Plum (Prunus domestica) TULEU TIMPURIU

Plum (Prunus domestica) 'Tuleu Timpuriu'

Early Romanian variety with excellent taste and crunchy flesh.

'Tuleu Timpuriu' (translated as "Early Tuleu") is a high-quality Romanian plum variety bred at the Pitești - Mărăcineni institute by crossing 'Tuleu Gras' and 'Peche'. It is valued as an earlier alternative to the popular 'Tuleu Gras', retaining the excellent taste and crunchy flesh. It ripens at the turn of July and August.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent sweet and aromatic taste.
• Earlier ripening (late July / early August).
• Crunchy and juicy flesh.
• Stone separates well from the flesh (is small).
• Attractive dark purple fruits with strong bloom.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: ICDP Pitești - Mărăcineni
• Parentage: 'Tuleu Gras' × 'Peche'
• Registration: 1967

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium to strong.
• Crown: Pyramidal.
• Fruiting: Bears fruit on short and medium-length wood.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Medium size, 30 – 40 g.
• Shape and Color: Oval (ellipsoidal), symmetrical. The skin is dark purple with a strong bluish waxy bloom.
• Flesh: Yellow-green, crunchy, and juicy.
• Taste: Excellent, sweet, finely aromatic.
• Stone: Freestone (separates from flesh), small.
• Usage: Primarily for fresh consumption.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Self-sterile (androsterile). Pollen is sterile, so it absolutely requires a pollinator (e.g., 'Anna Späth', 'Stanley', 'Early Rivers') and cannot pollinate other varieties itself.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Earlier, turn of July and August.