Plum Opal | Vva-1 12lt

Superbly flavoured reliable plums. Position: full sun Soil: will tolerate most soils, except very chalky or badly drained Rate of growth: slow growing Ultimate size on VVA1 rootstock: 3 x 3m (10x10ft) Flowering period: April to May Hardiness: fully hardy A reliable, self-fertile plum which produces a heavy crop of large, pale red fruit with olden-yellow flesh, which can be used for cooking, canning, bottling or just eating fresh. Often likened to an early Victoria the delicious fruit are ready to pick from late July. The single, white flowers are produced in spring this variety is said to be one of the most reliable garden plums. It does benefit from the fruit being thinned like Victorias to avoid biennial fruiting. It is difficult to predict accurately when these trees will start to produce fruit, but as a general rule the potted ones usually start to produce a little after 2 – 3 years, but need between 3 – 5 years before they yield a good crop. Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Stone fruits like the plums should be pruned in the summer because they are prone to a disease called Silver Leaf which enters through cuts. If you prune in late summer, the sap is slowing but is still running fast enough to seal up any wounds. Check and remove any damaged, diseased or broken branches.