Plum
Variety: Opal
Species: Prunus domestica
Origin
| Breeder, Place | Horticultural Research Station Alnarp, Sweden |
|---|---|
| Parents | Oullins Reneklode x Early Favorite, 1925 |
| Property rights | free variety |
Blossom
| Blooming date | medium early, relatively resistant against late frost |
|---|---|
| Fertility | self-fertile, good pollinator |
Fruit
| Ripening time | medium early, 3.-4. plum week |
|---|---|
| Scale, shape | medium large, Ø 40 mm, 35-40 g, globose, tends to have small fruits at to high crop load |
| Colour | red purple over colour, yellowish green ground colour |
| Fruit flesh | golden, medium firm, very juicy |
| Taste | sweet, low acidity, to high crop load leads to deteriorating taste |
| Cracking sensitivity | low |
| Stone separability | freestone |
| Plum pox | sensitive |
Tree
| Vigour | medium strong, harmonious growth |
|---|---|
| Crop load | from an early age high yield |
Evaluation
Opal is an attractive and colourful variety. Thorough fruit-thinning is necessary for maintaining good fruit quality and size. Otherwise small fruit and biennial bearing will be an issue. Because of the freestone Opal is also well suited for baking.