Persian Sour Plum ‘Tabriz’ – Goje Sabz Tree

Our authentic Persian Plum tree from Tabriz, Iran produces a very popular sour green plum that is picked when the fruits are small and green. They are very delicious and eaten while sour and crunchy, often seasoned with salt. The fruit can be left on the tree to ripen to a tiny, soft, sweet, and juicy fruits.

Not compatible with your zone (2a)

General Plant Information

Persian Plum Tree – Sour Goje Sabz (Tabriz)

In Iran, the arrival of Spring is celebrated extensively as the Persian new year coincides with the Spring Equinox, and the Persian plum tree. As Spring progresses, blossoms gradually turn into fruit. One of the highlights of Spring fruit is the arrival of Persian Plums from Tabriz. This variety of plums is picked when they are still green. They are indeed extremely popular amongst Iranian children and adults alike. The perfect Persian Plum is green, crunchy when bitten into, yet juicy with a very pleasant tart flavor. It’s pretty much impossible to not get hooked after the first one.

This variety of plum is well known in the Middle East. The tree itself is relatively small and thrives in locations with cooler Winter temperatures while the tree is dormant. The fruit at the time of harvest is green, round and small. If not harvested during its green stage, the plums eventually turn into a deep golden color. At this point, these small plums turn soft, juicy, and sweet. The variety of Persian Plum trees sold at Paradise Nursery is from the northern Iranian city of Tabriz.

Uses and In Cuisine

The Persian Plum from Tabriz is delicious when eaten raw with a sprinkle of salt. Additionally, Persian Plums are also used in Persian cuisine to enhance some dishes’ flavor with their pleasant tart taste. A popular dish that tastes best when cooked with Sour Plums is Koofteh Tabrizi, a large round stuffed meat loaf simmered in beef broth with a handful of green plums added to it. Additionally, cooking the green plums with cubes of lamb, parsley, and mint makes for a delicious Khoresh, Persian stew, which is then served over Persian rice.

Well known in Middle Eastern cultures, the Persian Plum is a very popular Iranian fruit tree that can be picked while green. The taste is tart and it is well paired when eaten raw with a sprinkle of salt. The fruit is small and round with a crunchy texture and juicy delicious flavor. The fruit can be left on the tree to fully ripen into small, soft, sweet and juicy deep golden color plums. Iranian green plums are relatively small deciduous trees and thrive in areas with cooler temperatures during Winter dormancy months. The variety of Sour Plum tree sold at Paradise Nursery is from the city of Tabriz.

Mature Size and Form

Plant most fruit trees about 10 – 15 feet apart. Some varieties like Figs, Pomegranates, and Mulberries can grow larger quickly.

Planning is the most important step when planting a tree. Plant your tree where it has enough space to grow to its full potential. Otherwise, your tree will grow into your surrounding trees. A tree that can grow taller with faster growth will overshadow nearby trees. You may need to move other trees to allow for the one that is thriving rather than cutting back one that naturally grows fast and tall.

Additional Information

Harvest Time : Summer
Bloom Color : White
Sun Exposure : Full Sun
Bloom Time : Spring
USDA Hardiness Zones : 6-10
Watering : Regular
Plant Type: Deciduous
Chill Hours: Less than 400 hours below 45°F
Pollination: Self-Fruitful / Self Pollinating

Planting Information

Step One:

Soil and Planting: Plant in soil that drains well. Dig a hole that is as deep as the tree’s roots and at least twice as wide.

Step Two:

Place the tree in the hole and backfill around the plant’s roots with a mixture of the native soil and high-quality planting mix that has washed sand and organic fertilizer.

Step Three:

Create a basin around the roots drip zone so that water collects. Water deeply until the roots and nearby soil is saturated and reaches field capacity.

Plant Care Information

How To Water - Frequency and Duration to Irrigate

Irrigation Water Quantity and frequency based on tree maturity – Fully saturate the soil with water once per week during the early spring. Increase to twice per week as the weather warms. Water 3 times per week or more during hot summers. Provide about 5 gallons of water for a 5 gallons size plant, 15 gallons of water for a #15 size container plant, and 25 gallons for a #25 depending on soil type. Sandy soils can hold less water required more frequently, while clay soils can hold more water and require less frequent irrigation. Young trees with less developed roots require water more frequently while mature plants with developed roots will require less frequent watering.

Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition

Fertilize your tree every 3-4 months. Use a complete balance fertilizer with a 1-1-1 or 2-1-1 NPK ratio during the Spring and Summer growing season, and a formula with more phosphorus and potassium before the tree flowers to improve fruit production and development.

Winter Pruning and Summer Thinning

Prune your tree to allow light into its center for proper growth and fruit production.

Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excessive fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.

Harvesting and Pest Management

The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use an organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.

Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Deciduous trees need about 5 hours of direct sunlight for proper growth and fruit production.

Sunlight Sensitive plants like Cherries, Persimmons, and Plums can burn in hot climates if they lack water. Use afternoon shade to prevent this damage. A lack of light will stunt growth; balance is key.

Limited Guarantee and Returns

Our plants are guaranteed to be true-to-name as labeled and in good condition when received. “Local pickup” means the customer will pick up at our nursery. “Delivery” does NOT include planting, and customer must arrange to receive items once offloaded from our truck. Our driver may move items as a courtesy, but is not responsible for moving items further onto your property. Returns/Refunds are subject to a 10% restocking fee.

Compatibility

The two factors that determine if a deciduous fruit trees will grow well and produce fruit in a certain area are the Chill Hour Requirement and the Cold Hardiness. “Chill hours” are the amount of cold a deciduous fruit tree need to produce fruit. This is measured in the number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit a plant must experience during its winter dormancy. Paradise Nursery only grows Low Chill fruit trees that meet the chill requirements of all areas of the United States.

The second factor is Cold Hardiness. Cold Hardiness refers to the minimum temperature a plant can tolerate. The USDA’s Cold Hardiness Zones indicate the average minimum winter temperatures of areas. Based on the shipping zipcode, our website will only allow you to add plants to your cart that grow within your USDA Hardiness Zone, and tolerate your climate.

Pollination & Propagation

(Grafting/Cutting) Most of Paradise Nursery’s edible plants are self-fruitful. Self-pollinating trees do not require an additional tree to produce fruit. For your convenience, we have indicated which trees require a pollinator, and their associated pollinators. Only the sweet cherries, avocados, and some plums require a pollinator. All of our other propagated edible plants do not require a pollinator. All of our edible plants are either grown from cuttings, budded, or grafted. This way, we can ensure that our plants are high quality and fruit immediately. Plants will generally begin fruiting within a year of planting.

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