The resilient plum tree should not be missing in any garden. Between July and November it delights with a sweet harvest. Find out more about the differences between different types of plums in this article.
What types of plums are there?
There are different types of plums such as Bühler Frühzwetschge, Zimmers Frühzwetschge, Hanka, Katinka, Ersinger Frühzwetschge, Hauszwetschge, Elena, Presenta and Hanita. These varieties differ in ripening time, taste, size and possible uses such as juice, jam, compote or cake.
Early varieties
After a delicate blossom in spring, early plums enchant with their sweet taste from mid-July.
Bühler early plum
These fruits can be harvested from the end of July. The self-fruitful plum is often planted in home allotments. Due to its robust character, the Bühler Frühzwetschge is considered to be Scharka-resistant. This viral disease is mainly transmitted by aphids and has a negative impact on crop yield.
Zimmers Frühzwetschge
Small, sweet fruits are ripe in early August. This dark early plum requires a neighboring plum for pollination. It is not self-fertile.
Hanka
From mid-July, this plum tree offers fresh fruit. The dark blue fruits are covered with a light blue frost. The high sugar content gives it a refreshingly sweet taste.
Katinka
The first plum cake of summer can be enjoyed with Katinka. The yellowish-green fruit flesh offers a wonderful taste experience from mid-July.
Ersinger Frühpwetschge
The early variety plays an important role, especially in western southern Germany. It is often grown in allotments. Their fruits are harvested in two to three batches from mid-August. They are very sweet and medium hard. However, a wet summer has a negative impact on the harvest. The classic house plum is suitable for humid regions.
The house plum
This old variety gives the allotment garden a sweet, autumnal dream. The small fruits can primarily be discovered in old gardens. In professional gardening, it only occurs in areas without a risk of Sharka.
Elena
As an alternative, the resistant Elena is grown. Their juicy plums are a little larger than the domestic plums.
New breeds
Presenta
A delicious fruit cake can be prepared in late autumn. The juicy, sweet flesh can be easily separated from the core. The Presenta variety also impresses with its resistance to Sharka.
Hanita
This variety scores particularly well because of its incomparable appearance and unique taste. In 1980 it was created from a crossroads. The medium-firm pulp can weigh up to 45 grams. The self-fertile variety ripens between the end of August and mid-September. The all-rounder plum is suitable for all growing areas and can be used in many different ways.
Sweet recommendations for further processing
Juice:
- Bühler early plum
- Katinka
- Hanita
- House plum
- Ersinger Frühpwetschge
Jam and compote
- House plum
- Ersinger Frühpwetschge
- Hanita
Cake topping
Most plum varieties are suitable for making fresh fruit cakes. Hanita and Hanka are not included.
Fresh consumption
The fruits taste best fresh from the tree. They can be stored for up to a week. The Cacacs Schöne plum variety is only suitable for further processing.
Tips & Tricks
New plum trees can be grown from a core. Ungrafted, old varieties reproduce well via shoots.