Plum Otsark Premier: the most aromatic variety or nothing special?

Description and photo of plum variety Otsark Premier

Despite its hybrid origin, Otsark Premier has a number of distinctive features.

Possible pronunciation as "Ozark Premier".

Height and appearance of the tree

Tree with a dense cup-shaped crown, medium height. The branches are slightly curved. The leaves are dark green in color and have a regular elongated shape. The petiole is green and reaches 16 mm in length. From one bud produces from one to three white flowers.

Fruit size and taste

The fruits are round, slightly elongated and pointed in the direction of growth, weighing up to 120 g. The ripe fruit is dark in color with light dots and has a light waxy coating. The plum tastes sweet and juicy with sour notes. The pulp is tender, light yellow in color, and does not darken when exposed. The peel is thin and difficult to separate from the pulp. The bone is separated along with the pulp.

Difference from other plum varieties

Due to its external resemblance to other varieties of plums, Otsark Premier is called cherry plum. However, thanks to selection, this culture has its own characteristics:

• high productivity;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• immunity to diseases, subject to careful implementation of preventive measures.

Pros and cons of a prolific crop

Endurance and productivity are the hallmarks of the Otsark plum. In addition, the fruits are shelf-stable and can ripen after picking. This increases the level of safety and facilitates transportation.

A relative disadvantage is that in order to achieve productivity, it is necessary to plant pollinators.

Important! Despite frost resistance, warm regions will be favorable conditions for growing the crop.

Harsh climatic conditions increase the chance of a tree freezing.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the variety include the following characteristics:

• high productivity;
• low temperature tolerance;
• pleasant and juicy taste of fruits, their commercial attractiveness;
• good ripening of fruits after picking;
• easy portability of transportation over long distances.

The main disadvantages of the variety are:

• the need for careful disease prevention;
• the need to use pollinators.

How to prune a plum correctly: features of the formation of the tree crown

Immediately after planting, begin pruning and shaping the plum crown. Trim the tops of newly planted trees to balance them with the roots: leave 3 - 4 main branches located in different directions, remove the rest. Leave the side branches only 15 cm long. Shorten the leading shoot so that it is 15 - 20 cm higher than the top branch.

In the future, pruning, as an element of care, can be reduced to cutting out shoots that are not part of the skeleton, removing damaged and broken branches. Depending on the density of the crown, either thin it out, or direct future shoots into the crown, cutting to the inner bud. It is necessary to keep the top of the tree open so that the sun penetrates to the lower branches and fruit branches. Root shoots should be constantly removed, tops should be removed or included in the crown, transferring fruiting to them. Skillful pruning of the crown can maintain the plant in a state of active growth and high productivity.

The plum harvest is formed on last year's shoots, spurs and bouquet branches. When pruning, be careful not to accidentally drop the flower buds on these fruit formations. It is necessary to thin out fruits that have set in too large a quantity, leaving a distance of 2–7 cm between the fruits. Otherwise, brown rot will settle in the places where the fruits touch and spread spores.

Depending on the characteristics of fruiting, plum varieties are divided into 2 groups: European and Ussuri. Fruiting of European plums occurs mainly on short bouquet branches. Ussuri plums bear fruit on long annual growths and short bouquet branches. Both varieties have bouquet branches on perennial wood. These features are taken into account when pruning plum trees.

During care when growing plums in the first years after planting, to form the crown and strengthen the fruit branches, European forms are pruned lightly. When they begin to bear fruit, thickened, broken and incorrectly positioned branches become the target for pruning. Old trees stop growing, and their branches are densely overgrown with fruit branches. To restore growth on such trees, more severe pruning is carried out on 2-3-year-old wood. The cut is made on the outer lateral branch. The peculiarity of strong pruning of plums is that it improves growth, resulting in the formation of more productive fruit trees.

Therefore, pruning of Ussuri plums is carried out in order to obtain annual harvests and improve the quality of the fruit. To prune plums correctly, as practice shows, you need to thin out the bouquet buds and shorten the long annual shoots by about half.

The plum begins to bear fruit in the 4th – 6th year after planting. Homemade plums are distinguished by high winter hardiness and high yields, unlike other stone fruits.

The plum bears fruit for 13–15 years, then its plantings should be renewed.

Plum harvesting should be done at different times depending on the purpose of the fruit:

• at the stage of medium softness, remove plums for canning;
• When fully ripe, remove plums for dessert;
• leave the prunes on the tree for a long time so that they gain sugar content;
• In case of long rains or cold dew, remove the fruits in advance, otherwise they will spoil.

To collect, you can place trays with wire mesh at the bottom under the trees and carefully shake the plums into them.

The video “Pruning and shaping the crown of plums” demonstrates all the subtleties of these agricultural techniques:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=W56h95d395o

Landing Features

To successfully plant an Ozark plum tree, there are a number of requirements to consider.

Growing area

The ideal area for planting the Otsark Premier plum is the southern regions of Russia, where the likelihood of severe frosts is low. When planting a crop in the middle zone, it needs to be provided with proper protection from the cold.

In the Moscow region, without proper care, the variety quickly freezes.

Important factors when choosing a planting site are the composition of the soil (the soil should be easily drained and non-acidified); absence of nearby groundwater and nearby tall trees with a dense crown.

Boarding time

The best time to plant plums is spring, since during a long warm period young seedlings will be able to take root and fully adapt to soil conditions.

Pollinators

Since the plant is self-fertile, pollinators must be used to obtain a harvest. It is recommended to use plum varieties Santa Rosa, Shiro, Friar, Sarking Delicious and Satsuma for pollination.

Landing mechanism

For better survival, the following rules must be observed:

1. Choose seedlings with a closed root system that are no older than two years old.
2. The hole for the plant should be no more in diameter than the size of the earthen ball on the root system.
3. When planting, the root collar should be 5 cm higher than the soil surface.
4. The seedling must be firmly secured with a support.
5. Water each plant thoroughly.
6. Sprinkle the soil, which is damp after the first watering, with dry soil or sawdust.

How to plant a tree on a plot

The health of the future tree, its fruiting and productivity depend on how correctly the seedling is planted. Therefore, gardeners take into account the following factors:

• soil composition;
• choice of location;
• depth of hole for planting crop;
• compliance with the rules and regulations for planting plums.

Required soil composition

Light, well-drained soil is suitable for this hybrid plum variety. The soil should not be acidified, as fruiting will be minimal. A solution of slaked lime, chalk or dolomite flour will help optimize the condition of the soil.

The soil mixture should include the following components:

• humus;
• wood ash;
• phosphate fertilizers and ammonium nitrate;
• gravel and river sand.

Selection and preparation of a site

When planting the hybrid variety Otsark, it is necessary to use one-year or two-year-old seedlings. The planting site is selected so that the shadow from other trees does not block the sun's rays, which should fall on the young seedling in sufficient quantities. The condition of the soil is also taken into account. It is recommended to avoid planting sites close to groundwater.

Size and depth of planting hole

The optimal size of the pit will be in depth and width not exceeding 60 centimeters. Before filling the hole with soil, the roots are straightened, and a peg is installed on the north side of the plant. It is used for gartering young seedlings. The main thing is that during planting the root collar remains raised 5 cm relative to ground level.

The minimum distance between trees should be within 3 meters.

Terms and rules for planting fruit crops

In order for the tree to take root well and provide greater yield, it is best to plant the seedling in the spring. It is best to dig a hole for a tree in advance (in the fall). If for some reason trees are planted in the fall, gardeners recommend digging a hole 2 weeks before planting the seedling.

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Plant care

To provide the tree with proper care, a number of measures are taken into account.

Trimming

The crown of the tree is formed in the form of sparse tiers. The first pruning is done after planting a young tree. The trunk is shortened to 60 cm in height. This method forms skeletal branches. After a year, the central branch is cut off by 15 cm, and a third of the lateral branches are cut off. All other branches are cut off completely. This is how the first tier of the crown is formed. In subsequent years, new tiers are formed in a similar way.

Watering

The crop needs regular watering throughout the entire growth period. Watering is carried out through holes that are dug 50 cm from the tree trunk circle. In the spring, during the flowering period, and 2 weeks after it, each plant is watered abundantly with 5 buckets of water.

During fruit ripening, the volume of watering increases to 7 buckets of water. Before the first frost, the soil is abundantly saturated with moisture in a volume of 17 buckets per plant.

All procedures related to watering are necessarily accompanied by loosening the soil and removing weeds.

Fertilizers

Otsark Premier grows well and bears fruit in fertile soil. Therefore, it is necessary to use fertilizers to get good results. The best fertilizers for the soil are rotted manure, wood ash and potassium salt. When planting trees in the fall, fertilizers are poured directly into the hole along with the soil.

Spring planting of crops involves adding fertilizers to the soil in the fall during deep digging. In the future, trees are fed no more often than once every three years.

Winter protection

Despite good heat resistance, frosty climates have a negative effect on plant growth. Therefore, trees, especially young ones, must be protected in winter by wrapping them.

Trimming

A sparse-tiered crown formation is suitable for this tree. The first trimming of the central conductor is carried out immediately after planting. It is shortened to a height of 60 cm. This technique promotes the development of skeletal branches. The next year, the central branch is pruned again, shortening it by 15 cm from the top. The side branches are also trimmed to a third of their length. The 3-4 strongest branches are left on the first tier. All other shoots are cut out.

The next year, the second tier is formed - 2-3 large branches are left, the remaining shoots are cut off. The central conductor is trimmed to 10-15 cm. All branches growing inside the crown are cut into a ring.

In addition to formative pruning, the plum is given a sanitary pruning - all broken, shriveled and frozen shoots are cut out. This procedure prevents the development of diseases and the appearance of pests.

At 8-9 years of age, when the tree stops growing new growth, rejuvenating pruning is carried out. All five-year-old shoots are cut off, and young shoots are shortened by a third of their length. Places of cuts on large branches are covered with garden varnish to eliminate the risk of infection.

Plum pruning scheme by year

Diseases and pests

The Otsark Premier variety adapts well to various weather conditions, but requires constant preventive treatment against various diseases. This is the main disadvantage of this type of plum.

If the following hygienic requirements are observed, there will be no significant problems with quality yield:

• irrigating the crown and soil with a solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture;
• spraying before the spring awakening of parasites, as well as before flowering and after the leaves fall.

The main diseases to which Otsark Premier is susceptible

Let's talk about agricultural technology

Since Ozark Premier is a diploid plum, it is characterized by intensive growth and requires good agrotechnical care. This applies to pruning, crown formation, soil cultivation measures, and fertilizing. Planting and care must be carried out in a precise time frame.

Plums love sunny places protected from the winds. The soil should be light, well-drained, preferably neutral (in extreme cases, slightly alkaline) reaction.

IMPORTANT! If the site has excessive soil acidity, then liming is required. When planting, it is necessary to add organic matter, as well as phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Subsequently, before fruiting begins, which usually occurs in 3-4 years for this variety, there is no need to apply organic fertilizers

When planting, it is necessary to add organic matter, as well as phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Subsequently, before fruiting begins, which usually occurs in 3-4 years for this variety, there is no need to apply organic fertilizers.

Plum loves it when the soil under the crown is mulched. The root system of the tree comes very close to the surface, so only careful loosening is recommended.

Among the shortcomings, we note the instability of the variety to diseases, so preventive measures must be included in the list of agrotechnical measures.

Conscientious and proper care is the key to ensuring that your Ozark Premier (if you choose this productive variety, of course) will delight you with a good harvest every year!

Harvesting

The young tree bears fruit for the first time in its third year of growth. The fruits ripen in mid-July in abundance. In subsequent years, plum yield is consistently high and increases as the plant grows. One mature tree produces up to 60 kg of fruit per season.

A feature of plums is the uneven ripening of the fruit. This allows you to harvest the crop in stages. Fruits can be stored in plastic or wooden boxes, which allows them to ripen in a calm state.

The fruits of the Otsark Premier variety tolerate transportation well. They can be stored at low temperatures, providing protection from direct sunlight.

The popularity of cherry plum is due to its taste. From the fruits of the Otsark Premier variety, jams, compotes, desserts, and preserves are produced during industrial and household processing. Plums are also suitable for drying.

Varietal characteristics

A tree of medium vigor with a spreading, cup-shaped and densely leafy crown. The bark on the trunk is dark brown, rough, and contains small cracks.

Young shoots are covered with light brown bark, without pubescence, erect.

The leaves are glossy, ovoid, dark green in color. The flowers are snow-white, small, formed on fruit branches, collected in a bunch of 2-3 pieces.

Cherry plum Otsark - the second name of Ozark Premier, refers to early ripening hybrids with an early flowering period - in mid-May. The fruits are collected at the end of July. It begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year of life.

The fruits are oval-shaped, light green in color. After ripening, it acquires a dark red color with a dotted blush. The skin is dense, covered with a waxy coating. There is a pronounced seam on the surface. The fruits are large - weigh about 110 g.

The pulp is sweet and sour, cream-colored, aromatic and not too dense.

Fruiting is abundant and constant. From an adult plant over 9 years old, you can remove up to 60 kg of large fruits.

Characteristics of the variety

The Ozark cherry plum variety is a medium-sized tree with a voluminous, spreading crown. The trunk is medium thick, the bark is dark brown with characteristic cracks. The leaves are ovoid, dark green in color.

The flowering period is mid-early. Often the first flowers appear on a tree during spring night frosts.

Fruiting begins from the 3rd year of a young tree’s life.

Features of the fetus

The fruits are oval, tapering upward. The peel is yellow-green, thin, and difficult to separate from the pulp. The pulp is juicy, tender, has a sweet taste with a slight sourness. The fruits ripen during the last weeks of July.

Taking care of the culture

Proper care of the Otsark Premier plum is the key to a rich and tasty harvest.

Fertilizer and watering

The fruit crop responds gratefully to the addition of nutritional compounds; they are added to the soil in the third year after planting. During spring and autumn digging, the plum should be fed with organic matter (compost, mature manure). Mineral complexes for plums Otsark are used three times per season: before flowering, 14 days after its completion and at the stage of fruit filling.

Irrigation is carried out regularly throughout the entire growing season of the plum tree. At the beginning of spring, during the flowering stage and 2 weeks after it, 5 buckets of water are used per planting. But at the fruit-filling stage, the norm should be increased to 7 buckets of water. A month before the arrival of frost, up to 15 buckets of water are poured under each tree, and mulch is laid on top.

Stone fruit pruning

Given the active growth of vegetative mass in the first years after planting, the Otsark Premier plum tree needs annual pruning. All incapacitated shoots and branches that have already gone beyond the formed crown must be removed. The trimming also applies to the central conductor; it is shortened to 1.5 meters.

Loosening and care of the tree trunk circle

To improve the moisture and air permeability of the soil, the soil is regularly loosened. The manipulation is performed a couple of days after irrigation. It is possible to avoid the development of various ailments and the invasion of parasites by removing weeds from the tree trunk.

Diseases and the fight against them

To protect garden plants from dangerous diseases, it is necessary to carry out treatments with Bordeaux mixture or a working solution based on copper sulfate, which is diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The first procedure is carried out in early spring before the buds open, the second - 2 weeks before the flowering phase, the third - after the leaves fall.

Preparing for winter

In addition to moisture-recharging irrigation, before the onset of cold weather, the soil in the tree trunk circle should be mulched. The trunk of the Otsark plum needs to be whitened and wrapped in paper and burlap. Such simple actions will protect the tree from severe frosts.

Plum Otsark Premier is an excellent option for an unpretentious and high-yielding plant. Even novice gardeners can grow it, the main thing is to adhere to the planting algorithm and basic recommendations regarding care.

Otsark Premier is a plum that was bred in the USA. It was bred from the Metley and Burbank varieties. This made it possible to develop the plant for cultivation in almost any climate. For its taste and beneficial qualities, it has gained wide popularity in household plots. But at the same time, there are a number of nuances and rules that must be observed when growing seedlings.

Where is this beauty from?

But no one will argue that this plum is truly a beauty. During the ripening period, large and juicy fruits (shown in the photo) look great on the tree, and you really want to immediately pick the plum and put it in your mouth.

And Ozark Premier “came” from afar, from across the seas. The homeland of the variety is Missouri (USA), where it was bred by breeders.

Two varieties of plums were used for crossing - Burbank and Metley. Their distant ancestors are Japanese plums, and the breeders tried to ensure that all the best qualities of these trees were preserved in the new varieties.