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When choosing plums for planting, proven varieties are often preferred. One of them is the Victoria plum, which is widespread in Our Country and European countries. The variety has earned its popularity due to its high yield and winter hardiness.
History of variety breeding
Queen Victoria is an old plum variety of European selection. The first seedlings were obtained in England by accidental cross-pollination of various varieties of plums. Initially, the variety was called Sharps Emperor.
Since 1844, this plum has been known as the Queen Victoria. Now plum is common both in Europe and in Our Country.
Description of the Victoria plum variety
Plum Victoria is a medium-sized tree with a spreading rare rounded crown. Shoots are thick and short, brown-green in color.
Description of Queen Victoria plum fruits:
- wide oval shape;
- weight – 30–40 g;
- red-violet color;
- white dots and waxy coating on the peel;
- yellow juicy pulp;
- the middle oval bone is freely separated from the pulp.
Plum pulp contains 10,3% sugars, 0,9% acids and 2,7 mg per 100 g of ascorbic acid. Taste qualities are estimated at 4,2 points out of 5.
In Our Country, the Queen Victoria variety is grown both in the southern regions and in colder climates.
Characteristics of a variety
Before planting, a variety pays attention to its main characteristics: resistance indicators, yield, flowering periods and fruiting.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety has medium drought tolerance. To obtain a rich harvest, the tree is watered according to the standard scheme.
Frost tolerance is average. Under snow cover, it tolerates harsh winters without problems. Young plantings of Victoria plums need additional protection.
Plum variety pollinators
Plum Queen Victoria is self-fertile. Planting pollinators is not necessary to form a crop. However, if there are other plum varieties on the plot that bloom at similar times, the yield and quality of the fruit increase.
Queen Victoria is a good pollinator for other house plum varieties:
- Hungarian Azhanskaya;
- Greengage;
- Anna Shpet;
- Peach;
- Kirke.
Plum blossoms occur from mid to late May. In cold regions, the kidneys may be affected by spring frosts. Harvest ripens in late terms – from the second decade of September.
Yield and fruiting
Plum Queen Victoria has a high yield, which increases when planted next to other varieties of plums. The seedling enters the fruiting stage at the age of 3-4 years.
Up to 40 kg of fruits are removed from the tree. Fruiting extended for 2 weeks. After ripening, the plum does not fall off and stays on the branches for a long time.
Scope of berries
Fruits have a universal application: they are consumed fresh, dried or processed into home-made preparations (confiture, jam, compotes, jams).
Disease and pest resistance
Plum Queen Victoria is susceptible to fungal diseases that occur in cold and rainy weather. Medium pest resistance. To protect the plum from damage, preventive treatments are carried out.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of the variety:
- self-fertility;
- high quality and taste of fruits;
- fruits do not crumble after ripening;
- universal application;
- productivity.
When choosing a plum, Queen Victoria takes into account its shortcomings:
- demanding care;
- susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Features of landing
Victoria’s home plum is planted at a certain time. Its yield and fruiting depend on the choice of a place for a crop. Particular attention is paid to the quality of planting material.
Recommended dates
In regions with a cold climate, planting work is carried out in the spring. The optimal period is after the snow melts and before the start of sap flow. In the southern regions, planting is carried out in the fall, after the leaves fall. The seedling will be able to take root already before the onset of cold weather.
Choosing the right place
The place for the Queen Victoria plum is chosen taking into account a number of conditions:
- abundant natural light;
- protection against stagnation of moisture and cold air;
- groundwater depth – more than 1,5 m;
- protection of the site from the wind in the form of fences or buildings.
Plum prefers fertile soils rich in nutrients. The culture develops slowly in acidic soils. Fertilization during planting helps to improve the composition of the soil.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
Plum Queen Victoria is removed from hazel, hazel, birch and poplar at a distance of 4–5 m.
Planting next to fruit trees is not recommended: pear, cherry, peach. Crops compete for moisture and nutrients in the soil.
It is allowed to plant an apple tree next to the plum tree. Currants, raspberries or gooseberries are planted between rows with trees.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Queen Victoria seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Your best bet is to contact your local nursery or horticultural center. Planting material is checked visually for the absence of broken shoots, mold and other defects.
For planting choose seedlings at the age of 1-2 years. If the roots of the tree are too dry, they are dipped in clean water for 3-5 hours.
Landing algorithm
The preparation of the soil and the planting pit begins at least 2-3 weeks before the start of work. During this time, the soil will shrink. If the landing is carried out in the spring, then the pit is prepared in the fall.
The order of planting the late Victoria plum:
- A hole is dug at the site with a depth of 60 cm and a diameter of 70 cm.
- If necessary, crushed stone is poured into the bottom as a drainage layer.
- A wooden or metal stake is driven into the pit. Above the ground, it should rise by 0,5 m.
- A mixture is poured at the bottom, consisting of an equal amount of fertile land, peat and humus.
- After shrinkage, soil is poured into the pit to form a small hill.
- A seedling is placed on top, its roots are straightened. From the root neck to the ground should be 3-4 cm.
- The roots of the tree are covered with earth and watered abundantly.
- The soil in the trunk circle is mulched with peat.
Plum Aftercare
Plum Queen Victoria is demanding to care for. The tree is regularly watered and fed, the shoots are pruned.
Irrigation of the crop depends on the intensity of precipitation in the region. Watering is required during the flowering period and at the beginning of the fruiting of the tree. In autumn, plums are watered abundantly before shelter for the winter.
Every 3 years, when digging the soil per 1 sq. m contribute 10 kg of organic fertilizer. In early spring, the plum is fed with nitrogen fertilizer, during the growing season – with potash and phosphorus. Substances are embedded in the ground or dissolved in water before watering.
Plum pruning Queen Victoria helps to eliminate excess shoots and normalize yields. The crown is formed in several tiers. At the beginning of spring or at the end of the season, broken, frozen or dried branches are cut out.
A young tree is covered for the winter with agrofiber and spruce branches. The soil is mulched with humus or compost. For shelter do not use polyethylene and other materials that do not allow moisture and air to pass through. So that the tree does not suffer from rodents, its trunk is covered with roofing material or a net.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
According to Queen Victoria plum reviews, the tree can be seriously affected by fungal diseases. The most dangerous crop diseases are listed in the table:
Disease | Evidence | Fight | Prevention |
fruit rot | Brown spots with gray spores of the fungus are visible on the fruits. | The affected fruits are thrown away, the tree is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. | 1. Regular thinning of the crown. 2. Destruction of fallen leaves. 3. Preventive spraying with fungicides. |
Kokkomikoz | Reddish spots on the leaves that grow and merge with each other. Leaves dry and fall prematurely. | Treatment of plums with copper chloride. |
Common crop pests are shown in the table:
Pest | Evidence | Fight | Prevention |
Hawthorn | Large butterflies eat leaves, buds and flowers. | Pest control by hand. Treatment of wood with a solution of the drug “Aktellik”. | 1. Digging the soil under the tree. 2. Removal from the site of fallen leaves. 3. Preventive spraying with insecticides. |
cherry moth | Cherry moth caterpillars eat buds and leaves. | Spraying plums with a solution of the drug “Nitrofen”. |
Conclusion
Plum Victoria is a variety common in Europe. It is valued for its high yield and fruit quality. The tree is demanding to care for and needs protection from fungal diseases.