Technical sheet of the Metley (Japanese) plum variety
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Fruit flesh color: Amber red, firm, juicy and melting, delicately sweet and aromatic
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Skin color: Purplish or purple-red
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Size and shape: Fruits weighing between 100 and 120 grams, heart-shaped
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Tree Size: Reaches a height of about 4 to 5 meters
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Fruit maturity: Between the end of June and mid-July
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Fruit taste: Delicately sweet and aromatic
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Fruiting period : Harvest between late June and mid-July
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Disease resistance and storage: Tolerates temperatures well below -20°C. The variety has good resistance to diseases, particularly to plum moth (codling moth).
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Variety yield: Significant vigor which guarantees abundant and regular harvests
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Is this variety self-fertile? Self-fertile, but the presence of another Japanese plum variety nearby can increase production.
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Commercial use: Fresh consumption, processing into jams, compotes, jellies, candied fruit, or canned fruit in syrup
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Is this a COV variety? No, it is not a COV variety.
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Comments: Adapts to ordinary, well-drained, fresh, deep and rich soil, but not too chalky and without stagnant moisture. Its flowering at the end of March or beginning of April does not protect it from spring frosts. Favor a sunny location and sheltered from prevailing winds.
Quick read / the essentials on Prunier Metley (Japanese)
The Metley Plum is an early Japanese variety , known for its vigor, abundant production and the exceptional taste quality of its fruits . Thanks to its self-fertility , it can produce without the need for a pollinator, although its fruiting is optimized in the presence of other Japanese plum trees such as Burbank or Shiro .
This tree, reaching 4 to 5 meters in height , thrives in filtering, fresh and well-drained soils , and requires a sunny exposure to ensure abundant flowering and good ripening of the fruits . Resistant to -20°C , it nevertheless fears late frosts , requiring planting in regions with a mild climate .
Its heart-shaped plums, with purple-red skin and sweet, juicy amber-red flesh , are harvested between late June and mid-July . They are ideal for fresh consumption, making into jams and syrups, and drying into prunes .
Arboriverse, your specialist plum tree wholesaler , offers you carefully selected Metley Plum trees , grafted onto Prunus domestica or other rootstocks suitable for filtering soils . Buying Metley Plum trees from Arboriverse means investing in an early and profitable variety, perfectly suited to the fresh and processing markets .
Thanks to its moderate resistance to diseases , this variety requires annual pruning for better aeration and preventive treatments against brown rot and coryneum . As a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , we support you in optimizing your production and guaranteeing abundant and quality harvests . Buying Metley plum plants from Arboriverse means opting for an early, tasty variety with high added value on the market .
Presentation of the Metley Plum Tree (Japanese)
The Metley plum tree is a Japanese variety known for its precocity, vigor, and heavy fruit production. It is particularly suited to mild climates and is distinguished by its heart-shaped plums with juicy, sweet flesh. Thanks to its self-fertility, it can produce fruit without the need for another pollinator, although the presence of other Japanese plum trees improves its productivity.
Origin and hardiness
Native to Japan, the Metley plum tree was introduced to China several centuries ago before being imported to the United States in 1870. In France, it is mainly cultivated in the Southwest, where climatic conditions are favorable.
It can withstand temperatures down to -20°C, making it relatively hardy. However, its early flowering, between late March and early April, makes it vulnerable to spring frosts, limiting its cultivation to regions where these are less frequent.
Tree characteristics and growing conditions
The Metley plum tree is a medium to strong tree, reaching between 4 and 5 meters in height. It has a rounded shape, with dense branching and brownish-brown twigs. It does not require staking and can be grown in various forms (high, half or low stem).
It adapts well to well-drained, fresh, deep, and rich soils, but does not tolerate soils that are too chalky or stagnant moisture. Full sun exposure is essential to ensure abundant flowering and good fruiting. Watering must be regular, especially during periods of summer drought.
Fruit characteristics
Metley plums are large, weighing between 100 and 120 grams. They are heart-shaped and have thin, purplish-red skin. Their amber-red flesh is firm, juicy, melting, and delicately sweet, with a pit that easily separates from the pulp.
Harvest takes place between late June and mid-July, making it an early variety. The fruit only keeps for a few days at room temperature but can be frozen or made into jams and syrups to extend its shelf life.
Production and yield
The Metley plum tree is a self-fertile variety, meaning it can produce fruit on its own. However, the presence of other Japanese plum trees, such as Burbank or Shiro, improves production. It is also a good pollinator for these cultivars.
A mature tree can produce between 50 and 70 kg of fruit per year, making it a very productive variety. Fruit set is rapid, with the first harvest approximately three years after planting.
Recommended rootstocks
For optimal cultivation in France, the Metley plum tree can be grafted onto Prunus domestica, a rootstock commonly used for European plum trees. It is also compatible with other rootstocks suited to well-drained, well-filtered soils.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
The Metley plum tree is generally disease-resistant, but its early flowering makes it vulnerable to fungal attacks in cases of prolonged humidity. Proper aeration of the tree through annual pruning helps limit these risks.
Like many plum trees, it can be susceptible to certain diseases such as brown rot and coryneum. Regular monitoring and preventative treatments with Bordeaux mixture after flowering can help limit their spread.
Commercial and culinary uses
Metley plums are primarily grown fresh, where they reveal their full sweet and juicy flavor. They are also highly valued for making jams, compotes, jellies, and fruit in syrup. Their firm flesh allows them to be dried and eaten as prunes.
Thanks to their perfect balance between sugar and acidity, they are also used in baking and for various desserts such as tarts and clafoutis.
Maintenance and size
Annual pruning in winter is recommended to remove dead branches and promote good air circulation. This also improves fruit quality by limiting foliage density.
Adding a fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium in spring contributes to better flowering and more abundant fruiting. Mulching around the base of the tree helps maintain good soil moisture during the summer.
Conclusion
The Metley plum tree is an early, productive, and easy-to-grow Japanese plum variety, ideal for growers looking to diversify their offerings with a tasty and attractive plum. Its self-fertility and high yield make it a suitable choice for professional farms.
Although hardy, it remains sensitive to late frosts and requires well-drained soil to avoid moisture problems. Its good commercial potential, coupled with the taste quality of its fruits, makes it an interesting variety for the fresh consumption and artisanal processing markets.
To summarize: Plum Metley (Japanese)
The Metley Plum is a strategic choice for producers , thanks to its rapid fruit set, high yield and excellent taste quality . Its early harvest between late June and mid-July , combined with juicy and sweet flesh , makes it a plum in high demand on the fresh and processing markets .
Its heart-shaped fruits , with purple-red skin and melting amber-red flesh , are ideal for eating fresh, making jams, compotes and prunes . Thanks to their perfect balance between sugar and acidity , they are also very popular in pastries and for gourmet desserts .
Although partially self-fertile , the presence of varieties such as Burbank or Shiro improves the yield and quality of the fruits . Its maintenance is moderate , requiring gentle pruning and good management of soil moisture .
Arboriverse, your specialist plum tree wholesaler , offers Metley Plum trees , grafted onto suitable rootstocks , guaranteeing rapid fruiting and excellent adaptation to growing conditions . Buying Metley Plum trees from Arboriverse means benefiting from expert support and a reliable supply .
Whether you are looking to sell fresh, make small-scale processing or produce prunes , this variety is an excellent investment to diversify your production . As a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , we offer tailored solutions to optimise your cultivation and maximise your yield . Buying Metley Plum plants from Arboriverse means choosing an early-ripening Japanese plum that is highly valued by consumers .
