Alycha varieties for the central part of Russia

Being a relative of the plum, cherry plum from the latter differs by higher drought resistance. However, on an equal basis with this, it does not have enough frost resistance to grow wild in the conditions of frosty winters.

History of Culture

It is believed that it was the first time in Armenia to cultivate this fruit. Then the cherry plum began to gradually spread to areas with ancient agricultural culture - to Iran and Asia Minor, many Transcaucasian regions. During the excavations conducted on the Black Sea coast - on the coast of the Crimea and the Caucasus - archaeologists have found the seeds of fruits, the origin of which dates back to the fifth century BC. It was plum.

general information

This perennial and multi-stemmed tree with strongly spiny branches sometimes reaches a height of ten meters. Some varieties of cherry plum are shrubs that have thin brownish-green shoots. Flowers of this culture - white or pink - are single. Self-pollinated varieties of arachi begin to develop intensively, then, after ten years, the rate of their growth noticeably decreases. On the trees and bushes, the tops or overgrown branches begin to form actively. This is due to the awakening of the sleeping kidneys.

During the fruiting period, the plant of this family, including the varieties of plum blossoms for the middle belt, enters only the second or fourth year after the planting. Its flowering begins depending on the region both in mid-May and later. For example, a cherry plum for the central strip of our country produces buds simultaneously with leaves.

Fruit ripening in the southern regions occurs in June, it lasts until early October - depending on the form and variety. The fruit is a drupe. The root system of this garden culture has a shallow occurrence, and therefore the plant can be planted also in areas where there is a close occurrence - up to one and a half meters - of groundwater. And although the southern varieties of early plum are quite drought-resistant, they are not winter hardy.

Selection

Alycha is very interesting and easy in the process of crossing with different varieties of plum. Thanks to this, her specialists have managed to solve many problems. For example, varieties of cherry plum were created for the central part of Russia and even for northern regions, which have increased adaptive properties for harsh living conditions. Moreover, breeders managed to unite in several subspecies several valuable traits from different species. These are characteristics such as high winter hardiness and large-fruited, improved fetal quality, etc.

Winter-resistant varieties

Breeders are still working on creating new varieties of this type of fruit culture. It should be said that in recent years there have already appeared quite a few varieties of "cherry plum", there are even winter-hardy varieties of cherry plum for the middle belt - those regions of Russia in which severe frosts are a common occurrence. Among other advantages of this culture, experts also call its low demand for fertility of soil composition, rapidity and, of course, high yield. All these characteristics have become the reason for the popularity of this plant, and therefore today almost every second garden meets cherry plum.

Cultivation of new winter hardy varieties in the central part of Russia became possible due to the fact that such varieties appeared that have a great advantage over other stone fruit species. At the same time, at first, few believed in the possibility of adapting this culture in the harsh conditions of the temperate continental climate.

"Russian Plum"

At the end of the last century, the Crimean agronomist G. Eremin crossed the already existing hybrid cherry plum and various frost-resistant tree species. As a result, he created many varieties with remarkable properties. All of them were united in one family called "Russian plum".

The best varieties of cherry plum for the central part of Russia and the regions located to the north, are well tolerated by twenty-degree frosts. They have the same productivity as their ancestor. By taste and size, the fruits of these crossed varieties resemble the southern plum as much as possible. Hybrids, members of this group, today there are a little more than three dozen species.

Characteristics of new varieties

Crossed for growth in conditions of severe Russian frost subspecies "Russian plum" are quick-fruited. Their fruiting begins already in the second or third year and occurs then every year. The yield that characterizes such a hybrid culture is quite high. Alycha, landing and care in the middle lane behind which nothing particularly differ from the requirements of its southern ancestress, for example, in the suburbs, can give from twenty to fifty kilograms of delicious juicy fruits from each tree.

The life span of hybrid crossed varieties is about two decades. In addition, the new "Russian plum" is resistant to pests or various diseases that often affect many fruit and berry crops.

In this case, experts note another characteristic feature that justifies the cultivation of cherry plum in the central zone of our country: in a temperate continental climate, when severe frosts and thaws often replace each other during the winter months, this plant does not undergo a rooting of the root neck. This, according to experienced gardeners, is a very valuable quality for both grafted and for the root-bearing fruit-bearing culture. This is the last argument to make cherry plum appear in many gardens of the Central European regions of Russia.

Planting and care

In the central strip of our country, this photophilic culture can not be planted in darkened places. The hybrids varieties of the plum blossom are mainly grafted - by oculization, and in some cases by bones or green, with slightly lignified cuttings. Many gardeners prefer to separate and transplant and root shoots.

When growing cherry plums from seedlings obtained from green lignified cuttings, rooting should be carried out in conditions where it is possible to create an artificial mist, while pretreating them with stimulants for growth.

The best time to plant plum trees in the gardens of the Russian middle belt is early spring: as soon as the snow falls. It is not necessary to lag behind the placement of planting material in the ground, because experts believe that a plant that has already begun to grow and has swollen buds is much worse. In the autumn, this process is undesirable due to the characteristics associated with the frost resistance of the crop.

The distance between the pitches should be from three to six meters. It depends on what sorts of cherry plums are cultivated and what kind of crown they have. Many types of "Russian plum" are self-fertile, so they need a neighborhood with pollinators. It can be such varieties as "Red Ball", "Skoroplodnaya", etc.

Pruning and pests

This plum in the southern regions grows to ten meters, while cherry plum in the central part of Russia, although it is developing rapidly, but its maximum height is 5-6 m. Nevertheless, it is necessary to carry out constant pruning, which will only be aimed at thinning. With a strong removal of branches, the vegetative growth of the crown may increase, but this will happen at the expense of yield.

Alycha, although not very susceptible to diseases and pests, nevertheless it can be affected by black or copper gnat, plum gluten or sawfly, and apple-tree panel. Therefore, periodically in the garden you need to carry out preventive measures. When choosing a soil, the varieties of a cherry plum for the central part of Russia are just not choosy. They can even grow and bear fruit where some stone cultures will feel uncomfortable and refuse to harvest. The main thing is to choose the right varieties, and then the southern beauty of cherry plum will blossom and delight in its delicious plums.

Varieties for the middle belt

The testimonies of those who have already planted this "Russian plum" on their site, especially the inhabitants of the Moscow region, show that this culture tolerates severe frosts well enough. The fact that cherry plum has long ceased to be a southern culture, pleases many.

Experienced gardeners prefer to grow hybrids, which are taken out at experimental stations in the Crimean Scientific Research Institute of Plant Growing. They are distinguished not only by high yield and increased winter hardiness, but also resistance to pests with diseases. Many varieties are characterized by an extended period of ripening. The earliest ripen along with the late cherry. Many hybrids are not large, so gardeners note not only the ease of care for them, but also the convenience in harvesting.

"Timiryazevskaya"

To the most winter-hardy can be considered many varieties. "Traveler" - with early maturation and medium fruits with a weight of up to thirty grams. The tree has a medium-thick crown with an average density. Winter hardiness of this variety is high with moderate drought resistance. "Traveler" from each tree can give under favorable conditions up to fifty kilograms of sugared sweet and sour taste.

The "Ruby" class is classified as a species with medium maturity periods. He has dark red fruit, juicy flesh. Winter hardiness of this plum is very high.

"Kuban comet" refers to the mid-term partially self-fertilized species, which gives large fruits with a juicy fibrous flesh. The taste of these yellow plums is sweet and sour. The stone does not separate. The fruits of this variety are most often used for canning. The tree has a flat round crown, it grows weakly and starts to fruit for the third or fourth year.

Alycha "Timiryazeskaya" was obtained as a result of free pollination of the "Kuban comet" in the Moscow Agricultural Academy in 1991. It has a very early maturity and high winter hardiness. Great for the Russian middle zone. "Timiryazevskaya" is relatively resistant to disease, has an average yield and early fertility, is self-fertile. The taste of the fruits of this variety is sweet and sour, harmonious. The small bone is easily separated.

Many other varieties, such as "Scythian Gold", "Cleopatra", "Nesmeyana", "Mara", "Gift to St. Petersburg", etc., have basically an average height and a wide-ended or dropping crown. Their branches are spread out. Many of them, for example, the same alycha "Gold of the Scythians", "Yarilo", "Pramen", etc., are early ripening. The fruits of most of them reach up to thirty grams, sweet and juicy. Despite the relatively low yields - from each tree to forty kilograms - these varieties have gained great popularity due to such characteristics as high frost resistance. In addition, virtually all varieties of "Russian plum" are not affected by fungal diseases.

Beneficial features

Kinds of cherry plum hybrid varieties are very different not only in color, but in size and taste. They can be as amber or gently pink, and orange and dark purple, even variegated. The color of the fetus also depends on its chemical composition: in yellow, more citric acid and sugar, and in dark, many pectins. The taste is as pronounced sweet, with a tart honey flavor, and very sour.

The flesh of the fruits of plum is dense and very tender. Bone, as a rule, is easily separated from many varieties.

The fruits of plum or "Russian plum" contain up to thirteen percent of sugar, up to seven - organic acids, about 1.5% - pectin, as well as tannins, nitrogenous and mineral substances, many carotene and vitamins C, B, A, B2, E , PP. In the kernels of the bones, about half of the composition is butter, which is very close in quality to the almond oil.

From the pulp of the plum fruits today, many are brewed jam and jam, prepare marmalade and pastille, use it as a seasoning for dishes. Compotes, juice, liquor, wine, jelly - all this can be prepared from the "Russian plum". In addition, it is often used for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. It is believed that the fruits of cherry plum excellent for hypovitaminosis, as well as for relief of attacks of rheumatism. They are prescribed as prophylaxis for patients with hypertension, tuberculosis or pneumonia. The reason for this application is that a cherry plum with its chemical composition contributes to increased permeability in the vessels.

In addition, the main difference between plum fruits and plum is that they, when well adhered to the tree, practically do not fall off after ripening. And since the tree itself is not high, then it is not too difficult to break them. If you harvest before the ripening and final acquisition of the color characteristic of the variety, it ripens well in a cool, ventilated place. Another advantage is the convenience of transportation and long shelf life of the plum.