Description and characteristics of the Soneika cherry plum variety, planting and care rules

Cherry plum Sonya, bred by Belarusian breeders, is very popular. It is actively grown throughout Russia and Belarus. The variety survives at low temperatures and is resistant to drought. Plum Sonya loves fertile soils, which must be prepared in advance. The fruits are sweet and sour, dense, juicy. The tree produces a large harvest.

History of the breeding of the Soneika plum

The variety was developed by Belarusian breeders. The work took place at the Institute of Fruit Growing. The variety was developed by pollinating the Mara cherry plum with pollen from diploid plums. The results were a success. The main work was carried out by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Valery Matveev. The cultivation of the Soneika cherry plum variety began in 2009.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Many gardeners choose the Sonyika variety due to its resistance to disease, frost and drought. Cherry plum produces a lot of fruits that are well stored and do not suffer during transportation.

Tree options

The Soneika cherry plum tree is not tall, the branches are distributed in the shape of an oval. Maximum height 3 meters. The branches hang down and grow densely. The leaves are green, oval-shaped with elongated ends. White inflorescences. The average weight of the fruit is 38 grams, the peel is dense and has a light pink tint. The pulp of the cherry plum is dense, juicy, and has a sweet and sour taste.

Resistance to low temperatures and drought

The tree can tolerate low temperatures down to -30 °C. It takes root well in the northern parts of the country. Tolerates frost without loss. During the period of bud formation, a sharp change in temperature, especially at night, contributes to the death of the buds.

Tolerates drought well. It has powerful roots that help the plum to absorb moisture from the deep layers of the soil. A good watering regime will bring more fruit.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

Plum Soneika will be inoculated with immunity to clasterosporiasis and other diseases.She rarely gets sick, her immunity is well developed. The main pests are aphids and seed beetles. Aphids eat the leaves, they begin to turn yellow, dry out and fall off. Insects are localized on the underside of the leaf, small, black in color.

The seed eater penetrates the seed of the fruit and eats it from the inside. The fruits become duller and begin to fall off. To prevent these diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying.

Pollination and flowering

For fruit set, a pollinator in the neighborhood is necessary. Eastern European plum varieties are suitable for this. The Altai Yubileiny plum and Alyonushka plum varieties are planted. Their flowering coincides.

Important! The flowering of the pollinator should coincide with the flowering of the Soneika cherry plum.

In early May, buds form. By the end of May, white flowers bloom, with 5 flowers in one inflorescence. Each of them consists of 5 petals. After flowering is completed, fruits are set and ripen by the end of August or beginning of September.

Productivity and fruiting

High-yielding variety. In one season, cherry plum produces about 40 kilograms of fruit from one tree. The cherry plum produces its first fruits 2 years after being transferred to the ground. The fruits ripen almost simultaneously, which simplifies harvesting. They have a dense stalk, due to which the fall of berries is minimal. They have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Where are the fruits used?

Sonya plum is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. The fruits are consumed fresh, and compotes, preserves, and jams are also prepared from them. In cosmetology, cherry plum extract is used in the manufacture of shampoos, creams, scrubs, and balms.

Since fruits store well, they are convenient to transport and sell. The consumption period is long, they are stored for about 30-40 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

This variety has its positive and negative sides.The advantages include:

• winter hardiness;
• drought tolerance;
• strong immunity;
• small plant size;
• good harvest.

Disadvantages include the need for a pollinator for fruiting, as well as supporting sticks for branches during the period of fruit ripening. There are a lot of fruits on one branch, because of this there is a risk that the branch will break off and part of the harvest will be lost.

Features of planting crops

Sonya has its own characteristics of transferring to the ground. It is important to choose the right place for the plum so that it feels comfortable and bears fruit better.

Recommended timing

In the fall, the selected area is dug up, stones and weeds are removed. The planting site begins to be prepared in March. Dig a hole in the form of a square 60 by 70 centimeters. All weeds near it are removed. Drainage is installed in the hole and organic fertilizers are added. A month later, the seedling is planted.

Choosing a suitable location

The place for the tree should be well lit. It is not recommended to plant cherry plum next to canopies and tall plants that will shade it. Plum loves fertile soil.

Important! It is necessary to select a place where the roots will not be flooded with water, this reduces the tree’s immunity and it bears less fruit..

What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum

The following crops are well compatible with cherry plum:

• raspberries;
• currant;
• gooseberry;
• Apple tree;
• pollinator trees.

Plum trees bear fruit worse next to cherries, cherries or pears; it is recommended to plant such crops at a far distance from each other.

Selecting and preparing a seat

Young trees with dense roots and no rot are selected for planting.The branches are strong, straight, if there are cut ones, then it is better not to take such a tree. There is a possibility that it was damaged. They buy two-year-old seedlings to get a harvest right away.

A planting location with good lighting, next to the pollinator and good drainage of excess water is the best for Soneika cherry plum. It has been prepared since the fall. They dig up the entire area, selecting weeds and stones. Fertilize with organic compounds. In March, a hole is prepared for planting.

Landing technology

The drainage system prepared in March is covered with a layer of soil. 5 liters of warm water with mineral fertilizers are poured into the pit. Install a support stick to protect the young plant from strong winds. Then the seedling is transferred to the ground.

The roots must be carefully straightened. They don't clear the land. Sprinkle the soil on top in layers, compacting each one with your hands so that no space with air is formed. Water again with warm water.

Aftercare of the tree

Like any plant, Soneika cherry plum requires compliance with certain rules for caring for it. If you follow watering, pruning, disease prevention, and take care to endure the cold months, then the plum will delight you with a large harvest.

Watering and fertilizing

While the plum is young, it needs to be watered more often. Irrigate 2 times a week with 1 bucket of water. During the dry period, watering is increased to 1.5-2 buckets per day, 3 times a week.

Important! It is impossible to overwater the plant, this causes rotting of the roots and reduces immunity. Cherry plum may die.

Fertilizing is done three times a year. Early spring, mid-summer, late summer. Humus is used for these purposes. Sonya loves phosphorus and potassium mineral fertilizers.

Crown formation

Pruning is carried out 2 times a year.Cut off all withered and damaged branches. Since the crown of the plant is dense, it is necessary to thin it after harvesting so that next year the fruits will be of better quality and will not interfere with each other’s development.

Care and loosening of the tree trunk circle

To conserve water near the roots of the tree, mulch the tree trunk circle. Organic materials are used and covered with a layer of 7-10 centimeters. Loosening the soil is carried out regularly, depending on the appearance of weeds near the plant. All weeds are removed. The soil is loosened for improved root aeration.

Preparing the tree for wintering

The tree tolerates low temperatures well. However, it is recommended to insulate young trees for the winter. To do this, the tree trunk circle is covered with a warm cloth or moss. This will help keep the roots warm. The older the tree, the stronger its frost resistance. There is no point in taking risks until the plant has matured.

Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

For spraying, prepare a solution of urea. 700 grams of powder are diluted in a bucket of water and sprayed on tree leaves in early spring, before buds begin to form. To prevent pest damage, special preparations are used once a month: “Healthy Garden”, “Aurum-S”, “Iskra-bio”. The packaging contains selected instructions for use.

To strengthen the immune system, spray with solutions of Zircon and Ecoberin. These drugs significantly reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases.

Reviews from gardeners about the Sonyika variety

Natalya, 35 years old, Moscow: “I’ve had my eye on Sonya’s cherry plum for a long time, and this year I bought it along with a pollinator. I planted them next to each other. I took a two-year-old plant. It settled in perfectly. Landed in April. At the end of summer we tried her harvest.The fruits are stored for a long time, taste pleasant, and are dense.”

Vladimir, 43 years old, Kerch: “I planted Sonya plum in the garden 5 years ago. She never ceases to please us with her harvest every year. I bought her young. It didn’t bear fruit the first year, it survived the winter well, but I covered it. A pollinator grows nearby. It blooms very beautifully in spring, suitable for decorating a site.”

Marina, 54 years old, Minsk: “Soneika has heard about cherry plum for a long time, and last year she decided to experiment. I bought a seedling and planted it according to all the rules. Unfortunately, the young tree was poorly covered for the winter, and it froze a little. The next year I tried to restore it. It worked, but it took a lot of effort. This year I hope to get the first fruits.”