Description of the Candy Plum variety, cultivation and care, pollinators and reproduction
Among gardeners, Plum Candy is known as an unpretentious and hardy plant. It can be grown in regions with a long period of cold weather, where there are frequent changes in weather conditions. Due to its compact size, the tree does not take up much space on the site, moreover, it has excellent decorative qualities. To get not only a quantitative, but also a high-quality harvest from the Candy plum, you need to know when and how to plant, what care measures it needs.
Variety characteristics
According to the description, Candy Plum grows up to 3 meters in height, has a spreading crown. The tree can be grown in a bush or standard form. The fruits are purple or red, juicy pulp and thin skin. Their weight is 30-35 grams.
Climate and regions of growth
Plum Candy is not afraid of subzero temperatures, it is not afraid of severe winters and dry summers. The variety does not require a special soil composition and climatic conditions; it can be planted in regions with a warm climate and in temperate latitudes. If you cultivate the Candy Plum in the northern regions, then there is a need for additional shelter.
Frost and drought resistant
Since Candy Plum is positioned as a plant with an average degree of resistance to dry weather, irrigation should be carried out once every 10-12 days. The main thing is to prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil, otherwise there is a high probability of infection with fungal infections.
The cold resistance level of Candy Plum is at around -20 degrees. The best option for growing the variety is in the central and southern regions, in the northern ones - you cannot do without additional protection of the trunk and the trunk circle.
Productivity and fruiting
The productivity indicators of the Candy plum variety are at a high level. The tree enters fruiting for 4-5 years after determining the seedling to a permanent place. One plant manages to collect 20-35 kilograms of harvest with excellent taste and pronounced aroma.
Fruit ripening occurs at the same time.If the Candy Plum is not collected before reaching its technical maturity, it will crumble. The weak side of the variety is the low transportability of the fruits and their poor keeping quality.
Immunity to diseases and pests
When growing Candy Plum, one should take into account its average degree of resistance to major diseases and parasitic individuals. To protect the tree from misfortunes, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures. Most often, the Candy plum suffers from moniliosis, clotterosporia, small aphids and moths.
Plum pollinators Candy
This variety belongs to the category of self-fertile plants, therefore, it needs cross-pollination. It is best to place Zarechnaya early, Renklod collective farm near the Candy plum.
Scope of berries
The fruits of the Candy Plum fully justify the name of the variety. They are quite juicy and sweet, it is better to use them fresh. But they are also suitable for making compotes, jams, desserts.
Pros and cons of Plum Candy
Among the positive characteristics of the variety, gardening lovers distinguish:
- stable and abundant fruiting;
- excellent consumer qualities;
- resistance to adverse environmental factors;
- universal purpose of fruits;
- a sufficient level of resistance to the main ailments, pests.
But the Candy plum has its drawbacks, among which:
- the variety is prone to shedding fruits;
- the crop is afraid of long-distance transportation;
- there is a need for pollinating varieties on the site.
Landing features
To grow a healthy and richly fruitful tree, you must adhere to basic rules regarding both planting and maintenance.
Optimal timing for planting
It is recommended to plant Candy Plum in the fall, when all the leaves on the trees have fallen. The seedlings will have enough time for adaptation and rooting. If planting work will be carried out in areas with a cold climate, then the best time is spring, before the buds awaken.
Choosing the right place
For the Candy plum, it is preferable to choose areas with good illumination and not close occurrence of groundwater (from 1.5 meters). The area must be protected from through winds. The plot should be prepared on the south or west side of the cottage.
The place for planting Plum Candy needs to be prepared in advance. Wood ash should be added for digging.
The soil should not be acidic; a neutral environment is more suitable for the plant. On clay soil, the seedling is planted with a drainage layer laid in a pit.
The best and worst neighbors of the tree
For Plum Candy, the neighborhood with berry bushes is the most optimal option. The plant goes especially well with gooseberries, currants and raspberries. The distance between the rest of the fruit plantations should be within 3-4 meters.
Poplar, hazel, birch and hazel are not the best influences on Candy Plum. It is effective to grow spring flowers, shade-tolerant plants next to the variety.
Preparation of planting material
When buying seedlings, you should pay attention to their appearance. A high-quality one-year or two-year material has no signs of disease, rot, various kinds of damage. It is recommended to put the overdried root system into a container of water for several hours, treat it with a growth stimulator solution.
Landing technology
The process of planting Plum Candy consists of the following steps:
- First, a hole is dug, its dimensions: 60 centimeters in diameter and 70 centimeters deep.
- Then, drainage of battered brick, expanded clay (layer thickness of 10 centimeters) is laid on the bottom.
- The pit is filled with a soil mixture from the excavated soil, peat and humus, taken in equal proportions. Superphosphate (200 grams), potassium sulfate (50 grams) are added to it.
- The pit is filled by 1/3 of the total volume, and after 3-4 weeks the Candy plum is planted.
- A young plant is placed in a hole, spread roots are sprinkled and the soil is lightly tamped. The root collar should be 3-4 centimeters higher from ground level.
- The seedling is watered abundantly, and the soil is mulched with peat.
A wooden peg can be installed in the center of the pit before planting a tree. He will keep the plant in the first 1-2 years.
How to care for your garden crop
Caring for the Candy Plum does not cause any difficulties. The main thing is to irrigate the plant in a timely manner and treat it against diseases.
Frequency and rules of watering and feeding
Moisten the soil in the near-trunk circle to a depth of 40-50 centimeters. Only warm water should be used for irrigation. Depending on the weather, the frequency of irrigation measures is 3-5 times per season, where the water consumption for a young plantation is 4-6 buckets, and for an adult - 10 buckets. Particular attention should be paid to plants at the stage of flowering and fruit ripening.
Spring feeding procedures are performed using urea or ammonium nitrate. During the period of flowering and fruit formation, potassium salts (60 grams) and superphosphate (60 grams) are used. Every 4 years, the soil is enriched with compost.
Pruning plum
The crown at the Candy plum is formed predominantly of a pyramidal shape. In autumn and spring, the tree is rid of dry, frozen and broken off branches.
Preventive treatments for insects and diseases
Nitrofen solution is effective against moniliosis, and Bordeaux liquid is 3% in the fight against clasterosporiosis. Karbofos will help prevent the appearance of aphids, and Chlorophos is effective against the moth.
Transfer
Only plants whose age is up to 4-5 years old is allowed to dig. Previously, 5 buckets of water are poured under the sink, then they are carefully dug in at a distance of 70 centimeters from the tree, and taken out. Landing in a hole in a new place is carried out according to the standard scheme.
Preparation for wintering
In order for young plants to tolerate frost well, they must be protected with burlap, agrofibre or spruce branches. Adult trees do not need such care, the soil is mulched with humus, and the trunk is wrapped with roofing material from rodents.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways of breeding Candy plum.
Vaccination
As a scion, cuttings of the grafted variety are used, and the rootstock is a garden plantation on which the cutting will be grafted. The procedure is carried out in the last days of May. The meaning of the manipulation is to firmly press two slices of the same size. The vaccination site is wrapped in polyethylene, and removed only after 4 weeks.
Root offspring
For this method of reproduction, a powerful shoot is used, which is located at the maximum distance from the mother. The cut material (length 15 centimeters) is planted in another area.
Root cuttings
In the fall, you need to remove the roots growing a meter from the trunk and choose the strongest ones. You can store the workpieces in a trench or in a cold room in the sand. In the spring (in April) they are identified under the film and kept for 30 days. When shoots are formed, a powerful one is chosen, and the rest are removed.
Plum Candy has mostly positive reviews among experienced gardeners. Even beginners can grow it, the main thing is to adhere to the correct agricultural technology and plant it on time.
