Japanese Plum
Variety: Catalina
Species: Prunus salicina
Origin
| Breeder, Place | C&O Nursery, USA |
|---|---|
| Property rights | free variety |
Blossom
| Blooming date | early, very high blossom density |
|---|---|
| Fertility | under examination |
| Pollinator | under examination |
Fruit
| Ripening time | about 15 days after 'Cacaks Schöne', 3-5 days after 'Crimson Glo (S)' |
|---|---|
| Scale, shape | medium to large, 50-60 mm, rounded, very limited suture |
| Colour | 100 % deep, dark blue colour, at full maturity black blue, less lenticels, heavy bloom |
| Fruit flesh | yellow when fully ripe, very ripe fruits slightly red veined under the fruit skin, finely textured, very juicy, fruit skin firm and sourish |
| Taste | aromatic with a refreshing acidity, light plum note, without bitterness |
| Cracking sensitivity | low |
| Stone separability | good, small stone |
| Storage | good |
Tree
| Vigour | medium strong, semi-upright, very good branching, no blind wood, dark green leaves |
|---|---|
| Crop load | from an early age regular and high, timely fruit-thinning is necessary for maintaining good flavour and fruit size |
Evaluation
Catalina is an impressive variety with its outstanding black-blue and even colouring. Large fruit size and symmetrically rounded, attractive fruits with a good taste are achievable with thorough fruit-thinning. Noteworthy is the even maturing on the tree.
Sensitivity to ESFY must be considered when choosing a site.