Plum (Prunus domestica) DIANA

Plum (Prunus domestica) 'Diana'

Very early Romanian variety with large and attractive fruits.

'Diana' is an exceptional Romanian plum variety bred at the Piteşti – Mărăcineni institute. It is highly valued primarily as a very early table variety, producing large and high-quality fruits as early as the beginning of July. It was created by crossing the well-known ‘Renclod Althan’ (Count Althann's Gage) and ‘Early Rivers’.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very early ripening (early July).
• Large fruits (60 – 65 g), which is above average for an early variety.
• Very attractive appearance (strong bloom).
• Resistance to frost and Monilinia.
• High productivity.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: Fruit Research and Development Institute Piteşti – Mărăcineni
• Parentage: ‘Renclod Althan’ × ‘Early Rivers’
• Registration: 1982

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium.
• Crown: Spherical.
• Fruiting: Bears fruit predominantly on medium and long branches.
• Rootstock Myrobalan C5: Tree growth on this rootstock is similar to the St. Julien rootstock. The advantage of the Myrobalan C5 rootstock is that it tolerates drought, water stress, and poorer soil conditions better.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Large, weighing 60 – 65 g.
• Shape and Color: Spherical. The skin is light blue to blue-purple, glossy, covered with a thick layer of bloom, giving the fruit a very attractive appearance.
• Flesh: Yellow-green, fleshy, very juicy, and of high quality.
• Taste: Pleasant, harmonious.
• Stone: Small, separates easily from the flesh (Freestone).
• Usage: Primarily for fresh consumption (table variety).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Resistant to frost (including late spring frosts).
• Disease resistance: Shows resistance to Monilinia.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Partially self-fertile. For maximum yield, planting with pollinators is recommended.
• Suitable pollinators: ‘Stanley’, ‘Agent’, ‘Early Rivers’, ‘Gras ameliorat’.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Very early, first decade of July (July 1st – 10th).
• Yield: High.