Count Althann's gage
Prunus domestica
Count Althann's gage is a true gage, with an excellent flavour, less cloying than some gages.
It is somewhat unusual amongst gages in that the green skin colour traditionally associated with green gages is replaced almost entirely by a dusky red/mauve colour with a heavy bloom. This colouration is inherited by one of its offspring, Ariel (as is the excellent flavour).
It is also widely known as Reine Claude dAlthann and Reine Claude Conducta.
The pedigree of Count Althann's gage is unknown, but it was raised in the 1850s in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) by the gardener of Count Althann.
Count Althann's gage gage identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Count Althann's gage
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Clifford Cain in Doncaster, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
Belgium
- Johan Cornelis in Gent, OOST-VLAANDEREN
France
- Richard Borrie in Objat,
Germany
- Nick Baile in Bruehl,
Netherlands
- Bas Cretskens in Stevensweert, LIMBURG
Poland
- Richard in Krakow,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2013 season
- 1st May 2013 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
- 30th April 2013 - tree owned by Johan in Gent, Belgium
2012 season
- 4th April 2012 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
- April 2012 - tree owned by Johan in Gent, Belgium
2011 season
- 7th April 2011 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 19th April 2010 - tree owned by Johan in Gent, Belgium
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2011 season
- 3rd week July 2011 - tree owned by Bas in Stevensweert, Netherlands
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Green gage
- Originates from: Bohemia, Czech Republic
- Introduced: 19th century
- Developed by: Hr. Prochasta, gardener to Count Althann of Swoyschitz
Identification
- Country of origin: Czech Republic
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Fruit colour: Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Under-rated
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Cling-stone: Freestone
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Exceptional
- Cropping: Light
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Plum pox virus / Sharka: Some resistance
- Silverleaf: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Count Althann's gage gage trees for sale:
- Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Count Althann's Gage gage trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.