How large is the cultivation range of the Zuili plum? An introduction to the distribution of its main producing areas

The Zuili plum has large fruit and bright fruit color, and is also known as the drunk plum. It has always ranked first among the “top ten famous plums” and is the finest of the finest fruits. What is the cultivation range of the Zuili plum?

1. The cultivation range of the Zuili plum

The cultivation area of the Zuili plum is mainly concentrated in Zhejiang Province, among which Tongxiang County is the main producing area, and parts of the Jiaxing suburbs, Haining, Haiyan and other places also have some plantings.

2. An introduction to the Zuili plum

1. The Zuili plum is a famous specialty of Tongxiang. Its fruit is large, its skin is deep red, it is extraordinarily fragrant, sweet and delicious, and it ranks first among all plums. In ancient times it was a treasured “tribute” fruit presented to emperors, and it has long been renowned throughout the world.

2. The Zuili plum looks rather large, apple-shaped and oblate, with bright skin color; its base color is yellow-green, with dark red coloring and densely covered spots of varying size in yellow-brown. The surface is smooth, and the thin skin has white fruit coloring, bright and eye-catching. At the slightly sunken point at the top of the fruit, there is often a claw-like mark resembling a fingernail pinch; it is said that this is the imprint left by the beauty Xi Shi.

3. The term Zuili first appears in the Spring and Autumn Annals. In the tenth year of King Jing of Zhou (510 BC), King Helu of Wu “defeated the Yue army at Zuili and returned after great plundering.” Here Zuili is a place name. Yet the place was named after the fruit, which shows that the cultivation history of the Zuili plum already spans more than 2,500 years.

4. Although the cultivation history of the Zuili plum is long, its cultivation area is not extensive and its output is not large either. Tongxiang is its main producing area. The Jiaxing suburbs, Haining, Haiyan and other places also have plantings. The only large-scale production orchard established is in Taoyuan Village in Baitao, Tongxiang City. According to investigations by relevant departments, in Taoyuan Village in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the Zuili plum cultivation area was quite large, covering about 200 mu, with an annual output of about 300 to 400 dan. After the War of Resistance Against Japan began, Zuili plum production declined continuously, and by the eve of liberation, not many Zuili plums remained. Although there was some recovery after liberation, due to the frequent changes in the rural system and various other reasons, the development of Zuili plum trees was not fast. Later, with the arrival of reform and opening up, Zuili plum cultivation received attention. Through experiments, agricultural technicians summarized and promoted advanced cultivation techniques, giving this traditional famous fruit a new lease on life, and it was once rated as a high-quality plum variety in the province.

The Zuili plum generally ripens in mid-July, so friends who like it should not miss it.