Content
There are several different types of cherry plums and plums, one of which is the Kuban comet cherry plum. This variety combines ease of maintenance, compactness of the tree and excellent taste of the fruit.
Breeding history
Plum Kuban comet was obtained by crossing two other varieties (Chinese plum and Pionerka variety). As a result of long-term work, domestic scientists and breeders at the end of the 70s of the last century bred a new variety of plums, which to this day is widely used both among professional gardeners and among amateurs.
Description of culture
Description of the cherry plum variety Kuban comet should begin with the size of the tree, its height usually does not exceed 2.8-3 meters. Plum crown is rare, wide enough. The trunk is smooth, deep gray. The leaves, like most types of plum, are bright green, slightly elongated, with a pointed end, smooth.
The buds are white, the sizes of flowers in the Kuban comet cherry plum vary within 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruits have a red-violet peel, are large, the weight of one plum can reach 40-45 g.
Characteristics
For a more detailed description of the plum, it is necessary to characterize the variety. And for clarity, below is a photo of the cherry plum Kuban comet.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Characteristics of cherry plum Kuban comet, first of all, includes the plant's ability to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions. The variety is frost-resistant, can withstand low temperatures down to -25-30 ° C.
Drought resistance is average; in long periods without precipitation, cherry plum needs additional watering.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
Unlike other hybrid varieties of plum, the Kuban comet is partially self-fertile. But to get a richer harvest, it is recommended to plant pollinators for cherry plum Kuban comet near the trees. These are, first of all, varieties with similar flowering periods, for example, Pramen, Seanets, Red ball.
Cherry plum bloom Kuban comet begins quite early, from about the 20th of April. The fruit ripens in the second half of July.
Productivity, fruiting
One of the main advantages of the variety is its high yield. From one tree, 2 or 3 years after planting, you can get 10 kg of harvest, with maturation and growth of the plum, the yield reaches 45-60 kg. The correct formation of cherry plum Kuban comet depends on regular pruning of shoots, which will not only make the tree more compact, but also increase its yield
Scope of the fruit
The taste of cherry plum Kuban comet is very pleasant, slightly sweetish, with a refreshing note of sourness. Many people note that the plum tastes like an apricot. The fruits are highly regarded by professionals and are widely used for making juices, compotes, and various sauces.
Disease and pest resistance
Russian plum, or as it is also called cherry plum, the Kuban comet has an average resistance to diseases inherent in most stone fruit crops.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the obvious advantages of the variety are:
- high productivity;
- fast ripening of fruits;
- frost tolerance;
- excellent taste;
- the suitability of plum fruits for long-term transportation and storage;
- adaptation to various environmental conditions.
Reviews about cherry plum Kuban comet contain information about some disadvantages, which include:
- medium resistance to drought;
- a tendency to damage by diseases of stone fruit crops;
- a bountiful harvest may lead to a decrease in fruit size.
Nevertheless, it is one of the most common varieties grown in the North Caucasus and central regions of Russia.
Landing features
Growing cherry plum Kuban comet is a completely simple process. The main thing is to follow all landing rules in this matter and choose the optimal landing site.
Recommended timing
Cherry plum The Kuban comet in the Moscow region and other regions can land in spring or autumn.
Choosing the right place
It is necessary to plant a plum Kuban comet in an open area with a light loose substrate that has a neutral, weak acidic or alkaline medium. Plum does not tolerate the accumulation of moisture in the root area, therefore, when planting, it is necessary to take into account the adherence of groundwater to the surface.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum
In order for the pollination of the Kuban comet cherry plum to take place as efficiently as possible, it is recommended to plant other varieties of plums with similar flowering periods next to the crop. Also, apricots, cherries, cherries and other stone fruits can act as favorable neighbors. But it is undesirable to plant plums next to trees and shrubs that have a powerful root system.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The choice of a seedling plays an important role in the future growth and development of the plant, and numerous reviews of gardeners about the Kuban comet cherry plum confirm this fact. The planting material should not have any damage, swelling on the root system, strong cracks in the bark or broken shoots.
Landing algorithm
Plum landing Kuban comet includes the following steps:
- Digging a hole with a diameter of 80 cm and a depth of 50-55 cm.
- Mixing the substrate with gold or peat.
- Placing a seedling in the center of the pit, spreading the root system and driving in a peg nearby.
- Filling the pit with earth and simultaneously compacting the soil.
- Tying a plum to a peg.
- Forming a roller around the seedling at a distance of 40 cm and spilling 10-15 liters of water.
- Mulching the soil with shavings.
The pit can also be prepared in advance, about 10-14 days before the planned planting.
Follow-up care of the culture
During a drought, cherry plum should be watered about 1-2 times a week, 10-15 liters. It is important to loosen and mulch the soil a day after watering.
You also need to regularly form the cherry plum Kuban comet. For this variety, the best option is a vase-like configuration. This method allows you to stop the growth of shoots at the desired height. Pruning of plums The Kuban comet is carried out in the spring before the buds open.
Starting from the second year after planting the plum, it is necessary to feed the tree. In the spring, the optimal fertilizer is carbamide, while in the summer it is recommended to apply manure, droppings and dandelion leaves with the addition of potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Wood ash is brought in in autumn.
Preparing plums for winter includes loosening the soil, covering the trunk to the level of the shoots with a solution of lime, as well as filling the trunk circle with mulch.
Collection, processing and storage of crops
Plum hybrid Kuban comet bears fruit for 2-3 years after landing in the period from mid-July to early August. At room temperature, the berries can be no more than 2-3 days, and in the refrigerator or cellar, the shelf life can increase to two weeks.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Kuban cherry plum is not highly resistant to diseases and pests of stone fruit crops. But timely methods of control and prevention, presented in the tables, will prevent the defeat of the cherry plum.
Disease | Methods of control and prevention |
Rust | Trees treatment in early spring with 3% carbamide solution. The affected leaves must be collected and burned. |
Gray rot | Before flowering, the plum must be treated with copper sulfate. After flowering, Cuprozan is used Whitewashing of cherry plum trunks can be a preventive measure. |
Gum therapy | After trimming the shoots, the sections are necessarily processed with petrolatum. To prevent the disease, you need to monitor the acidity of the soil, the timing of fertilization and the irrigation regime. |
Brown spot | Processing shoots with 1% Bordeaux solution immediately after bud break. For prevention, the affected branches are removed and the soil is sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate. |
Below are the main pests and methods for their destruction.
Pest | Destruction and prevention methods |
Unpaired bark beetle | After the insects creep out, it is necessary to treat the bark with Dichlorvos. For prevention, before the beginning of flowering, the plum is treated with Trichlorol-5. |
Moth | Three weeks after the end of flowering, the tree is sprayed with Avant three times with a break of 12 days. |
Fruit sapwood | For prevention, dry branches should be regularly cut down and burned, as well as mosses and lichens should be removed from the bark. |
Downy silkworm | During the growing season, the plum is sprayed with Virin-ENZH. To prevent the appearance of the pest, the treatment with Nitrofen is carried out before the appearance of the kidneys. |
Conclusion
Cherry plum Kuban comet is one of the few frost-resistant plum varieties. Planting and caring for cherry plum Kuban comet will not be difficult even for novice gardeners, the main thing is to take into account all the recommendations described in the article.
