Self-fertile. A single tree will produce fruit without a pollinating partner.

Plant in well-drained, loamy soil in full sun. Stone fruit dislike waterlogged roots and will decline rapidly in poorly drained conditions.

Prune hard every year in late winter (June–July) while dormant. Hard annual pruning is the single most important maintenance step — it controls tree size, promotes vigorous new fruiting wood and prevents the tree from becoming overgrown and unproductive.

Feed with a balanced fertiliser in early spring as new growth emerges. A second application of high-potassium fertiliser after fruit set improves fruit size and sugar content. Avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen, which encourages excessive leafy growth.

Thin fruit to a single fruit every 15–20cm along each branch when fruit is marble-sized. Thinning dramatically improves fruit size and quality and prevents branch breakage under heavy crops.