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Early Prolific plum

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An attractive English plum, sometimes known as Early Rivers, or, mistakenly, as a "river plum".  Rivers' Early Prolific is, as the name suggests, an early and heavy-cropping plum.  Rated by the Victorian fruit enthusiast Hogg as "a great bearer, and very hardy, rarely ever missing a crop".

It is dual-purpose, but arguably better for culinary purposes.  (For dessert purposes, Opal is probably better).

Rivers' Early Prolific is easy to grow and crops reliably.

USDA identification images for Early Prolific

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.

    Offspring of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 24 Aug 2016  SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Australia
      Grown in our family for 3 generations as Early River. Original tree came from a Light Pass Orchardist. We are delighted to know it's history. Makes stunning dark jam and now fruit leather/rollups. Tough and heavy bearer.
    • 29 Jul 2013  NORTH YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom
      This is an excellent early plum. Good cooked or as an eater. The flavour improves as they ripen.
    • 05 Jul 2011  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I like this plum cooked. It is very tasty. I would like to grow it but am unable to find it

    Tree register

    United Kingdom

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2012 season

    • 28th March  2012  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
    • 3rd March  2012  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • May  2011  - tree owned by Gillian in Northallerton, United Kingdom
    • 23rd April  2011  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom
    • 5th April  2011  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 17th April  2010  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • April  2009  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2012 season

    • 1st week August  2012  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 1st week July  2011  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom
    • July  2011  - tree owned by Gillian in Northallerton, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 4th week June  2010  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • 4th week June  2009  - tree owned by Dave in Harefield, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Prunus domestica
    • Introduced: 1820
    • Developed by: Rivers of Sawbridgeworth

    Using

    • Picking season: Early
    • Cropping: Heavy
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
    • Flavor style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary

    Growing

    • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
    • Flowering group: 2
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Bearing regularity: Regular

    Climate

    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Fruit colour: Blue - dark

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Early Prolific:

    United Kingdom




    References

    • Fruit Expert
      Author: Hessayon

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