Plum (Prunus domestica) SUHKRUPLOOM

Plum (Prunus domestica) 'Suhkruploom'

An early Estonian variety with good flavour but weaker frost resistance.

'Suhkruploom' (meaning "Sugar Plum") is an early Estonian plum variety that originated from the open pollination of the ‘Wilhelmine Späth’ variety. It is a self-fertile variety with a good to very good sweet-tart flavour. Its main disadvantage is its weaker frost resistance, which causes fluctuating yields. Nevertheless, it has great breeding significance and has become a parent to several successful Estonian varieties.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Good to very good sweet-tart flavour.
• Self-fertility.
• Early ripening.
• The stone separates easily from the flesh.
• Significant in breeding.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Breeder: Julius Eslon
• Institution: Polli Horticultural Research Centre
• Origin: Seedling from open pollination of the ‘Wilhelmine Späth’ variety (1948).
• Registration: Recognized as a variety in 1957.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous.
• Crown: Narrow and upright.
• Pollination: It is self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Small to medium-sized, with a weight of 15 – 20 g (maximum 30 g).
• Shape and colour: Oblong-oval to oblong-heart-shaped, purplish-black with brown dots and a strong waxy bloom.
• Flesh: Orange-yellow to yellowish-green, medium firm.
• Flavour: Good to very good, sweet-tart.
• Stone: Easily separable from the flesh.
• Use: Versatile (fresh consumption, compotes, drying).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Weaker. Trees can freeze in severe frosts.
• Disease resistance: Medium resistance to shot hole disease, but is susceptible to plum pox virus.

Cultivation Recommendations

• For a better yield, a pollinator such as ‘Queen Victoria’ is recommended.
• It does not achieve its typical good flavour in cold summers.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Early (mid-August to September).
• Yield: Fluctuating, usually 10–20 kg per tree.