Description and subtleties of growing cherry plum varieties Sonya

Description and characteristics of the fruit crop

Cherry plum of this variety is relatively unpretentious and undemanding to soil composition. The tree is medium-sized, easy to care for, and is rarely affected by pests. The winter hardiness, disease resistance and yield of the variety are quite high. The fruits are large, yellow with a slight pink blush, sweet and sour, and do not fall off when ripe.

Disadvantages: need for cross-pollination, thin branches that need to be maintained during the fruiting period, loose seed.

Basic tree parameters

The tree is not tall (2.5-3 m), the crown is spherical, slightly flattened, of medium density. The leaves are pointed, oval, dark green, the flowers are white.

Lifespan

The lifespan declared by the originator of this variety is 30 years.

Fruiting

Sonya is a fast-growing variety, the first individual fruits appear in the 2nd year after planting, and in the 3rd year fruiting is abundant.

The fruiting function is taken over by bouquet branches and growths from the previous year. The fruits are large (up to 50 g), sweet and sour, with a dense skin, which is why they are not damaged by birds and insects and do not rot.

Flowering and pollinators

Flowering is lush and occurs in early May. The variety requires cross-pollination. Pollinators: Altai Yubileinaya, Alyonushka.

Ripening dates, yield and harvest of cherry plum

Harvest harvest is mid to late August. Fruit ripening is consistent. Productivity 40 kg per tree. The fruits from the tree do not fall off, ripen well, do not crack, and are transportable. Shelf life 10–12 days.

Tasting assessment of the fruit and further implementation

Dessert variety, tasting score - 4.5 points. The fruits can be eaten fresh, dried, or canned.

Resistance to low temperatures and drought

Cherry plum Soneika is a drought-resistant, winter-hardy crop that can survive temperatures down to -30 C without loss. Only return frosts during the period of bud formation can harm it.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

As a result of selection, a variety was obtained that is practically immune to fungal diseases.

It is slightly damaged by pests; aphids and seed beetles can pose a danger. For preventive purposes, trees are sprayed (before leaves appear) with Fitoverm and Fitosporin-M.

Characteristics

Cherry plum Sonya, bred by Belarusian breeders, is very popular. It is actively grown throughout Russia and Belarus. The variety survives at low temperatures and is resistant to drought. Plum Sonya loves fertile soils, which must be prepared in advance. The fruits are sweet and sour, dense, juicy. The tree produces a large harvest.

The variety was developed by Belarusian breeders. The work took place at the Institute of Fruit Growing. The variety was developed by pollinating the Mara cherry plum with pollen from diploid plums. The results were a success. The main work was carried out by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Valery Matveev. The cultivation of the Soneika cherry plum variety began in 2009.

Many gardeners choose the Sonyika variety due to its resistance to disease, frost and drought. Cherry plum produces a lot of fruits that are well stored and do not suffer during transportation.

Tree options

The Soneika cherry plum tree is not tall, the branches are distributed in the shape of an oval. Maximum height 3 meters. The branches hang down and grow densely. The leaves are green, oval-shaped with elongated ends. White inflorescences. The average weight of the fruit is 38 grams, the peel is dense and has a light pink tint. The pulp of the cherry plum is dense, juicy, and has a sweet and sour taste.

The tree can tolerate low temperatures down to -30 °C. It takes root well in the northern parts of the country. Tolerates frost without loss. During the period of bud formation, a sharp change in temperature, especially at night, contributes to the death of the buds.

Plum Soneika will be inoculated with immunity to clasterosporiasis and other diseases. She rarely gets sick, her immunity is well developed. The main pests are aphids and seed beetles. Aphids eat the leaves, they begin to turn yellow, dry out and fall off. Insects are localized on the underside of the leaf, small, black in color.

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The seed eater penetrates the seed of the fruit and eats it from the inside. The fruits become duller and begin to fall off. To prevent these diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying.

Pollination and flowering

For fruit set, a pollinator in the neighborhood is necessary. Eastern European plum varieties are suitable for this. The Altai Yubileiny plum and Alyonushka plum varieties are planted. Their flowering coincides.

Important! The flowering of the pollinator should coincide with the flowering of the Soneika cherry plum.

In early May, buds form. By the end of May, white flowers bloom, with 5 flowers in one inflorescence. Each of them consists of 5 petals. After flowering is completed, fruits are set and ripen by the end of August or beginning of September.

High-yielding variety. In one season, cherry plum produces about 40 kilograms of fruit from one tree. The cherry plum produces its first fruits 2 years after being transferred to the ground. The fruits ripen almost simultaneously, which simplifies harvesting. They have a dense stalk, due to which the fall of berries is minimal. They have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Where are the fruits used?

Sonya plum is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. The fruits are consumed fresh, and compotes, preserves, and jams are also prepared from them. In cosmetology, cherry plum extract is used in the manufacture of shampoos, creams, scrubs, and balms.

Since fruits store well, they are convenient to transport and sell. The consumption period is long, they are stored for about 30-40 days.

This variety has its positive and negative sides. The advantages include:

• winter hardiness;
• drought tolerance;
• strong immunity;
• small plant size;
• good harvest.

Disadvantages include the need for a pollinator for fruiting, as well as supporting sticks for branches during the period of fruit ripening. There are a lot of fruits on one branch, because of this there is a risk that the branch will break off and part of the harvest will be lost.

Sonya has its own characteristics of transferring to the ground. It is important to choose the right place for the plum so that it feels comfortable and bears fruit better.

Recommended timing

In the fall, the selected area is dug up, stones and weeds are removed. The planting site begins to be prepared in March. Dig a hole in the form of a square 60 by 70 centimeters. All weeds near it are removed. Drainage is installed in the hole and organic fertilizers are added. A month later, the seedling is planted.

Soneika (Solnyshko) is a promising hybrid cherry plum variety of medium ripening, bred in Belarus. Despite its youth and foreign origin, this variety has already been noticed and appreciated by gardeners throughout the Central region of Russia. Sonya produces large, very tasty fruits, tolerates frost well, is highly productive, and is immune to many diseases of stone fruit crops.

The variety was bred by the Belarusian Institute of Fruit Growing and submitted for variety testing in 2009. Origin: Mara cherry plum x mixture of diploid plum pollen.

From her “parents” Soneika received an improved set of positive qualities: unpretentiousness, early reproductive readiness, winter and drought resistance, dessert taste of fruits that are practically not damaged by fruit rot, high yield.

This variety is ideal for growing in the Central region of Russia.

Cherry plum of this variety is relatively unpretentious and undemanding to soil composition. The tree is medium-sized, easy to care for, and is rarely affected by pests. The winter hardiness, disease resistance and yield of the variety are quite high. The fruits are large, yellow with a slight pink blush, sweet and sour, and do not fall off when ripe.

Among the disadvantages: the need for cross-pollination, thin branches that need to be maintained during the fruiting period, and a loose seed.

The tree is not tall (2.5-3 m), the crown is spherical, slightly flattened, of medium density. The leaves are pointed, oval, dark green, the flowers are white.

Lifespan

The lifespan declared by the originator of this variety is 30 years.

Fruiting

Sonya is a fast-growing variety, the first individual fruits appear in the 2nd year after planting, and in the 3rd year fruiting is abundant.

The fruiting function is taken over by bouquet branches and growths from the previous year. The fruits are large (up to 50 g), sweet and sour, with a dense skin, which is why they are not damaged by birds and insects and do not rot.

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How to plant Soneika cherry plum on the site

Not only the survival rate of plants after planting, but also the further condition of the tree, the strength of its growth, resistance to diseases and pests, and ultimately its productivity depend on the quality of planting material.

Seedlings of the first (best) category must have:

• healthy, unaffected roots without growths, swellings, wounds;
• root cut color is only white, length about 35 cm;
• the trunk is smooth, without grooves, bole height 0. -0.6 m, diameter 1.5 cm;
• seedling age - 2 years.

Recommended timing

Cherry plum can be planted in spring and autumn. In spring, planting is carried out in the second half of April and no later than the beginning of May, in the fall until mid-October.

With late spring planting, seedlings do not take root well and require more care and additional watering.

Choosing the optimal location

Cherry plum, like plum, is a light-loving crop, and grows and bears fruit poorly when shaded. Therefore, it is better to allocate a place for it in an open, elevated area. It is undemanding in terms of soil composition; it grows even on washed-out, gravelly, gray forest, infertile sandy and sandy loam (with sufficient watering) soils.

One of the most salt-tolerant fruit crops.

It will calmly survive in areas with high groundwater levels (up to 1.2-1.5 m).

Preparing the hole and seedling

The optimal dimensions of the planting pit are: depth 0.6 m, width - 0.9-1 m.

Fertilizers (rotted manure, compost) mixed with soil are placed at the bottom of the hole, and a stake is driven in to support the seedling.

Before planting, only the damaged ends of the roots are cut off (to a healthy place) and dipped into a manure-clay mash. If you add a solution of the growth substance “Heteroauxin” to the mash, the tree will take root without problems.

Plant care

Timely implementation of tree care measures is the key to an abundant and high-quality harvest.

Watering

During the growing season, three main irrigations are carried out:

• in June;
• in July;
• in September.

30–40 liters of water are poured under one tree. After watering, the hole must be mulched.

Trimming

During the first three years, the crown of the tree is formed. At the same time, strong skeletal branches are left, cuttings are cut or shortened and the crown is thinned out. The most common are tieless and bowl-shaped.

Scheme of the formation of a bowl-shaped tree crown

• Spring pruning (basic). At this time, the crown is formed and frozen and damaged branches are removed.
• Pruning in the summer season. It is carried out only when necessary. Remove dried branches and young shoots growing inside the crown.
• Autumn pruning. During this period, sanitary pruning is carried out. Remove excess and drooping branches. All infected and dry branches are completely cut out and burned.

Pruning cherry plum Kuban Comet - video

Fertilizer application

If the cherry plum was planted in prepared nutritious soil, the tree does not need additional feeding in the first year after planting. Later, fertilizers are applied annually.

• In autumn, humus or manure is evenly scattered on the area near the trunk at the rate of half a bucket per 1 m².
• Immediately after flowering, while loosening the holes, urea is added - 40 g per 1 m².
• After fruiting, potassium sulfate is added to the soil under the tree - 30 g per 1 m².

Shelter for the winter

To prevent frostbite in winter, in the first years after planting, seedlings must be completely covered. For this purpose, special garden materials, spunbond, and burlap are used. Trees should not be covered with polyethylene.

It is also not recommended to mulch the hole with straw and hay for the winter, as rodents can settle there.

1. Since the Kuban Comet cherry plum is a partially self-fertile variety, the tree is sprayed with a honey solution at the beginning of flowering to attract insects. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of honey in 1 liter of water. The amount of solution is calculated for one tree.
2. If it is not possible to plant several varieties of cherry plum on the site, you can simply graft a branch of the necessary pollinator onto the Kuban Comet.
3. The area around the trunk must be kept clean and the soil must be loosened regularly.

Further care

The agricultural technology of Soneika cherry plum is not much different from the rules for growing other fruit crops. In the first years after planting, it is important to correctly form the crown of the tree, promptly water, loosen and clear the soil of weeds in the tree trunk circle.

Watering mode

Young trees need to be watered frequently in the first year after planting: 4–5 times per season at the rate of 2 buckets per tree.

Mature fruiting trees are moistened 2-3 times per season. The last watering (in dry autumn) is carried out in mid-October.

How to feed a tree

Cherry plum is especially responsive to the application of organic fertilizers. In the first year, the tree is not fed, provided that fertilizers have been added to the planting hole. Then the feeding scheme is as follows: 2 years with organic fertilizers, in the 3rd year - full mineral fertilizer.

Fertilizer doses are calculated per m2 of tree trunk circle: organic 3–5 kg, mineral 5–7 kg.

Trimming

Pruning cherry plums comes down mainly to thinning - removing diseased, broken, dry and unnecessary branches that thicken the crown, and shortening long annual growths.

When, with the age of a tree, the yield is noticeably reduced, the progressive growth slows down or is shortened, anti-aging pruning is used. Shortening the ends of skeletal and semi-skeletal branches on 3-4 year old wood.

Care and loosening of the tree trunk circle

The soil is loosened in spring, summer and autumn, as well as after watering and rain, fertilizing, and before mulching.

Keeping the tree trunk circle free from weeds ensures maximum retention of moisture in the soil.

Preparing for winter

At the end of leaf fall, trees are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture to protect against bacterial necrosis. Water-charging irrigation is carried out. Mature trees are whitewashed, young trees are tied with light fabric (spandbond, burlap). Thin out the crown. Fertilizers are applied to the tree trunk circles for digging.

Seasonal treatments

Before the buds swell (April), spray with 3% Nitrafen against wintering pests.

Before flowering (beginning of May), spray with 1% Bordeaux mixture (0.5 Zineb) and Fufanon, Intavir against monilial burn, aphids and leaf-eating pests.

Three weeks after flowering, repeat treatment with 1% Bordeaux mixture (0.5% Captan, 0.5% Zineb).

After harvesting (August), spray the trees with Fitoverm and Lipedocide against the slimy sawfly.

Description of culture

The fruit tree has a rounded crown and reaches a height of 3-3.5 m. The trunk is medium branched, with smooth light gray bark and many lentils. The leaves of this cherry plum have an oval shape with a pointed tip, a shiny surface with slight pubescence. Each bud produces 2 white flowers with a pronounced aroma that attracts insects. In the photo of the cherry plum Traveler during flowering, you can see that the petals are large, the long pistil is surrounded by many yellow stamens.

In accordance with the biological description of the Traveler cherry plum, the fruits at the stage of technical maturity have a mass of 19-28 grams. The red-purple skin of the plum is smooth, with a slight waxy coating. The pulp is characterized by an orange color, slight acidity and sugar content. The Traveler plum pit is medium in size and weight.

Reviews from gardeners about the Sonyika variety

Daniil, Moscow region: “Soneika has been growing with me since 2011, and I am very pleased with it. He survives the winter well and does not get sick. The fruits are tasty and do not crack at all. They don’t fall off the tree, they wait until they are removed. Very productive, two trees are enough to eat and provide compotes for all the relatives.”

Tatiana, 47 y.o. Ogarevo: “I recently became interested in cherry plum; before that I thought that it would not survive here. On the advice of friends, I bought a Sonya seedling. To my surprise, she survived the winter well and quickly began to grow in the spring. Now, after 5 years, this is my favorite tree, always with a harvest and no special problems.”

Igor, s. Cuban: “Gek grafted Sonya onto cherry plum, three years later a good, slightly thickened crown formed and the first fruits appeared. I was very pleased with their taste; they turned out to be sweet, juicy and quite large. Now we are planning to plant a couple of seedlings.”

Sonya

The plum variety “Soneika” (or “Solnyshko”) is one of the Belarusian hybrids, bred on the basis of the cherry plum “Mara”, pollinated with pollen of diploid plum varieties. The breeding was carried out by the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing, represented by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences V. Matveev. “Soneika” is very young - it has been listed in the State Register since 2009, and is widespread in Belarus and Russia (in central and slightly more northern latitudes).

Description of plum fruits of the “Soneika” variety

Cherry plum “Soneika” took over from Mary the color of the fruit and the characteristic thick skin - the fruit is yellow, acquires a slight blush when ripe, the flesh is closer to amber shades. They have a round shape, reach medium-large and large sizes - their weight ranges from 40-50 grams. The juicy, sweet flesh combines interestingly with the sourish peel. The pit is small, practically inseparable from the pulp - a typical problem for cherry plum.

The area of ​​application of plums is as diverse as possible. The fruits are very good fresh, they can be preserved, made into preserves, jams and compotes, and are great for filling in baked goods. In addition, Sonya has found its place in cosmetology - it is used to create creams, balms, shampoos and other things. The fruits have a high industrial potential, they can withstand long-term transportation over long distances, and can last for a long time without spoiling.

Crown and leaves

The trees are weak-growing and do not grow higher than 3 meters in height. Form a flat, rounded crown with a medium-low coating density. The branches tend to droop, which may make the foliage appear even smaller, but the leaves themselves are quite large, oval in shape with a pointed tip.

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About the variety:

Medium-early ripening variety, highly winter-hardy, high-yielding. The tree is low-growing, the crown is flat-rounded, drooping, and of medium density. The predominant type of fruiting is on bouquet branches and annual shoots. Biological characteristics: it begins to bear fruit 2 - 3 years after planting on a seed rootstock. Relatively resistant to disease. The fruits are very large (up to 50 g), round. The skin is light green, with a continuous red blush, and when ripe it is pure yellow. The pulp is yellow, medium density, very juicy, aromatic. The taste is sweet and sour. The bone is medium in size and cannot be separated. Date of consumption: second half of August

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the hybrid variety Soneika are high commercial qualities and excellent taste, like for cherry plum. Other advantages :

• 
  early entry into fruiting;

• productivity;
• large attractive fruits;
• universal purpose of the variety;
• compact tree;
• frost resistance;
• drought resistance.

Disadvantages of Sonya:

• the bone does not separate from the pulp;
• winter hardiness and disease resistance leave much to be desired;
• self-sterility of the variety;
• During fruit ripening, the branches require support.

Reviews about the fruit

For the most part, the opinion about the cultivar is good; the owners note :

• the variety quickly increases yield;
• withstands low temperatures well;
• the pulp has a pleasant apricot flavor;
• Due to its low growth, it is convenient to harvest.

Gardeners are complaining:

• in young plums, the branches bend to the ground under the weight of the harvest;
• fruits without rationing do not reach 50 g, in a bad year they grow 30 g, under favorable conditions they produce plums of 40 g;
• the bone does not separate;
• re-sorted for sale.

There are no complaints about low frost resistance and frequent diseases.

Reviews can be read here and here.

Cherry plum (plum) Soneika

Cherry plum Soneika is a hybrid of cherry plum of Belarusian selection. A beautiful, productive tree is popular in country gardens in Belarus and Russia. Let's consider the characteristics and conditions of its cultivation.

History of selection

Breeders from the Institute of Fruit Growing of Belarus created this hybrid variety by pollinating the Mara cherry plum variety with pollen from diploid plums. It was bred by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Valery Matveev. Cultivated since 2009.

Description of culture

The description of Soneika cherry plum is as follows:

• The tree has the shape of a flattened circle. Its height does not exceed three meters.
• The crown is not very dense, the branches are inclined downwards.
• It has oval pointed leaves and white flowers.
• Plums are yellow with a red side, weighing up to 50 g, sweet, slightly sour.
• Productivity 30-40 kg.
• The pulp is yellow and juicy.

The cherry plum variety is winter-hardy and can be planted in central Russia and Belarus. The photo of Soneika cherry plum below allows you to get acquainted with this plant.

Characteristics

Let's consider the main characteristics of the Soneika cherry plum variety.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

Cherry plum has good winter hardiness and can withstand frosty winters without loss. Sudden temperature changes in February are dangerous for fruit buds.

As the ancestor of plums, a drought-resistant plant. However, watering will give a higher yield and juicy fruits.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening time

Like a plum, it requires a pollinator to produce fruit, and varieties are chosen that bloom at the same time as it. The best pollinator for Soneika cherry plum is Eastern European varieties of plums. Blooms with white flowers in May. The fruits ripen at the end of August.

Productivity, fruiting

The variety is early-fruiting, high-yielding, up to 40 kg of berries are collected from one tree. Ripening occurs almost simultaneously, which reduces the harvest time. The first fruits appear two years after planting.

Area of ​​application of fruits

Cherry plum fruits are used fresh. They are well transported and stored for a long time. They are used to make preserves, compotes, jams, and add them to culinary products. It is used in cosmetology in the preparation of creams, shampoos and other cosmetics.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Hybrid plants have good resistance to harmful insects and diseases. The variety is immunized to clasterosporium blight.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the hybrid cherry plum variety Soneika:

• High yield.
• Early start of fruiting.
• The tree is compact.
• Winter-hardy.
• Drought resistant.
• Resistant to diseases.

The disadvantage is the need to install supports for branches strewn with fruits and the presence of other varieties for cross-pollination.

Landing Features

The plant requires certain conditions for good growth and fruiting.

Recommended timing

The best time to plant cherry plum is spring; the plant has time to take root before the onset of cold weather.

Autumn planting of cherry plum is acceptable; it should be no later than mid-September, a month before the onset of frost. If it grows late, the roots will not have time to take root and the plant may die.

Choosing a suitable location

The Russian plum, Soneika cherry plum, loves a sunny place with protection from northern winds. This can be any part of the garden, except for its northern zone. Low places with stagnant water and close groundwater are unacceptable. Acidic soil should be limed.

What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum

The best neighbors will be stone fruit crops, as well as plants that are suitable for soil with low acidity. Pear and apple trees growing nearby do not work well.

Selection and preparation of planting material

For planting, one-year and two-year-old seedlings are used. The root system should consist of 5 main roots 30 cm long and be well developed. You can use grafted plants; they begin to bear fruit faster.

Before planting, inspect the roots, remove diseased and damaged ones, and shorten the rest. Their cut color should be white.

The roots should be saturated with water. They are placed in a solution with disinfectant additives to eliminate possible diseases.

Landing algorithm

The tree is compact, 3 meters are left between seedlings, 4-5 meters are enough between rows.

Prepare planting pits 0.8 meters deep and up to 0.7 m wide, depending on soil fertility. On poor soils, add humus or compost to the hole and sprinkle with complex fertilizer. On acidic soils, add ash, lime or dolomite.

Description and subtleties of growing cherry plum variety Soneika

The variety is characterized by high yield, so the branches need support. The crop begins to bear fruit early: in the second year after planting. The tree does not grow. It is small, so it is convenient to collect ripe fruits.

Cherry plum is winter-hardy and does not freeze even at –30 °C. This variety is disease resistant.

The Sonyika variety is not very demanding on growing conditions: a relief area, soil, and black soil are suitable for it. On soils with humus and soils supplied with water, fruits are much larger and tastier.

The fruits ripen at the same time, so the harvest is harvested once per season. The fruits do not require sorting due to the absence of insects. Cherry plum is well transported within a couple of days. Most of the berries are consumed fresh, the rest of the fruits are used to make compotes and jam.

• lime;
• dolomite flour;
• chalk;
• wood ash.

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Folk Encyclopedia of Plum Varieties

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Folk Encyclopedia of Plum Varieties

Posted by toliam1 » 04/23/2012, 14:40

I think it's time to start a plum encyclopedia. Botany includes seven genera in the plum subfamily: Plum (species: Domestic plum, Chinese plum, Cherry plum, Blackthorn, for some time now Academician Eremin G.V. introduced a new species - Russian plum), Cherry, Apricot, Peach, Almond, Bird cherry and microcherry felt. Here it is appropriate to share your observations on all these fruit plants. My personal interest: with your help, to make progress in identifying varieties of domestic plum, cherry plum, and apricot. Photos are required. Features of agricultural technology, formation. Attempts to correct genetically inherent characteristics in order to move north, adapt to the microclimate and soil. Both strict characteristics and interesting observations when growing varieties are appropriate here. Pluralism of opinions.

CHERRY PEARL “SONEYKA, 2 years old”

Variety

– SONEYKA Origin

- a variety of Belarusian selection.
Obtained as a result of crossing the Mara variety with a mixture of pollen from diploid plum varieties. The rootstock
is a seedling of cherry plum.
The period of fruit consumption
is the end of July - the first half of August.
The tree
is weak-growing, the crown is drooping.
The fruits are
large, up to 50 grams, round, light green, yellow when ripe, with a red blush.
The pulp
is yellow, medium density, very juicy, aromatic.
Tasting score
4.5-4.6 points
Disease resistance
– above average.
Resistant to crackerosporiosis. Winter hardiness
– high
Main purpose
– universal

• – Are you interested in this variety? Do you need more information?

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Please pay attention!

The first 20-25 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place are key in terms of importance for the rooting of plants in a new place. The survival rate of young trees and shrubs in a new location and their further development largely depend on timely pruning and regular watering in the first three weeks.

Trimming.

Mandatory pruning is recommended for fruit plants. When planting, carry out post-planting pruning, leaving shoots no more than 40-45 cm long. It is also recommended to annually remove dry, damaged or fattening shoots, thinning, crown formation. Watering. Young plants REQUIRE regular, proper watering

For successful rooting of the plant, it is important that the soil is wetted not only from above (by 7-12 cm), but to the depth of the tips of the roots of the seedling (up to 35-45 cm). To do this, after planting during the first month, you must water the plant 2 times a week, 1 bucket per tree.

In dry times, it is recommended to increase watering to 1.5-2 buckets of water per plant 2-3 times a week. Mulching. To preserve moisture in the soil for a long time, it is advisable to use organic mulching of the tree trunk circle with a layer of 7-10 cm. Loosening. Regular, shallow. Weeding in the tree trunk circle. Important to remember! Lack of pruning during planting and irregular or insufficient watering in the first months after planting significantly reduce the percentage of plant survival in a new location.

Unsecrets of Divosad.

1. Planting dates. To achieve successful survival of seedlings, the sequence of actions is quite simple - first, a cold snap in nature, then, as a consequence, leaf fall and the transition of plants to the dormant stage, and it is during this period of cold weather and leaf fall that the seedlings are transplanted. but not in reverse order. So, cold snap to +10°C and below → stopping sap flow → replanting plants. 2. A common mistake is irregular watering. Regular watering after planting is one of the most important non-secrets for the survival of young plants.

The best of the best. How to grow plums

Plum is perhaps the most rewarding stone fruit crop at the latitude of St. Petersburg. I have the opportunity to “get” cuttings of new varieties and graft them into the crown of mature trees (in this case, there will already be fruits the next year). Therefore, every year I try out many new products and keep my favorites.

I want to talk about the best, from my point of view, varieties that have been pleasing for more than five years. They withstand most of the vagaries of our unstable weather, for example, the frequent alternation of thaws and frosts in January, which often leads to the death of fruit buds (and, accordingly, to loss of harvest).

Many of them performed well during the harsh winter of 2005/06, when frosts down to –38 °C lasted for two weeks.

Plum

Vitebskaya late is a variety bred at the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing and recommended for testing in the southern regions of Russia, but in my garden it “behaves” very well. Apparently he knows how to adapt!

It bears fruit annually with a break for the extreme season of 2006. It is characterized by high yield. This year, the plums, which finally ripened on September 12, gained a weight of about 30–35 g.

The fruits are smooth, sweet and sour, tasty. The pulp is yellow, medium density, juicy, slightly gristly. A very important characteristic is that the bone comes off easily. When ripe, plums do not fall off. The variety is characterized by good resistance to fungal diseases, in particular to clasterosporium blight, which is important for “raw” St. Petersburg.

Dashenka. The variety was bred at the Suzdal variety site (Vladimir region) and was named in honor of the granddaughter of its creator, Vladimir Petrovich Yagunov.

On a note

It is characterized by high winter hardiness and bears fruit every year (with the exception of 2006).

The fruits are oval-shaped (in the old system of classifying varieties, such plums were called “Hungarians”). In 2012, they ripened in early September, the weight reached 30 g (for comparison, in 2008 - up to 40 g). The pulp is sweet and sour, orange in color, tender, juicy. The bone separates well.

No diseases were noticed, despite the thin skin of the fruit.

Morning is a variety bred at the All-Russian Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Breeding (VSTISP). According to the description, it has average winter hardiness, but I have survived winters with temperatures down to –32–35 °C. Perhaps, thanks to the grafting of a winter-hardy rootstock into the crown at chest level - at this height, even on the coldest winter night it is 5-10 degrees warmer.

Attention

Productivity is high. This season, the fruits weighing 30–35 g ripened on August 25. The pulp is sweet and sour, amber in color, very tender, juicy, with a light aroma. The skin is thin. The bone comes off easily.

Among the visible disadvantages is that a sooty fungus settles on the skin of the fruit, which has not been found on its other varieties. Although it is harmless to humans, the fruit loses its attractiveness.

Hybrid cherry plum (Russian plum)

Maara (Mara). The variety was bred at the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing. Its fruiting is extremely abundant - for example, about 8 kg of cherry plum were harvested from a branch 70 cm long. This season, the fruits ripened (turned yellow) on September 9. When the ovaries are artificially thinned (by 2–3 times), they gain more weight (up to 30 g).

Attention

The pulp has a pleasant sweet and sour taste, reminiscent of grapes. The bone itself does not separate, but its consumer properties do not suffer from this.

The stalks are 4–8 mm long.

A characteristic feature of the variety is the dense skin of the fruit. It protects them from infection by fungal diseases and from cracking in wet weather.

Soneika (Solnyshko) is another Belarusian variety (bred with the participation of Mary). Less winter-hardy, but with high grafting it also performed well both last and this season.

By the way

From Mary he inherited high productivity, fruit color and thick skin.

The pulp is amber in color, sweet and sour, very juicy. Weight 35–40 g.

The pit is difficult to separate - unfortunately, this is a feature of almost all varieties of cherry plum. But the bone is small, which makes it possible to come to terms with this drawback.

Simple wisdom

As rootstocks I use both cherry plum (seedlings of the Gift of St. Petersburg) and home plum (seedlings of Vengerka). However, I take into account that cherry plum has deeper roots and develops the soil well, so it is more suitable for planting in places with low groundwater, and home plum with its “flat” root system is also applicable for wetlands.

Plums are very picky about soil acidity. They need a narrow pH range: 5.5–6.5. To maintain this level of acidity in myself, strictly once every three years in the fall I pour dolomite flour into the trunk circle of each tree: a glass per 1 m2. It contains calcium necessary for the formation of bones. And as a “delicacy” I add a 2-liter jar of ash, rich in potassium, which is most often lacking in the soil.

From experience, in our conditions, summer pruning is extremely undesirable for plums. This is fraught with fungal diseases. It is very difficult to treat them, so when forming it is better to limit yourself only to bending the branches and pinching the vegetative bud.

I don’t use any chemicals to combat diseases, since my trees almost never get sick – the key to their health is compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. I don't use insecticides either. Celandine protects well from aphids and caterpillars - I plant it under every tree. When I find a colony of aphids, I simply pick off a bunch of this grass and place it nearby in the branches.

And I use ultrasonic repellers against rodents.

In memory of the breeder

Irina Vasilievna Popova, a widely known plant breeder, has passed away. Almost every summer resident is familiar with its varieties. After all, it was with the hands of I.V. Popova that the basis of the Non-Chernozem Zone assortment was created for strawberries (Zenit, Cinderella, Nadezhda, Found Good, Makovka, Troitskaya, Borovitskaya, Spasskaya, Relay, Corrado, Kubata) and gooseberries (Kolobok, Pokrovsky, Grushenka, Zeleny rain, Snezhana, Laskovy and others).

I. V. Popova was born on January 29, 1930 in a family of breeding scientists. From 1960 until recent years, she worked at the State Scientific Institution VTISP of the Russian Agricultural Academy (NIZISNP) and created all her varieties within its walls.

The bright memory of Irina Vasilievna, an outstanding scientist and person, will forever remain in the hearts of not only her friends, fellow scientists and students, but also of all our Russian gardeners.

Soneika (Solnyshko) is a promising hybrid cherry plum variety of medium ripening, bred in Belarus. Despite its youth and foreign origin, this variety has already been noticed and appreciated by gardeners throughout the Central region of Russia. Sonya produces large, very tasty fruits, tolerates frost well, is highly productive, and is immune to many diseases of stone fruit crops.

Description and distinctive features of cherry plum Naidyon

The Naydyona variety was bred at the Crimean experimental breeding station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing named after. N.I. Vavilova by crossing the Chinese plum Skoroplodnaya and the Russian plum Dessertnaya. In 1993, the variety was zoned in the Central Black Earth and Lower Volga regions.

The tree is medium-sized (2.5–3 m), with a flat, rounded crown of medium density. The stem is gray, smooth, of medium thickness, the lentils are large and few in number. The shoots are brown-red, horizontal, 3.5–4 mm thick, weakly branched. Bouquet branches are short. Flower buds are medium in size, round in shape.

The leaf blade is large (width about 33 mm, length - 55 mm), oval in shape, the base is wedge-shaped, the apex is pointed. The leaves are light green, shiny, and slightly pubescent. The serration of the leaf edge is crenate, the waviness is medium. Two flowers develop from the bud; there are a large number of them on the shoot. Flowers with small petals and a large number of stamens (more than 25 pieces). The ovary is bare. The calyx is bell-shaped, pubescent. The peduncle is of medium length and thickness. Flowering begins in early to mid-April.

The duration of cherry blossom flowering is 7–8 days.

The fruits are medium or large in size (length 30 mm, width 33 mm), oval in shape, without a ventral seam. Average weight - 30 g. The color of the fruit is red-violet, with a slight waxy coating. The skin is medium thick, elastic, and easily separated from the pulp. The pulp is orange, fibrous, juicy, loose. The cut does not darken for a long time in the air. The seed is light brown, medium size (2.39% of the fruit weight), oval in shape, difficult to separate from the pulp. The peduncle is short, without pubescence, tightly attached to the fruit. The taste of cherry plum is pleasant, sweet and sour.

The fruits are large, red-violet in color, with numerous subcutaneous points

Content of nutrients per 100 g - table

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Found has qualities that distinguish it from other varieties of cherry plum, these include:

• excellent taste of the fruit;
• high winter hardiness;
• the fruits do not crack or fall off after ripening;
• high annual yield;
• disease resistance;
• precociousness;
• adaptability to weather conditions;
• good transportability of fruits.

However, the variety is not without its drawbacks:

• Found is a self-sterile cherry plum;
• The bone is difficult to separate from the pulp.

Landing Features

In order to please yourself and your family year after year with rich harvests of ripe and fragrant cherry plums, you should carefully prepare for the process of planting and subsequent care of the seedlings. First of all, you should decide on the place where the trees will grow and choose the seedlings wisely.

Selection of seedlings

The roots should be strong, elastic and well developed, without broken or overdried ends. A fairly developed root system consists of 5–6 shoots, 20–30 cm each.

The best cherry plum seedlings are considered to be one-year or two-year-olds, which were propagated by cuttings or shoots. They have the ability to recover quite quickly after freezing.

The root collar of grafted seedlings and the grafting site should not be buried in the soil

Choosing a landing site

The preferred planting location is light, well-drained loam. It is also necessary to take into account the level of groundwater flow. It should be at a distance of at least 1.5 m. Although cherry plum is quite moisture-loving, it does not tolerate stagnant water.

Site preparation

Before planting, the soil on the site should be cleared of weeds, moistened, and then thoroughly dug up. When digging, add wood ash (300–500 g per 1 sq. m) to soil with a high degree of acidification, as well as, if necessary, horse humus. Fertile soil does not need additional fertilizers.

Step by step planting process

It is preferable to plant Tsarskaya cherry plum in early spring before the buds swell. To ensure active growth of the seedling, planting should be done based on certain recommendations.

1. Dig planting holes at a distance of 2 m from each other and 3 m between rows.
2. The diameter of one planting hole is 60 cm and the depth is 70–80 cm.
3. Add a mixture of a bucket of horse manure or humus to the planting hole with the addition of 70–80 g of potassium sulfate and 180–200 g of superphosphate.
4. To ensure good drainage, line the bottom of the pit with a layer of broken brick or crushed stone (15–20 cm).
5. Before planting, dip the roots of the seedling in a mixture of clay diluted with water to a creamy consistency.
6. When installing in a hole, carefully straighten the roots and cover them with a fertile layer of soil.
7. The root collar of the seedling should be 6–7 cm above the soil level.
8. After planting the tree in the ground, you need to form a hole along the trunk circle with a diameter of 50 cm, then water it with 3-4 buckets of water.
9. Each tree should be mulched with peat or compost with the addition of dolomite flour or garden lime (layer 7–8 cm).

How to plant cherry plum - video

Pollination

The Tsarskaya cherry plum is self-sterile, so varieties that will promote pollination should be planted next to it in the garden plot. The best pollinator will be the Kuban comet. Also suitable are varieties such as Naidena, Cleopatra, Traveler, Pramen.

The best pollinators for the Tsarskaya cherry plum variety in the photo

The Traveler variety is valued for its high taste qualities of fruits.

Variety Pramen is resistant to kleasterosporiosis

The Naidyona variety is characterized by high productivity

The fruits of the Kuban comet do not fall off for a long time when ripe and do not crack

The Cleopatra variety is characterized by high winter hardiness