Technical sheet of the Plum Quetsche variety from Italy
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Fruit flesh color: Yellow, firm, sweet and a little juicy
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Skin color: Fine and delicate with an intense dark purplish blue
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Size and Shape: Medium to large (35-45 mm), oval in shape
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Fruit maturity: End of August or beginning of September
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Fruit Taste: Sweet and slightly juicy, with fruity aromas
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Earliness of the variety: Semi-early to early
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Fruiting period Late flowering (April), harvest mid-September
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Disease resistance and storage: Good resistance to diseases, especially monilia, although it is somewhat susceptible to rust. The fruits can be stored for 1 to 2 weeks.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Partially self-fertile, but requires a pollinator for good production.
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Commercial use: Jams, compotes, direct consumption, transformation into alcohols
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Comments: Adapted to hot and dry climates, ideal for southern regions or hot summers. Cultivation recommended at altitude.
Quick read / the essentials on Italian Plum Tree
The Italian Plum Tree is an old and rustic variety , originally from Milan , which stands out for its tolerance to hot and dry climates and its late flowering , allowing it to withstand spring frosts . Adapted to Mediterranean and continental areas , it offers a generous and regular harvest , ideal for professional producers.
This tree, reaching 3 to 5 meters , has a slightly spreading shape and moderate growth . It adapts well to calcareous and well-drained soils , and withstands temperatures down to -20°C . Partially self-fertile , its production is optimized by the presence of pollinators such as Green Queen, Oullins Queen or Alsace Plum .
The oval, dark purplish-blue fruits have firm, sweet, slightly acidic yellow flesh , perfect for fresh consumption, making jams, pies and prunes . Harvesting them between the end of August and the beginning of September allows for good conservation and efficient marketing .
Arboriverse, your specialist plum tree wholesale supplier , offers rigorously selected Italian Plum plants , grafted onto Prunus Myrobalan , ensuring optimal vigor and adaptation to different soil types . Buying Italian Plum plants from Arboriverse means choosing a profitable and sought-after variety on the market .
Thanks to its good natural resistance to diseases , this variety requires little maintenance , requiring only annual pruning and good soil drainage . As a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , we support you to maximize your yield and guarantee quality production . Buying Italian Plum plants from Arboriverse means investing in a versatile variety, perfectly suited to the needs of professional producers .
Presentation of the Quetsche plum tree from Italy
The Italian Quetsche plum tree is an old variety, native to Milan, Italy. It is particularly appreciated for its ability to adapt to hot, dry climates, making it an excellent choice for southern regions and areas with hot summers. Thanks to its late flowering, it is more resistant to spring frosts than other plum varieties. Its sweet, juicy fruits are versatile, suitable for fresh consumption as well as for making jams, pies, or prunes.
Origin and rusticity
The Italian Plum is a hardy variety that tolerates temperatures down to -20°C. Its late spring flowering allows it to avoid damage from spring frosts. It adapts equally well to lowland areas and higher altitudes, where it can be successfully grown.
Thanks to its tolerance of dry climates, it can be grown in well-drained soils, even in areas where watering is limited. Its root system allows it to withstand periods of moderate drought well, although regular watering in summer promotes better fruit production.
Tree characteristics and growing conditions
The Italian plum tree is of medium to moderate vigor, with a slightly spreading habit. It typically reaches a height of 3 to 5 meters and a width of 2 to 3 meters. Its growth is regular and it can live up to 50 years with good maintenance.
It adapts well to calcareous soils and prefers deep, light, rich, and well-drained soil. It is recommended to plant it in full sun to optimize its fruiting. Regular watering, especially during the first years and during periods of drought, is necessary to ensure healthy growth and good fruit production.
Pruning must be done carefully to promote good air circulation and prevent disease. Annual pruning helps structure the tree and maintain regular production.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the Italian plum are medium to large in size, usually measuring between 35 and 45 mm. They are oval in shape and have thin, intense dark purplish-blue skin.
The flesh is yellow, firm, sweet, and slightly juicy. Its flavor is mild and fruity, with a slight acidity that perfectly balances its flavor. This characteristic makes it ideal for direct consumption, but also for processing into jams, preserves, pies, and prunes.
The fruits ripen between late August and early September. They keep well for one to two weeks after harvest, allowing for efficient fresh marketing.
Production and yield
The Italian Plum is a partially self-fertile variety. Although it can produce fruit on its own, its production is enhanced in the presence of other pollinating varieties such as the Green Queen, the Oullins Queen, the Ente Plum, or the Alsace Plum.
Flowering occurs in spring, in April, and the fruits are harvested from the end of summer. With good cultural management and optimized pollination, it offers regular and generous harvests.
Recommended rootstocks
In France, the Italian Quetsche plum tree is often grafted onto myrobalan plum, a rootstock known for its vigor and good adaptation to a wide range of soils. This rootstock gives the tree rapid fruit set and increased tolerance to poor, calcareous soils and root asphyxiation.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
The Italian Plum has good natural resistance to disease, although it can be susceptible to certain fungal infections such as brown rot and rust in cases of prolonged high humidity.
Preventive treatments with Bordeaux mixture after flowering can limit the risk of developing these diseases. Regular monitoring and good ventilation of the tree through appropriate pruning also help reduce health risks.
Commercial and culinary uses
The fruits of the Italian plum are versatile and highly prized for their sweet and flavorful flesh. Their firm texture makes them ideal for eating fresh, but they also lend themselves well to processing.
They are commonly used to make jams, compotes, and preserves, where they retain their fruity aroma well. They are also used in pastries such as tarts and clafoutis, where their slightly tangy flavor perfectly balances sweet preparations.
This variety is also suitable for drying for the production of prunes, thus offering a highly valued natural energy alternative. Finally, it can be used for the production of alcohols such as kirsch.
Conclusion
The Italian Quetsche plum tree is a hardy and productive variety, ideal for growers looking for a quality plum suited to hot, dry climates. Thanks to its late flowering and good disease resistance, it is a safe choice for growing in professional orchards.
Although self-fertile, it benefits from the presence of other varieties to improve its yield. Its quality fruits, good shelf life, and versatility make it a sought-after product on the market. With good crop management and appropriate maintenance, this variety ensures regular and profitable production for producers.
To summarize: Plum Quetsche from Italy
The Italian Plum is a safe bet for growers , thanks to its late flowering, high productivity and ability to adapt to dry climates . Its optimal performance in calcareous and well-drained soils , combined with a harvest between late August and early September , makes it a strategic choice for commercial orchards .
Its purplish-blue plums , with firm, sweet yellow flesh , are ideal for fresh consumption and processing into jams, compotes, pastries and prunes . With good storage and suitable drying , this variety is perfectly positioned on the fresh and processing market .
Although partially self-fertile , its production is improved by cross-pollination with varieties such as Reine-Claude Verte and Quetsche d'Alsace . Its maintenance is limited , requiring only gentle pruning and regular watering in dry periods .
Arboriverse, your specialist plum tree wholesaler , offers Italian Plum plants , grafted onto Prunus Myrobalan , guaranteeing rapid fruiting and excellent adaptation to varied soils . Buying Italian Plum plants from Arboriverse means benefiting from technical support and a reliable supply .
Whether you are looking to sell fresh, make artisanal prunes, or produce them yourself , this variety is a profitable and sustainable investment . As a specialist plum plant wholesaler , we offer tailored solutions to optimize your growing needs . Buying Italian Plum plants from Arboriverse means choosing a traditional, versatile plum with high added value on the market .
