‘Victoria’ plum tree (Prunus domestica) – hardy fruit tree – 21 cm pot – 90 cm tall

The Victoria plum (Prunus domestica 'Victoria') is one of the few widely self-fertile plum trees: it can fruit abundantly even when planted alone, without a mandatory pollinator nearby. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for small gardens or patios. That said, the presence of another plum tree with simultaneously blooming flowers within a radius of 20 to 30 meters , such as 'Reine-Claude Verte' or 'Quetsche d'Alsace' , significantly improves the fruit set rate and yields even more generous harvests. If you have the space, pairing two varieties is always recommended to maximize production.

Victoria plums ripen in late 'summer, generally between mid-August and late September depending on the region's climate and 'sunlight. T'hey are a mid-to-late season variety, allowing them to take full advantage of the summer heat to concentrate their sugars. The plums are ready to pick when their skin turns a deep, intense purple and the flesh gives slightly under the thumb. For a prolonged harvest, pick in several passes rather than 'all at once: the fruit at the bottom and on the 'outside often ripens a few days before the fruit in the center of the crown.

Yes, the Victoria plum can be grown in a large container or pot on a sunny balcony or terrace, provided you'choose a container of'at least 50 to 60 litres to allow sufficient root development. Use a rich, well-draining growing medium (horticultural compost mixed with 20% gravel or pumice) and water more regularly than'when planted in the ground, as the pot dries out quickly in summer. A feed of'fruit tree fertiliser in spring and June encourages fruiting. In a pot, careful pruning is essential to control the size of the'tree and encourage production in a small space.

The Victoria plum is susceptible to several common Prunus diseases: plum pocket rot (caused by Taphrina pruni), brown rot (caused by Monilinia fructicola), and bacterial canker. To prevent these diseases, choose a very sunny and well-ventilated location, avoid excessive moisture on the foliage and fruit, and always collect fallen or mummified fruit. Thinning pruning every winter reduces areas of stagnant moisture in the crown.

The Victoria plum is ideally pruned in late 'winter (February-March), when the buds begin to swell but before the flowers 'open. The 'aim is to form an open crown, known as a 'goblet-shaped'crown, with 3 to 5 well-spaced main scaffold branches to allow light and air to pass through. Remove crossing branches, vigorous vertical water shoots (unless used to replace a scaffold branch), and dead or diseased twigs. N'never prune severely in autumn, when wounds heal poorly and encourage the 'entry of fungi.

The Victoria plum tree has moderate growth, gaining about 30 to 50 cm per year in good sun and soil conditions.'At maturity, without severe pruning, it generally reaches 3 to 5 metres in height and'spread, but regular pruning into a goblet shape keeps it around 2 to 3 metres, making it very accessible for harvesting. Its moderate growth makes it easier to manage than a'vigorous plum tree and makes it suitable for small gardens. The first flowers often appear as early as the second or third year after planting.

Yes, the Victoria plum is a fully hardy tree, prized for its resilience in cold winters. It can withstand temperatures dropping to around' -20°C without protection, making it suitable for almost all regions of France, including continental areas such as' Alsace, Lorraine, or the Massif Central. Its vulnerability lies n'ot in winter frost, but rather in late spring frosts (late March, early April), which can scorch the white blossoms and reduce the year's harvest.