Plum (Prunus domestica) JULIUS

Plum (Prunus domestica) 'Julius'

An Estonian variety with good flavour but weak frost resistance.

'Julius' is an Estonian plum variety that originated from the open pollination of the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ variety. It is a partially self-fertile variety with a medium to high yield and a good to very good sweet-tart flavour. Its main disadvantages are its weak frost resistance and medium susceptibility to diseases.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Good to very good sweet-tart flavour.
• Medium to high yield.
• Partially self-fertile.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Breeders: Julius Eslon, Arthur Jaama
• Institution: Polli Horticultural Research Centre
• Origin: Seedling from open pollination of the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ variety (1946).
• Registration: In the Estonian recommended assortment since 1995.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous.
• Crown: Spreading.
• Pollination: It is partially self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium to large, with a weight of 25 – 30 g.
• Shape and colour: Oblate-oval. The greenish-yellow base colour is covered with a brownish-red with a purple tint when fully ripe.
• Flesh: Yellow to dark yellow, soft.
• Flavour: Good to very good, sweet-tart.
• Stone: Partially separable from the flesh.
• Use: Versatile (compotes, drying).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Weak.
• Disease resistance: Medium. It is moderately susceptible to shot hole disease and plum pox virus.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To increase the yield, planting pollinators such as ‘Suhkruploom’ or ‘Queen Victoria’ is recommended.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early, in August.
• Yield: Medium to high, 23–29 kg per tree.