It’s March 11 & the first buds on the Greengage I purchased from Home Depot are already opening (2nd leaf). Same time as the Santa Rosa plum in my garden (also bought from Home Depot).
Is it normal for Greengage to bloom this early here? The greengage is putting out flower & leaf buds at the same time while the Santa Rosa (2nd leaf) seems to be starting out with just the flowers.
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It might be your microclimate? My Green Gage hasn’t bloomed yet and I’m in Portland.
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Thanks! Are the buds on your greengage looking plump & ready to open?
I only have 2 open so far but am wondering if they sent me a different plum/fruit tree. The flowers do look like plum flowers though.
No. Claudian plum trees (Reina Claudia Verde and others…), in general, are very cautious to bloom and wait for the temperature and season to be well advanced.
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I would expect Green Gage to bloom later than Japanese plums. I’ve also seen fruits called Green Gage that are not a European plum.
Seems right that you are suspicious.
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Here in southern middle TN… my AU Rosa is near full bloom. My Shiro and AU Producer are just starting to open a few blossoms.
My Eu plum Mount Royal has done nothing yet. Still quite dormant looking.
My jplums all bloomed about a week later this year than the previous two years. A properly timed cold spell seems to have made them bloom later.
TNHunter
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I’m seriously doubting it is a Green Gage… the Euros never bloom that early for me. That plus Home Depot purchase where mislabeled trees are super common. Look at the bark on the wood and you should be able to tell if it’s a Euro or not. The Euro bark is uniform brown and the Asian bark is lighter color and more speckled, more like an apricot.
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I’ve been gone a few days but on 3/9 there were the tiniest signs of green foliage forming but I wouldn’t say buds were swelling.
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Thank you! I’ll check.
Thank you! That’s what my other European plums look like…
Now I have to figure out what it is! Whatever it is, it had better taste good haha
Thanks!
Im in seattle too. mine is still dormant.
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If it’s a new tree that was shipped from a different climate that could affect bloom date. I won’t read too much into the bloom date of a new tree.
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I interpreted the 2nd leaf comment to mean that the tree was planted over a year ago. But not certain.
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Definitely not a greengage then! Thanks
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That is correct. It was planted a little less than 2 years ago.
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No, this is it’s 2nd leaf in my garden. I think it migh be an Asian plum variety from the way it’s blooming. Hopefully something that tastes good. I have other gages, just not a greengage so it’s a disappointment. I’ll get over it 
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Do any grafting?I have some Green Gage scions.
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That is so kind!! I have occasionally succeeded at air layering but have always flunked at grafting. I would have taken you up on the offer but don’t own a car, I’m afraid. Thank you though
