Contents
Cherry plum Cleopatra is a fruit belonging to a group of hybrids known under the common name ” plum”. The variety of this fruit is unique for its excellent taste and late ripening.
History of breeding
To date, there is a variety of varieties of cherry plum, which leads to the complexity of the choice on the part of gardeners and summer residents. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the specific conditions of planting, the characteristics of the variety, its characteristics and preferences. Features of cherry plum are that it is a tender fruit, not prone to cold weather. The history of this variety of cherry plum began with its breeding at the Moscow Agricultural Academy. K.A. Timiryazev from a seedling from the free pollination of the Kuban comet variety in 1991, and thanks to its breeding, gardeners and summer residents received a resistant, unpretentious and frost-resistant variety. Below is a photo of Cleopatra’s cherry plum during the harvest season.
Description of the culture
The cultivation of the presented cherry plum variety is excellent for the Moscow region and central Our Country. It is also possible to grow in the northwest, the Urals, the Middle Volga region, the South Urals, Altai and the Far East.
Description of cherry plum Cleopatra is a medium-sized tree, the crown is sparse and sprawling, the height of the fruit ranges from 2-3 m, the shoots are thin, the leaves resemble the shape of an ellipse of dark green color. The average weight of the fruit is 37-40 g, the fruit of the tree has a round oval shape, the stone is of medium size and is separated from the pulp of the fruit. The color of the presented cherry plum is dark red-violet, with a slight wax coating, the skin of the berry is of medium density, the taste of the collected fruits is sweet with a slight admixture of sourness.
Features
The characteristic of the Cleopatra cherry plum variety is to determine the main factors that many gardeners pay attention to before planting this variety in their own garden plot. Before planting, it is advisable to consult or take the advice of experienced gardeners.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
This plum variety belongs to winter-hardy species. The tree is able to withstand air temperatures of about 400From frost. If the temperature is low enough, the branches will be moderately exposed to cold, but the shoots will be completely weak. Spring frost damage to flower buds is also weak. As for the indicators of drought resistance, this level has indicators above the average.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
The cherry plum variety Cleopatra belongs to the group of self-fertile plants, so it needs an additional pollinator. When choosing a home species of cherry plum, you need to understand that it will not be an appropriate option as a pollinator. Among the optimal pollinators for the Cleopatra cherry plum, any kind of hybrid plum or a species called Chinese plum can be distinguished.
The flowering process is quite early, as it falls around mid-May. The fruits also ripen very early, around mid-August or early September.
Yield and fruiting
The term of harvesting the first harvest can occur in 3-4 years, but this variety is characterized by high fecundity. In the first year of harvest and subsequent years, you can collect from 25 to 40 kg per tree. The harvested crop can be stored at an average temperature of 1-1,5 months. The maximum life span of this cherry plum variety is 45-60 years.
Scope of fruits
Hybrid cherry plum Cleopatra belongs to the dessert species. It is used as the main ingredient in the preparation of jams, juices, compotes, soufflés and preserves. It is eaten raw or can be frozen for the winter.
Disease and pest resistance
To pests and all kinds of diseases, this type of cherry plum variety is quite resistant, since they practically do not affect it. Hole spot, which affects the leaves, has never been observed in this species, fruit rot was found in one out of a hundred cases. Aphids and the widespread codling moth are also very rare, especially if the care of the plant is correct and of high quality.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the variety:
- quality characteristics of fruits;
- high yield and precocity;
- resistance to all kinds of damage;
- excellent drought tolerance and winter hardiness.
The most common disadvantages highlighted by professional gardeners:
- self-infertility;
- disease resistance is average.
Features of landing
In order for the Cleopatra cherry plum to grow normally, it is necessary to adhere to certain features and rules for planting this variety, because its further productivity will depend on this.
Recommended dates
As for the recommended time for planting this variety of cherry plum, it can be planted in the soil both in autumn (September-October) and in spring (April-May).
Choosing the right place
It is advisable to plant in the most southern places of the plots, since the fruit loves the sun. You should not try to place a seedling under the large crowns of other trees, since the light of the sun will not be enough for him in the future. The presence of groundwater in the planted area will be a big plus. Cherry plum will grow well and produce crops on chernozem, chestnut and sandy soils.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum
When planting cherry plum, it should be remembered that there are crops that are possible, and which are not recommended to be planted near this variety. The ideal option would be when pollinators with the same flowering period are planted near this variety of cherry plum. It is not recommended to plant stone fruit crops near the cherry plum, which include pears and apple trees. A good neighbor for this variety can be gooseberries, raspberries and all shrub representatives.
Selection and preparation of planting material
To plant this cherry plum fruit, you will need to purchase a ready-made 1-2-year-old seedling in a container and immediately transplant it into a prepared place. It is important to inspect the seedling for damage to the bark and root, if necessary, cut the roots for better grafting in a new place.
It is recommended to buy seedlings in special horticultural nurseries or shops, it is not recommended to buy by hand or on the track due to the likelihood of acquiring wild or other fruit.
Landing algorithm
A pit is required for planting (dimensions 60 × 80 cm, depth 50 cm).
Lower the tree into the hole, with a peg tied up for proper growth, cover a little with soil and tamp.
Prepare fertilizer from half of the soil, humus in the amount of 4-5 kg and 15 g of various fertilizers, which should be poured into the pit.
After installing the tree in the hole, fill it with freshly dug earth.
Pour 1-2 buckets of water around the seedling and mulch the ground.
When planting several seedlings at the same time, leave a distance of 3-4 meters between them.
Culture aftercare
The subsequent care of the planted cherry plum Cleopatra consists of the following constant actions: the soil should be loosened, and weeds should be removed. Pruning of shoots is done every spring so that the crown does not thicken.
In the first year after planting the Cleopatra cherry plum, top dressing is not performed. Feeding should be carried out in the 2nd year and beyond. For top dressing, you need to use urea or ammonium nitrate, according to the following recipe: 1-2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water for one tree.
In subsequent years, top dressing should be done 2-3 times during the season. Top dressing should be carried out at the beginning of the flowering season. After fertilizing, do not forget to mulch the soil.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The presented cherry plum variety is quite resistant to various diseases and pests, but some of them can be found.
Experienced gardeners recommend timely prevention with special preparations to prevent tree diseases. Preventive measures should be carried out in early spring.
Conclusion
Cherry plum Cleopatra is a cherry plum variety that is suitable for gardening and country conditions. Cherry plum Cleopatra is distinguished by good growth, resistance to diseases and cold, an average but stable harvest. The cherry plum fruit is large, has an excellent dessert taste, delicious fruity aroma.