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Plum Imperial belongs to the columnar varieties. Among domestic gardeners, the culture has just begun to spread. The compact tree is not demanding in care, bears fruit abundantly, takes up little space in the garden. Plums can rightly be called marketable due to the exquisite taste of fruits, good transportability of the crop.
History of variety breeding
There are not so many varieties of columnar plums. Imperial is a worthy representative of this group. The author of the variety is the domestic breeder Eremin G.V. At the moment, there are very few reviews of the Imperial columnar plum. However, some owners of small plots have already managed to appreciate the compact tree from the best side.
Description of the variety of columnar plum Imperial
The shape of the tree resembles a column, a narrowed pyramid or a candle, medium covered with small oval leaves. The leaf plate is bright green. There is a gloss on the front side of the sheet. A tree of the Imperial variety grows from 1,5 to 2 m high. The tree consists of a trunk, annual fruit-bearing branches and annular. There are practically no side branches, if they grow, then very few.
The fruits of the Imperial variety are densely distributed throughout the crown of the tree. Plums are usually pink in color. Sometimes a purple tint may appear. Less common is the columnar cultivar Imperial with brown fruits. In taste, they are no different from their pink counterparts. The average weight of the fruit is 55 g. The flesh is golden in color, tender with a honey flavor. Slightly acidic.
The flowering of the columnar plum Imperial begins early. In early May, the tree is abundantly covered with flowers. All inflorescences are female. In the middle lane and other cold regions, the Imperial variety takes root, but the Kuban is considered the best area for growing. The columnar plum has spread well in the gardens of Ciscaucasia.
Characteristics of a variety
To get better acquainted with the columnar plum variety, it is worth considering in more detail the characteristics of the culture.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The columnar variety Imperial is considered winter-hardy. Fruit buds and wood are resistant to freezing. Only young trees under the age of three years are highly sensitive to frost. Seedlings of the Imperial variety are wrapped with non-woven material before the onset of winter. The shelter protects the non-lignified bark of a young plum from freezing. In the fourth year, the tree can not be wrapped.
The drought resistance of the Imperial plum is average, even weak. Here again it is worth paying attention to the root system. In the columnar variety, most of the roots grow in the surface layer of the soil. During a drought, they are not able to independently extract moisture from the depths of the earth. In hot summer, the tree requires frequent watering.
Plum pollinators Imperial
Despite the fact that the Imperial columnar plum is self-fertile, it needs pollinators. The following varieties are considered the best:
- Ranklod Altana variety begins to bloom at the end of April. The fruits ripen in August – early September.
- Variety Stanley begins to bloom from mid-April. Fruit ripening dates begin at the beginning of September.
- Blueberry variety blooms from mid-late April. The fruits ripen in September.
As pollinators, Stanley and Bluefri varieties are best chosen in warm and temperate regions. In the north, the fruits of these crops simply do not have time to ripen.
Yield and fruiting
A feature of the columnar plum Imperial is early fruiting. The crop can be harvested already in the second year after planting the seedling. The average life of a tree is 15 years. From two to seven years, crop yields are constantly increasing. From seven to ten years, the indicator is maintained. Further, the yield begins to decline. At the age of 13-17, the Imperial plum can completely stop bearing fruit. However, the tree does not die and can be used simply to decorate the garden.
The fruits ripen in mid-August. From 10 to 12 kg of plums are removed from one tree. Ripe fruits do not crumble and are able to hang on the branches for a long time. Picked plums are stored for up to 10 days. The harvest is transportable.
Scope of berries
The fruits of the columnar plum are universal. The fruit is eaten fresh. Delicious compotes, preserves, jams are obtained from Imperial plums. Can be used for whole preservation and slices. Liquor drinkers prepare tinctures from plums.
Disease and pest resistance
The columnar variety Imperial has the same pests as ordinary plums. Harvest destroys codling moth, sawflies. Perforated spots may appear. Dangerous fungi that cause rot. The Imperial variety is considered resistant to all diseases and pests, subject to preventive spraying.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The positive and negative qualities will help to briefly characterize the Imperial variety. Of the pluses can be noted:
- Imperial is the only self-fertile columnar variety. Even in the absence of a pollinator nearby, the tree will bear fruit.
- Large tasty fruits.
- Compact crown with little to no pruning. Remove only damaged and dry branches.
- Limited tree height up to 2 m.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the short life expectancy of a columnar tree. This happens due to the drying of the lower rings.
Planting and caring for the Imperial columnar plum
The variety will appeal to all novice gardeners, as planting and caring for the Imperial plum does not require complex actions.
Recommended dates
Planting seedlings of the Imperial columnar plum in the middle lane and other cold regions is carried out in the spring. This should be done before the awakening of the kidneys, but the earth should completely thaw and warm up slightly. In the south, seedlings are planted in autumn. They manage to take root and endure mild winters.
Choosing the right place
The columnar variety Imperial loves a bright sunny site, protected from drafts and the north wind. Due to the superficial root system, an area with moderately moist soil is considered optimal. Marshy land is not suitable for plums.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
If the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe site allows, then the plum loves a lonely growth. However, such conditions are rare. In many dachas, apple, cherry, and pear trees grow next to plums and bear fruit normally. Although, if you take a pear, then it is a bad neighbor. The plum gets along well with the apple tree, blackcurrant. It is strictly forbidden to plant any walnut, birch, poplar or fir nearby.
Selection and preparation of planting material
A feature of growing the Imperial columnar plum is the fact that for planting you need to buy only one-year-old seedlings. This choice is due to the early entry of culture into the fruiting phase. Traditionally, seedlings are chosen without damage with live buds. The root system can be open or closed. In the second case, the engraftment of the seedling is faster.
Landing algorithm
A feature of the columnar plum is the compactness of the crown. Seedlings can be planted even at a distance of 0,5 m. During mass planting, they maintain a row spacing of at least 1,2 m. The holes in the rows are arranged with a slight offset, adhering to a checkerboard pattern.
The size of the planting hole is determined by the size of the root system. The hole is always dug twice as large. When planting from fertilizers, only compost is mixed. Mineral complexes are not used. There is a threat of burning the roots of a young seedling. Prior to the engraftment of the plum, watering is carried out with water with the addition of a growth stimulator.
The video shows the planting of a columnar plum:
Plum Aftercare
The ease of caring for a columnar tree is that there is no need for pruning. Plum itself forms a crown. If necessary, cut out only broken and dry branches. The tree is low. It is not necessary to limit growth by cutting off the top. It is allowed to shorten the central trunk by three kidneys, provided that it is weak and does not give an increase.
Watering needs regular – 1 time per week. Plum especially needs moisture in June and July, when new flower buds are laid. At least 1 bucket of water is poured under the root.
Feeding the seedlings begins only in the third year. During flowering, a solution is diluted from 1 bucket of water and 2 tbsp. l. urea. Pour 2 liters of liquid under the tree. Repeat top dressing after 2 weeks.
Rodents love to feast on the young bark of seedlings. Trunks are protected from hares with spruce branches. You can use pine, juniper. The branches are tied with the needles down. An obstacle to mice is trampled snow around the trunk. Small rodents do not move on the surface in winter. Mice are able to penetrate only through loose snow. You can also use special nets to protect against rodents. Ruberoid is a bad choice. Roofing material will protect the bark from rodents, but due to resin impregnation, it will create chemical burns. The tree may die. It is unacceptable to treat trunks with petroleum products: grease, kerosene, oil.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Fruit trees are always of interest to pests. Do not rely on the stability of the variety. Annual preventive treatment with insecticides and fungicides will save the crop. Do not spray during flowering. Do the processing before the appearance of buds and with the beginning of the ovary.
Conclusion
You can grow a columnar fruit tree even near a house or gazebo. Plum Imperial will decorate the yard, in addition, it will bring delicious fruits.