Opal stands out as a premier early plum variety, often referred to as a gage-like plum due to its outstanding flavor. This characteristic, shared with Ariel, underscores the enhancement of gage-like taste achieved by crossing a gage with a plum.
The delectable flavor, however, hinges on the crucial development of sugars during the brief growing period. In the UK and northern Europe, cultivating Opal against a south-facing wall or in a sunlit location significantly enhances its flavor. While it still yields good crops in less favorable conditions, the taste may lean towards the bland side.
The medium-sized fruit features a dusky red hue with a dense bloom, transitioning to a blue shade when overly ripe. Optimal flavor is attained just before the color shifts to blue. The ripening process spans approximately 1-2 weeks, preventing an overwhelming abundance of plums. The straw-yellow, fairly juicy flesh of Opal is easily separated from the stone, making it a free-stone plum. When picked on a warm July day and displayed in a fruit bowl, Opal emits a delightful aroma.
Recommended for its adaptability to various climates and the provision of high-quality plums early in the season, Opal thrives when the crop is thinned, and it is planted in a sun-drenched location to unlock its full flavor potential.
The delectable flavor, however, hinges on the crucial development of sugars during the brief growing period. In the UK and northern Europe, cultivating Opal against a south-facing wall or in a sunlit location significantly enhances its flavor. While it still yields good crops in less favorable conditions, the taste may lean towards the bland side.
The medium-sized fruit features a dusky red hue with a dense bloom, transitioning to a blue shade when overly ripe. Optimal flavor is attained just before the color shifts to blue. The ripening process spans approximately 1-2 weeks, preventing an overwhelming abundance of plums. The straw-yellow, fairly juicy flesh of Opal is easily separated from the stone, making it a free-stone plum. When picked on a warm July day and displayed in a fruit bowl, Opal emits a delightful aroma.
Recommended for its adaptability to various climates and the provision of high-quality plums early in the season, Opal thrives when the crop is thinned, and it is planted in a sun-drenched location to unlock its full flavor potential.
Fruit Ready to Pick: Jul
Opal stands out as a premier early plum variety, often referred to as a gage-like plum due to its outstanding flavor. This characteristic, shared with Ariel, underscores the enhancement of gage-like taste achieved by crossing a gage with a plum.
The delectable flavor, however, hinges on the crucial development of sugars during the brief growing period. In the UK and northern Europe, cultivating Opal against a south-facing wall or in a sunlit location significantly enhances its flavor. While it still yields good crops in less favorable conditions, the taste may lean towards the bland side.
The medium-sized fruit features a dusky red hue with a dense bloom, transitioning to a blue shade when overly ripe. Optimal flavor is attained just before the color shifts to blue. The ripening process spans approximately 1-2 weeks, preventing an overwhelming abundance of plums. The straw-yellow, fairly juicy flesh of Opal is easily separated from the stone, making it a free-stone plum. When picked on a warm July day and displayed in a fruit bowl, Opal emits a delightful aroma.
Recommended for its adaptability to various climates and the provision of high-quality plums early in the season, Opal thrives when the crop is thinned, and it is planted in a sun-drenched location to unlock its full flavor potential.
The delectable flavor, however, hinges on the crucial development of sugars during the brief growing period. In the UK and northern Europe, cultivating Opal against a south-facing wall or in a sunlit location significantly enhances its flavor. While it still yields good crops in less favorable conditions, the taste may lean towards the bland side.
The medium-sized fruit features a dusky red hue with a dense bloom, transitioning to a blue shade when overly ripe. Optimal flavor is attained just before the color shifts to blue. The ripening process spans approximately 1-2 weeks, preventing an overwhelming abundance of plums. The straw-yellow, fairly juicy flesh of Opal is easily separated from the stone, making it a free-stone plum. When picked on a warm July day and displayed in a fruit bowl, Opal emits a delightful aroma.
Recommended for its adaptability to various climates and the provision of high-quality plums early in the season, Opal thrives when the crop is thinned, and it is planted in a sun-drenched location to unlock its full flavor potential.
Fruit Ready to Pick: Jul
Water Needs / Maintence
Moderate/ Low to Moderate
Spaced Apart
3.6-6.4m (12-15ft)
Pollination Group
2
Overall Height
3.6 - 4.5m (12-15ft)
Species
Prunus domestica
Root Stock
Fruits ready to be picked
Jul
