum trees provide more than just fresh fruit. Furthermore, juice, preserves, and condiments may be produced from the tropical fruit. They may be preserved by pickling and used as a condiment in culinary applications.
The young leaves are edible and are often consumed fried or raw in Southeast Asia. The leaves may also serve to tenderize meat.
#1. Effective Products for Cultivating June Plums
June plum trees are rather simple to cultivate. They may be cultivated in a container or in the soil. They are ideal for fruit trees on patios since they need full or partial shade.
There are little problems with illnesses and pests in that area. Purchasing June plum trees is unnecessary when you can produce your own at a lower cost.
Expedited Care Manual
| Common Name(s) | June Plum, Ambarella, Golden Apple, Tahitian Apple, Jewish Plum |
| Scientific Name | Spondias dulcis |
| Days to Harvest | Variable |
| Light | Full to partial sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Soil | All types well-draining |
| Fertilizer | 2-4 applications per year with 10-10-10 |
| Pests | Minimal; Occasionally scales, thrips, mites, and fruit flies |
#2. Comprehensive Overview of the June Plum Tree
June plums (Spondias dulcis) are known by many common names, the most prevalent being Ambarella, Golden Apple, Jewish Plum, and Tahitian Plum.
This tree, originally from the South Pacific Islands, has proliferated in several tropical regions. Spondias dulcis is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. Mangos, cashews, and pistachios belong to this family as well.
The deciduous tree Spondias dulcis has elliptic, pinnate leaves of 9 to 25 leaflets. While most marketed trees are dwarf varieties that attain heights of 6 to 8 feet, some trees may grow to heights of 40 to 60 feet.
The little, white blooms emerge in large clusters comprising no less than a dozen. The fruits are green while unripe and transition to golden yellow upon maturation. June plums are self-fertile, thereby eliminating the need for many varieties for cross-pollination. Each fruit has a single large, fibrous seed at its core that resembles a mango.
Ambarella trees exhibit considerable variability, resulting in a distinctive life cycle. Trees do not have a certain annual period for blooming. Arid periods followed by a wet season promote the flowering of plants. The commencement of this may occur at any moment, depending upon the method of irrigation used.
Trees often exhibit simultaneous blossoming of flowers and ripening of fruits. Furthermore, trees may shed their leaves during severe cold winters or arid, scorching summers. As circumstances progressively improve, leaves and branches ultimately reemerge, often accompanied by new floral clusters.
#3. Planting Procedures of the June Plum Tree
Golden apple trees may be grown in soil or in containers. They must be situated in a warm location or maintained inside during winter since they are intolerant to frost. Spondias dulcis, because of its diminutive size and partial sun tolerance, serves as an excellent patio tree. Trees often experience root binding when cultivated in containers. Monitor the roots and be vigilant for circling. When root circling occurs, trees must be relocated to a bigger container.
Select a sunlit location with well-draining soil for planting in the ground. Refrain from situating trees in locations exposed to strong winds. The optimal period for planting is when the risk of frost is eliminated. Excavate a hole three times the width and precisely the same depth as the root ball prior to planting it in the soil. Securely embed in the soil and apply 2-3 inches of mulch to the upper layer.
#4. Cultivating June Plum from Seed: Maintenance
Ambarella trees exhibit remarkable adaptability and need little maintenance. Although they need certain inputs, with appropriate care, they fundamentally encounter no problems.
4.1. Solar Radiation and Thermal Conditions
June plum trees flourish in full sunlight, while they may also thrive in partial shade. Daily, they require a minimum of 4-6 hours of sunshine. When planted and maintained inside during frost, plants may be grown in USDA zones 4 to 11. They may be cultivated in USDA zones 9 to 11 when planted in the soil.
Spondias dulcis flourishes in humid tropical and subtropical environments. Frost may significantly harm trees. A strong cold may either kill the tree or cause dieback in whole limbs. Bring potted trees inside or envelop in-ground trees with frost fabric when cold weather is anticipated.
Young trees may suffer from sunburn when temperatures are above 100°F. Immature trees need a light shade cloth or a trunk protector for coverage.
4.2. Water and Moisture
Ambarella trees have moderate drought resistance when mature; yet, with sufficient water, they demonstrate enhanced growth and increased fruit production. Young trees need more frequent watering until they reach around 3 years of age.
Trees in containers may be manually irrigated using a hose or drip irrigation system. Following each irrigation, the potting media must be thoroughly wet and then allowed to dry until it is just slightly damp before the next watering occurs. The duration may range from several days to a couple of weeks, dependent upon the potting media and climatic conditions.
During the first months, newly planted trees need watering once or twice weekly. Subsequently, once a week under dry conditions. Regularly assess the soil moisture levels. Watering is necessary when the upper two inches of soil are dry.
It is unnecessary to use more water during rainfall. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are effective for irrigating subterranean trees. This mitigates excessive runoff while still allowing the soil to assimilate the water.
4.3. Soil
Ambarella trees flourish in several soil types provided they possess enough drainage. Although they can endure little nutrition, appropriate feeding will enhance their growth rate and increase fruit output. Trees flourish on soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, which are classified as acidic to slightly alkaline. They like soils with elevated acidity levels.
4.4. Fertilization
During the tree’s active growth phase, particularly during flowering and fruiting, provide 10-10-10 fertilizer two to four times annually.
4.5. Trimming
Monitoring young trees is essential since they are known to consume their own fruit. On juvenile trees, it is necessary to prune blooms and fruit to avert the splitting of new branches under the burden of heavy fruit. The development of a young tree will be impeded if it bears an abundance of fruit, since fruit production depletes significant nutrients.
Dwarf trees need pruning to maintain their optimal height and form due to their propensity to grow more bushy. Standard trees require trimming to maintain their dimensions and form, as well as to avert any intersecting branches. There is no apprehension over the pruning of flowering branches since blossoms do not need mature growth for their development.
Branch mortality due to extreme cold may need trimming in the spring to promote new growth. Fruits should naturally detach from the tree; however, aged or decaying specimens must be eliminated to avoid illness and fruit flies.
4.6. Transmission
Spondias dulcis may be propagated from seed, hardwood cuttings, air layering, or grafting.
While seed propagation is straightforward, the characteristics of the fruit may differ. Fortunately, trees exhibit rapid growth and start fruit production at a young age. After around one year, some will begin to produce results.
The most effective propagation strategies are hardwood cuttings and air-layering, since they are straightforward and guarantee consistent fruit quality. Trees may also be grafted onto rootstocks of either the same species or distinct Spondias species. Nonetheless, due to the simplicity of the procedure, cuttings and air-layering are preferred methods.
#5. Collection and Preservation
June plums are easily harvested since they may be picked when they are either green or golden yellow. Numerous methods exist to preserve fruits, allowing for prolonged enjoyment despite the limited storage life of fresh produce.
5.1. Collection
The harvesting of June plums is contingent upon individual choice since they are palatable in both unripe and mature states. Harvesting may commence whenever the fruits reach their maximum size, measuring between 2.4 and 3.5 inches in length.
Fruits with green or golden yellow hues may be chosen during selection. The taste will be significantly muted if harvested when green. The fruits’ tangy taste will intensify if let mature. The whole cluster may be severed using pruners, since the fruits are grouped in clusters of no less than twelve. They may be detached from the limbs of large trees.
5.2. Storage
Green fruits should be stored at room temperature until they reach maturity. Ripe fruits may be stored in the refrigerator for many days.
Jam may be manufactured from fruits for extended preservation. They may be frozen, juiced, or transformed into a sauce.
#6. Problem Resolution
Spondias dulcis generally presents few issues. The following enumerates prevalent issues and their corresponding remedies.
6.1. Escalating Issues
Ambarella trees provide a profusion of fruit, which, in their juvenile stage, may lead to their death from starvation. It is advisable to prune some fruits off a small tree to facilitate their growth and maturation, despite the allure of retaining all the fruits.
Weather is a common issue. Although weather cannot be controlled, there are methods to safeguard your tree against damage or mortality. In-ground trees need to be insulated with frost cloth when low temperatures are forecasted. Move containerized trees inside until the weather improves.
6.2. Insects and vermin
The Caribbean fruit fly is a little, orange-brown insect that infests fruits by depositing its eggs, rendering the fruits inedible upon hatching. Fruit decay may also occur due to exposed lesions on the fruits. To prevent fruit flies from depositing their eggs, the fruit should be bagged and positioned on the tree for protection.
Scale insects are characterized by their round and flat morphology and are found in many colors, including green, red, and brown. They often reside in branches and twigs. Scales are especially concerning because of their excretion of honeydew.
Honeydew promotes the proliferation of sooty mold, which may obscure a tree’s leaves and inhibit photosynthesis. Scales often remain unnoticed until the foliage begins to exhibit a dark, sooty mold.
Growth may be adversely affected if the issue intensifies. Natural predators should regulate populations; nevertheless, oil sprays may be used to reduce excessive scale infestations.
Minute, yellow to orange insects known as thrips consume nascent leaves and flowers. Their damage to the foliage and emerging fruits may result in scarring. Ambarella trees seldom require chemical intervention. Thrips may be deterred by sprinkling the leaves with water.
Minute, eight-legged arachnids known as mites inflict damage on foliage by stippling. Plants under stress are more susceptible to mite infestations. The shedding of foliage and overall decline may stem from significant harm. Maintaining plant health is the best mite protection. If treatment is necessary, oil sprays are effective.
6.3. Pathologies
Root rot may occur if the tree is overwatered or not situated in well-draining soil. Excessive water saturation might facilitate the rapid proliferation of root diseases inside the tree. By selecting an optimal site and using superior watering methods, one may prevent root rot.
Fruit rot is caused by fruit fly infection, resulting in an open lesion on the fruit that may become susceptible to illnesses. By encasing the fruit while it remains on the tree, one may prevent decay and infestations by fruit flies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a June plum taste?
A June plum has the texture of an apple and the taste profile of a combination of mango and pineapple. The degree of tanginess fluctuates with maturity.
What are the benefits of June plum?
June plums have several uses. They are consumable in their raw state. They are engaged in the production of sauces, jams, and juice. The leaves of the tree may be used to tenderize meat or ingested as a vegetable.
