Victoria plum - when are they ready?

[zoids]

Hello,
I have a nice victoria plum tree in the garden which has some beautiful looking fruits on them - wonderful purple and green. But they are hard and even the softer ones are still quite tart. It is my first year in the garden and am not sure how sweet victorias get. Do they remain firm or are they only properly ripe when soft? There is a brilliant Delia Smith recipe for plum ketchup so I am not too fussed if they don't get super sweet.
Many thanks

[rustylady]

Are you sure it's a Victoria?? Mine are just ready and they are pinky/yellow. Not tart at all, even baby grandson ate one without flinching.

[Pies]

Normally just after the wasps have started eating them

[FB.]

Normally just after the wasps have started eating them

Very true!

[zoids]

very few wasps in my garden this year, but more prevalent than the poor honey bee.
I was told by the former owner of the house that it's a victoria. I wonder if they will go sweeter, or if it has been too dry/chilly for them to get really juicy. They certainly look a decent size.

[blito]

Victoria plums ae a reddish/pinkish purple colour and should be about ready about now. I have Damsons in my garden - smaller bluey purple fruits and not ready for a few weeks yet - still hard and tart at the moment.