Thursday 12 July 2018

The Greengage.



The Greengage (Reine Claude) is a strange fruit. One minute it is green and unripe, the next it is yellow-ish and so sweet that it's almost impossible to eat. Catching them 'just right' is a cat-n-mouse game that takes considerable guile.

This year our tree is surprisingly loaded and bug free. Normally almost every fruit is inhabited by some bucolic vilain that leaves a transparent dribble from its temporary home.

2018 will be a good year. We will freeze plenty, as well as having occasional pies. We will also consume plenty in situ; the best way.

It's a pity my ordinary Plums aren't doing as well.

22 comments:

  1. I don't think I know this plum. We have two basic ones and a cross of a plum and apricot which I like very much.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Gages are green Plums that become very sweet. They are usually filled with worms too!

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  2. I'm hoping we might get a few plums from our tree this year, if we ever manage to get back!

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    Replies
    1. We had lots of blossom, but there are very few Plums. My two year old Apricot tree has died for some bizarre reason. I think it may have been Mole trouble.

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  3. I adore greengages ...... we had them as children when you would always see them in the greengrocers ..... not so much now. One of our boundary’s consists of trees that were planted in Edwardian times and a couple of them are greengages and little purple plums and, although we don’t really tend to them apart from having them pruned every February, the do produce a few fruits. They are lovely and sweet. You are lucky to have them Cro. XXXX

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    Replies
    1. We have several different types of Plums. Damsons, small red Plums, these Gages, and big purple Plums that are a bit like Victoria's. They all have their uses, and are reliable fruiters.

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  4. I think it's a good year for many plants. My two rose plants on my balcony which usually suffer of parasite are doing very well this year.
    I have never heard of these plums. Looked them up: they turn yellowish when ripe, soft and very sweet. They were named after queen Claudia of France, known as the "good queen". I wonder if they only grow in France?
    Greetings Maria x

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    Replies
    1. After reading Jackie's comment above iIsee they also grow in other countries x

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    2. Plums grow very well in England; the climate (as for Apples) is perfect.

      Our Reine Claude tree is very old, and has a rotten trunk. I don't know how much longer it'll last.

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  5. We used to get greengage jam but I don't remember seeing it for a long time.

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    Replies
    1. It's a rather old-fashioned fruit; a bit like Medlars. Also, I don't suppose a lot of people even know what they are.

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    2. Only you are smart enough to know. Mr. Cro you really grow old.

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  6. Replies
    1. As usual; totally overloaded. I even took off a load of very small fruits, but it doesn't seem to have made much difference. D'yer want some?

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  7. They look like a lovely fruit. Are you getting them early or is this the usual time to pick them?

    I quit growing fruit trees years ago as it became more about feeding bugs and birds than us. However, I love the blossoms and now have only ornamental fruit trees. There are quite a few orchards near me where I can buy juicy fruit from those with more patience than I.

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    Replies
    1. They are an early Plum, and will be ripening quite soon. Fruit trees can be very frustrating. This year my main eating Apple tree was covered in blossom, yet has no fruit. Luckily we have others.

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  8. My grandparents had plum trees when I was a girl, but I have no idea what kinds they were. One had big purplish-black plums, and the others were red with a bit of yellowish blush if I remember correctly. I always liked eating plums when they were a tiny bit under-ripe and sour. I would love to try your greengages!

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    Replies
    1. I like them, too, when they're a bit under ripe. Some, like this Gage, can become far too sweet for me.

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  9. Chloe 's being normal? Something's afoot

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