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Many European plum varieties have been successfully adapted to Russian conditions. One of these varieties is the Opal plum. It is appreciated for its good fruit taste, self-fertility and early ripening. When planting the Opal variety, take into account its whimsical weather conditions.
Breeding history of the variety
Plum Opal is the result of the work of Swedish breeders. The plum was bred in 1926 by crossing the European varieties Renkloda Ulena and Early Favorite. Thanks to its attractive characteristics, the Opal variety has become widespread in Russia.
Description of the plum variety Opal
Plum Opal is a low tree, reaching 2.5–3 m. The crown is compact, dense, rounded. The leaves are elongated, dark green.
Description of the fruits of the Opal variety:
- medium sizes;
- average weight - 30 g;
- round or oval shape;
- thin skin, when ripe, it changes color from greenish-yellow to purple;
- covered with a bluish wax coating;
- the pulp is juicy, dense, yellow;
- small elongated bone, pointed at the ends.
The fruits have a good sweet and sour taste and aroma. Tasting qualities are estimated at 4.5 points. The sugar content in the pulp is 11.5%. The stone is free and leaves about 5% of the plum mass.
Opal plum is recommended for cultivation in the central and southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region. The variety grows on its own roots. In regions with an unfavorable climate, it is grafted into a winter-hardy plum.
Variety characteristics
Before buying a plum, take into account its main characteristics: resistance to drought and frost, the need to plant pollinators, yield and ripening times.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Drought tolerance is rated as medium. In a drought, the plum needs constant watering. In the absence of moisture, the ovaries fall and the yield decreases.
Frost resistance of the Opal variety is below average. When the temperature drops to -30 ° C, the tree freezes up, but quickly grows the crown. Productivity is restored in 1-2 years.
Plum pollinators Opal
Opal is self-fertile. Planting of pollinators is not required to form ovaries.
Plum Opal can be used as a pollinator for other varieties:
- Smolinka;
- Morning;
- Blue gift;
- Super early;
- Hungarian Moscow.
Plum Opal blooms from mid to late May. The harvest ripens in early August. Fruiting is not prolonged in time: the fruits are removed within a week.
Productivity and fruiting
When growing plum Opal on seedlings cherry plums fruiting begins 3 years after planting, on zoned varieties - already 2 years. A mature tree over 8 years old bears 20-25 kg of fruit.
The harvest volumes of the Opal plum are unstable. After abundant fruiting, there is a possibility that the next year will be less productive.
With a large number of fruits on the branches, they become smaller and lose their taste. Crop rationing will help to correct the situation. Extra buds are removed during the flowering period.
Scope of berries
Plum Opal is used both fresh and processed. Desserts and fillings for flour products are prepared from it. Homemade products are obtained from plums: confitures, jams, preserves, compotes.
Disease and pest resistance
Resistance to diseases and pests is average. In cold and rainy weather, the Opal variety is susceptible to clotterosporia and other fungal diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Benefits of Opal plum:
- early maturation;
- universal purpose of fruits;
- high productivity;
- unstable fruiting;
- self-fertility;
- resistance to disease.
Disadvantages of Plum Opal:
- with high yields, the fruits become smaller and lose their taste;
- low winter hardiness;
- in cold regions, grafting is required for more winter-hardy varieties.
You can verify the merits of the Opal plum by comparing it with other representatives of the species:
Landing features
Plum Opal is planted in autumn or spring, judging by the weather. Its yield depends on the correct choice of a place for growing a crop.
Recommended timing
In the middle lane, the plum is planted in the fall, after leaf fall. The plant manages to take root before the onset of frost.
In colder climates, it is best to postpone planting until spring. Work is carried out in the spring, before bud break.
Choosing the right place
Plum loves well-lit places, sheltered from the wind. So that the roots of the tree do not suffer from moisture, the groundwater should be no higher than 1.5 m.
Plum is undemanding to the composition of the soil. An exception is acidic soil, which is detrimental to wood. The maximum yield is obtained when the crop is grown in fertile, drained land.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
- Plum does not tolerate the neighborhood of birch, poplar and hazel.
- The tree is removed from other fruit crops at a distance of 4 m or more.
- Raspberries, currants or gooseberries are planted between rows with plums.
- Shade-loving grasses and primroses grow well under the tree.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For planting, choose one- or two-year seedlings of the Opal variety. They are purchased from nurseries or other horticultural centers. The seedlings are assessed visually and specimens are selected free of mold, damage or other defects.
Before planting, the roots of the plum Opal are placed in clean water for 3 hours. If you add a few drops of Kornerosta stimulant, the tree will take root faster after planting.
Landing algorithm
Plum Opal Planting Procedure:
- First, a pit is prepared with a size of 60 * 60 cm and a depth of 70 cm.
- Fertile soil, peat and compost are mixed in equal quantities.
- In heavy clay soil, a drainage layer should be provided. A layer of crushed stone or expanded clay 10 cm thick is poured at the bottom of the pit.
- Half of the excavated soil is placed in a pit and left to shrink.
- After 2-3 weeks, the remaining soil is poured into the hole, a seedling is placed on top.
- The roots of the plum are covered with earth.
- The tree is watered abundantly. The trunk circle is mulched with peat.
Plum follow-up care
- Plum Opal is watered 3 to 5 times during the season. The tree needs moisture during flowering and fruit loading. Up to 10 buckets of water are poured under the sink.
- Watered soil is loosened so that moisture is better absorbed.
- Opal plum feeding begins in early spring. Dissolve in water 30 g of urea, superphosphate and potassium salt. After flowering, fertilizing is repeated, however, only phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used.
- After 3-4 years, they dig up the soil under the trees. For 1 sq. m add 10 kg of humus or compost.Important! Correct pruning helps to form the crown of the Opal plum and increase yields.
- The plum crown is formed in tiers. Be sure to eliminate dry, frozen shoots. Plum is pruned in early spring or autumn.
- In late autumn, young plantings are spud and covered with agrofibre, burlap or spruce branches. Additionally, a snowdrift is thrown over them.
- So that the tree trunk is not damaged by rodents, it is covered with a net or roofing material.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The main diseases of the plum are indicated in the table:
Disease | Symptoms | Treatment | Prophylaxis |
Clasterosporium disease | Brown spots on the leaves, ulcers on the fruits. | Spraying the tree with a solution of copper oxychloride (30 g per 10 liters of water). | 1. Pruning excess shoots. 2. Digging up the soil in the near-trunk circle. 3. Preventive treatment with fungicides. |
Fruit rot | Fruits develop stains with fungal spores. | Plum processing with Bordeaux liquid. |
Crop pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs | Wrestling | Prophylaxis |
Garden aphid | The pest forms colonies on the shoots of the plum, as a result, the leaves curl up and dry out. | Spraying plums with Karbofos solution. | 1. Digging up the earth under the drain. 2. Cleaning of fallen leaves. 3. Treatment of plums in early spring with Nitrofen. |
Silkworm | The caterpillar feeds on buds and leaves, leaves cobweb nests in the branches. | Treatment with the drug "Entobacterin", infusion of tobacco or wormwood. |
Conclusion
Plum Opal is suitable for home growing and farm business. The variety is suitable as a pollinator for early blooming plums. The fruit tastes good and is versatile. Plum Opal is an excellent option for planting in the south and central regions.
