Plum Manchurian beauty

Plum Manchurian beauty ripens in early autumn, which is just right for the main regions of its distribution – the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. A low productive tree gives tasty fruits of universal purpose, which is the reason for the popularity of the variety that has not subsided for a century.

History of variety breeding 

Manchurian plum seedlings were selected by M.F. Ivanov, who lived in Manchuria at the beginning of the 20th century. A. A. Taratukhin sent the trees to the Far East at the end of the XNUMXs. Breeder N. N. Tikhonov distributed a promising variety.

It is believed that three types of plums took part in the formation of the Manchurian Beauty variety: Chinese, Ussuri and Simona.

Description of the plum variety Manchurian beauty

The fast-growing Manchurian tree is sometimes identified as a shrub because there is no central conductor.

• The height is small, from 1,6 to 1,8–2 m.
• The rounded crown is dense, with brown-gray branches, curved brown shoots.
• On the bark of the Manchurian beauty plum, in addition to peeling, light lentils are characteristic.
• Another feature of Manchurian plum wood is intensive bud formation, which leads to increased branching.
• Ellipse-shaped concave pointed leaves, medium size, 11 x 4 cm, dark green hue, with a slight sheen.
• The leaf blade, which is held on an anthocyanin-colored petiole, has carved edges, the central vein slightly bends down.
• Small plum flowers Manchurian beauty are formed on bouquet branches. The bud contains up to 3 flowers with white petals that bloom before the leaves.
• The fruits of the Manchurian weigh 15–20 g, sometimes up to 30 g. They are round in shape, with a flattened base, a narrow deep funnel and a slightly pronounced ventral suture.

Plums are firmly attached to short and thick stalks, but only until the full ripening phase. The skin is not very dense, thin, maroon with a bluish coating. The pointed oblong bone is small, not completely separated from the pulp. From the Manchurian beauty plum comes a weak but attractive aroma, sweet and sour pulp is dense and juicy. The color of the cut fruit is yellow-green.

The invigorating taste of plums is explained by their biochemical composition:

• up to 9 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g;
• 0,41% tannins;
• 8 to 15% sugar;
• 17–24% solids.

Since the late 40s, the Manchurian beauty plum variety in Siberia and the gardens of the Far East is also not uncommon. There were attempts to spread the resistant species of the Ussuri plum to the European part of the country, but the trees did not feel comfortable and are now quite rare here.

Characteristics of a variety 

The most large-fruited among the Ussuri plums, the Manchurian beauty, has its own characteristics.

Drought resistance, frost resistance 

An old variety, bred on the basis of the most cold-resistant type of plum – Ussuri, endures frosts down to -35 … -40 ° C. It is not for nothing that many varieties of plums for the Far Eastern and Siberian regions have been created on its basis. The tree tolerates dry periods, but yields better with watering.

Plum pollinators Manchurian beauty

Many types of Ussuri plums do not bear fruit without pollinators. Over the years of cultivation, the best trees for pollination of the Manchurian have been determined:

• Ural golden;
• Ural red;
• Ussuri;
• prunes Manchurian.

In the garden, it is desirable to have 2-3 different species for better cross-pollination and a bountiful harvest.

The Manchurian plum blossoms early, when there are no leaves on the tree yet. The date depends on the growing region, but the plum is often purchased as a highly ornamental spring garden item. The fruits of the Manchurian beauty ripen in late summer – early autumn.

Yield and fruiting 

The variety is early. Plums are tried three years after planting a one-year-old tree. Yields, subject to the presence of pollinators, are stable. A young plum gives 8-10 kg, an adult – up to 20-24 kg.

Scope of berries

The fruits of the Manchurian plum are delicious for eating in the form of a dessert, as well as in preparations. Compotes, jams, jams are made from berries. The fruits are frozen, so almost all valuable substances are preserved in them.

Disease and pest resistance

Plum is not very susceptible to the characteristic lesions of the species:

• The Manchurian plum is resistant to the disease common in the Far East – rubella;
• does not give in to the scourge of plum trees – clasterosporiasis;
• The beauty is little susceptible to infection with fungi that cause coccomycosis.

But the Manchurian plum is affected by moniliosis. Against diseases and pests, it is necessary to carry out prevention, adhere to the basic requirements of agricultural technology for caring for the garden in autumn and spring.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Plum has undeniable advantages, thanks to which it has been in demand for a century:

• early fruiting;
• stable yield;
• delicious fruits;
• low susceptibility to a number of fungal diseases;
• frost resistance;
• drought resistance.

According to the characteristics of the variety, the Manchurian beauty plum is a valuable material for breeding, transmitting special features to seedlings.

At the same time, the Manchurian plum has its drawbacks:

• self-infertility;
• the need for regular pruning due to the rapid growth of the crown.

Planting and caring for plum Manchurian beauty 

The beauty is unpretentious in favorable climatic conditions, you just need to choose the right time and place for planting with loamy or soddy-podzolic soil, close to neutral in acidity.

Recommended dates 

Spring is the best time to move plum trees in harsh climates. Autumn planting threatens with freezing of a seedling that has not taken root in a short period.

Choosing the right place 

Cultivation of Manchurian beauty plum will be successful if the tree is located in a bright, sunny place. A hole is dug on a hill or a southern slope, but not in a lowland where cold air stagnates. The seedling is not placed next to a building where a lot of snow is applied, because Beauty’s branches are brittle.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby

Plum safely tolerates the neighborhood with an apple tree and garden shrubs at a distance of at least 3 m.

• A tall pear, especially from the south, reduces the amount of sunlight.
• Also, low plums should not be planted near decorative deciduous and coniferous trees.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Acquire one-year-old seedlings with fresh, elastic branches and swollen buds. Roots should be fibrous and moist. A few hours before planting, the seedlings are placed in a clay solution.

Landing algorithm 

The pit is prepared in advance by laying drainage, adding the necessary substrate and fertilizer.

1. A mound is made from the soil in the pit, a peg is driven in to support the seedling.
2. They set a tree on a mound, straightening the roots.
3. The root neck protrudes 4–6 cm above the ground.
4. They fill up the pit, compact the earth, make a circular groove for irrigation.
5. 1–1,5 buckets of water are poured out, mulch is placed on the trunk circle.

Plum Aftercare

• Plum seedlings Manchurian beauty provide loosening and watering to the depth of the roots.
• Next spring, they begin to form a longline crown, which is created over 2-3 years.
• Also cut off old or damaged shoots.
• They are fed with the NPK complex, organic matter in spring, summer and before winter, mulching the trunk circle.
• Saplings for the winter are protected from rodents with a net, agrofibre or paper.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention 

Conclusion

Plum Manchurian beauty will not only give delicious fruits, but also delight with spectacular flowering. Gardeners of Siberia and the Urals value Beauty for her endurance and resistance to diseases. Easy care, low-lying fruits, decorativeness and stable fruiting are features of an unpretentious variety.

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