Golden Transparent Gage Info – Growing A Golden Transparent Gage At Home

If you are a fan of the group of plums called "gages," you will love Golden Transparent gage plums. Their classic "gage" flavor is enhanced with almost candy-like sweetness. Golden Transparent gage trees prefer warmer conditions than European plums and produce smaller but very flavorful fruit whose flavors come out in hot temperatures.

Golden Transparent Gage Info

Transparent or diaphanous gages are a subset of gages that have almost see through skin. If you hold the fruit to the light, the stone can be seen inside. They are considered to have a more refined "plum" flavor. Golden Transparent gage info indicates the variety was named for Sir William Gage, who popularized the gages in the 1800s. Some tips on growing a Golden Transparent gage can see you enjoying these delicious fruits in just a few years. Golden Transparent gage trees were developed in the U.K. by Thomas Rivers. They grow on the rootstock Mariana, which is a semi-dwarf tree that grows 12 to 16 feet (4-5 m.) in height. The tree bursts into flower just as the leaves are beginning to show. They make excellent espalier specimens with their creamy white flower display and fine leaves. The real standout is the small delicate golden fruit decorated with red flecks. Golden Transparent gage plums have a candied apricot flavor with subtle vanilla accents and are hardy to USDA zone 4.

Growing a Golden Transparent Gage

These plum trees prefer at least half a day of fun sun in well-drained, fertile soil. Loosen soil deeply prior to planting your new tree. Soak bareroot trees in water for 24 hours before planting. Dig the hole twice as deep and wide as the roots. For bareroot trees, make a pyramid of soil at the base of the hole, around which you can arrange the roots. Backfill completely and water the soil in well. This is a semi-self-fertile variety, but more fruits will develop with a pollinating partner nearby. Expect fruit two to three years after planting in August.

Golden Transparent Tree Care

Plum trees need training early after installation. Never prune plums in winter, as this is when spores of silver leaf disease can enter from rain and water splash. It is a deadly and incurable disease. Remove most of the vertical branches and shorten the side branches. Train the tree over several years to a strong central trunk and open center. Remove dead or diseased stems at any time. Plums may need to be tip pruned once they bear to reduce the load of fruit on the ends of stems. This will allow fruit to develop fully and reduce disease and pest incidences. One disease to watch for is bacterial canker, which produces amber colored syrup from lesions in the stems. Apply lime sulfur or copper spray in fall and early spring to combat this disease.