Fruit of the 'Cacak Fruitful', a promising cultivar introduced from Yugoslavia. Fruit of most prune cultivars mature in mid-late February in Hawkes Bay, late February to early March in Central Otago. This article reports on the characteristics and performance of 21 prune cultivars and prospects for developing the fruit as a new crop in New Zealand. Trial plantings of 2 or 4 trees per cultivar were established at HortResearch Orchards at Havelock North, Riwaka, and Clyde. Few of these plantings remain, although a repository of the best cultivars has been established al the Clyde Research Orchard.
Trees are hardy and resistant to most bacterial diseases that infect Japanese plums.
Prune trees in the trials were vigorous, sturdy, and did not require support structures. They flowered about one month after most Japanese plum cultivars, thereby avoiding severe spring frosts. Fruit of some cultivars was prone to crack, particularly following rain close to harvest. Cracking led lo problems with wasps and birds. Dry, settled weather over the harvest period is required for the production of top-quality prunes.