Plum is one of the most common fruit crops, which can reach 10 meters in height. It is believed that the familiar plum is the result of a natural crossing of sloe and cherry plum. Modern scientists have developed many hybrids that differ in the shape of the fruit and the period of fruiting.
You will find complete information about planting, growing and caring for plums in the article. We described in detail the basic rules and features of growing fruit crops, and selected photos and videos that will help novice gardeners grow a fertile tree.
Plum: care and cultivation
Care and cultivation of plums largely depends on the type of crop. Species with oblong fruits are called Hungarian, and round plums are called Renklody. As a rule, it is grown on low-standard, semi-standard and high-standard standard forms Oh. The crown can be shaped like a fan or pyramid. Palmette or cordon are not suitable for this crop.
Figure 1. Popular plum varieties: 1 - Voronezh Hungarian, 2 - Volga beauty, 3 - Eurasia-21, 4 - Record Common varieties include(picture 1):
- Hungarian Voronezh bears brown-blue sweet fruits, the seeds of which are easily separated. It is characterized by high productivity, but low winter hardiness;
- Volga beauty. The fruits are oval in shape, purple-red in color and have a sweet and sour taste. It is characterized by high yield and average winter hardiness. The harvest is harvested in several stages, as it ripens unevenly;
- Eurasia-21 is distinguished by round, dark-burgundy fruits with a slight bluish tinge. The taste is sweet and sour, the bone is difficult to separate;
- The award is suitable for growing on black soil. The fruits are oval, have a dark red color and sweet and sour taste, and are quite large in size;
- The record is distinguished by black-blue oval fruits with a well-separable stone. During the season you can harvest up to 15 kg of crop;
- The collective farm genus produces sweet and sour round fruits of yellow-green color. They are small, but up to 25 kg of crop can be harvested per season (Figure 2);
- Renclod Tambov: round red-violet fruits weighing up to 25 grams. The tree has average winter hardiness and good yield;
- Early fruiting is characterized by round, bright red fruits. It is characterized by high yield and winter hardiness;
- Early ripening red is distinguished by oval elongated fruits of a dark red color. The stone separates well, but the yield is average;
- Smolinka is a tree with oval fruits of violet-blue color. Winter hardiness and yield are average (up to 20 kg per tree);
- Tula black is an unusual crop with oval fruits of a black and blue hue. During the season you can collect up to 40 kg from one tree.
Figure 2. Varieties of plums: 1 - collective farm renklod, 2 - red early ripening, 3 - smolinka, 4 - Tula black A separate type is the damson, which is characterized by low growth and high endurance. It has a characteristic tart taste and blue-black color. There are other types of damsons different colors(for example, damascene or mirabelle). It is similar to plum and cherry plum, which is often used as a rootstock.
Conditions
For cultivation, choose thick soils with a high ability to retain moisture. The soil around the tree is regularly cleared of weeds, but it is not recommended to loosen it frequently, as this promotes the formation of root shoots.
Figure 3. Recommendations for choosing a place to plant a crop To get a regular harvest, plant the crop in an area protected from frost, and for high-quality ripening it must be well lit. Varieties intended for processing can also be planted in shaded areas. If you plan to plant a tree near a wall, it is better to choose a southern or western direction, and only damsons can be planted near the eastern or even northern walls. Figure 3 shows recommendations for planting plum trees in relation to other trees, shrubs, buildings and fences. From the video you will learn practical recommendations on selecting a location and planting plum seedlings.
Rules
The selection of seedlings is based on the size of the garden. For small areas, the semi-dwarf St. Julian A rootstock is suitable. There are also popular cherry plum B and Brompton rootstocks, but for most gardens this personal plots they are too tall.
Figure 4. Seedlings of different quality and age If you plan to grow a low- or high-standard form, as well as a tree with a fan crown, buy a partially formed seedling. Only one-year-old seedlings are suitable for forming a crown like a dwarf pyramid. Figure 4 shows seedlings of various ages and qualities.
Peculiarities
At the beginning of autumn, all perennial weeds are removed from the area where the plum tree will be located. Before planting, add bone meal and mineral fertilizers, and if the soil is too light, it is supplemented with rotted manure or compost.
Plums are planted during the dormant period of the root system, that is, in spring or autumn. But if the seedling was grown in a separate pot or tub, planting can be done in the summer. Recommendations for planting are as follows (Figure 5):
- Dig a hole. Its width and depth must correspond to the size of the root system;
- If the tree is planned to be grown in an open space, a supporting stake is driven into the ground;
- For trees with a fan crown, a system of wire supports is formed, which are stretched horizontally at a distance of 15 cm from each other;
- The distance between trees should be at least 5.5 meters.
Figure 5. Recommendations for planting seedlings Supports - necessary condition cultivation for the first five years. However, if the tree is planted in an open area not protected from the winds, the supports are left for a longer period. High-standard forms require additional supports with a horizontal bridge.
How to plant a plum from a seed
Growing a plum seedling from a seed is a very labor-intensive process that requires compliance with certain rules. You will learn how to plant a plum from a seed correctly in this section.
What you need to know
First of all, you need to choose the right one planting material. It is better to collect seeds from trees of local varieties, since imported fruits will not take root in the new climate. For growing, select ripe soft fruits. Their seeds will germinate much faster.
The pit is cleared of pulp, washed thoroughly and laid out on the windowsill to dry. After this, you need to remove the seed itself from the seed. To do this, the upper hard shell is split with nutcrackers (Figure 6).
Note: Before planting, be sure to check the germination of the seeds. They are placed in a glass of water. High-quality seeds will fall to the bottom, and spoiled ones will remain floating on the surface.
Proper planting of a seed tree begins with the process of seed stratification (germination at low temperatures). The best time The end of November is considered for its holding. Over the winter, the seeds will have time to germinate and the seedlings will have time to grow stronger before being transplanted into the ground in the spring.
To germinate a plum pit, you need to do the following::
- A glass jar is filled with moist, fertile soil. Place the seeds on it and shake the container well. This will fill the ground with air and make the soil loose.
- The jar is placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 5 months. During this time, the seeds begin to gradually germinate and are hardened before planting in the ground.
- Ready seeds can be transplanted into the soil as early as mid-May. The planting area is carefully dug up and fertilized. It is better to choose sunny and sheltered places from the wind.
Figure 6. Growing a seedling from a seed Only seeds that have formed roots during storage in the refrigerator can be planted in the ground. Such seeds will later turn into seedlings and mature trees.
Peculiarities
It is worth considering that at least five years will pass from the moment the seeds are prepared and stratified and an adult tree is obtained. In addition, a seedling grown with your own hands from a seed does not produce a very abundant harvest in the first year of fruiting. However, when proper care the crop yield will be quite high (Figure 7).
Figure 7. Sprouting seeds to grow seedlings After the first shoots appear, care is taken to ensure that the tree trunk is formed evenly. Young shoots formed in the fall are pinched for better wintering of the crop. For the winter, the shoots are insulated and covered with mulch.
Only after the formation of a strong trunk and several side branches with shoots do they begin to form a crown. To do this, pruning is carried out, removing excess and weak shoots.
How to grow a plum from cuttings
You can grow plums not only from seeds, but also by cuttings. To do this, in mid-June you need to cut young green cuttings. The length of one branch is approximately 20-30 cm. It is better to cut in the morning in cool weather so that the tree does not experience unnecessary stress. The prepared branches are immediately placed in water for germination (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Preparing cuttings for planting It will be better if a few leaves remain on the cuttings. Such shoots will take root much faster and turn into a full-fledged tree.
If you are interested in how to properly plant a plum in the spring from a cutting, you need to take into account that special growth stimulants will help speed up the formation of roots. Such preparations are used instead of ordinary water for germinating cuttings.
You can take any growth stimulant, but it must be diluted with water to reduce the concentration of the drug. It is enough to immerse the cuttings in liquid for 18 hours, and after that they can be transferred to a container with clean water.
The author of the video will tell you how to properly harvest and root green cuttings of the crop.
Rules
The grown cuttings are transplanted into open ground according to certain rules. First, prepare the soil. To do this, pour a layer of peat onto the bed and a layer of sand on top. Immediately before planting, watering is carried out with water mixed with mineral supplements(Figure 9).
Figure 9. The procedure for planting cuttings in open ground The distance between the cuttings should be no more than 7 cm, and the depth of the hole should be about 3 cm. The bed is covered with film on top or a greenhouse-type shelter is built. Watering is carried out several times a day, and the cover is removed after about a month.
Conditions
Young seedlings are easily obtained sunburn, therefore, even after removing the cover, it is recommended to slightly shade them.
Grown seedlings are transplanted to permanent place after the formation of several lateral branches (after about a year). The plum bed is fertilized with rotted manure and mineral fertilizers over several months.
Plum: planting and care in open ground
It is advisable to plant plums in open ground in the spring, before the buds open. In warm climates, autumn planting is also allowed, in September. Before the onset of cold weather, the seedling will have time to take root and grow stronger.
Plum care in spring, summer and autumn includes standard measures for fruit trees. There are certain events for each time of year (Figure 10):
- in spring carry out pruning, removing frozen and damaged branches. It is better to carry out the procedure in mid-March, when there are no longer severe frosts, but the tree buds have not yet had time to open. In April, the soil on the tree trunks is loosened and mineral fertilizers are applied. It is also necessary to whitewash the trunks with lime and carry out preventive spraying against diseases and pests.
- In summer, after flowering is completed, re-fertilize with mineral fertilizers. At the end of summer the fruit harvest begins. During this period, supports are placed under the tree branches so that they do not break under the weight of the fruit.
- in autumn The harvest of fruits is completed, the last fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out, the trunk is whitened with a solution of lime and the young seedlings are covered for the winter.
Figure 10. Caring for plums in spring, summer and autumn In winter, it is advisable to cover the trunks with covering material and place rodent bait around them. This will help protect the tree from pest damage.
Spring plum care
High yields are possible only if the young tree is properly cared for. To do this, water it regularly, fertilize it and protect it from pests and diseases.
- Watering and fertilizers
At the beginning of spring, complex fertilizers and ammonium sulfate are added to the soil. However, if the site has acidic soil, it is replaced with lime-ammonium nitrate. Additionally, trees are mulched by spreading fertilizers in a layer of up to 5 cm so that they do not touch the trunk (Figure 11).
Figure 11. Caring for plum seedlings: 1 - fertilizer, 2 - mulching, 3 - watering In dry and hot weather, the plum tree is watered every 10 days throughout the growing season. 2.5 liters of water are needed per square meter of area. Excessive irregular watering negatively affects the quality of the fruits: they may crack.
- Frost protection
Regardless of where the plum grows, it is protected from spring frosts. To do this, use burlap or mesh, covering the tree at night during the flowering period.
- Pollination
Plums begin to bloom very early, especially those growing near walls. Due to the lack of insects, pollination is carried out manually, transferring pollen from male flowers to female ones. To do this, you can use a cotton swab or a soft brush. Recommendations for hand pollination are given in Figure 12.
Figure 12. Hand pollination procedure Most species of damson and cherry plum are capable of self-pollination. In addition, there are similar types of plums, so they can be planted individually.
- Thinning fruits and supporting branches
The plum is freed from excess fruits only after the seeds have formed and only if they greatly burden the branches. If thinning is carried out earlier, the tree will not bear full fruit.
As a rule, the first thinning is carried out when the fruits reach the size walnut, and the second - when they become twice as large.
Figure 13. Fruit thinning process It is important that when thinning, you should not pick plums, as this can damage the stalk. Cut them with scissors or pruning shears (Figure 13).
To prevent the branches from breaking, they are provided with additional support. Supports are driven into the ground around the tree at an angle. At their top there should be forks wrapped in burlap. Branches with big amount fruits can also be tied to the top of a stake driven nearby. Types of supports for mature trees and seedlings are shown in Figure 14.
Note: Ripe fruits are picked together with the stalks. Moreover, this process is carried out in several stages, since ripening occurs unevenly.
Figure 14. Types of supports for seedlings and mature trees Plums are not intended for long-term storage. The maximum permissible period is 2-3 weeks, but in this case the fruits are removed slightly unripe and stored in a cool, dry room. For storage, they are usually preserved in the form of jams and compotes, and also dried and frozen.
Experienced gardeners recommend carrying out spring preventive treatment with drugs against diseases and pests. Spraying is carried out in early spring, before the start of sap flow. During the summer, watering is carried out periodically if natural precipitation is insufficient.
Note: In the process of preparing a tree for wintering, winter watering is additionally carried out, which provides the seedling with the necessary moisture in winter.
Feeding is one of the main stages of care. Fertilizer application is combined with loosening so that nutrients get into the soil faster. root system.
Top dressing
It is better to fertilize plums with mineral fertilizers. Organic matter is added only once every 3-4 years, using rotted manure or compost. Nitrogen fertilizers It is better to apply in the fall to activate the growth of the crop. Phosphorus and potassium are added in the fall to prepare the seedling for winter.
An adult crop can be left without shelter for the winter, covering only the trunk circles with mulch. Young seedlings must be covered with mulch or spruce branches. You can wrap the tree in burlap, but not synthetic material, because the culture under it will begin to rot.
Trimming
Under no circumstances should plum trees be pruned in winter, as this increases the risk of milky sheen. In any case, the cutting areas must be covered.
The cutting of all standard forms is the same. The only difference is that annual seedlings for semi- and high-standard forms are pruned less than for low-standard forms.
Trimming is carried out according to the following algorithm(Figure 15):
- First year: before the buds open, the trunk is cut to the first bud to a height of 1, 1.3 or 1.8 meters (for low-, semi- and high-standard forms, respectively). Sometimes when forming tall trees In the first year, pruning is postponed, and only the side branches are shortened so that the central conductor becomes thicker. In summer, several first-order buds are selected, located closer to the top, and the remaining shoots are shortened.
- Second year: four branches are selected that extend at right angles from the trunk. They are shortened by half along the outer kidney. All other branches (including those left in the first year to thicken the trunk) are removed. Also in the second year, all shoots formed below the crown are pruned.
- Third year: the procedure is repeated, and the main purpose of pruning is to allow second-order branches to develop. In the fall, select eight strong branches, and in the spring, shorten them by half. The branches inside the crown are also shortened.
Figure 15. Pruning seedlings depending on age In the future, the plum bears fruit well even without annual pruning. It may only be required for low-growing species. But dry, damaged branches will still have to be removed, and the crown will also have to be thinned out regularly if it becomes too thick.
When forming a fan crown, in the first year the annual seedling is shortened to a length of 60 cm above the soil (Figure 16). Below this border there should be two branches directed in opposite directions. All other shoots are shortened to one bud.
Figure 16. Pruning a tree with a fan crown At the beginning of summer, the central conductor is directed vertically, and the side branches - in opposite directions, tying them to the wire. When the lateral processes reach a length of 50 cm, the central conductor is removed. To stimulate the growth of new shoots, in the second year the branches extending to the side are shortened. Later, several strong shoots are selected from each of them and also tied to a support. In the future, the procedure is repeated to stimulate shoot growth.
Figure 17. Formation of a pyramidal plum crown Figure 17 shows detailed diagram plum trimmings with a pyramidal crown shape. The video provides practical recommendations experienced gardeners on plum trimming.
Autumn planting permissible only in regions with mild climates. If your region has cold winters, planting will have to be postponed until spring, since young crops will not have time to take root and may die from frost.
For autumn planting, it is also necessary to prepare the site in advance: clear it of weeds, apply fertilizer and carry out deep digging.
What you need to know
The hole for planting begins to be prepared approximately two weeks before the seedling is transferred to the ground (Figure 18). The soil can be any, but it is advisable not to choose areas with close groundwater. Excessive moisture can cause root rot and seedling death.
Figure 18. Autumn planting scheme It is better to choose a sunny site, with protection from cold winds and drafts. Acidic soil is additionally limed.
Peculiarities
An important role when planting is played not only by the correct choice of location and soil preparation. No less important The choice of seedling also plays a role. Its root system should be fresh, without signs of any damage, dryness or rotting.
Note: If the roots of the planting material are slightly dry, it can be immersed in water for several hours.
It is better to plant in a mound placed around a supporting peg. After planting, the seedling is watered abundantly, and when the moisture is absorbed, the soil is slightly compacted and an additional layer of soil is added.
Control of diseases and pests of plums
Caring for plums in the spring includes pest control. Great harm Birds damage fruit buds and ripe fruits, so it is advisable to cover the tree with a special net. In addition, it is affected by aphids and red fruit mites. To combat them, spraying with nitrophen is used (Figure 19).
Figure 19. Main pests of plum: 1 - aphids, 2 - red spider mite, 3 - plum sawfly If leaf-eating caterpillars appear, spray with karbofos. The same remedy is used to combat plum sawfly.
If a milky sheen is detected, the diseased branch is cut back to the point where the healthy wood begins. The cuts are immediately covered. If a tree is infected with bacterial cancer, the diseased branches are cut off and burned, and sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Fruits infected with brown rot are also subject to destruction (Figure 20).
Figure 20. Plum diseases: 1 - milky shine, 2 - bacterial cancer, 3 - brown rot of fruits Every summer resident dreams of planting a plum in the garden. It is believed that an unpretentious plum tree can be planted and cared for by anyone. Is it so? Among the many varieties, there is sure to be a suitable one. But there are features, without providing which you can expect flowering for a long time, but still not try plums from own garden. How to choose a seedling, find a place for a tree, plant and care for it correctly - our article.
Choosing a place for a plum
The terrain should be undulating, the slopes should be gentle and wide, not shaded by other trees. There should be a distance of 5 meters from buildings and fences. The tree will not grow in the lowlands. If there is a “pipe” with constant blowing, this is also not suitable. Groundwater should be below 1.5 meters.
You cannot plant a plum where a freshly uprooted garden grew. The land deposit must gain strength and nutrition for at least 4 years. The best soil for trees is loam or sandy loam. Plum roots go deep and they should not be washed away groundwater. If there is a problem, you need to plant the tree on a ridge 50-70 cm high, and drain the area using special ditches. After planting, plum care will include a gradual annual expansion of the radius of the flowerbed by 10-15 cm - the place for the roots.
For good yields, you need to plant different varieties of plums that are compatible for pollination. Place trees at a distance of at least 3 meters. There should be no shading plants nearby.
Dig the area where the plum will grow as deep as possible. Ideally, 70 cm. This technique is used to saturate the ground with air. The place for the plum begins to be prepared 2-3 years before planting the tree.
If the soil is acidic, it is limed. In addition to lime, sand and ash are added to peat soil. To restore fertility, the application of organic fertilizers after their processing by EM-1 Baikal is suitable. Planting plums and caring for them after preparing the site will not cause any difficulties.
How to choose suitable seedlings
A gardener has three ways to purchase planting material:
- In the nursery, where you can buy varietal seedlings and pollinators. There you can also get the necessary advice on the characteristics of the variety and how to plant plums. When choosing a seedling, be guided by the picture presented. If you can choose a plant with an open root or in a container, it is better to choose an open one. It clearly shows all the nuances of development. The root should be in a clay mash.
- You can get free planting material using cuttings. Take young branches that have turned red from the mother plant, carefully separate them and keep them in water for 10 days. Callus will appear. Root the branches in a substrate of sand and peat, watered with phosphated water. The roots will grow in 10-40 days. By the time stable frost sets in, cover the shoots completely with peat and leave them for the winter.
- Grow a seedling from a seed.
Any seedling must be no older than 2 years. When planting, the buds should be swollen, but not open. You cannot buy a seedling with dry buds in the spring - it has been exposed to frost. Autumn planting is carried out 1.5 months before persistent frosts.
In autumn, the seedling is not pruned. In the spring you need to shorten the branches so that the weak root system can feed a small amount of ground mass. The rule is this: the weaker the root system of the seedling, the more shoots need to be pruned, while simultaneously forming the crown.
The fruit pit is prepared in advance, filled with a substrate of humus, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and fertile soil by half. The roots are placed along the mound and carefully covered with ordinary top soil. This compacts the soil to force out the air. The root collar should remain above the planting level, but be sprinkled. Later tree will settle. After planting, pour several buckets of water into a fresh hole and mulch. A stake is installed on the north side to which the seedling is tied. Caring for plums after planting consists of timely watering and loosening the soil.
Spring plum care
In spring, not only trees wake up, but also insect pests and disease spores. Therefore, plum care in spring begins with preventive spraying. copper sulfate. You can carry out the first spraying with nitrofen to destroy wintering ticks. In addition, trapping belts are installed, tree trunks are whitened with insecticides added to lime. To protect the plum, you will need to treat it four times with copper sulfate of 1% strength:
- on swollen kidneys;
- along the green cone;
- by flower buds;
- a week after flowering.
Preventive treatments are carried out to destroy colonies of pests overwintering in the garden.
In order for the tree to direct its forces to the formation of a harvest, the plum is pruned in the spring according to the scheme for a young and fruit tree. The purpose of pruning a seedling is correct formation crowns, creating the correct ratio of the central shoot and fruit tiers. At the same time, skeletal branches are formed and unnecessary interlayer formations are removed. Pruning is done in such a way as to force dormant buds to work, because the entire harvest occurs only on young growth.
An adult plum tree undergoes sanitary and thinning pruning. After spring formation through the branches, the sparrow should fly in a straight line in all directions.
The tree had just begun sap flow, and a portion of natural organic matter was added to the trunk circle of an adult tree. Caring for plums in the spring ensures that the tree regains its strength after wintering. Therefore, fertilizing and abundant spring watering are necessary measures. When watering, add ammonium nitrate according to the calculation of a matchbox to a bucket of irrigation water. Careful attention to the tree will protect it from weevils and other misfortunes.
Caring for a plum tree after flowering
To form a harvest, the tree needs to process the nutrition it receives into the characteristic set of organic and mineral ingredients that make up the cream. How to feed a plum after flowering? Natural organic matter and green broths poured into the tree trunk will help feed the roots. Prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons of urea and 3 nitrophoska per bucket of water. For each fruit tree 25 liters required. At the same time, abundant watering of the tree continues.
How to care for plums in August? A month before harvesting, the trees are fed with a mixture that prepares the plums for winter. 4 buckets of fertilizer are poured under each bush. Add 2 tablespoons of potassium sulfate and 3 tablespoons of superphosphate to the bucket. Nitrogen at this time is harmful to the tree, and watering continues.
Plum is a very common fruit tree that provides us with tasty, nutritious and healthy fruits. Yes, yes, fruits, although some people mistakenly call them berries. There are several varieties of these trees - Chinese plum, damson or prickly plum, home plum.
It is the domestic plum that takes pride of place in our gardens; damson plums can also be found, but not in all summer cottages. Preference is given to domestic plum for its soft, sweet, juicy fruits and recognizable pleasant aroma. Children love it very much; it is suitable for fresh consumption, canning, drying and freezing. From home plum for a long time In our country, only blue varieties were grown, but science does not stand still; breeders have developed new varieties, including yellow ones.
Caring for the yellow plum is basically the same as its blue cousin. There are slight differences depending on the variety. The most common varieties of yellow plum in Russia are White Honey, Stakhanovka, Ochakovskaya Yellow, Altai Yubileinyaya (with a red blush), Renklod Yellow, Morning. Plum is a self-fertile plant; it is rare to find a variety that bears fruit in single plantings. Therefore, you need to plant several trees at once, at least two; you can combine planting yellow and blue plums.
Reproduction and planting of yellow plum in open ground
Plums are rarely propagated by seeds or seeds, since such seedlings most likely will not reproduce the qualities of the varietal mother tree, but will grow wild. It is possible that they will be tasty, but this does not always happen. To be completely confident in growing a varietal tree, you need to use vegetative propagation, that is, using cuttings or grafting. If you like your neighbors' yellow plum, you can ask them for a cutting or root shoot. If possible, purchase zoned varietal seedlings in nurseries and garden centers, where they are sold in plastic containers or with a clod of soil in bags. Buying seedlings secondhand and at markets is risky.
It is best to plant a yellow plum seedling with an open root system in a permanent place in early spring, when the buds have not yet opened, but the ground has warmed up for digging a hole. It is allowed to plant young trees in the fall, but not too late - until October; later it is better to dig it in until spring. Plants with a closed root system (in pots) can be planted throughout the entire gardening period, but preferably not in sunny, hot weather. In this case, you need to create shading and abundant watering.
You need to plant plums on sunny area, at a distance of 3 m from each other. The soil must be fertile and loose. On the site with poor soil digging under a plum big hole, cover it with soil with compost and humus, river sand and combined fertilizer. Acidic soil is neutralized with ash or dolomite flour. The roots of the seedling tied to the stake are carefully covered with earth and watered abundantly with water (4 buckets), and the ground is mulched with peat or humus.
Yellow plum care
In the first years, the plum tree needs formative pruning, since its side branches grow very quickly and outstrip the top in growth. About 10 strong skeletal branches are left on the tree, and shoots that grow inside the crown and greatly thicken it are cut out. During next years the tree needs sanitary pruning frozen, broken, dry branches or their tips. In years of abundant harvest, supports are placed under heavy branches to prevent them from breaking off. Unnecessary root growth cut out, or better yet, dug up.
There is no need to fertilize the yellow plum in the first year of planting; the nutrients from the planting hole are sufficient. In subsequent years, nitrogen fertilizers are applied during digging in the spring, and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied in the fall. If there is no rain and the soil is dry, then you should water the trees generously - 5 buckets per plant, especially during fruiting. Excessive humidity leads to the development of fungal diseases.
It grows quickly, tolerates pruning easily and bears fruit well.
At the right approach Before planting a plum tree, it will not be difficult to grow a healthy tree that will delight you with delicious fruits.
Plum planting and care open ground The process is long and begins with choosing a variety.
Start working with the right choice landing places. In the garden, it is better to allocate a flat area for plum trees on the south or west side. The soil should warm up and breathe well. The plum seedling should be planted on a small hill.
If the place is chosen near a fence or in a low area, it is better to pour a piece mound measuring two meters wide and 50 cm high. The soil that is suitable for wood is black soil, gray forest soil or loamy soil. Seedlings are planted according to the scheme: four trees for two square meters plot.
Having chosen a place on the site, they begin to prepare the planting hole. It is prepared one to two weeks before the actual planting of the tree. Considering that plum unpretentious plant what special requirements there is no need to carry out this work.
The planting hole is made of the following dimensions: diameter 60 by 60 cm and depth 60 cm.
The selected soil is mixed with humus, mineral fertilizers are added and the seedling is covered with it.
If work is carried out in the spring, upper layer After it dries, dig up slightly - to the depth of the roots of the seedling.
Regardless of when the plum is planted - in spring or autumn, the root collar is left above the soil level by about 6 cm. In the future, when the ground settles in the tree trunk circle, it will end up on in the right place. If you do not open the neck, rotting of the bark may occur, which will significantly impair the growth of the tree.
It is important not to overdo it with mineral fertilizers. The seedling should not be fertilized with fresh manure. Use humus or compost. This will protect the roots from possible burns.
To strengthen the root system of the seedling, it must be tied up. The tree should remain in this state for up to one and a half years.
Agricultural technology and tree care
TO agrotechnical measures plum care includes:
- tree pruning
- graft
- watering
- feeding
Pruning is carried out to balance the top of the tree, improve fruiting and as a method of pest control. When planting a tree, three main branches are left, and all unnecessary side shoots are removed. Skeletal branches are shortened to 15 cm in length. If the seedling does not have three ready-made branches, they are formed during the first year.
All subsequent pruning consists of removing damaged branches and young shoots growing inside the crown. The top of the tree must be open so that the sun warms and brightens the lower branches. During fruiting, young branches may break. They should be trimmed regularly. Fruit ovaries that are too thick should be thinned out to avoid the formation of rot. The ideal placement of plums is at a distance of 3 to 7 cm from each other.
Grafting a plum tree is the same as for other trees in orchard. They are vaccinated mainly in the summer using the budding method.
Caring for a plum in the spring involves watering it. When planting, the seedling is watered well - at the rate of two buckets per tree. After this, the root circle is mulched to retain moisture. Plum is a very moisture-loving tree, so its watering is monitored whole year, especially during dry periods.
A mature tree is watered for the first time in May, then immediately after flowering.
The third watering is carried out during fruit ripening - in June.
And the final watering is carried out in October.
The amount of water for irrigation directly depends on the age of the tree and varies from three to eight buckets at a time. After watering, when the top layer of soil dries, you should definitely loosen the tree trunk circle.
During fruiting, you should constantly fertilize the plum tree. The first time it is carried out in the third year of the tree’s life. How compost, humus and wood ash. During the active growing season, plums are fed with minerals.
Thanks to this, the growth of young shoots and leaves is accelerated. If you add mineral supplements at the beginning of summer, the fruits develop and ripen faster. It is preferable to apply nitrogen fertilizers in liquid form, while phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil in the fall. Feed the plum and fluff lime.
Agrotechnical work includes cutting out root shoots. As the tree grows, many root shoots will grow from the roots. They can be safely destroyed, as they interfere with the development of the tree.
The shoots should be cut correctly. You need to dig up the soil a little, find the root system of these shoots and remove them in that place. By cutting these shoots at soil level, we will encourage them to multiply.
Preparing plums for winter
Caring for a plum in the fall involves preparing it for winter.
First of all, they deal with the crown of the tree.
Some of the young shoots are removed, and those that remain are shortened by a third of their length.
Inspect the tree for the presence of dry and diseased branches. They are removed completely, and the sections are covered with garden pitch.
If desired, you can shorten last year's branches, but not as much as the shoots. As a result, the tree will not suffer from the weight of snow or gusts of strong wind. All of the above work should be completed before mid-September so that the tree has time to heal the cuts before the onset of frost.
Thinning and crown formation helps to improve the harvest, and feeding the tree is more aimed at preserving the tree in winter period. Processes such as flowering and fruiting deplete the tree's strength. Especially if fertilizing was not carried out year-round. In this case, the tree needs help to replenish required amount nutrients before winter. And autumn root feeding contributes to this.
It is better to fertilize with a solution of mineral fertilizers. The current season's yield should be taken into account. If the harvest was weak, then the tree should be fed sparingly. Otherwise in the spring you will get an abundant green mass of shoots. Organic matter is added in early September, when some of it is still on the tree.
A good solution for the garden and plum trees in particular is the presence of green manure plants. They prevent weeds from growing and serve as fertilizer in the fall. IN autumn period They are buried on the tree trunks with the stems down. So that they turn into humus over the winter. After the leaves have completely fallen off, the main loosening of the soil around the tree trunks is carried out.
Pest and disease control
In autumn, the control of pests and diseases of plums is effective. Most insects that harm plum trees during this period want to take refuge in the tree bark or in tree trunk circles. Plums begin to be processed from the moment of harvesting until the end of leaf fall. Wood ash and onion peel infusions are used.
Plum care - on video:
Plum, as one of the sought-after plants in the garden, is valued for its excellent productivity, early fruiting and the versatility of using the fruits. General measures care plum ordinary, like others fruit crops. Paying close attention to the characteristics of this tree, timely care and fulfillment of all unique requirements for care will help you get a bountiful and high-quality harvest year after year drain
Planting plum
One- and two-year-old grafted or two- and three-year-old coppice seedlings are planted in the spring, before the buds swell.
Grafted seedlings begin to bear fruit earlier. A 5 x 3 m planting pattern is used. Planting pits make it 80 cm wide and 50 cm deep. 1-2 buckets of compost or humus, 80-100 g of superphosphate, 40-60 g of potassium salt are poured into the bottom of each hole.
At acidic soil add 500-900 g dolomite flour or lime. The soil is mixed with fertilizers. When planting seedlings, the root collar is left 2-3 cm above ground level. After planting, the soil is compacted and watered with 2-3 buckets of water. The hole around the tree is sprinkled with humus, half-rotted manure or peat.
Plum care
Between the young plum trees can be planted berry bushes. After the crown has grown (after 6-8 years), they are removed and vegetables, including potatoes or strawberries, are planted in this place.
In the first 3-4 years, plum shoots grow intensively, so in the summer, when they are 30-40 cm long, they are pinched. With a small increase in shoots in early spring, the tree is fed with urea or ammonium nitrate (20 g per 1 m2). In June, trees are fed with natural organic fertilizers, which are applied along circular furrows around the tree. After this, the tree trunk circles are mulched. With regular and abundant fruiting, trees are fertilized every year. In the fall, when digging, add 2-3 kg of manure or compost per 1 m2 to the soil. Mineral fertilizers use once every 2-3 years (40-50 g of superphosphate and 20-30 g of potassium salt per 1 m2). If the tree does not bear fruit, then in the fall the soil under it is not fertilized, and fertilizing is carried out the following summer.
Plum trees need to be watered in June, July and at the end of September. When caring for plums It should be borne in mind that plums are more demanding when it comes to watering. It is a moisture-loving tree, but excess water causes yellowing of the leaves and drying of the tops. If watering is carried out irregularly, the fruits will crack. Earth tree trunk circles loosen and weed, remove shoots. Conducted with diseases and insect pests. The plum tree only needs sanitary pruning.
