The Chinese plum blooms luxuriantly, yields early harvest, is famous for its juicy fruits. It easily adapts to the conditions of almost all climatic zones, but requires compliance with the rules of cultivation.
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Description
Chinese plum belongs to the Rosaceae family. Found in the wild. The homeland of the cultivated plant is China and the Far East.
The height of the tree is 2-2.5 m, rarely higher. The trunk is straight with purple or reddish brown bark. On straight thick branches grow dark green glossy leaves of an elongated shape with a sharp tip and a ribbed edge. They are 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. The crown has the shape of an almost regular ball.
White flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, but bloom before them.
Fruiting is abundant with successful pollination. Conical, heart-shaped or spherical fruits vary in shades from bright red to yellow. The pulp is juicy, sweet and sour.
Advantages and disadvantages
The benefits of plums include:
- early flowering and fruiting;
- variety of varieties;
- high productivity;
- taste of fruits;
- good portability;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
There are few disadvantages:
- damaged by recurrent frost;
- susceptible to the development of root rot;
- needs pollinators due to early flowering.
It is best to plant several varieties of Chinese plum for sustainable pollination.
Growing conditions
To grow a tree you need:
- An elevated, well-lit or sunny location, sheltered from the north wind.
- Chernozem, gray, clayey, forest soils, rich in calcium, alkaline or neutral.
- Low water table: more than 1.5 m.
- Autumn planting.
The root system of the Chinese plum is better adapted to low temperatures. During the winter, the tree develops roots. In the spring, his forces are directed to the growth and formation of the crown.
Care features
The soil
The plant copes with short droughts, but in spring and summer, when the heat is intense, frequent watering is required: 10 liters per sq. m.
After moistening, it is recommended to loosen the soil to a depth of 5 cm and mulch the near-trunk circle with chips, compost or peat 8-12 cm thick.
Top dressing
In spring, nitrogen fertilizers are used: 25 g of ammonium nitrate, 25 g of urea are dissolved in 10 liters of water. In summer, the tree is fed several times with a mixture of ash (200 g per sq. m), potassium (20 g) and phosphorus (60 g). At the beginning of autumn, it is recommended to add 15-20 g of nitroammophoska.
Pruning
The Chinese plum is pruned several times:
- Immediately after landing. The seedling is shortened by about half the height.
- In the spring, after the end of frost, tops and branches thickening the crown are removed.
Sharp and disinfected instruments are used.
An adult tree easily tolerates winter without shelter, but young plants at the age of 2-3 years need to be tied with rags or spruce branches in 2 layers.
Possible diseases and pests
The culture is resistant to disease, but can suffer from moniliosis or clotterosporia. To prevent it, before flowering, it is treated with a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid.
Of the pests, the moth and plum moth are the most dangerous. The tree should be treated with special chemicals every 2 weeks, stopping the procedure a month before harvesting.
Have you planted a Chinese plum in your garden?
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
Read about plum pests in the following article:The most dangerous plum pests and the fight against them