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Cherry plum Lama is a productive variety with decorative properties due to its dark red foliage. The plant is unpretentious and resistant to frost, endures long periods of drought.
History of breeding
The culture has been spreading over household plots since 2003. Semi-dwarf cherry plum variety Lama was bred by the famous Belarusian scientist-breeder Valery Avksentevich Matveev on the basis of seedlings of cherry plum and Ussuri plum. He is the author of many large-fruited hybrids of delicate taste, which have spread from Belarus to neighboring and distant countries. The scientist was looking for an opportunity to combine in a plant:
- frost resistance of plums and endurance of wild-growing cherry plums;
- resistance to pests;
- the taste of cherry plum and plum fruits, bringing them closer to dessert indicators;
- increase in fertility.
Abroad, these varieties are more often known as plum.
Description of the culture
Cherry plum Lama belongs to undersized species – the height does not exceed 2 m, more often 130-150 cm. The crown is compact, it is formed in the form of a spectacular semicircular sphere, as noted in the reviews of gardeners near Moscow about Lama cherry plum. The smooth brown-red bark of young plum shoots darkens over the years, becomes rough. The shoot formation is high, the growth per season is up to 150 cm. The length of the lanceolate plum leaves, which taper towards the base, is 15-18 cm. Over time, Lama plum trees stand with brown leaves on the back of a warm chocolate tone.
In spring, the annual shoots of the plum Lama in the middle and lower parts are decorated with elegant bunches. The flowers are small, 3-3,5 cm wide, with white-pink petals, attached in several pieces to short bouquet twigs.
Large fruits of a table hybrid of cherry plum and plum are round-oval, weighing 15-40 g, fleshy. The fibrous pulp is juicy, with an exquisite fruity-almond aroma. Dense skin is purple, dark, there are grayish subcutaneous dots. A small stone separates from the dark red pulp. The taste of cherry plum combines pleasant sweetness and invigorating sourness, which is expressed especially near the stone. The fruits contain malic and citric acid, 10% sugars. The tasters gave the Lama hybrid cherry plum variety with red flesh 4,4 points.
Variety Lama inherited winter hardiness from plums, so it can be cultivated in the middle climatic zone, in the north-west of the country, in Siberia and the Far East.
Features
In the descriptions of the red-leaved cherry plum Lama, gardeners point to its endurance.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
The cherry plum variety is drought-resistant, endures 40-degree heat. Water the plum only in conditions of prolonged heat. The plant survives frosty winters well, up to -36 оC, but sharp drops with thaws and the return of cold can be fatal for it. According to its species characteristics, the plum has a short dormant period, up to 45 days, so late winter temperature fluctuations can damage the buds. Flowers withstand temperatures down to -7 оC.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
With an even winter, the flowering of the Lama cherry plum begins later than other hybrids, in mid-May, so it is not afraid of spring frosts. The variety is self-infertile, for a full-fledged crop, the culture needs other related plants, better East Asian plums and wild cherry plums. European species and turn hybrids are not very suitable. The best pollinators for cherry plum Lama are the following varieties:
- Dream;
- Happiness;
- Vitba.
Plums are planted according to the scheme 5 x 3 m. The fruits of the medium-late variety ripen after August 12-16.
yield, fruiting
The plum is extremely productive, the branches are literally strewn with bright burgundy fruits. Already in the 3rd year, cherry plum can produce up to 40 kg of fruit. The harvest of an adult plum reaches 300 kg. Variety Lama comes into fruiting early, sometimes even in the first year of planting.
Scope of fruits
Dessert cherry plum is pleasant in taste, useful in composition, so it is better to use it fresh. However, plums are versatile, suitable for a variety of homemade preparations.
Disease and pest resistance
The Lama plum variety resists many fungal diseases with the condition of proper annual pruning and crown formation. Regular garden care will prevent pests.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners grow a variety due to the bright advantages of the Lama cherry plum:
- endurance to atmospheric factors;
- precociousness;
- productivity;
- good consumer qualities;
- transportability;
- disease resistance;
- decorative.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- the need to plant pollinators;
- mandatory annual pruning;
- shedding of ripe plums.
Features of landing
Although the cherry plum variety is rather unpretentious in terms of growing conditions, some requirements must be followed.
Recommended dates
Cultivation of cherry plum Lama in the south will be successful during autumn planting, the tree will have time to take root before the onset of winter. In cold regions, plums are planted in the spring, when the earth has already dried out and the air has warmed up to 12-14 degrees.
Choosing the right place
In reviews of cherry plum Lama, gardeners advise planting a hybrid on the slopes of the western direction, including those with a slope to the south or north. The variety will survive in the lowlands, but the quality of the fruit will be noticeably reduced. For draining, it is important to place groundwater no higher than 1,5 m and soil with neutral acidity. When planting, a drainage layer is required.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum
In the description of cherry plum Lama emphasizes that pollinating varieties should be planted next to the hybrid. Other stone species also have a beneficial effect. Do not place the plum near tall trees and those plants whose roots grow far to the sides.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Experienced gardeners choose 1- or 2-year-old plums for planting. Planted in containers are moved in the summer. The open root system is carefully examined so that the shoots are fresh. The bark of healthy seedlings is smooth, without cracks, the branches are elastic.
2-5 hours before planting, the plum roots are soaked, adding clay and a growth stimulator to the water, if desired.
Landing algorithm
Drainage, fertile soil with fertilizers are laid in the pit and a small support is installed.
- The plum is placed so that the root neck deepens by 3-4 cm, covered with a substrate.
- The stem is tied to a support, cut off by one third.
- The soil is trampled down, watered with a bucket of water and mulched.
Culture aftercare
The soil is loosened and weeds are removed. Planting and caring for Lama cherry plums are simple; pruning is carried out in early spring, leaving 11-12 skeletal branches. 1-year-old shoots are shortened by one third. In autumn, the trunks turn white. This is the prevention of pests and protection from rodents, from which the stems are also wrapped with burlap or newspapers. In winter, snow is thrown to the cherry plum. Plums are watered by 30-40 liters during drought, when ovaries are created. Feed with mineral fertilizers.
Collection, processing and storage of crops
According to the descriptions of the cherry plum Lama, the fruits are harvested every two days. Unripe plums are stored in the basement for up to 3 months. From them prepare jam, marmalade, sauces for second courses.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The red-leaved cherry plum Lama is moderately resistant to clasterosporiosis.
Diseases | Evidence | Prevention | Treatment |
Klyasterosporiosis | Brown spots on shoots, leaves and fruits | Foliage harvesting in autumn, pruning | Bordeaux liquid |
Moniliasis | dry shoot tips | Trimming, removal of affected parts | “Horus”, “Scor”, “Mikosan V” |
Verticillosis | A darkened and withered plant | Treat the area with vitriol | The tree is removed and burned |
Photo of cherry plum Lama affected by clasterosporium.
vermin | Evidence | Fight | Prevention |
aphid | Leaves curl | Spraying with soda or soapy water | Ant removal |
Fruit brown mite | Leaves dry, little ovary | Application of acaricides | Cleansing the old bark |
Codling moth plum | lopsided fruit | Application of insecticides | Loosening the soil, cleaning the old bark |
Conclusion
Cherry plum Lama will bring double joy – with its bright appearance and delicious fruits. Having planted a plum tree in an unused area, attention should be paid to crown formation and watering in the heat. The plant will give a bountiful harvest.
