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When choosing plums for planting, proven varieties are often preferred. One of them is the Victoria plum, which is widespread in Russia and European countries. The variety has earned its popularity due to its high yield and winter hardiness.
Breeding history of the variety
Queen Victoria is an old variety of European plum varieties. The first seedlings were obtained in England by accidental cross-pollination of various plum varieties. Initially, the variety was named Sharps Emperor.
This plum has been known as Queen Victoria since 1844. Now plum is widespread both in Europe and in Russia.
Description of plum variety Victoria
Plum Victoria is a medium-sized tree with a sprawling, sparse, rounded crown. Shoots are thick and short, brown-green in color.
Description of Queen Victoria Plum Fruit:
- wide oval shape;
- weight - 30-40 g;
- red-violet color;
- white dots and a waxy coating on the peel;
- yellow juicy pulp;
- the middle oval bone is freely separated from the pulp.
The plum pulp contains 10.3% sugars, 0.9% acids and 2.7 mg per 100 g of ascorbic acid. Taste is rated at 4.2 points out of 5.
In Russia, the Queen Victoria variety is grown both in the southern regions and in colder climates.
Variety characteristics
Before planting a variety, attention is paid to its main characteristics: resistance indicators, productivity, flowering periods and fruiting.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety has medium drought resistance. To obtain a rich harvest, the tree is watered according to the standard scheme.
Resistance to frost at an average level. Under a snowy shelter, it endures harsh winters without any problems. Young plantings of Victoria plum need additional protection.
Plum pollinators
Plum Queen Victoria is self-fertile. Planting of pollinators is not required to form the crop. However, if there are other varieties of plums on the site that bloom at the same time, the yield and quality of the fruits increase.
Queen Victoria is a good pollinator for other varieties of home plums:
- Hungarian Azhanskaya;
- Greengage;
- Anna Shpet;
- Peach;
- Kirke.
Plum blossom occurs from mid to late May. In cold regions, the kidneys can be damaged by spring frosts. The harvest ripens at a later date - from the second decade of September.
Productivity and fruiting
Plum Queen Victoria has a high yield, which increases when planted with a number of other varieties of plums. The seedling enters the fruiting stage at the age of 3-4 years.
Up to 40 kg of fruits are removed from the tree. Fruiting lasts 2 weeks. After ripening, the plum does not fall off and stays on the branches for a long time.
Scope of berries
The fruits have a universal application: they are eaten fresh, dried or processed into homemade products (confitures, preserves, compotes, jams).
Disease and pest resistance
The Queen Victoria plum is susceptible to fungal infections that manifest in cold and rainy weather. Pest resistance is average.To protect the plum from damage, preventive treatments are carried out.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of the variety:
- self-fertility;
- high quality and taste of fruits;
- fruits do not crumble after ripening;
- universal application;
- yield.
When choosing a plum, Queen Victoria take into account its disadvantages:
- exactingness to care;
- susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Landing features
Home plum Victoria is planted at a certain time. Its yield and fruiting depends on the choice of a place for a crop. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the planting material.
Recommended timing
In regions with a cold climate, planting work is carried out in the spring. The optimal period is after the snow melts and before the start of sap flow. In the southern regions, planting is carried out in the fall, after the leaves have fallen. The seedling will be able to take root already before the onset of cold weather.
Choosing the right place
Place for plum Queen Victoria is chosen taking into account a number of conditions:
- abundant natural light;
- protection against stagnation of moisture and cold air;
- groundwater depth - more than 1.5 m;
- protection of the site from the wind in the form of fences or buildings.
Plum prefers fertile soil rich in nutrients. The culture develops slowly in acidified soils. Fertilization during planting helps to improve the composition of the soil.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
Queen Victoria plum is removed from hazel, hazel, birch and poplar at a distance of 4–5 m.
Planting near fruit trees: pear, cherry, peach is not recommended. Crops compete for moisture and nutrients in the soil.
It is allowed to plant an apple tree next to the plum. Currants, raspberries or gooseberries are planted between rows of trees.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Koroleva Victoria saplings are purchased from trusted suppliers. It is best to contact your local nursery or horticultural center. The planting material is checked visually for broken shoots, mold and other defects.
For planting, seedlings are chosen at the age of 1-2 years. If the roots of the tree are overdried, they are immersed in clean water for 3-5 hours.
Landing algorithm
Preparation of the soil and planting pit begins at least 2-3 weeks before the start of work. During this time, the soil will shrink. If the landing is carried out in the spring, then the pit is prepared in the fall.
The order of planting late plum Victoria:
- A hole is dug on the site with a depth of 60 cm and a diameter of 70 cm.
- If necessary, rubble is poured onto the bottom as a drainage layer.
- A wooden or metal stake is driven into the hole. It should rise 0.5 m above the ground.
- A mixture consisting of an equal amount of fertile soil, peat and humus is poured at the bottom.
- After shrinkage, soil is poured into the pit to form a small hill.
- A seedling is placed on top, its roots are straightened. It should be 3-4 cm from the root collar to the ground.
- The roots of the tree are covered with earth and watered abundantly.
- The soil in the near-trunk circle is mulched with peat.
Plum follow-up care
Plum Queen Victoria is demanding to care for. The tree is regularly watered and fed, and the shoots are pruned.
Watering the crop depends on the intensity of precipitation in the region. Watering is required during the flowering period and at the beginning of the fruiting of the tree. In the fall, the plum is watered abundantly before sheltering for the winter.
Every 3 years when digging the soil for 1 sq. m, 10 kg of organic fertilizer are applied. In early spring, plums are fed with nitrogen fertilizer, during the growing season - with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Substances are embedded in the ground or dissolved in water before watering.
Queen Victoria plum pruning helps to eliminate excess shoots and normalize yields. The crown is formed in several tiers. Broken, frozen or withered branches are cut in early spring or late in the season.
A young tree is covered for the winter with agrofibre and spruce branches. The soil is mulched with humus or compost. For shelter, polyethylene and other materials that are impervious to moisture and air are not used. So that the tree does not suffer from rodents, its trunk is covered with roofing material or netting.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
According to reviews of the Queen Victoria plum, the tree can be seriously affected by fungal diseases. The most dangerous crop diseases are listed in the table:
Disease | Signs | Wrestling | Prophylaxis |
Fruit rot | The fruits show brown spots with gray fungal spores. | The affected fruits are thrown away, the tree is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. | 1. Regular crown thinning. 2. Destruction of fallen leaves. 3. Preventive spraying with fungicides. |
Coccomycosis | Reddish spots on the leaves that grow and merge with each other. Leaves dry and fall off prematurely. | Plum treatment with copper chloride. |
Common crop pests are indicated in the table:
Pest | Signs | Wrestling | Prophylaxis |
Hawthorn | Large butterflies eat leaves, buds and flowers. | Manual destruction of the pest. Wood treatment with Actellik solution. | 1. Digging up the soil under the tree. 2. Removal of fallen leaves from the site. 3. Preventive spraying with insecticides. |
Cherry moth | Cherry moth caterpillars eat buds and leaves. | Spraying plums with Nitrofen solution. |
Conclusion
Plum Victoria is a widespread variety in Europe. It is appreciated for its high yield and fruit quality. The tree is demanding to care for and needs protection from fungal diseases.
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