Greengages - over-ripe?
fizzyliz
Posts: 390
Hi,
Does anyone here know about greengages? And could anyone tell me whether the ones on our tree are ready to pick or over-ripe?
I hadn’t a clue so left them as they seemed very firm but now sadly I think they all look over-ripe and ruined ☹️ it was a big crop too. A lot of them weirdly now have a strange skin growing on them. I had and have no idea when best to pick, and think I’ve left too late.
Does anyone here know about greengages? And could anyone tell me whether the ones on our tree are ready to pick or over-ripe?
I hadn’t a clue so left them as they seemed very firm but now sadly I think they all look over-ripe and ruined ☹️ it was a big crop too. A lot of them weirdly now have a strange skin growing on them. I had and have no idea when best to pick, and think I’ve left too late.
If anyone can help, I’ll put some photos on here 🙂
Many thanks 😊
Many thanks 😊
0
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The slightly rough-looking ones might have scab. I've never seen it on members of the plum family but apparently the fruit are still edible when the skin is removed. There are also a few in your photos which have brown rot; purplish-looking fruit with white spots. These need removing and putting in the bin.
You'd know if the fruit was over-ripe because it would start falling off the tree. Not all the fruit will be equally ripe at the same time, which is a good thing really. If you want to make jam, including some greener (less ripe) fruit will give you a better set.
Edited to say: ripe fruit has a bit of "give" when gently squeezed.