Early Transparent is one of a sub-group of Reine Claude plums (gages) which are "diaphanous" or transparent (Reine Claude Diaphane). The skin is thin and if the fruit is held up to the light it is sometimes possible to see the flesh and stone inside.
Early Transparent makes a good choice if you want to grow a gage which is not as fussy as the Old Green Gage. Cropping is heavy by gage standards (although still light compared with many plums) and it is reasonably reliable. It has the rich sweet gage-like flavour and aroma of a genuine gage, but it is also an excellent culinary variety producing a well-flavoured straw-coloured jam.
Early Transparent gage identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Early 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
- 10 Oct 2017 N IRELAND, United KingdomThis is by far the best plum or gage I have ever tasted. It is very sweet, but has a depth of flavour which surpasses everything else. My wife, who for years has maintained that Victoria plum was her favourite, changed he mind as soon as she tasted her first Early Transparent Gage. She now thinks that by comparison, Victoria is bland and tasteless. This is definitely one for eating. It would be a waste to use it for cooking or jam making.
- 24 Aug 2015 BUCKS, United KingdomLovely sweet Gage/Plum, our tree bears well but is a little variable in cropping. Lighter flavor than Victoria more Green Gage like. Wasps love them presumably due to thin skins, also experience quite a lot of brown rot which you have to watch out for especially in the bunches. I would recommend this Gage.
- 06 Jul 2012 ALBENGA, ItalyI love this plum.It's really exquisite !!! All My Best. Andrea Cappi.(cappi.andrea@libero.it) Location : Albenga(SV),Italy.
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Andrew Auld in Matlock, DERBYSHIRE
- Dmnc in CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX
- Gary Christie in Donaghcloney, NORTHERN IRELAND
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- John Halliday in Congleton, CHESHIRE
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
- Sion Dafydd in Ynys Mon, NORTH WALES
- stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Su in ROTHBURY, ENGLAND
Spring blossom records for this variety
2017 season
- April 2017 - tree owned by John in Congleton, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 21st April 2012 - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Transparent Gage
- Originates from: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 19th century
- Developed by: Rivers of Sawbridgeworth
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Fruit colour: Orange flush
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Cooking result: Puree
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Dual purpose
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Brown rot: Some susceptibility
- Fruit splitting: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Early Transparent gage trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Early Transparent Gage gage trees
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.
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon