Description and characteristics of the Zarechnaya early plum variety, cultivation and care
Zarechnaya early variety is one of the most popular plums among plums, as it is unpretentious in care, and also pleases with delicious juicy fruits, thanks to which it is actively used in cooking. Every gardener who wants to grow this crop on his site must study in detail all the information about the plant and the intricacies of its cultivation in personal plots.
The history of the appearance of the variety
In 1986, the Zarechnaya early plum variety was bred by crossing three different species (Krasnaya Dessertnaya, Eurasia 21, Volzhskaya Krasavitsa). After about a year, breeders provided a detailed description of the culture, based on the notes and observations of scientists. This made it possible to learn about the correct planting and caring for the plant.
In 1988, the variety was registered in the State Register by professor geneticist-breeder Kursakov as an early one. Ripening occurs in mid-July. The tasters appreciated the culture adapted to growth in latitudes with moderate climatic conditions.
Often found in the CIS and the Baltic States. It also grows in the central regions of Siberia, where winters are not too harsh.
Description and characteristics of Zarechnaya early plum
The description of the early Zarechnaya plum differs in many respects from other species. It is characterized by moderate growth, not exceeding 2 m, a spherical compact crown, medium thickening, rich brown color of the bark of the branches and trunk. Large, ovoid leaves without serrated edges have a dark green hue.
Inflorescences with snow-white flowers, which at the initial stages of maturation have a green tint. The petals are round, the pistil is long and the presence of small numerous stamens.
On average, fruit weighs at least 50 grams. Initially, a yellow tint predominates, which gradually turns into a rich purple color. The variety is valued for the correct round shape of the plum with a well-defined seam. The taste of the fleshy juicy pulp is sweet with a slight sourness, which disappears after full ripening.
The peel is dense, endowed with a large number of nutrients, allows for a long time not to deteriorate and preserve the taste of the fruit. The tasting rating of plums is 4.7 points, thanks to which they are considered a frequent product of export and import.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Zarechnaya early plum variety has a number of advantages and a minimum number of disadvantages.
Advantages:
- stable yield;
- annual fruiting;
- compact plant size;
- early ripening period;
- frost resistance;
- excellent taste characteristics;
- excellent portability of transportation;
- ability to long-term storage.
The disadvantages of plum varieties Zarechnaya Early include only the lack of the ability to self-pollination, as well as the growth of plums in the off-season.
Growing features
In order to provide the tree with fast growth and an increased level of fruiting, it is necessary to follow the rules for growing plum varieties Zarechnaya Early.
Landing dates
The plant is characterized by increased frost resistance, therefore, plum can be planted in autumn and spring. Regardless of the time of planting, the seedlings have one hundred percent survival rate. In the spring, it is recommended to plant in April as soon as the snow thaws.
Choosing a place for planting plums
An important step in preparing for planting is choosing a suitable location. It is not worth growing a plum in the shade, because without the influence of sunlight, it will begin to fade, the leaves will turn pale, and as a result, it will give small fruits. It is best to select a sunny area on a hill. Lowlands are contraindicated due to high humidity and dampness. The optimal soil is loamy or sandy loam. The groundwater level should be no more than 2 meters from the ground.
A strong wind has a detrimental effect on the plant, especially at the time of flowering, tearing off the inflorescences. This can reduce the yield. Many gardeners recommend planting plums near fences.
Planting culture
The process of planting Zarechnaya early plum includes the following actions:
- Dig a deep hole.
- Equip the bottom of the pit with fertilizers using organic matter and minerals.
- Place the seedling so that the root collar is 2-5 cm from the upper border.
- Sprinkle with soil medium without fertilizing.
- Build a trench around the seedling for watering.
Plum Zarechnaya is early self-infertile, so varieties such as Renklod Tambovskiy and Etude should be planted nearby, which will serve as pollinators.
Subtleties of plum care
In order to improve fruiting and fruit quality in the future, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plant for diseases and pests, water it in a timely manner, observe the fertilizing schedule, and also regulate the degree of crown density by forming it by pruning.
Watering
Plum variety Zarechnaya early does not tolerate stagnant water, but drought also negatively affects fruiting, reducing productivity. Watering is done when it comes:
- growing season in early spring;
- flowering phase;
- the appearance of ovaries;
- the last days of autumn.
For young trees, the optimal amount of water is 5 buckets, for adult plants that have begun to bear fruit, 10.
Important! It is recommended to loosen the soil before watering.
Top dressing
The first 2-3 years plum does not need additional feeding. The need increases with the onset of the fruiting period, usually it begins in the 3rd year after planting. Feed the plant in the following order:
- At the end of spring. Add 400 g of urea diluted in a bucket of water.
- In a month. Also dilute urea in water, but this time its concentration is 1.5 times higher than the previous one.
- August. Similar to the first feeding.
An adult plant can do without fertilization.
Pruning
Not only the aesthetic appearance of the plant depends on the density of the crown, but also the degree of fruiting, so it is necessary to regularly prune, observing certain rules:
- Remove unwanted layers.
- Cut dry branches in time.
- Manually adjust the distance between fruits.
- Thin branches if necessary to reduce fruiting.
It is also recommended to build a support that does not touch the barrel.It can also be placed under the branches so that they do not break under the load of ripe fruits.
Important! When shaping, cut off the central branches, not the side branches.
Wintering
As mentioned earlier, the Zarechnaya early plum variety is resistant to frost, therefore, it is able to survive even the most severe winters. All that the variety needs for a favorable transfer of winter is to cover the near-trunk zone with a mulch layer.
Disease and pest prevention measures
The Zarechnaya early plum variety is characterized by persistent immunity, but preventive measures should not be neglected, since not a single crop is insured against fungal diseases associated with an excess of liquid in the soil. Therefore, when the plant is at rest, namely in early spring or late autumn, process it using Bordeaux liquid.
To protect the plant from pests, it is necessary to whitewash the trunk using a chalk solution. For mature trees, it is better to use mixtures with the addition of lime and carbolic acid.
Cleaning and storage
It is recommended to harvest Zarechnaya early plum in dry weather before lunch. Initially, the fruits must be removed from the lower tier, and then move to the upper tier, using a stepladder. They should be placed in one layer at once in boxes lined with food paper and sent to storage.
The Zarechnaya early plum variety will thank you for the correct planting and timely care with a rich harvest that will delight you with its juicy pulp and incredible bouquet of aromas.
