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It is difficult to find gardens where fruit trees do not grow. In terms of prevalence, plum occupies the third position after apple and cherry. One of the worthy representatives of his family is Ksenia plum. The tree is a type of Chinese plum. The variety pleases gardeners with large yields and good taste.
History of variety breeding
By origin, the plum is associated with the Far East. Wild relatives of this culture live in Japan and in the north of China. Xenia was bred in the village. Chemal (Gorny Altai) at the breeding station of the Research Institute of Gardens by scientist M. Matyunin. Seedlings appeared from pollination of another variety – the Red Ball. Chemal large plum appeared in 1975. Included in the register of the Federation in 2005.
Chemal large is low- and medium-sized, has a paniculate crown, dense shoots. White cupped flowers, collected in bouquets, appear in May. By this time, the dark green leaves do not reach their mature size, so the Chemal variety looks unusual.
Description of the plum variety Xenia
The fruit of the Chemal large has a round shape and weighs about 40 g. Its color is yellow, with a crimson blush. Juicy, sweet taste. There is no sourness in the skin, which is inherent in many varieties of plums. A large variety of Xenia is not bitter, like an ordinary Chinese plum. Ripe fruit falls off easily.
According to the description of the Chemalskaya large plum variety, it differs from other crops in its large size, as well as in the average depth of the abdominal suture. The yellow color of the fibrous pulp has a green tint. Subcutaneous points are barely visible. The stone of the Xenia variety is freely separated from the pulp.
Plum Xenia is recommended to grow in the southern and central regions of Our Country. In these places, it is well cultivated. Chemal large also adapts well to more severe climatic conditions, since its winter hardiness is satisfactory.
Characteristic of the variety
Among fruit trees, the large variety Xenia occupies one of the leading places, since it has excellent characteristics.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Plum Chemal large is characterized by medium drought resistance. However, it tolerates winter well, being the champion in frost resistance. Various sources claim that the plum is able to withstand temperatures from 30 to 50 degrees below zero. Plum blossoms can tolerate frosts as long as they do not exceed 3°C. However, plum Xenia is unstable to diaper rash.
Plum pollinators
Variety Ksenia is self-fertile. Therefore, when planting Chemal large, it is worth considering that other plums are needed for its normal fruiting.
The best pollinators of Chemalskaya are the following varieties:
- Scarlet Dawn;
- Screams;
- Anniversary;
- Peresvet.
Chemal large breeds perfectly with bones. In this case, do not forget about stratification. The sprouted material is sown before the onset of frost on a specially designated bed. In the absence of spring shoots, do not touch the bed, but wait until next spring and then draw a conclusion. The vegetative method produces a completely pure variety.
Yield and fruiting
Plum Xenia has a high yield, but its fruiting is irregular. Chemal large begins to produce crops 3-4 years after planting. Then she steadily bears fruit for ten years, and with proper care, the specified period is extended.
By maturation, the Chemal variety is early. It bears fruit in late July – early August.
Scope of berries
Plum Xenia is considered a universal variety for the use of berries. They can be eaten fresh or used for culinary purposes. Compotes, juices, jams, desserts, and wine are prepared from Chemal large plums.
Disease and pest resistance
Chemal large plum has an average resistance to various infectious and fungal diseases. But if the tree gets sick, simple measures should be taken to cure it. For example, introduce insecticides, burn fallen plum leaves, whiten the trunk.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Chemal large plum is a favorite tree of many gardeners. It has excellent product features:
- good portability;
- appetizing look;
- unusual taste without bitterness and sourness.
This distinguishes the Xenia plum from other species. The disadvantages include two characteristics: increased requirements for moisture supply and instability to diaper rash.
Features of landing
Like any other fruit tree, the Xenia plum has its own characteristics that should be considered when planting it in the ground.
Recommended dates
The timing of the landing of the Chemal large plum depends on the specific area. In the middle and southern regions of Our Country, Xenia plum can be planted after the snow melts. If the culture is intended for planting in the Urals or Siberia, then about 4 decades should be counted to the first frosts, otherwise the plum seedling will not have time to take root in the ground.
Choosing the right place
An important role in planting plum Xenia is played by the right place. Elevated and well-lit areas are considered a good location. A suitable earthen substrate should be light to medium. Sand is added to heavy soil. The substrate should have a pH of 4,5-5,5.
The plum variety Ksenia suffers from too wet land, so it should be planted in a site where groundwater does not lie too close to the surface. If the landing area is flat, it is necessary to build a ridge. She will raise a tree in winter, when the snow cover reaches 80 cm.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
Variety Chemalskaya large needs neighbors. Next to this tree, it is worth planting other plums, an apple tree, a blackcurrant bush. If you plant thyme under the Ksenia plum, it will prevent the growth of weeds, and the black elderberry will protect the Chemal variety from aphids.
Friends of plum Ksenia:
- tulip;
- narcissus;
- primrose.
It is not recommended to plant large poplar, birch, fir, walnut trees, sea buckthorn near Chemalskaya.
Selection and preparation of planting material
In order for a tree to grow strong and healthy, it is necessary to choose the right material for planting. A plum seedling must be at least two years old, otherwise it will be difficult to transplant. A biennial large plant is more frost-resistant, and it can also endure a sharp change in soil.
Landing algorithm
The seedling of Chemal large has a closed root, so this planting material can be planted throughout the season.
Recommended bed sizes: height within 50 cm, width – 2 m. The length of the bed depends on the number of seedlings. Between plum seedlings, a distance of 60 cm should be maintained, between rows – about 80 cm.
Landing steps:
- Plum roots are carefully distributed in a hole (which is 70 cm deep), then covered with soil.
- When a young plum seedling is planted in the ground, the soil should be trampled to eliminate air gaps.
- The basal neck is left above the ground (approximately 10 cm).
- The bed is usually based on humus (about a bucket) mixed with superphosphate (2 handfuls), potassium salt (a handful) and wood ash (scoop blade).
- Around the planting pit, it is necessary to build a small trench from the earth, which will prevent the spread of water during irrigation, as well as protect the Chemalskaya plum seedling from pests.
- After abundant watering, the young plant must be tied to a peg.
When planting, a Chemal large seedling should go into the ground by one third or half.
Fertilizers are applied when planting plums. Preference is given to organic components. 2 kg of compost is diluted in 10 liters of water. Pour 3 liters of the composition under each tree. Phosphate and potassium fertilizers added to the soil will saturate it with useful substances. Ratio: 500 g of any drug per bucket of humus.
Fertilizers planted during planting will last for 3 years. Plums should not be overfed as this will lead to excessive branching and lower yields.
Plum Aftercare
The large Chemal tree needs high humidity or regular watering. However, if you water the tree frequently, it will rot. Watering is carried out once a week, in the morning. In summer, Xenia plum should be moistened every 30 days.
A young tree needs shaping pruning. During fruiting – rejuvenating. Sanitary pruning is carried out every year, in the first decade of March. Its purpose is to remove dry branches that absorb many useful trace elements from the ground.
After the Chinese plum Xenia begins to bear fruit, it needs to be fed. The usual mixture consists of 7 kg of organic substance and 100 g of ash. After 2 or 3 years, fluffy lime is added to the soil.
In autumn, Chemal large should be prepared for winter.
To do this:
- Remove dry and diseased branches, as well as unnecessary branching.
- Apply fertilizer.
- Dig up the soil (digging is carried out a year after planting the seedling).
- Clean the trunk from scales and whiten.
To protect against rodents, you can use a simple and safe way: treat the culture with a mixture of clay and cow dung (1: 1 ratio).
It is necessary to shelter Xenia for the winter in the following cases:
- if the tree is young;
- if the culture is planted in a harsh region.
For this, bags, paper, polyethylene, humus and other available material can be used.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Gum disease. A heavily fertilized plum, as well as a culture that has undergone severe frosts, can be affected by gum disease. Sick areas of the tree should be cleaned with a knife and smeared with copper sulfate.
Dwarfism. If the development of the Chemal large tree slows down, then it is uprooted. To prevent dwarfism, you need to treat the plant with a clean tool.
Rust and clasterosporiasis. With rust, small spots appear on the leaves. And with clasterosporiasis, holes remain in place of the spots that have arisen.
These diseases are fought with the help of Bordeaux liquid. It is also necessary to dig up the soil around the tree and cut and then burn the old shoots.
Chlorosis appears in the veins. Ready-made products “Chelate” and “Antichlorosin” cope with the disease.
Parasites that can overcome a plum:
- moth;
- aphid;
- ants;
- beetles;
- caterpillars;
- plum sawfly.
To combat the codling moth, painful areas are treated with Bordeaux liquid (2 mg per 10 liters of water).
To get rid of aphids, the drug “Oxyhom” is used, which contains copper. They spray a tree (30 mg per 10 liters of water).
To protect the plum from other parasites, as well as to prevent diseases, the culture should be bleached with a limestone composition in which ferrous sulfate, mullein and clay are diluted. Whitewashing is done annually, in the first half of April.
Conclusion
Plum Xenia is an unpretentious culture that does not need special care. It has an unusual taste that does not contain bitterness and acidity. By planting this wonderful tree, you can not only enrich your fruit table, but also get excellent raw materials for harvesting.
