Mariposa Plum
Japanese Plum
 
Fruit ripening time: January - February 
 
A juicy blood plum with an excellent sweet flavour and a tart skin. 
 
Medium sized fruit with a heart shape. The skin is maroon-red with some green spotting. The flesh is soft, and blood red in colour. A semi-freestone variety, with a small pip.
 
The tree is vigorous, easy to grow and will crop heavily and reliably. A low chill variety. 
 
Uses: Good fresh eating, juice, stewing and jams.
 
Mariposa plum is self-fertile. However, pollination can be improved with a pollination partner.
 
Pollinators: Santa Rosa, Satsuma, Narrabeen Plum.
 
Tree Size: Approximately 3 - 5 m tall and 4 m wide, depending on the shape.
 
Tree Care:
For best results plant in full sun, in fertile, free draining soil, preferably a friable loam with good aeration. 
 
If the soil is free draining, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, plant the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the soil line and back fill with a soil and compost mixture. If the soil is not free draining, plant the tree in a raised mound of soil and compost mix, to prevent water logging.
 
Choose a sheltered position, out of strong winds. 
 
Water in well at planting, and water regularly, especially in dry spells. Young trees will benefit from being mulched. Apply mulch in a ring around the tree base, keeping clear of the trunk.
 
Japanese plums will produce fruit on 1-year-old wood, or new growth. Prune trees after fruit harvest, to a fruiting bud.