Japanese Plum problem?

I have 2 small Japanese Plums in my front yard. One look sick and the other is full. What can I do for the sick one to help it grow faster? They are both around 2 years old. I live in South Alabama and it is very hot!! We have 2 seasons.. Fall and Summer..We reached 85 today with no rain in 6 weeks..

Japanese Plum problem?
Jape plums are reasonably hardy, and drought resistant. Instead of watering with a sprinkler, use a trickle system. The trees will use what they need, and the entire root system will not have wet feet.

Check for borers. Borers like the peach borer will bore into the bark near the base of the tree. You can physically inspect the bark, from the ground to the first branches. Most insect sprays will destroy the little varmints, but if you want to go the non-chemical way, take some picture wire, and push it into the holes, until it stops. You will kill most of the borers, but not all.

One other very contagious disease that jap plums are susceptible to is black Knot. It looks like a black , fuzzy coating that affects a branch, usually within 2 ft of the outer end. It must be cut off, and the cutting tools must be sterilized with clorox, and the branch burned, or taken far away from your orchard.
Reply:Are you talking about Loquats? Loquats are also known as Japanese plums.



If so, then heat is not the issue (85 degrees is not hot). Although they will certainly survive great droughts and heat, they do appreicate (and grow much better with) regular water.
Reply:First, stop watering, the cause of dying is too much watering. Plum usually have great resistance in drought. Talk to your plant., they said if you have green hand no worry at all. For all other ways to take care of these very delicate and expensive plant. Get some books about plants and it will help you a lot./