Family Multi-Plum Tree (Prunus domestica) VIOLETTA + SONORA + ZANE

Family Multi-Plum Tree (3 in 1): Violetta + Sonora + Zane

A hardy and well-balanced combination of one Swedish and two Latvian plum varieties on a single trunk. Enjoy a progressive harvest from early rich-blue plums to sweet summer treats and large, late-season fruits.

1. Plum 'Violetta' (Early variety)

A compact Swedish variety with weak growth, very early bearing, deep blue fruits, and an outstanding sweet flavor.

In the first half of August, the Swedish variety 'Violetta' reaches maturity (SLU/Balsgård, 1992, a cross of 'Grand Duke' x 'Herman'). It is highly suited for smaller gardens due to its dwarf, compact growth, entering bearing very quickly after planting.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Compact growth: Grows weakly, reaching a height of only 2 – 3 meters and requiring only minimal sanitary pruning.
• Precocious cropping: Begins producing fruit already in the second year after planting and bears reliably and heavily.
• Self-fertility: Fully self-fertile, although the presence of other varieties on the tree increases overall yield.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance: Medium to large (approx. 30 g) oval fruits of a dark purple-blue color covered in a distinct grayish bloom.
• Flesh and flavor: Yellow, firm, and juicy flesh with a very good, sweet taste. Sugar content is 16.0 °Brix and the stone separates easily.
• Harvest period: First half to mid-August. Best used for fresh consumption due to short storage life.

2. Plum 'Sonora' (Medium-late large-fruited variety)

A Latvian dessert variety yielding large, red-purple fruits with great disease resistance and excellent winter hardiness.

In mid-September, the Latvian variety 'Sonora' matures (a cross of 'LaCrescent' x 'Jefferson', registered in Dobele in 2018). It is an adaptable, robust plum suitable for home gardens as well as commercial orchards.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Large, attractive fruits: Reach a weight of 45 – 60 g, featuring a beautiful reddish-purple skin covered with a blue bloom.
• Excellent health: Highly winter-hardy with solid resistance to plum leaf spot and plum rust.
• Consistent bearing: Enters fruiting early (3rd to 4th year) and crops reliably every year.

Fruit and Harvest

• Flesh and flavor: Yellow-green, firm, and moderately juicy flesh with an excellent, sweet dessert taste (sugar content 15.6 °Brix). The stone separates well.
• Harvest period: Mid-September (approx. two weeks after the variety 'Victoria'). Gradual harvesting is recommended. Fruits keep up to 2 weeks in a refrigerator.
• Grower's note: Partially self-fertile. Rejuvenation pruning of the crown is recommended to maintain optimal growth.

3. Plum 'Zane' (Medium-early honey-flavored variety)

A new Latvian plum of a compact, spreading habit, featuring healthy foliage and exceptional honey-sweet fruits.

Completing this collection is the new Latvian variety 'Zane' (Dobele, registered in 2021). Growing low and spreading, it is an ideal choice for home orchards. Its honey-sweet flavor is a consistent favorite in sensory tastings at the Institute of Horticulture.

Key advantages of the variety:

• Fantastic honey flavor: Excellent, stable taste that stands out every single year.
• Consistent yields without thinning: Produces moderately but highly regularly without the need for manual fruit thinning.
• Gradual ripening: Fruits ripen progressively, extending the window for fresh picking.

Fruit and Harvest

• Appearance and flesh: Large, highly juicy fruits with a free stone, set against beautiful and healthy foliage.
• Harvest period: Progressively throughout the second and third decades of August.
• Grower's note: In exceptionally hot summers, the stone may split inside the fruit. The variety is fully self-fertile and acts as an excellent pollinator for other simultaneously blooming plums, but requires regular rejuvenation pruning to prevent bare wood in the lower sections of the branches.