Pick up Only and local delivery available on request. Tel 0851110915 The Plum 'Victoria' (Prunus domestica 'Victoria') is arguably the most famous and popular plum tree, cherished for its reliability and dual-purpose fruit. Essential Characteristics Fruit: Large, oval plums with skin that ripens from a lovely pink-blush to a mottled, deep reddish-purple. The flesh is golden-yellow, sweet, juicy, and semi-freestone (clings slightly to the stone). Use: Excellent dual-purpose plum, perfect for eating fresh (dessert) when fully ripe, and widely regarded as the best for cooking (jam, pies, crumbles). Flowering: Abundant, fragrant, white blossoms in mid-spring. The bloom is notably resilient to spring frosts. Yield: A famously heavy and reliable cropper, often leading to overcropping which can cause branches to break—fruit thinning is often necessary. Pollination: Self-fertile (can produce fruit alone), but yields are often heavier with a pollinator. Growing Information 🌱 Size: Varies significantly based on rootstock. Standard trees can reach 4–6 meters (15–20 feet) tall and wide. Dwarf rootstocks keep it much smaller (2.5–3.5 meters), ideal for small gardens or containers. Sunlight and a sheltered spot to ensure maximum fruit production and sweetness. Soil: Prefers rich, fertile, and well-drained soil. It is adaptable but dislikes overly wet or waterlogged conditions. Pruning: Crucially, prune only in mid-spring to mid-summer (when the tree is in leaf). Never prune in winter, as this variety is highly susceptible to the fungal disease Silver Leaf which enters through open wounds in cold, damp weather!! Hardiness: Generally very hardy, but its tendency to overcrop can make the brittle wood vulnerable to breakage and subsequent disease infection. Harvest: Fruit ripens in late August to early September. Pick when slightly firm for cooking, or leave a little longer for a darker skin and sweeter flavor for dessert eating.
