Any thoughts on how to keep the birds off the bumper crop of louisa plums, tree is loaded and they are not ripe, just a bit of red on the ends which the birds are getting to,so frustrating. Any ideas considered.
owen106,
Jan 27, 1:55am
Put out lots of water for them. I use an old shower base.
laspaz,
Jan 27, 1:56am
My louisa branches are nearly breaking too! Have any of your end split? Quite a few of mine have and I think that is helping attract the birds. Bit of a shame.
macman26,
Jan 27, 3:09am
We hang cds from fishing line and they leave them alone now. More cds the better
loukirby,
Jan 27, 3:13am
I picked my plums when they started to turn and ripened them in buckets which only took a couple of days. I presume you can do this with any plum variety.
wheelz,
Jan 27, 4:54am
Bird netting. well secured with no gaps. birds are cunning beggars!
laspaz,
Jan 27, 11:31am
I don't seem to have much luck ripening plums off the tree. Maybe I need to try it again. Anyone else getting results?
robke,
Jan 27, 1:41pm
Yes the ends are red and splitting before the rest of the fruit is ripened which of course the birds are into like a shot.
robke,
Jan 27, 1:44pm
And yes we have shot a few miner birds, also have cds up which are seemingly a bit of a deterrant fortunately, haven't had any luck with ripening picked ones from the trees.
bluefrog2,
Jan 27, 4:56pm
I think bird netting with NO gaps is the only sure way. But hanging up CD's so they can spin in the sun helps too. I got about half the ripe gooseberries from my bush this year, and the birds got the rest.
nzjay,
Jan 28, 4:03am
Wood pigeons are my problem. I have two pair hanging around right now. waiting. Bumper crop of plums this year. long trusses hanging to the ground. Last year I thought I would pick them tomorrow. they should be ready to finish ripening when picked. Went out and there were TWO left. and some VERY fat Kereru nearby.
robke,
Jan 28, 1:21pm
Oh dear, but quite funny, nature has its ways.
laspaz,
Jan 28, 8:44pm
Just been out and picked a bucket of black doris. So amazing and luisa is the best plum ever. Not long to wait now!
We never have too many luisa left to do anything with as all the family loves to eat them fresh, but what are your best uses for luisa?
newtec1,
Jan 29, 2:58am
Yes and they like a variety,a bit of country,some r&r , A bit of blues but definately no rap. And not too loud.
juli55,
Jan 31, 3:58am
How do I grow a plum tree from seed?
laspaz,
Jan 31, 10:27am
I'd be inclined to get a grafted tree. I am sure google is your friend otherwise.
robke,
Jan 31, 9:40pm
We usually eat as many as we can
breness,
Feb 6, 9:23pm
Late I know but I seem to have found a solution to the birds getting my Luisa's. I have been leaving a few overripe ones on the ground under the tree for the birds to eat and it's keeping the birds out of the tree itself. So far it's working anyway. Fingers crossed it continues.
robke,
Feb 8, 7:04pm
Yes I have let that happen as well and it seems to work although it is attracting a few wasps.
mark_g,
Feb 9, 1:23am
Same. I have left apples for the blackbirds and I'm sure it has reduced the plum and apple losses. The little shits have discovered my grapes and cherry toms though.
This is the first year I have had real problems with the birds and I guess it's the lack of rain. They're looking for moisture.
I had a battle of wits with one particular blackbird. Little bi*ch was most persistent and found every weakness in the way I had bird-netted one of my grape vines. She was taking very unripe grapes. She crawled all over the netting looking for every possible weakness or gap. She would sit about 1m from me and spend ages eying up the vine looking for opportunities.
I thought I had her beat but then I saw her fly into the netting putting her beak through the mesh, pushing the netting inwards enough to snaffle a grape, then back out and fly off, all in one smooth motion. I couldn't bloody believe it. It was magic to watch and quite a feat of flying accuracy but I was losing too many grapes! I tried using bamboo spreaders to keep the netting out away from the grape bunches but miss persistent pushed and bashed until the spreaders fell away. She slowly but surely got about 1/4 to 1/3 of that vines crop.
Now I have finally beaten her, I think, by netting from ground to nearly the top of the vine. At ground level taking the netting out from the base by about 2 foot and holding it there taught with bricks. Now she can't push the netting in far enough to snaffle anything. However now I see her eying up my cherry toms. I don't want to net the whole back yard.
laspaz,
Feb 9, 1:31am
Sick of the birds, I am now doing well with method B:
That looks like my kitchen bench. Only I have more tomatoes and less Louisa plums on mine. Blackbirds have also demolished my grapes whilst still green this year. Am persevering with netting around plums and the cats favourite possie coincides with tomato patch so that's a little safer. I don't believe this 'search for water theory' with the birds. We have numerous drinking bowls full of cool water in various spots and it appears they are getting all the liquid they want from my fruit! I have taken what I need from my Elderberry and usually leave most for the birds, but they are obviously not sweet enough for their tastes although they are getting hammered in stages, the buggers prefer the plums.
laspaz,
Feb 9, 2:41am
They sure love the plums, maybe lost 1/3 of my crop the birds this year. Ah well, plenty to go around I guess.
robke,
Feb 10, 1:56pm
Great crop and I have the louisa's on all the kitchen window sills. Must be a good year for them.
laspaz,
Feb 10, 2:22pm
I am still blown away each and every year about how good they are. And this year especially, the size is impressive.
If anyone is considering a plum tree. have no doubt about the quality of the Luisa.
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