Renekloden: varieties, cutting & harvest

Renekloden, also called Reineclauden, are a special fruit in warm areas. Above all, they convince with their versatile uses.

Around 1900 41% of all German fruit trees belonged to the species of plums and plums. This also included Renekloden (Prunus domestica ssp. italica), which in the 16th Came to Germany from France in the 19th century. In the meantime, the proportion of plums has decreased significantly. Nevertheless, growing reindeer pods is particularly worthwhile in the home garden, as the fruits taste best fresh. In the following you can get a good overview of the cultivation of the noble plum. In addition, you will find helpful tips on types of reefs as well as on processing and cutting reefs.

Renekloden: origin and characteristics

The Reneklode has over 100 different names, including noble plum, in Bavarian ringlo, sugar plum or ringelotte. One of the many synonyms also indicates the origin of the plum subspecies, because the Reneklode came in the 16th century. Century from France to Germany. The name Reineclaude goes back to the French Queen Klaudia ("Reine Claude"), wife of King Francis I. She probably originally came to France from the Near East.
Renekloden belong to the species of European plums (Prunus domestica), which in turn belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). Plums are genetically very diverse, which is why further breakdown is difficult and controversial. Renekloden become a subspecies of round plums (italica) counted. Within the first years of growth, they usually develop into small trees that can reach heights of 4 to 8 m and only show their white flowers in late spring. Growth and height also depend heavily on the substrate used, i.e. on which plant serves as the refinement base for the Reneklode.

The spherical fruits of the Reneklode are about 3 to 5 cm tall and can be harvested from the end of August. Often they appear immature at first, because even when ripe they are usually green to yellow-green and only sometimes sprinkled red. The whitish pulp tastes pleasantly sweet and fruity, but cannot always be easily removed from the stone.

Tip: Often the fruits of the Renekloden are coated with a whitish, shimmering layer of wax. This so-called scenting protects the Renekloden from drying out and injuries. In order not to destroy the protective layer, it is advisable to wash the Renekloden shortly before consumption.

What is the difference between Mirabelle and Renekloden? At first glance, the two plum subspecies could be confused as both are mostly yellow-green and round. However, reefs are usually larger and their flesh adheres more strongly to the core. Renekloden and mirabelle plums can also be distinguished by the stone shape. With mirabelle plums, the stones are usually narrower and elongated oval, whereas with reindeer they are wide and almost rounded.

The tastiest Renekloden varieties

We would like to introduce you to three of the most widespread varieties of Renekloden that have long proven themselves in cultivation. These are also those varieties that are mainly found in stores. Since plums easily cross themselves and are distributed almost all over the world, there are a large number of other Renekloden varieties.

• Big Green Reneklode (Prunus domestica ‘Big green Reneklode’): One of the oldest varieties, probably from southern Europe and spread across Europe since around 1670. The ‘Big Green Reneklode’ is not self-fertilizing. This means that another plum tree (but not necessarily a Reneklode) should be in the vicinity.
• Count Althans Reneklode(Prunus domestica ‘Graf Althans Reneklode’): It was attracted to Bohemia around 1850 and is now also widespread across Europe. The ‘Graf Althans Reneklode’ is one of the robust, well frost-hardy and old Reneklode varieties, but is also not self-pollinating. The ‘Graf Althans Reneklode’ are characterized by the violet tinged fruits when ripe. The pulp can be easily removed from the stone.
• Oullins Reneklode (Prunus domestica ‘Oullins Reneklode’): This renekloden variety is named after its French place of origin, Oullins near Lyon, where it was found in the early 19th century. Century was bred. The variety is self-pollinating, has high but not always regular yields and is tolerant of the Sharka virus, which is why it is very popular in cultivation.

Planting the reindeer tree: location and procedure

As with most trees, the optimal time to plant reenklodes is in autumn. Since Renekloden probably originally come from the region around the Middle East, they prefer a warm, sunny and sheltered location. They like it a little warmer than the plums that are typical for us. However, since there are big differences in the frost tolerance of the Renekloden varieties, you can also dare to grow in slightly colder regions. In this case, it is best to obtain trees from a tree nursery in your area. This is where you are most likely to find varieties of Renekloden that are adapted to the climate in which you live.
In addition, reindeer enjoy well-drained, nutrient-rich soils and a constant water supply.

The further procedure for planting Renekloden corresponds to that of all plum species and is more detailed in our article Plant plum tree described.

Tip: If you want to plant a self-sterile Reneklode, you must make sure when choosing a location that a suitable pollinator variety grows in the vicinity. Because stone fruit has a strong self-incompatibility, so it can hardly fertilize itself.

Care of Renekloden: cutting, pouring and Co.

Like all plum trees, reneclodes should be pruned annually if possible - either in winter or in summer. A winter pruning promotes growth and new shoots, whereas a summer pruning is usually more tolerable for the tree and results in fewer new shoots. Annual pruning avoids having to remove thick, strong branches after a few years, which leaves large wounds and severely weakens the tree. The aim of the cut is an airy crown with well distributed, strong leading branches. The best way to do that is to go to the Cut the plum tree described before. It is important to know that reenclods attach their fruits to the side buds of annual short and long shoots - you should therefore avoid cutting them off completely.

A constant water supply is important for good growth, which is why the increasing periods of drought may require additional watering. Especially with young trees whose root system is not yet fully developed, the soil should be avoided from drying out.

Fertilizing the reindeer is not absolutely necessary, but can be done once a year in spring to prevent deficiency symptoms. Suitable fertilizers are those that provide the reindeer tree with the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For example, organic long-term fertilizers like ours are primarily available Plantura organic universal fertilizer or compost. Our organic universal fertilizer completely dispenses with animal ingredients and uses recycled raw materials from the food and luxury food industry, which makes it particularly sustainable.

Common Renekloden diseases

• Sharka disease: Some varieties of reneclode are susceptible to virus-borne Sharka disease. It leads to the fact that the fruits of the Renekloden brown, cripple and fall off even before the harvest. Sharp cat-tolerant varieties are, for example, the ‘Oullins Reneklode’ or the ‘Graf Althans Reneklode’.
• Monilia: The disease Monilia is triggered by fungal pathogens that penetrate the pulp through injuries and cause it to rot. Surrounding fruits are usually also infected and after a few weeks form very noticeable, gray spore beds on their surface. As a result, the fruits shrivel up and mostly stick to the trees as fruit mummies.
• Common pests: Some pests can also target Renekloden. These include, for example, wasps that eat the ripe fruit, Aphids or plum curlers.

Multiplication

Renekloden are best propagated through processing.
A branch of the selected Reneklode, the so-called noble rice, is placed on a base so that the two grow together. Possible finishing methods at PrunusSpecies are the budding in summer, hand finishing in winter and copulation or goat's foot plug in spring. Since propagation via grafting is somewhat more complex, the article Refine apple tree discussed several possibilities in more detail. In plum species, however, graft wounds do not grow together, which is why this method, which is often used with apples, is less suitable for Renekloden.

Tip: In principle, Renekloden can also be propagated from seeds. However, since most varieties are self-sterile and need pollen from another plum tree for fertilization, a plant raised from seeds always contains foreign genetic material. Therefore, the properties of such a new Reneklodenbaum cannot be predicted. In addition, it takes a few years before the new tree sets the first fruits.

Harvesting Renekloden: timing and procedure

Depending on the variety, reindeer can be harvested between August and September. The right time to harvest Renekloden can be recognized by the fact that the shell has reached its varietal color and is shiny. Most Renekloden varieties stay green, however, which can make it a little more difficult to recognize the harvest time. At the latest, however, when you bite into one of the fruits, you will recognize whether you can start harvesting by the still sour or already sweet and pleasant taste. Since most types of Renekloden can only be stored and transported to a limited extent, you should be careful when harvesting. Harvesting by hand with a ladder is the most gentle. However, the fruits are only used and should be used to make compote or Reneklodenmalade processed directly, you can also spread a tarpaulin under the tree and take the fruit shake off.

Process Renekloden and make it durable

There are a variety of recipes for Renekloden and countless ways to use Renekloden. With their sweet, juicy and spicy pulp, they are ideal for making Reneklodenmarmelade, Renekloden cake or Renekloden compote. Renekloden can also be used to make schnapps and liqueurs.

How healthy are reenclods? Renekloden not only taste good, they are also very healthy. Reefs are small vitamin bombs, have a high fiber content and contain many minerals, especially iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition, reefs only have 63 calories per 100 g.

If you haven't had enough of plums, you can consider Mirabelle plums to bring into your garden. Mirabelle plums look like little sisters of the red clod and some varieties are also suitable as a fertilization tree for red clod varieties.