Page 24 - ALG Issue 3 2020
P. 24

 fruit...
plums & gages
 Brogdale, the home of the National Fruit Collection, boasts 337 varieties of plums and gages, many of which were developed by the Victorians, for their juicy, succulent flavours. Prunus domestica or European Plum is not indigenous in Europe and is thought to be a natural hybrid of the cherry plum and the sloe which were introduced
to Europe from the Middle East. The greengage is a variety of plum, believed to have originated in Armenia, with a very sweet almost perfumed flavour and is wonderful to eat from the tree. The fruit is quite small and a dull
green colour, turning slightly yellow when ripe. It is believed that they were introduced to England in the 18th century by Sir William Gage, who lived at Bury St. Edmunds and obtained a tree from his brother who was a priest living in Paris.
Thanks to modern root stocks and
fan training techniques, it is possible
to grow a plum or gage tree that is a suitable size for an allotment plot. Pixy, or the even more dwarfing VVA1, are the best choices for allotment plum trees. A more vigorous root stock would be required for a fan-trained plum. Although there are many cultivars to choose from, in the limited space of
an allotment a dual-purpose cooking/ dessert, self- fertile cultivar such as Plum - Blue Tit or Greengage - Reine
Plums are heavy croppers
Claude de Bavay would give you maximum use from the crop and the space.
Containerised trees can be planted in all but the worst conditions; bare root trees are available between November and March and can be planted if the ground is not frozen or sodden. A free draining and reasonably fertile soil is best; no fruit tree likes to be waterlogged at the roots. A south or west facing aspect
is required for most dessert fruits.
The planting site should be free from the competition of overhanging trees/ buildings and there must be the free movement of air to prevent diseases such as canker establishing itself. Under damp conditions, the branch work must be able to dry quickly. Avoid frost pockets and positions that are exposed to high winds. These will cause damage to developing fruits and flowers at critical times in their development.
Plums are heavy croppers and will need feeding and watering at appropriate times; a mulch of farmyard manure in spring will help to preserve moisture and deliver nitrogen. Plums can be pruned as a bush or trained as a fan or pyramid; you may also need to thin out the developing fruit to reduce weight in the canopy. Wait till the fruit is soft and ripe before harvesting and take care
as they bruise easily. Plums can be eaten fresh, used in pies, liqueurs and preserves or frozen.
There are a variety of pests and diseases such as aphids, winter moth and frost damage that can affect your plum/gage tree; you can limit their effects by practising good hygiene, pruning appropriately, using physical barriers such as fleece to protect the blossom from frost and encouraging natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings.
           24 Allotment and Leisure Gardener

















































































   22   23   24   25   26