Should I plant Victoria plum?

Invicta2

When I joined the forum in spring this year I was considering planting a Victoria plum tree in the autumn. It seemed to tick the right boxes , hardy in the North West, tolerant of clay soil, self fertile and a good cropper. However there have been a lot of threads on the forum about the numerous problems that gardeners with this variety of plum have faced; though I don't think I will be affected by voracious pheasants, which are making me have second thoughts.

There could be two answers:

1) Victoria plum is planted so much more than other plums that it is bound to feature in the threads by sheer volume of numbers.

2) The variety has intrinsic problems and I would be better planting a different variety, perhaps lacking some of Victoria's advantages but a having a healthier constitution.

What are gardeners views on Victoria plum, should I try a different plum, or even a a completely different fruit tree such as a mulberry?

Alan4711

Hi Invicta, We were the same,so we asked our G/C who said a Plum "Cambs Gage "" was good for off the tree eating and great for cooking ,at present it looks to be a really good choice ,looking forward to eating, good luck

pansyface

I always think that the reason something is popular and commonly seen is because it works well. It is the same thing when you look at makes of car or styles of clothing. Tried and tested has a lot going for it. Victorias are common because they work for most people in most situations. Rare varieties are rare for a reason. 

If you are thinking of buying a mulberry, go for it. But only if you are relatively young and intend to stay in your current house for some time. They used to say "plant pears for your heirs" - same with mulberries.

Palaisglide

I grew up with Victoria plums three of them espalier on south facing and west facing walls of our garden. They had been planted when Victoria was still on the throne so when I knew them quite old but so fruitful. I could not wait for them to ripen and being on a wall tied in to wires they did not break branches we had trouble with wasps when they ripened but then we did with all the fruit, Dad would say they need some too, that was his attitude live in harmony. I never tasted better than a sun ripened Victoria although we had hedge rows of plums and pears around the village of different types free to pick. If you have a wall then go for it as an espalier, even a good solid fence though they do live a long time.

Frank.

Invicta2

Hi

Thanks for your replies. I would be concerned that Cambridge Gage might not ripen its fruit up here in the North west of England, especially as I cannot plant it on my south wall as that is successfully occupied by a Fig tree. Very tempted by a Mulberry as I think they are luscious, but I will give Victoria a go after all as I have seen it growing successfully up here as an open grown tree.

Neil

chicky

We have Victoria plums, one planted 5 years ago, two last winter.  All are doing well.  you can thin the fruit out if it looks like the crop is going to be too heavy.  Only problem is that all the fruit ripens in the space of a fortnight - but cut them in half and they freeze very well

Dovefromabove

When we had a Victoria we put wooden props (like clothes props) under the branches when they began to sag because of a heavy crop. It worked.  Don't know why it's in italics

Dovefromabove

Oh, it isn't in italics now