Victoria plum tree

They have no flavour if you pick them early. Branches of our (now deceased) Victoria used to break under the weight of plums but the plums never ripened successfully, even if left on the branch. When a moth grub is living inside the fruit, it usually oozes a sticky goo and that seems to attract the wasps. In the last few years of our tree's life, we also suffered from a fungus that invaded the fruits. We've bought a greengage to see if that produces tasty fruits without so many problems as the Victoria.

That many OldMeg - just think of all the jam you'll be making

Thanks both of you.

Yes MeltingM, I think that's what's caused the sticky problem. I'm as near organic as possible, so will check out the chemical-free options. I had the same problem last year, but as there were no plums I didn't take any action. Probably should have done!!

MiniM They're still at the 'more stone than flesh' stage, so I think I'll have to wait a while anyway.

I have three plums on mine this year and I’m guarding them zealously.

Are they big enough to pick? You might be able to ripen them at room temperature indoors. Commercially grown plums are picked green and ripened using ethylene gas. You could always try a few and see.

If you don't mind spraying, there are solutions.

Advice from RHS here www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=681

This section struck me:

Aphids feed by sucking sap from the foliage. Leaf-curling plum aphid secretes chemicals into the foliage that cause the young leaves to develop in a crumpled and distorted fashion. In this species, winged forms of the aphid develop during May and the winged adults then fly away to various herbaceous plant where they spend the summer. The infestation on plums dies out in late May-early June and after that time the tree produces normal foliage.

Mealy plum aphid populations can begin to build up and heavy infestations may develop during mid- to late summer. Winged mealy plum aphids develop during the summer and these migrate away to various grasses and reeds.

Does the hot weather and resulting dry grass mean the aphids have scant places to migrate to making the tree infestation go on for longer than normal?