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Golden Transparent gage

Prunus domestica
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Golden Transparent

Towards the end of the 19th century nurseryman Thomas Rivers experimented with a French gage variety called Reine Claude Diaphane, a true gage with an unusually transparent ("diaphanous") skin - known in England as Transparent Gage.  The most well-known result of this work was his Early Transparent Gage, but Golden Transparent has also been quietly popular amongst gardeners, and is believed to be the result of an open pollinated Transparent Gage.

Golden Transparent is a self-fertile variety - like Early Transparent but unlike its parent.  The tree is notably small and compact (a common characteristic of gages and a useful distinguishing point with European plums).  By gage standards it is a good cropper, but it can be temperamental.

The fruit is an attractive yellow colour with red dots, larger than a green gage.

Although considered one of the "transparent" gages, in our experience it does not have the true transparency of flesh found in some of its cousins.  But no matter - the flavour is excellent, with a juicy thick sugary richness - this is a textbook gage.

Golden Transparent gage identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Golden Transparent
  • Golden Transparent
  • Golden Transparent
  • Golden Transparent

USDA identification images for Golden Transparent

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.

    Siblings of this variety (same parentage)


    Visitor reviews

    • 05 Jun 2022 
      Can occasional Black Knot prevent my 2016 tree from producing fruit? It gives blossoms and although self fruitful, I additionally hand pollinate it from another nearby Gage Plum.
    • 11 Oct 2013  United States
      Ripens almost simultaneously with the transparent gage, a large round sweet gage that is heaven on a sunny September morning.
    • 25 Aug 2012  WEST SUSSEX, United Kingdom
      I am growing this gage as a fan against a sunny fence. Although it flowers well, and has a near-by pollinator, it sets few fruit for me. The fruits are, however, exceptional - syrup sweet, aromatic, rich and juicy. I hope that my young (5 years old) tree will improve its yeild with time! You can see photos of the trained tree on my blog: http://herbidacious.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/golden-transparent-gage/

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2023 season

    • 5th April  2023  - tree owned by Claire in Leeds, United Kingdom

    2022 season

    • 4th April  2022  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 19th April  2016  - tree owned by Donald in West Hartford, United States
    • 8th April  2016  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2014 season

    • 7th May  2014  - tree owned by John in Ayr, United Kingdom
    • 10th April  2014  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 2nd May  2013  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2012 season

    • 27th March  2012  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 10th April  2011  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 19th April  2010  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2016 season

    • 1st week September  2016  - tree owned by Donald in West Hartford, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
    • Parentage: Transparent Gage seedling
    • Originates from: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 1890
    • Developed by: Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
    • Fruit colour: Gold
    • Fruit colour: Green
    • Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
    • Fruit colour: Yellow
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
    • Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
    • Flesh colour: Golden / Yellow
    • Fruit size: Average
    • Awards: RHS 1st class
    • Fruit shape: Round
    • Developer: Thomas Rivers Nursery

    Using

    • Cling-stone: Semi-freestone
    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Cropping: Heavy
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking month: September
    • Picking period: early September

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Average
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Vigour: Weak growing
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Attractive features: Attractive fruit
    • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
    • Site conditions: Sheltered site
    • Sunlight: Prefers full sun

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good

    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.



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