Contents
There are several different types of cherry plum and plum, one of which is the Kuban Comet cherry plum. This variety combines unpretentiousness in care, compactness of the tree and excellent taste of the fruit.
History of breeding
Plum Kuban comet was obtained by crossing two other varieties (Chinese plum and Pioneer variety). As a result of long work, domestic scientists and breeders at the end of the 70s of the last century bred a new plum variety, which is still widely used among professional gardeners and amateurs to this day.
Description of the culture
The 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. The crown of the plum is rare, rather wide. The trunk is smooth, saturated gray. The leaves, like most types of plums, are bright green, slightly elongated, with a pointed end, smooth.
The buds are white, the size of the flowers in the cherry plum Kuban comet varies within 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruits have a red-violet peel, large, the weight of one plum can reach 40-45 g.
Features
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 resistance
Characteristics of cherry plum Kuban comet, first of all, includes the ability of the plant to endure adverse 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 period
Unlike other hybrid plum varieties, the Kuban comet is partially self-fertile. But in order to get a richer harvest next to the trees, it is recommended to plant pollinators for cherry plums Kuban comet. These are, first of all, varieties with similar flowering periods, for example, Pramen, Seyanets, Krasny shar.
Cherry plum flowering Kuban comet begins quite early, around the 20th of April. The fruits ripen in the second half of July.
yield, 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 crop, with maturation and growth of plums, 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 fruits
The taste of cherry plum Kuban comet is very pleasant, slightly sweet, with a refreshing note of sourness. Many note that plums resemble apricots in their taste. The fruits are highly appreciated by professionals and are widely used for making juices, compotes, as well as various sauces.
Disease and pest resistance
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 yield;
- rapid ripening of fruits;
- frost tolerance;
- excellent taste;
- 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 of the disadvantages, which include:
- medium drought resistance;
- propensity to be affected by diseases of stone fruit crops;
- a bountiful harvest can lead to a decrease in fruit size.
Nevertheless, this is one of the most common varieties grown in the North Caucasus and in the central regions of Our Country.
Features of landing
Growing cherry plum Kuban comet is a completely simple process. The main thing in this matter is to follow all the landing rules and choose the optimal landing site.
Recommended dates
Cherry plum 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 environment. The plum does not tolerate the accumulation of moisture in the root region, 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 cherry plum Kuban comet to be as efficient as possible, it is recommended to plant other varieties of plums with similar flowering periods next to the crop. Also, apricots, cherries, sweet cherries and other stone fruits can act as favorable neighbors. But it is undesirable to plant a plum next to trees and shrubs that have a powerful root system.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The choice of seedling plays an important role in the future growth and development of the plant, and numerous reviews of gardeners about cherry plum Kuban comet confirm this fact. Planting material should not have any damage, swelling on the root system, severe cracks in the bark or broken shoots.
Landing algorithm
Planting plum 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.
- Installing a seedling in the center of the pit, straightening the root system and driving a peg nearby.
- Filling the hole 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.
Culture aftercare
During a drought, cherry plum should be watered approximately 1-2 times a week, 10-15 liters each. It is important to loosen and mulch the soil a day after watering.
You also need to regularly form a cherry plum Kuban comet. For this variety, the best option is a configuration that resembles a vase in shape. This method allows you to stop the growth of shoots at the desired height. Pruning plum Kuban comet is carried out in the spring before the opening of the kidneys.
Starting from the second year after planting the plum, it is necessary to feed the tree. In the spring, carbamide is the optimal fertilizer, 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 the plum 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 near-stem circle with mulch.
Collection, processing and storage of crops
Plum hybrid Kuban comet bears fruit for 2-3 years after planting 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 up to two weeks.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Kuban cherry plum does not have high resistance to diseases and pests of stone fruit crops. But timely methods of control and prevention, presented in the tables, will prevent the defeat of cherry plum.
Disease | Ways to fight and prevent |
Rust | Treatment of trees in early spring with a 3% solution of urea. Affected leaves must be collected and burned. |
Gray mold | Before flowering, the plum must be treated with copper sulphate. After flowering, Kuprozan is used. Whitewashing of cherry plum trunks can act as a preventive measure. |
Comedy | After pruning the shoots, the sections must be treated 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 | Treatment of 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 | Methods of destruction and prevention |
unpaired bark beetle | After insects crawl out, it is necessary to treat the bark with Dichlorvos. For prevention, before flowering, the plum is treated with Trichlorol-5. |
Plodojorka | Three weeks after the end of flowering, the tree is sprayed with Avant three times with a break of 12 days. |
sapwood fruit | For prevention, dry branches should be cut down and burned regularly, 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, Nitrofen is treated until the buds appear. |
Conclusion
Cherry plum Kuban comet is one of the few frost-resistant plum varieties. Planting and caring for the cherry plum Kuban comet will not be difficult even for beginner gardeners, the main thing is to take into account all the recommendations described in the article.