Plum 'Victoria'

Where to Plant
Choose a warm, sheltered position in full sun, where the blossom has some protection from cold winds and late frosts. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil and avoid sites that become waterlogged.

Planting Your Bare-Root Tree
Plant while the tree is dormant, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Unpack promptly and soak the roots in a bucket of water for around 30 minutes before planting. Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread naturally without bending or crowding them.

Position the tree at the same depth it was previously growing, keeping the graft union above soil level. Spread the roots naturally, backfill with soil, gently firm and water thoroughly. Stake the tree if needed to keep it secure while the roots establish.

Watering & Feeding
Water regularly during the first growing season and during prolonged dry spells. Consistent moisture is particularly important while the fruit is developing. Feed in spring with a suitable fruit tree fertiliser and mulch around the base with well-rotted compost or organic matter, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.

Protecting the Blossom
Plum blossom appears early in spring and can be damaged by late frost. A sheltered position will help, but if frost is forecast while the tree is flowering, protect the blossom with horticultural fleece where practical. Remove the fleece during the day so pollinating insects can reach the flowers.

Thinning Heavy Crops
‘Victoria’ can produce particularly heavy crops, sometimes setting more fruit than its branches can comfortably carry. Thin crowded fruits while they're still small to reduce the weight on the branches and give the remaining plums room to develop.

Supporting Laden Branches
In a particularly good cropping year, keep an eye on branches carrying lots of developing fruit. Heavily laden branches may benefit from temporary support to help prevent them splitting under the weight of the crop.

Pruning
Prune young plum trees in early spring and established trees during summer rather than in winter, to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease. Young trees can be trained to develop a balanced, open framework. Once established, prune to maintain the tree's shape and remove damaged, crossing or badly positioned growth.

Do I Need Another Plum Tree?
No. ‘Victoria’ is self-fertile, so a single tree can produce a good crop without another plum variety nearby. A compatible plum flowering at the same time may help increase the crop, but isn't essential.

Flowering Group 3
‘Victoria’ belongs to Flowering Group 3. If you're growing other plum trees, varieties with an overlapping flowering period can cross-pollinate with it.

Protect the Blossom
White blossom appears in spring and can be vulnerable to late frost. Protect the flowers during particularly cold weather where practical, as damaged blossom can mean fewer plums later in the season.

When Will It Fruit?
Fruit develops after flowering and generally ripens from late August into early September. Young trees may produce lighter crops while they establish, with harvests increasing as the tree matures.

Top Tip:
‘Victoria’ is known for setting generous crops. If the branches are carrying lots of young fruit, thinning some of the smallest plums gives the remaining fruits more room to develop and reduces the weight on the tree.

When to Harvest
‘Victoria’ plums generally ripen from late August into early September. The exact picking time will vary slightly depending on the weather, your location and how much sunshine the tree receives.

How to Tell When Plums Are Ripe
Look for fruits that have developed their characteristic colour and feel slightly soft when gently pressed. A ripe plum should come away from the tree easily without needing to be pulled.

How to Pick
Ripe plums bruise easily, so handle them gently. Cup the fruit in your hand and lift it carefully from the branch rather than pulling or squeezing it.

Pick as They Ripen
The whole crop won't necessarily ripen at exactly the same time. Check your tree regularly and pick individual plums as they become ready rather than waiting to harvest everything at once.

Top Tip:
Don't be tempted to pick all your plums just because they've changed colour. For eating fresh, wait until the fruit feels slightly soft and comes away easily – that's when ‘Victoria’ is at its sweetest and juiciest.

Fresh from the Tree
There's not much that beats a ripe ‘Victoria’ plum picked straight from your own tree. Leave the fruit to ripen fully for sweet, juicy golden-yellow flesh, then simply wash and enjoy.

In the Kitchen
‘Victoria’ is a dual-purpose plum, so it's just as useful for cooking as it is for eating fresh. Use your harvest in crumbles, pies, tarts and puddings, or gently poach the fruits and serve with yoghurt or ice cream.

Storing Your Harvest
Fully ripe plums are best enjoyed soon after picking. Keep them in the fridge if you need to store them for a few days, handling them carefully as ripe fruit bruises easily.

Preserving & Freezing
A heavy crop is ideal for making jams, compotes, chutneys and preserves. Plums can also be halved, stoned and frozen, ready to use in cooking and baking later in the year.

Top Tip:
If you're faced with a glut, sort your harvest as you pick it. Enjoy the softest plums fresh, use slightly firmer fruits for cooking and preserve or freeze the rest.

Bare-Root Trees
Your tree is supplied bare root while dormant, without a pot or compost around its roots. It will usually arrive with a woody stem and branches but little or no foliage. This is completely normal and fresh growth will begin as the tree comes out of dormancy in spring.

On Arrival
Unpack your tree promptly and don't allow the roots to dry out. If you can't plant immediately, keep the roots moist and the tree somewhere cool and sheltered until you're ready to plant.

Grafted Fruit Trees
Plum ‘Victoria’ is grafted, combining the fruiting variety with a rootstock that helps determine how strongly the tree grows. You'll usually be able to see the graft union towards the base of the stem. Keep this above soil level when planting.

St Julien A Rootstock
‘Victoria’ is grafted onto St Julien A, a semi-vigorous rootstock used for medium-sized plum trees. The eventual size of your tree will depend on its growing conditions and how it is trained and pruned.

What to Expect After Planting
Your young tree won't look like a mature fruit tree straight away. During its first few years it will establish its roots and develop its framework of branches, with cropping increasing as the tree matures.