The fact that the plum appeared in the gardens of man long before our era is a well-known fact. Bulk and aromatic fruits like if not everyone, then many. They can be eaten fresh, dried, cooked in them compotes and preserves, jams and even sauces. It is doubly lucky for those who have their own garden, because growing a plum will not take you much time. Moreover, many varieties and hybrids are now bred even for cold regions.
What are the types
Breeders work continuously, and as a result, almost every year we get new, more improved varieties. Of course, it is possible to list them in one article, but the list will turn out to be quite long. Now about three hundred varieties are actively cultivated. Plum planting in the Urals, Siberia or in the middle zone of Russia has the same algorithm, but the main question is to choose the cultivar most suitable for the area. All varieties are conditionally grouped according to various indicators. We will dwell on this classification in more detail.
- Egg plum. The appearance can be judged by the name. Quite large fruits have a smooth oval shape, without a characteristic longitudinal recess. The names of varieties are distinguished depending on the color: blue, red, yellow. Suitable for fresh consumption and canning.
- Plum variety Hungarian. Not many people know that a whole group of cultivars is united under this name. All are characterized by a dark coloration of fruits with a dense pulp and a distinct abdominal suture. Trees grow quite tall with a semi-spreading crown. At the very beginning is the Italian plum variety Vengerka. Its large fruits have an ovoid shape, a dark blue color with a slight plaque and large subcutaneous points. The pulp is not very fragrant yellow-green. Due to its good transportability, the variety is known almost all over the world. In addition, it is worth noting the ordinary Hungarian (home), Azhansky, Moscow, winter roads, Wanheim and others.
- Greengage (on the first photo). This is a subspecies of home plum. The trees are quite large, up to 7 meters in height, have irregular crown shapes. Fruits are spherical or ovoid, not very large (in diameter up to 5 cm). Color depends on the variety: greenish, red-yellow or with blue. The pulp of the fruit is sweet, dense and very juicy. Such plums are poorly stored and transported, so it is better to collect them in a slightly immature form. The most famous varieties: the greenhouse of Karbyshev, Altana, Kolkhoz, etc.
- Mirabelle varieties group. The fruits are small, golden in color and rounded; the sides on the sunny side often have a crimson blush. The homeland of the variety is Asia Minor, but now it is very common in Europe, especially in France. It is possible to plant a plum in the spring in the suburbs or in the middle lane, where it will also feel good. Varieties: Large, Small, Bona, Nancy, September.
- Stubborn. A small shrub or tree. This is another subspecies of home plum. It has high endurance in relation to adverse environmental conditions and variability. Unpretentious and easy to care for, quickly forms real thickets.
- Canadian plum. An amazing group of varieties, differing in the number of chromosomes from their European relatives (16 and 48, respectively). Very winter-hardy species withstand severe frosts up to 45-50 ° C, therefore, plum can be planted in Siberia. There is one drawback - it is cross-pollinated trees, you need to plant several plants at once. The size and palatability of the fruit range from high to mediocre. Productivity is high, up to 70 kg from one tree. Popular varieties: De Soto, Terry, Tecumsech, Nansa.
Seat selection
The most optimal and favorable option is gentle slopes from the south, southwest and west. Planting plum seedlings is recommended on the most heated places, soils with good aeration. If you choose a place in a lowland or near a fence, then you need to make sure that the trees still grow on some artificial mound. Their height should be in the range of 40-50 cm, and the width of the base should be 1.8-2 meters.
Plum prefers gray forest, loamy and chernozem soils. Moisture and breathability should be good. If you plan to plant several trees, then take into account the characteristics of the variety (height, sprawl of the crown, etc.). The approximate scheme is 4 by 2 meters.
Planting plums: spring or fall?
Opinions on this subject vary. Some gardeners strictly for the first option, and the second allow planting at any time. In principle, there is no binding rule, but only recommendations. You can buy seedlings in autumn, it all depends on the region, but planting plums in the spring is desirable. In the suburbs and southern regions, seedlings will have time to take root before winter and grow stronger, but in the Urals or Siberia it is difficult to do this, so most often young plants freeze out. Only waste your time, money and effort. The most suitable month is April, but you should focus on the soil (so that it finally thaws and warms up). So, in Siberia - this is the third decade.
Landing pit preparation
Preparation begins in the fall or early spring a couple of weeks before the intended planting. The pit should be approximately 60 cm deep and 60-70 cm in diameter. The soil from it must be removed and mixed with good humus in a ratio of 2: 1. You can add a small amount of mineral complex fertilizers. Then fill the entire soil mixture back. Planting plums in the spring involves repeated shallow digging, as soon as the earth dries, to a depth of 1.5 bayonet shovels. Be sure to cook a wooden peg. The first couple of years, the seedling needs to be tied up so that the roots are well strengthened.
What you should pay attention to
First, planting plums in spring or autumn should be done correctly. The root neck of the seedling should be placed 5-7 cm above the soil surface. Gradually, the soil will settle, and it will be where it is needed. In-depth planting is harmful, as it may entail barking of the bark, and this ultimately will adversely affect the growth and fruiting of the tree.
Secondly, be careful with fertilizers - it is better to put less than overdo it. Do not use manure, only humus and compost. With their excess, at best, stimulate the growth of new branches in the spring, at worst - get a root burn.
Watering
Planting plums in spring and autumn involves subsequent heavy watering - two buckets for each seedling. Then the soil needs to be mulched. Plum refers to moisture-loving trees, so in an arid summer, additional watering will be required (3-4 times per season). The very first is carried out in mid-May, then after flowering, when the intensive development of the fruits begins , the third before they begin to pour (July), and the fourth in the fall, in early October. Irrigation rate directly depends on the age of the trees - from 3 to 8 buckets of water. After that, do not forget to loosen the soil slightly, but only to a shallow depth (5-7 cm), so as not to damage the roots.
Fertilizer fertilizer
Plum cultivation on the site involves periodic top dressing of the tree. The first time fertilizers are applied in the third year after planting. It is recommended to use organic components - humus or compost (up to 7 kg), wood ash (up to 200 g) per square meter with a shallow digging of the roundabout. In the period of the most active vegetation, mineral complex fertilizers are applied. In early spring, this stimulates the growth of new shoots, leaves and peduncles, and at the very beginning of summer it helps the laying of flower buds and the development of fruits. Nitrogen fertilizers are best applied in liquid form, but phosphorus and potash fertilizers , which do not dissolve well, are best added to the soil in the fall. Lime fluff (per 1 square meter 50-100 g) will also be useful.
Prune home plum
In addition to watering and fertilizing fertilizers, draining requires periodic pruning and the formation of the correct crown. It is best to do this in the spring, when sap flow has not yet begun. In this case, the air temperature should be kept at approximately the same level without sharp fluctuations (up to -10 ° C). If you choose summer, then let it be its first half so that the wounds can heal before winter. Pruning before winter, when the onset of cold weather is close, is not recommended.
The formation of the tree should begin at the seedling stage, when the plum tree is planted in the spring, as young specimens quickly enough develop and grow. This will help create a good, correct crown. Old and mature trees are pruned to rejuvenate, they are thinned out, broken, diseased, dried up and rubbing against each other branches are removed. If the plum variety is fast-growing and gives an increase of more than 70 cm, then such shoots must be shortened by 1/3 of the length. At first glance, everything seems too complicated, so we advise novice gardeners to turn to specialists, read literature, watch master classes and only then, armed with a pruner, refine their trees.
Root shoot removal
This is another important nuance when growing plums on the site. It is worth saying right away that you should not spare the useless and interfering shoots coming from the roots. No matter how good, strong and even the shoots are, they must be removed. They weaken the tree, reduce productivity. The shoot coming from the root is a signal of problems, which means that the trunk or roots of the plum are damaged. There are several ways to get rid of it, including chemical treatment. We recommend the traditional option - pruning pruners. The main nuance is that it does not need to be cut off at the soil level, as this will provoke even greater growth. Dig up the shoots to their root system and only then remove them with a sharp tool. The pits should then be covered with earth.
Plum, care and cultivation of which is not difficult, but requires only a little time, will become one of the most favorite trees in the garden. She will delight you with fragrant fruits from year to year.