Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Plum Tree fruits: when ready to eat?
I live in Scotland, UK. 4 years ago I had two 'Victoria' Plum trees planted. I read it takes around three to four years for the fruits to be edible.
This year the fruits have only grown on one of the trees (which is slightly the bigger one). Its plums are looking very red and a few have already dropped.
Firstly, should the other tree's fruits yet appear this season?
Also, how do I tell if a plum is safe and ready to eat?
Thank you in anticipation. If there is no Best Answer by me I apologise in advance (sometimes it doesn't work from my connection).
2 Answers
- Anonymous9 years agoFavorite Answer
I think you are confused about it taking 3-4 years for plums to be edible. When they are ripe plums are edible. What it does take is for the tree to be about 5 years old before it starts producing fruit.
Plums are one of the earliest fruit trees to open their flowers in the spring so pollination is sometimes disappointing. This year with the bad weather the bees have not been able to do their job and fruit crops are low.
If the plums are dropping then they are ripe. Check for ripeness by gently squeezing the fruit - if it's hard it's not ready but if it's beginning to feel soft with some give it is. Victoria plums usually ripen August/September. Victorias can be eaten raw or cooked being a dessert plum. A plum is always safe to eat in the sense it won't poison you. Try eating one that's passed the squeeze test - if it's soft and juicy and tastes delicious then it's definitely ready.
Plums don't keep very long when they are off the tree, often just a few days, so eat some, cook some, and freeze some. I put them in a freezer bag straight into the freezer. Then when I want them I put them in a saucepan with a little water and gently poach them with soft brown sugar and a stick of cinnamon.
