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Plum Blue gift is an undemanding to care, winter-hardy self-fertile variety. The fruits are small, sweet and sour, the tree gives stable yields. A noticeable advantage of the variety is its high resistance to fungal diseases.
History of variety breeding
The variety was obtained by the employees of VSTISIP S. N. Satarova and V. S. Simonov from crossing the ancient plum Ochakovskaya yellow and the 1959 hybrid Pamyat Timiryazev. Since 2001, the Blue Gift variety has been included in the State Register and is being distributed throughout the country.
Description of the plum variety Blue gift
The variety is planted mainly in the south, gradually the tree becomes popular among gardeners in the central regions of the country, for which it was recommended. When creating comfortable conditions, the Dar plum of an average ripening period can be grown in Siberia.
Компактное дерево сорта Синий дар среднерослое, поднимается до 3 м. На штамбе высотой 60 см или чуть больше серая шершавая кора. Крона вытянутой, овальной формы, какой ее создают скелетные ветви, не сильно загущается. Молодые побеги опушенные, коричневого цвета с сероватым оттенком. На них создаются кольчатки с букетными веточками. Почки отклоняются от веток. Темно-зеленые листья ланцетовидной формы, мелкозубчатые по краям, сверху морщинистые, снизу с опушкой.
The white, 5-petalled plum blossoms of this variety are shaped in such a way that self-pollination occurs easily. Oval small fruits with an inconspicuous side seam weigh 14 g. The skin is dark purple with a strong wax coating. Very dense and juicy plum pulp Blue gift is greenish-yellow, fibrous, with a granular structure. The peduncle is not too long, without pubescence. Separation of the fetus dry. The mass of an oval bone, which is well separated from the pulp, is 1 g, or 7,1% of the weight of the fetus.
Refreshing sweet and sour taste of the Blue Gift plum variety is a pleasant, appetizing fruit with a light aroma. In their composition:
- 8,5% sugars;
- 15,44% dry matter;
- 0,99% свободных кислот;
- 7,17 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of plums.
The experts gave the grade Dar a score of 4 points.
Characteristics of a variety
The properties of the new plum are remarkable: suitable for industrial cultivation. The variety grows well and develops on loose fertile soils close to neutral acidity. The site is prepared in advance, enriching the earth with alkali. Plums prefer loam, but not heavy soils, which are diluted with sand.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
A hardy plum without much loss, with moderate damage to the branches, emerges from the winter period with temperatures typical for the Central region. The winter hardiness of the tree is estimated at 2,5 points. Flower buds showed below average frost damage results. The plum tree during flowering also does not suffer much from recurrent frosts.
The blue gift is a moisture-loving variety, like all plums. Care includes regular watering with insufficient rain during the periods of bud and ovary creation.
Plum pollinators Blue gift
The variety blooms in the second decade of May. Ripe plums are harvested from the middle or from the third decade of August.
The blue gift self-pollinates, so it can serve as a good pollinator for early and late varieties of plums. Experienced gardeners advise planting 2-3 trees with different ripening periods on a site in the climate of the middle lane. Other plums have a positive effect on the yield of the Siny Dar plum variety.
Примерный перечень рекомендуемых сортов:
- Yakhontovaya, Early-fruited, Morning, Opal – ранние сливы;
- Eurasia 21, Amusing, Egg blue – средние;
- Memory of Timiryazev, Alexy, Tula black or Hungarian Moscow – late maturing.
Yield and fruiting
You can taste the first plums already from the 4th year of tree growth. The fruits of the variety are formed on last year’s growth and bouquet branches. Plum with a stable yield: during the test, out of 16 years, only 4 seasons were lean.
Up to 35 kg of fruits are obtained from one adult tree. Fruiting lasts 21 years.
Scope of berries
Table-type plums, eaten fresh, frozen to preserve vitamins. Various jams, marmalade, compotes, sauces are cooked from fruits, juice is prepared.
Disease and pest resistance
Resistance to the main diseases of the species is estimated at 2–3,5 points, to pests such as aphids and codling moth – 3–4 points.
Early spring treatment with drugs against the spread of diseases and the reproduction of pests is necessary.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Характеристики сорта сливы Синий дар указывают на его положительные качества:
- compact plum suitable for intensive gardening;
- self-fertile variety;
- annual abundant harvest of fruits;
- attractive consumer indicators;
- fruits are transportable;
- medium resistance to frost, diseases and pests.
The disadvantages of the variety include small fruit.
Features of landing
When planning to start a plum garden, they study the features of growing trees. Planting and caring for the plum Blue gift without difficulty, but you need to know a few important subtleties.
Recommended dates
In regions with a relatively short summer, plums are planted in the spring to create the most favorable conditions for the tree to take root. In areas with mild winters, the seedling feels comfortable even during autumn planting.
Choosing the right place
Groundwater can approach the surface no closer than 1,5 m. Direct sunlight is important for the variety, without shading from buildings and tall trees. In a cold climate, it is better to place plums on the south side of the buildings, stepping back from the wall up to 3–4 m, in an area without stagnant water.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
- Gardeners say that the plum bears excellent fruit next to the cherry plum and apple tree, other varieties of plums, but not pears or cherries. In any case, the interval between trees is up to 4–5 m.
- You can not plant a plum in the shade of a tall tree, fruit or ornamental.
- Berry bushes and strawberries are welcome at a specified distance.
Selection and preparation of planting material
When purchasing seedlings, they are carefully studied:
- trees 1–3 years old;
- the bark is smooth, healthy, not damaged;
- the kidneys are swollen, alive;
- roots are fibrous, with several processes, elastic to the touch.
Before planting, seedlings with open roots are placed for 2–10 hours in a liquid clay mixture for moistening and resuscitation. Trees in containers are placed in a barrel of water so that the seedling is easily released without tearing off small roots.
Landing algorithm
- Spacious pits are prepared to provide the drain with the right substrate.
- They drive in a peg to which the stem is tied.
- A seedling is placed on a mound formed from the prepared earth and the roots are straightened.
- Cover with soil, compacting it.
- The root neck is raised 4–6 cm above the ground.
- The sides are poured for the watering groove, but first the near-trunk circle is poured, which is then mulched.
Plum Aftercare
The medium-sized variety has no problems with pruning. It is important to remove branches that grow from the conductor at a narrow angle, less than 45 degrees. From the beginning of autumn and early spring, broken and damaged shoots are removed.
Plum needs watering. For young trees, 10 liters is enough for 2 weeks, and for adults – 20-30 liters to moisten the roots. After moisture-charging irrigation in autumn, the ground is mulched with humus and dry grass, and then, before frost, the seedlings are wrapped with a special rodent net. Protect with a thick layer of paper or agrofibre.
Каждые 4 года, весной, надсекают кору ножом, чтобы предупредить ее растрескивание. Надрезают только кору полоской до 20 см. Сечения обрабатывают.
Plum Blue gift is fed from the 2nd year of growth with the NPK complex, magnesium and boron are useful for the tree. For mulch, humus is often taken.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The variety may suffer from moniliosis and clasterosporiasis, other fungal diseases that are prevented by autumn garden cleaning, spraying with fungicides in early spring, before and after flowering. Pests: weevils, caterpillars and other insects are destroyed with insecticides. Stripping the bark, removing diseased branches and fallen leaves also stops their spread.
Conclusion
Plum Blue gift is hardy and fruitful. Its popularity is promoted by self-fertility, winter hardiness and disease resistance. By planting this variety, you can enjoy the characteristic taste of plums in fresh fruits and preparations.
