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Plums are part of late summer. They are versatile, stay firm when baking and don't overflow. To make the day sweeter, they should be harvested at the right time with sufficient caution.
Plums should be harvested when ripe
Site selection affects harvest
Plums value a moderate climate that is not too rainy. Waterlogged soil and shady growth places impair growth. The fruit trees prefer a warm and nutrient-rich location with fresh conditions.
Plant different varieties
Plant at least two plum varieties, as this increases fruit set. Plums and sloes in the vicinity ensure a lively activity of insects. Make sure there is a distance of at least five meters between the trees, because the Prunus plants need a lot of sun for the fruit to ripen. With the right selection of varieties, you can enjoy the harvest from July to October.
Determine stage of maturity
If unripe plums are harvested and stored, acid degradation and subsequent bluing occur. However, the typical aroma no longer unfolds if the fruit is harvested too early, so you should only pick the fruit when it is fully ripe. The sugar content, which increases with sun ripening on the tree, is important for the aromatic taste. However, this varies depending on the variety and the climatic conditions also have an influence. Therefore, to determine the maturity level, you should examine several aspects:
- bitter-tasting fruits are still unripe
- a grassy green color indicates an unripe plum
- hard and firm flesh requires more ripening time
What to look out for when harvesting
The drupes on a tree are not ripe at the same time because the top of the crown benefits from more sunlight. Be careful not to touch the plums as much as possible. They are protected from drying out and pathogens by a whitish layer of wax. Touching destroys this so-called scent and impairs the shelf life.
Picking tips
Carefully pick the plums from the branch, holding them by the base of the stem if possible. Damage and cracks in the skin can cause mold to develop during storage. If the skin tears in this area despite careful work, it can indicate insufficient fruit ripening.