{"product_id":"prunus-domestica-opal-prunier","title":"Prunus domestica 'Opal' (plum tree) — H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"prunus-opal\"\u003e\n\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e🟣 Purple plums with golden flesh • 📅 Early harvest from late July • ✅ Self-fertile, a single tree is enough • ☀️ Full sun • ❄️ Hardy down to -25 °C • 🍂 Deciduous foliage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePrunus domestica 'Opal'\u003c\/strong\u003e produces round plums with bluish-purple skin and golden flesh, sweet and fragrant, which separate easily from the stone. Originally from the \u003cstrong\u003eCaucasus and Asia Minor\u003c\/strong\u003e, this cultivar was developed in Sweden and joins the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/fruitiers-aromatiques\"\u003efruit trees\u003c\/a\u003e in the catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eIts special feature lies in two combined advantages: it is \u003cstrong\u003eself-fertile\u003c\/strong\u003e, so a single tree is enough to produce fruit, and its harvest starts as early as late July, three to four weeks earlier than most plum trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"varietes-prunier\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhich plum tree should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo varieties in the catalogue, with staggered harvests:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Opal'\u003c\/strong\u003e (this plant) — purple plums with golden flesh, harvested from late July, self-fertile. The earliest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/prunus-domestica-victoria-prunier\"\u003e'Victoria'\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — large pink-orange plums, harvested in August-September, self-fertile (H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm). The most productive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eAs both are self-fertile, each produces fruit on its own: growing them together is intended to spread the harvest over nearly two months, not to ensure pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"exposition-emplacement\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExposure \u0026amp; position\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plum tree needs full sun for the fruits to develop their sugar content. In partial shade, the tree produces fruit, but the plums remain acidic and color poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e garden, large terrace, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/balcons-terrasses\"\u003esouth-facing balcony\u003c\/a\u003e — plan for a pot at least 40 cm in diameter when fully grown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness in a pot:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C — winter cold is essential for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep, rich and well-drained — the plum tree tolerates heavy soils better than the cherry tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIts March-April flowering is early: in climates with late frosts, a sheltered position protects the flowers and therefore the harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA potted fruit tree consumes much more water than one planted in the ground. A \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comprendre-substrats-terreau-billes-argile-perlite\"\u003erich, well-draining substrate\u003c\/a\u003e supports production, and the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/langage-des-plantes-decoder-signaux\"\u003efoliage always signals a problem before it worsens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e regularly from April to July — two to three times a week in summer, especially while the fruits are swelling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e essential — never leave standing water in the saucer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e after harvest, in August-September only — never in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThinning:\u003c\/strong\u003e in June, space the fruits 5 cm apart along the branch — the remaining plums will be larger, and the branches will not break under the weight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertilizer for fruit trees, at bud break and then after flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eAn amber gum flow on the trunk, known as gummosis, almost always follows winter pruning or a poorly healed wound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDecor ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plum tree is the easiest fruit tree to grow on its own: self-fertile, tolerant of soil conditions, and productive from the first years. \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/potager-urbain-appartement-guide\"\u003eOn a balcony\u003c\/a\u003e, it is often the right first tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo spread out the plum harvest,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/prunus-domestica-victoria-prunier\"\u003e'Victoria' plum tree\u003c\/a\u003e — late July, then August-September, providing fruit for nearly two months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo cover the entire season,\u003c\/strong\u003e add an \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/malus-domestica-jonagold-pommier\"\u003e'Jonagold' apple tree\u003c\/a\u003e — plums in July, apples in October.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo fill the winter,\u003c\/strong\u003e place a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/betterbuxus-skylight-buis-boule-resistant\"\u003eBetterBuxus® in ball form\u003c\/a\u003e next to it — its evergreen mass fills the space when the plum tree is bare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo enhance the pot,\u003c\/strong\u003e a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/fibre-naturelle-rotin\"\u003eterracotta or natural-fiber container\u003c\/a\u003e keeps the substrate cool during the fruiting period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe white flowering in March-April precedes the leaves: the tree is entirely white for around ten days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChoose it if you only have room for one tree:\u003c\/strong\u003e Opal is self-fertile and early. Whereas a cherry tree or a Jonagold apple tree requires a second tree to bear fruit, this one produces fruit on its own from the first few years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever prune in winter:\u003c\/strong\u003e like all \u003cem\u003ePrunus\u003c\/em\u003e, the plum tree heals poorly in cold weather and reacts with gummosis. The only suitable period is August-September, just after harvesting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtect it during late cold snaps:\u003c\/strong\u003e its March flowering is the earliest in the orchard, and a night at -2 °C is enough to destroy open flowers. \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/sauver-plante-qui-a-pris-froid\"\u003eA winter protection fleece placed the previous evening\u003c\/a\u003e will save that year's harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePrunus domestica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Opal'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Opal plum tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rosaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caucasus and Asia Minor, cultivar developed in Sweden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions on delivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabit:\u003c\/strong\u003e already-trained grafted tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4 metres in a pot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, at least 6 hours per day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e regular during the season, increased while the fruit is swelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep, rich, and well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -25 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e self-fertile - one tree is enough\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e March to April, white, bee-friendly flowers, before the foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e late July, one of the earliest plum trees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e deciduous, medium-green oval leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e prune after harvesting, June thinning recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e edible fruit, pits and leaves toxic if ingested\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Urban vegetable garden \/ Natural \/ Orchard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach plant is unique: branching, the number of fruit buds, and vigor naturally vary from one specimen to another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57278111023369,"sku":"49589","price":49.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/prunus-domestica-opal-prunier-h90-cm-pot-oe21-cm-verdeia-6152120.jpg?v=1790715618","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/prunus-domestica-opal-plum-tree","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}