Chinese plum varieties relatively recently began to spread among domestic summer residents. The advantage of these species is the small size of the tree, but the yield of the tree is always high. The Chinese plum takes root in almost all regions, especially with moderate winters.
Popular varieties and characteristics
The Chinese plum differs from other varieties of plums in the size of the tree and the shade of the fruit.The fruits of Chinese hybrids are light purple to wine-colored. The description of popular varieties of Chinese plums has a number of similarities, but each hybrid has its own unique characteristics.
Alyonushka
The height of the tree is from 2 to 2.5 m. The crown is medium thick. The weight of ripe fruits of the tree is 30-40 g. The skin is a rich wine color with a slight waxy coating. The fruits have a regular spherical shape. According to the tasting scale, Alyonushka plums score 4.8 points out of 5.
Superior
The main advantage is high resistance even to severe frosts. The downside is the plant’s low protection against diseases. At the same time, the fruits are not affected by scab. Large-fruited variety, after harvesting the fruits are stored for a long time. Fruit weight is approximately 50-55 g. Ripe fruits are sweet, with a slight sour taste. Fruits are widely used in cooking.
Precocious
The disadvantage of Skoroplodnaya is considered to be low transportability. During long transportation, fruits become wrinkled. The yield is average, 8-10 kg of harvest is obtained from the tree. But Skoroplodnaya also has advantages.
For example, resistance to sub-zero temperatures, as well as earlier fruiting. The first ripe fruits appear on the plant in mid-summer.
Golden ball
For Chinese varieties, Golden Ball has an atypical fruit color. Plums of a rich yellow hue. The pulp is light orange. A relatively tall tree, growing up to 3 m in height. Fruits are round in shape, small, up to 35 g. Excellent resistance to transporting crops over long distances.
Manchurian beauty
The plant belongs to the dwarf type. It grows up to 1.5 m in height. Small-fruited, fruit weight is 15-20 g.The skin is yellow in color with a rich purple blush. Ripe pulp is greenish in color with a rich plum aroma. The advantages of the Manchurian beauty are productivity and the presence of immune protection against moniliosis.
Oryol souvenir
The average height of the Oryol souvenir is 3 m. A characteristic feature of the variety is its spreading crown. Fruits weigh on average 35-40 g. There are also larger ones. The seed is easily separated from the pulp. A winter-hardy and productive tree, it begins to bear fruit early. The disadvantage of this variety is that the pulp is dry.
Sissy
The trunk height is from 2 m. The crown is oval. The fruit is at the stage of technical maturity, about 35 g. The skin is red, the flesh is orange. One of the most delicious varieties of Chinese plum. The fruits begin to fall off as they ripen, so it is worth harvesting immediately. Winter-hardy and productive variety.
Red ball
This variety resembles the Yellow Ball variety in a number of characteristics. Only the shade of the fruit is different. The Red Ball has a rich purple skin. The flesh is green-yellow. Early fruiting, the tree begins to bear fruit in the 2-3rd year after planting. Pollinator varieties will have to be planted next to the plant. The red ball is a self-sterile variety.
Oryol dream
The parent variety is the Chinese plum Alyonushka. The crown is pyramidal, medium thick. The fruits are medium-sized, weighing 40-55 g. The stone is difficult to separate from the pulp. A significant drawback of the Oryol Dream is the fact that if the yield is high, the fruits grow small.
Lychee
Lychee is a Chinese plum, but can only be grown in the south. Lychee is a small fruit covered with a thick skin.The flesh of the fruit is white and has a large stone. The pulp is watery and sweet in taste.
Suitable varieties for planting in different climatic zones of Russia
The best varieties of Chinese plums cannot always be grown in all regions. The exception is most often the north.
In Siberia
The best varieties for Siberia:
- Testament is a yellow-fruited hybrid with small plums. The height of the trees can reach 4 m. The variety is a late variety. Flowering begins at the end of May. Frost resistance is high.
- Altai Jubilee - medium-sized trees. Plums are shaped like an oval, elongated towards the bottom. The side seam is clearly visible on the skin. The color of the fruit is yellow-orange.
- Amur early - characterized by a neat crown, the tree is small in height. The fruits are small, weighing up to 30 g. In rare cases, plums grow larger. Suitable for planting in regions with harsh winters. In cooking, universal use, the pulp is sweet and sugary.
When growing in Siberia, you should think about covering the plant for the winter.
In outskirts of Moscow
Varieties of Chinese plum for the regions of the Moscow region:
- Baikalskaya - a characteristic feature of this variety is the rapid growth of the plant and the spreading crown. The fruits are large-fruited and approximately the same size. Weight ranges from 35 to 45 g. The skin is cherry in color.
- Virovskaya early is a medium-sized tree, the trunk does not exceed 3 m in height. The fruits are large, slightly elongated. The skin has a thick waxy coating. The average weight is 37 g. It is distinguished by the presence of immune protection to certain types of diseases of fruit crops.
The advantage of growing Chinese plums in the Moscow region is that there is no need to cover the plant for the winter.
For southern regions
In the southern regions, all varieties of Chinese plums are suitable for cultivation. Winters here are warm, and the fruiting period for crops begins early.
Varieties for southern cities:
- Katunskaya is a low-growing type of tree with a rounded crown. Ripening is early, the first ripe fruits are picked from the plant in early August. The disadvantage of Katunskaya is the short shelf life of the harvested crop. If plums sit for several days, they become covered with black spots and rot.
- Krasnoselskaya is a medium-sized plant. The crown is leafy. The fruits are small, weighing up to 25 g. In rare cases, plums reach a weight of 30 g. The stone is large, the pulp is juicy. A characteristic feature of Krasnoselskaya is the high sugar content in the fruits.
The southern regions have the most suitable climate for plums.
For central Russia
Varieties of plums for the middle zone:
- Kuyashskaya is a low spreading plant. Crown of medium foliage. The fruits are medium in size, oval in shape. The side seam is clearly visible on the skin. The peel is cherry-colored, the flesh is orange. High tasting fruit.
- Nadezhda Primorye is a non-leafy and compact plant up to 2 m high. The skin has a thick waxy coating, a wine color. The pulp is sugary. The fruit tastes a little dry. It is grown mainly for preparing canned food for the winter and baking.
The middle zone is also considered a favorable region for growing Chinese plums. Before the onset of cold weather, you should think about covering your plum tree for the winter.
