I have a nice crop of Santa Rosa plums due to the rare cold snap last
winter in Southern Calif. Should i allow them to ripen on the tree or
pick them and let them sweeten up in the house?They are a good size
and firm with full color, but still sour. Also, what is the white
powder on the skin? I think it's a normal thing. It's not mildew. It
sort of looks like a protective cover to refelect the sunlight so the
skin doesn't burn. Not sure. Anyone know? Thanks.

" writes:
and firm with full color, but still sour. Also, what is the white
powder on the skin? I think it's a normal thing. It's not mildew. It

All plums get that dusty bloom on their skin, as do grapes. I think
it's a fungus that lives on the sugar that gets through the skin from
within the ripening fruit. Quite harmless. I think it's called must,
though my Macquarie Dict will have none of it! Nor does it mention
elephants ...
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

In article ,
John Savage wrote:

" writes:
and firm with full color, but still sour. Also, what is the white
powder on the skin? I think it's a normal thing. It's not mildew. It

All plums get that dusty bloom on their skin, as do grapes. I think
it's a fungus that lives on the sugar that gets through the skin from
Waxy substance on grapes will collect yeast from the soil over time. If
the skins of the pressed red grapes are return to the field every year,
the wine yeasts will become the dominate yeasts.
within the ripening fruit. Quite harmless. I think it's called must,
Must is the skin, juice, and seeds of the crushed grapes along with any
critters that didn't move fast enough.
though my Macquarie Dict will have none of it! Nor does it mention
elephants ...
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)
--
Billy
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/

On Jul 7, 10:44 pm, John Savage wrote:
" writes:
and firm with full color, but still sour. Also, what is the white
powder on the skin? I think it's a normal thing. It's not mildew. It

All plums get that dusty bloom on their skin, as do grapes. I think
it's a fungus that lives on the sugar that gets through the skin from
within the ripening fruit. Quite harmless. I think it's called must,
though my Macquarie Dict will have none of it! Nor does it mention
elephants ...
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to read up on must. Cherers, Bob.

On Jul 7, 10:44 pm, John Savage wrote:
" writes:
and firm with full color, but still sour. Also, what is the white
powder on the skin? I think it's a normal thing. It's not mildew. It

All plums get that dusty bloom on their skin, as do grapes. I think
it's a fungus that lives on the sugar that gets through the skin from
within the ripening fruit. Quite harmless. I think it's called must,
though my Macquarie Dict will have none of it! Nor does it mention
elephants ...
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

I did a search. It is called plum bloom and it is a protective coating
that prevents the fruit from drying out,