Greengage, also called Reineclauden, are a special fruit in rather warm regions. Above all, they impress with their versatility.
As recently as 1900, 41% of all German fruit trees were plums and damsons. This also included Greengage (Prunus domestica ssp. italica), which came to Germany from France in the 16th century. In the meantime, the proportion of plums has fallen significantly. Nevertheless, the cultivation of greengage is worthwhile, especially in the home garden, as the fruits taste best fresh. In the following you can get a good overview of the cultivation of the noble plum. You will also find helpful tips on greengage varieties and on processing and cutting greengage.
Greengage: origin and characteristics
The greengage has over 100 different names, including noble plum, in Bavarian ringlo, sugar plum or ringlet. One of the many synonyms also points to the origin of the plum subspecies, because the greengage came to Germany from France in the 16th century. The name Reineclaude goes back to the French Queen Klaudia (“Reine Claude”), wife of King Francis I. It probably came to France originally from the Middle East.
Gregs belong to the species of European plums (Prunus domestica), which in turn belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). Plums are genetically very diverse, which is why further subdivision is difficult and controversial. Greengage are counted to the subspecies of plums (italica). Within the first few years of growth, they usually develop into small trees that can reach a height of 4 to 8 m and only show their white flowers in late spring. However, growth and height also depend heavily on the substrate used, i.e. on which plant serves as the grafting basis for the Greengage.
The spherical greengage fruits are about 3 to 5 cm in size and can be harvested from the end of August. They often appear unripe at first, since they are usually still green to yellow-green even when ripe and onlysometimes sprinkled with red. The whitish pulp tastes pleasantly sweet and fruity, but is not always easy to remove from the stone.
Tip: Greengage fruits are often encased in a whitish, shimmering layer of wax. This so-called scenting protects the greengages from drying out and injuries. In order not to destroy the protective layer, it is advisable to wash greengage just before eating.
What is the difference between mirabelle plums and greengage? At first glance, the two plum subspecies could be confused, since both are mostly yellow-green and round. However, greengages are usually larger and their flesh adheres more strongly to the core. Greengage and Mirabelle plums can also be distinguished by their stone shape. In the case of plums, the stones are usually narrower and elongated ovals, whereas in greengages they are broad and almost rounded.
The tastiest greengage varieties
We would like to introduce you to three of the most widespread greengage varieties that have been tried and tested in cultivation for a long time. These are also the varieties that are mainly found in stores. However, since plums easily interbreed and are spread almost all over the world, there are a large number of other greengage varieties.
- Greater Greengage (Prunus domestica 'Greater Greengage'): One of the oldest cultivars, probably originating from southern Europe and since around 1670 throughout Europe. The 'Great Green Greengage' is not self-pollinating. This means that another plum tree (but not necessarily a greengage tree) should be in the vicinity.
- Graf Althan's Greengage (Prunus domestica 'Graf Althan's Greengage'): It was raised in Bohemia around 1850 and is now in fashion too spread all over Europe. The 'Graf Althans Reneklode' is one of the robust, frost-hardy and old Greengage varieties, but it is also not self-pollinating. The 'Graf Althans Reneklode' is characterized by its violet-tinged fruits when ripe. The pulp comes off the stone easily.
- Oullins Greengage (Prunus domestica 'Oullins Greengage'): This greengage cultivar is named after its French place of origin Oullins near Lyon , where it was bred in the early 19th century. theVariety is self-pollinating, gives high but not always regular yields and is tolerant to Sharka virus, which makes it very popular in cultivation.
Planting greengage tree: location and procedure
As with most trees, the best time to plant greengage is in autumn. Since greengages originally come from the region around the Near East, they prefer a warm, sunny and wind-protected location. They like it a little warmer than our typical plum varieties. However, since there are large differences in the frost tolerance of greengage varieties, you can also venture into cultivation in somewhat colder regions. It is best to obtain trees from a tree nursery in your area. This is where you are most likely to find greengage varieties that are adapted to your local climate.
In addition, greengage is happy about permeable, nutrient-rich soil and a constant water supply.
The further procedure for planting greengage corresponds to that of all plum species and is described in more detail in our article Planting a plum tree.
Tip: If you want to plant a self-sterile greengage, you must also make sure when choosing the location that a suitable pollinator variety grows in the vicinity. Because stone fruit has a strong self-incompatibility, so it can hardly fertilize itself.
Care for greengage: cutting, watering and more
Like all plum trees, Greengage should be pruned annually if possible - either in winter or in summer. A winter cut promotes growth and new shoots, whereas a summer cut is usually more tolerable for the tree and results in fewer new shoots. Annual pruning avoids having to remove thick, strong branches after a few years, leaving large wounds and severely weakening the tree. The aim of the cut is an airy crown with well-distributed, strong main branches. The best way to achieve this is as described in our article on pruning plum trees. It's important to know that greengages set their fruit on the side buds of annual short and long shoots - you should therefore avoid cutting them off completely.
A constant water supply is important for good growth, which is why the increasing periods of drought are an additional onecasting may require. Especially with young trees, whose root system is not yet fully developed, drying out of the soil should be avoided.
Fertilizing greengage is not absolutely necessary, but can be done once a year in spring to prevent deficiency symptoms. Fertilizers that provide the greengage tree with the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are suitable. For example, primarily organic long-term fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer or compost are ideal. Our organic universal fertilizer completely dispenses with animal ingredients and uses raw materials recycled from the food and beverages industry, which makes it particularly sustainable.
Common greengage diseases
- Sharka Disease: Mache greengage strains are susceptible to the virus-borne Sharka disease. It causes greengage fruit to brown, stun and fall off before harvest. Sharka-tolerant varieties are, for example, the 'Oullins Reneklode' or the 'Graf Althans Reneklode'.
- Monilia: The Monilia disease is caused by fungal pathogens that penetrate the pulp through injuries and cause it to rot. Surrounding fruits are usually infected as well and after a few weeks form conspicuous, gray spore deposits on their surface. As a result, the fruits shrivel up and usually remain hanging on the trees as fruit mummies.
- Common Pests: Some pests can also target greengage. These include, for example, wasps that eat the ripe fruit, aphids or plum moths.
Propagation
Greengage is best propagated by grafting.
A branch of the selected greengage, the so-called scion, is placed on a base so that the two grow together. Possible grafting methods for Prunus species are oculation in summer, hand grafting in winter and copulation or goatsfoot grafting in spring. Since propagation via grafting is a bit more complex, the article grafting apple trees goes into more detail on several options. Graft wounds heal less well in plum species, however, which is why this method, which is often used in apples, is less suitable for greengage.
Tip: Basically Greengage can also be propagated by seeds. However, since most varieties are self-sterile andIf pollen is needed from another plum tree for fertilization, a plant grown from seed always contains foreign genetic material. Therefore, the properties of such a new greengage tree cannot be predicted. It also takes a few years for the new tree to start bearing fruit.
Harvesting greengage: when and how to do it
Depending on the variety, greengage can be harvested between August and September. You can tell when greengage is the right time to harvest when the skin has reached its typical color and is shiny. However, most greengage cultivars remain green, which can make it difficult to identify when to harvest. At the latest, however, when you bite into one of the fruits, you will know from the still sour or already sweet and pleasant taste whether you can start harvesting. Since most greengage varieties can only be stored and transported for a limited time, you should be careful when harvesting. The gentlest way is to harvest by hand with a ladder. However, if the fruits are only used to make compote or greengage jam and are to be processed directly, you can also spread a tarpaulin under the tree and shake the fruits down.
Processing greengage and preserving
There are numerous recipes for greengage and countless ways to process greengage. With their sweet, juicy and spicy flesh, they are ideal for making greengage jam, greengage cake or greengage compote. Greengage can also be processed into schnapps and liqueur.
How he althy are greengage? Greengage not only taste good, they are also very he althy. Greengage are small vitamin bombs, are characterized by a high fiber content and contain many minerals, especially iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition, greengage has only 63 calories per 100g.
If you still haven't had enough of plums, you can consider bringing mirabelle plums into your garden. Mirabelles look like greengage's little sisters and some varieties are also suitable as pollinating trees for greengage varieties.