Gage 'Reine Claude De Bavay' – What Is A Reine Claude De Bavay Plum

With a name like Reine Claude de Bavay gage plum, this fruit sounds like it only graces the table of aristocrats. In Europe though, the Reine Claude de Bavay is the type of plum most frequently seen in supermarkets. The Reine Claude de Bavay tree produces classic, sweet greengage plums and lots of them. Read on for more information on gage plums, especially the gage 'Reine Claude de Bavay.'

About Reine Claude de Bavay Plum

The Reine Claude de Bavay plum was named after the Director of the Vilvoorde Horticultural Station, located near Brussels. It was first cultivated in 1932 and imported to Britain in 1846. Today, the gage 'Reine Claude de Bavay' is a common greengage variety in France as well. Greengage plums are green during most of their life on the tree, and green or yellow-green when ripe. To develop the exceptional sweetness expected on greengage plums, you have to allow them to ripen on the tree in full sun. This is very true of Reine Claude de Bavay gages. Essentially, the more sun that Reine Claude de Bavay trees get, the more delicious the crop.

Growing Reine Claude de Bavay Gages

If you are thinking of growing Reine Claude de Bavay plums, find the sunniest place in the yard to site the trees, both for flavor as well as to increase the size of the crop. It’s also important to grow Reine Claude de Bavay plum trees in rich soil. Take the time to mix in composted manure or other organic compost before you even dig the planting hole. Reine Claude de Bavay gages will not do well unless they are planted in an area with good drainage. They are termed self-fertile but they can also benefit from another species nearby for pollination. One good neighbor would be the plum Rootgrow. Gage 'Reine Claude de Bavay' is a plum tree that flowers in spring and matures in fall. Expect blossoms in April and harvest in September. While the Reine Claude de Bavay tree can tolerate cold winters, it does better in temperate climates. The warmer and sunnier the growing season, the more delicious the Reine Claude de Bavay plums will be.