The red-leaved cherry plum under the name "Pissardi" - plum, named after the botanist who first brought it from Iran to Europe, was widely used in the southern regions.
Description
An adult plant has a very spreading, dense crown and can reach a height of 5 to 7 meters. The serrated simple leaves of an elliptical shape are distinguished by a reddish-brown hue, which lasts until the fall.
The flowers are usually light pink or white, appear before the leaves. Gradually they acquire a darker, almost red color. The flower has a bright raspberry bottom, stamens, and it is located on a thin pink peduncle. The diameter is 1.5–2.5 cm.
Pissardi is a plum known for its abundant fruiting. The sweet and sour red fruits ripen by the end of August and remain on the tree until October. They are large (up to 3 cm) juicy drupes of dark red color.
Growing conditions
Under natural wild conditions, plumage-spread Pissardi grows mainly in West Asia and the North Caucasus. Prefers open areas that are well lit by the sun. Life expectancy may be 100 years or more.
It can grow in arid areas if the plant is provided with the necessary watering. Pissardi is a plum that does not differ in winter hardiness. Sometimes when planting it in regions where the winters are too cold for these plants, freezing of young trees can be observed.
Landing and care
First of all, it is necessary to choose a place suitable for this culture. The site should be sunny, not blown by winds. Even slight shading can result in crop loss. If groundwater is too close, drainage will be required.
Planting is done in the same way as any other garden trees. It ends with good watering (at least 2 buckets of water) and mulching. Pissardi is a plum that, like any other, is very poorly tolerated by a lack of moisture. Every 2 weeks, in the absence of rain, 4 to 6 buckets of water should be poured under the tree.
Top dressing in the first year after planting is not required. Later in the fall, humus is added to the soil at the rate of half a bucket per 1 m². In spring, you can use potash fertilizers or sodium humate. During the ripening period of the fruits, an additional top dressing with urea solution or "Effekton" is carried out to increase the yield.
Pissardi plum is a thermophilic crop. Therefore, to protect against freezing during the winter, the base of the trunk is covered with peat, straw or fallen leaves. You can sprinkle it additionally with snow, which can also save from the cold and moisten the soil in the spring.
Plum propagates in a vegetative way - layering, cuttings, budding or inoculation.
Various forms
- Pissardi plum dark purple grows up to 6 meters and has excellent decorative properties during both flowering and fruiting. Glossy shiny leaves 7 cm in size have a rich red color in the lower part. Pink flowers have a diameter of 2.5 cm. The variety is characterized by low winter hardiness and is suitable for planting only in areas where there are no frosts.
- Pissardi early plum - a tree up to seven meters high, with medium leafiness. Annual shoots are quite thin and short, rich red color. The flowers are white, 2.5 cm in size.
- Cystena is a hybrid of Pissardi plum and gherkin . The height of the tree reaches only two meters. Long ovate leaves are pointed at the ends and have serrated edges. The flowers are small - from 1.5 to 2 cm, pink in color. Trees are more resistant to frost, so they can be planted in more northern areas.
Using
The Pissardi plum described above is widely used in landscape design. It looks good both as single landings and in color compositions. This tree is suitable for the design of the alley, and from undersized forms, magnificent hedges and borders are obtained.