Plum Datil – AB

Description

Datil Plum

The Plum Datil is an old variety from the Lot that almost disappeared but was miraculously saved from oblivion in the 1990s by Evelyne Leterme of the Conservatoire Végétal Régional d’Aquitaine. Only one tree remained in the early 1990s, making this variety a real heritage treasure that has now been brought up to date.

Also known as “Violine” in its modern marketing, this exceptional plum was historically close to the Ente plum and was dried before the development of the “Agen prune” label, which was then reserved exclusively for the Ente plum.

Characteristics of the Datil Plum Tree

🍇 Distinctive fruit: Datil plums are of small size but of exceptional taste quality. Their elongated shape and very dark purple, almost black skin are covered with a fine plum that gives them a characteristic appearance.

🍯 Superior taste qualities: The yellow flesh offers a powerful and balanced taste, very sweet and slightly acidic. It is particularly juicy and fragrant, with exceptional aromatic qualities that surpass many other varieties.

🌳 Vigorous tree: The Datil plum tree has a vigorous, very erect and closed habit, reaching 6 metres in height and 5 metres in width at maturity. Its strong vigour and rapid growth make it a robust and productive tree.

Exceptional strength

The Datil Plum tree is distinguished by its remarkable resistance to diseases and difficult conditions:

• Moniliosis: Very little susceptible to this dreaded plum tree disease
• Healthy foliage: Naturally resistant to pest attacks
• Hardiness: Withstands temperatures down to -20°C
• Spring frosts: Good behaviour against late frosts
• Adaptation: Thrives even in poor and difficult soils

Flowering and pollination

The late flowering at the end of March makes it possible to escape the spring frosts, ensuring reliable fruiting. The white flowers cover the tree abundantly, creating a remarkable spring spectacle.

The Datil Plum tree is partially self-fertile but benefits greatly from cross-pollination. It pollinates particularly well with varieties such as the Reine-Claude d’Althan and the Goutte d’Or plum tree, significantly improving its productivity.

Staggered harvest and storage

The harvest is spread out from mid-August to mid-September, allowing a gradual and prolonged harvest. A remarkable advantage: the fruit remains on the mature tree for a long time without falling, making harvesting much easier.

The core is almost free, making tasting and processing particularly easy. This characteristic, together with its excellent preservation, makes it an ideal plum for all uses.

Exceptional productivity

The Datil Plum tree has remarkable agronomic qualities:

• No work-study program: Regular production year after year (rare characteristic in plum trees)
• Very fertile: Significant and staggered fruiting
• Rapid fruiting: Early production after planting
• High efficiency: Abundant fruit production

Cultivation and maintenance

🌱 Planting: Adapts to all types of soils without excess water and without limescale. Prefers sunny situations but tolerates harsh conditions. Easy to grow and very hardy.

🌿 Recommended rootstocks:

• Myrobolan: The most commonly used rootstock, quite vigorous and tolerates all types of soil
• St. Julien A: Suitable for dry and calcareous soils
• St. Julien INRA II: Perfect for clay soils

💧 Interview: Easy to grow tree requiring little intervention. Its exceptional hardiness and natural resistance to disease greatly simplify its maintenance. Caution: The center of the tree may turn off due to lack of illumination.

Exceptional culinary uses

The Datil Plum tree offers remarkable culinary versatility :

• Fresh consumption: Delicious bitten directly from the tree
• Prunes: Excellent drying ability, makes delicious prunes
• Pastry: Perfect for various pies and desserts
• Canned goods: Jams with an exceptional aromatic richness
• Transformations: Versatile for all culinary preparations

A heritage treasure to be preserved

Choosing the Datil Plum Tree means participating in the preservation of an exceptional fruit heritage . This variety, which almost disappeared, represents centuries of selection and adaptation to the terroirs of the South-West.

The Conservatoire Végétal Régional d’Aquitaine describes the Datil variety as “a variety of great taste quality with great agronomic interest”. This official recognition confirms its exceptional status.

Benefits for the gardener

The Datil Plum tree has many advantages:

• Ease of cultivation: Durable and undemanding
• Reliable production: No alternation, regular harvest
• Taste quality: Exceptional and balanced flavour
• Versatility: Excellent fresh and in processing
• Resistance: Very low susceptibility to disease
• Adaptation: Thrives in all conditions
• Storage: Fruits stay on the tree for a long time

Compatibility with organic farming

The Datil Plum tree is perfectly compatible with organic cultivation. Its natural resistance to pests and diseases, as well as its adaptability to poor and difficult soils, make it an ideal choice for gardeners concerned about environmentally friendly practices.

This variety requires little chemical intervention, which greatly facilitates its cultivation in organic farming while maintaining an exceptional quality production.

For lovers of exceptional fruits and gardeners concerned with preserving biodiversity, the Datil Plum tree represents an incomparable choice combining history, quality and ease of cultivation. A real fruit nugget that deserves its place in all orchards.

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