Description of the Candy plum variety, cultivation and care, pollinators and reproduction

Among gardeners, the Candy plum is known as an unpretentious and hardy plant. It can be grown in regions with long periods of cold weather, where there are frequent changes in weather conditions. Thanks to its compact size, the tree does not take up much space on the site, and it also has excellent decorative qualities. In order to achieve not only a quantitative, but also a high-quality harvest from the Candy plum, you need to know when and how to plant, what care measures it needs.

Characteristics of the variety

According to the description, the Candy plum grows up to 3 meters in height and has a spreading crown. The tree can be grown in a bush or standard form. The fruits are distinguished by their purple or red hue, juicy pulp and thin skin. Their weight is 30-35 grams.

Climate and growing regions

The Candy Plum is not afraid of sub-zero temperatures, it is not afraid of harsh winters and dry summers. The variety does not require special soil composition and climatic conditions; it can be planted in regions with warm climates and in temperate latitudes. If you cultivate the Candy plum in the northern regions, then there is a need for additional shelter.

Frost and drought resistance

Since the Candy plum is positioned as a plant with an average degree of resistance to dry weather, irrigation measures should be carried out once every 10-12 days. The main thing is to avoid stagnation of moisture in the soil, otherwise there is a high probability of infection with fungal infections.

The cold resistance level of Candy plum is at -20 degrees. The optimal option for growing the variety is in the central and southern regions; in the northern regions, additional protection of the trunk and trunk circle is indispensable.

Productivity and fruiting

The productivity indicators of the Konfetnaya plum variety are at a high level.The tree begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after the seedling has been identified in a permanent place. From one plant it is possible to collect 20-35 kilograms of crops with excellent taste and pronounced aroma.

Fruit ripening occurs at the same time. If the Candy plum is not collected before reaching its technical maturity, it will fall off. The weakness of the variety is the low transportability of the fruits and their poor keeping quality.

Immunity to diseases and pests

When growing Candy plum, one should take into account its average degree of resistance to major diseases and parasitic individuals. To protect the tree from harm, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures. Most often, the Candy plum suffers from moniliosis, clasterosporia, small aphids and codling moths.

Pollinators of the Candy plum

This variety belongs to the category of self-fertile plants, so it needs cross-pollination. It is best to place Zarechnaya early and Renklod collective farm near the Candy plum.

Area of ​​application of berries

The fruits of the Candy plum fully justify the name of the variety. They are quite juicy and sweet, it is better to eat them fresh. But they are also suitable for making compotes, jams, and desserts.

Pros and cons of Candy plum

Among the positive characteristics of the variety, gardening enthusiasts highlight:

• stable and abundant fruiting;
• excellent consumer qualities;
• resistance to adverse environmental factors;
• universal purpose of fruits;
• a sufficient level of resistance to major diseases and pests.

But the Candy plum also has its disadvantages, including:

• the variety is prone to fruit shedding;
• the crop is afraid of transportation over long distances;
• there is a need for pollinating varieties on the site.

Landing Features

To grow a healthy and abundantly fruiting tree, you must adhere to the basic rules regarding planting and care.

Optimal timing for planting

It is recommended to plant the Candy plum in the fall, when all the leaves on the trees have fallen. The seedlings will have enough time to adapt and take root. If planting work will be carried out in areas with a cold climate, then the best time is spring, before the buds awaken.

Choosing a suitable location

For the Candy plum, it is preferable to choose areas with good lighting and low groundwater (from 1.5 meters). The area must be protected from draft winds. The site should be prepared on the south or west side of the dacha.

The place for planting the Candy plum needs to be prepared in advance. Wood ash should be added to the digging.

The soil should not be acidic; a neutral environment is more suitable for the plant. On clay soil, seedlings are planted by placing a drainage layer in a hole.

The best and worst neighbors of a tree

For the Candy plum, proximity to berry bushes is the best option. The plant goes especially well with gooseberries, currants and raspberries. The distance between other fruit plantings should be within 3-4 meters.

Poplar, hazel, birch and hazel do not have the best effect on the Candy plum. It is effective to grow spring flowers and shade-tolerant plants next to the variety.

Preparation of planting material

When purchasing seedlings, you should pay attention to their appearance. High-quality one- or two-year-old material has no signs of disease, rot, or various types of damage.It is recommended to immerse the overdried root system in a container of water for several hours and treat it with a solution of a growth stimulator.

Landing technology

The process of planting a Candy plum consists of the following steps:

• First, they dig a hole; its dimensions are 60 centimeters in diameter and 70 centimeters in depth.
• Then drainage of beaten bricks and expanded clay is laid on the bottom (layer thickness 10 centimeters).
• The pit is filled with a soil mixture of extracted soil, peat and humus, taken in equal proportions. Superphosphate (200 grams) and potassium sulfate (50 grams) are also added to it.
• The hole is filled to 1/3 of the total volume, and after 3-4 weeks the Candy plum is planted.
• The young plant is placed in a hole, the straightened roots are sprinkled and the soil is lightly compacted. The root collar should be 3-4 centimeters higher from ground level.
• The seedling is watered abundantly, and the soil is mulched with peat.

Before planting the tree, you can install a wooden peg in the center of the hole. It will hold the plant in the first 1-2 years.

How to care for crops in the garden

Caring for the Candy plum does not cause any difficulties. The main thing is to irrigate the plant in a timely manner and treat it against diseases.

Frequency and rules of watering and fertilizing

The soil in the tree trunk circle should be moistened to a depth of 40-50 centimeters. Use only settled, warm water for irrigation. Depending on the weather, the frequency of irrigation activities is 3-5 times per season, where the water consumption for a young planting is 4-6 buckets, and for an adult planting - 10 buckets. Particular attention should be paid to plants at the stage of flowering and fruit ripening.

Feeding procedures in spring are carried out using urea or ammonium nitrate.During flowering and fruit formation, potassium salts (60 grams) and superphosphate (60 grams) are used. Every 4 years the soil is enriched with compost.

Pruning plum

The crown of the Candy plum is formed predominantly in a pyramidal shape. In autumn and spring, the tree is rid of dry, frozen and broken branches.

Preventive treatments against insects and diseases

Nitrofen solution is effective against moniliosis, and 3% Bordeaux mixture is effective against clasterosporiasis. Karbofos will help prevent the appearance of aphids, and Chlorophos is effective against codling moths.

Transfer

Only plants under 4-5 years old are allowed to be dug up. First, 5 buckets of water are poured under the plum, then carefully dug in at a distance of 70 centimeters from the tree, and taken out. Planting in a hole in a new place is carried out according to the standard scheme.

Preparing for winter

In order for young plants to tolerate frost well, they must be protected with burlap, agrofibre or spruce branches. Mature trees do not need such care; the soil is mulched with humus, and the trunk is wrapped with roofing material to prevent rodents.

Reproduction methods

There are several methods of breeding Candy plum.

Vaccination

Cuttings of the grafted variety are used as a scion, and the rootstock is a garden planting onto which the cutting will be grafted. The procedure is carried out in the last days of May. The meaning of the manipulation is to tightly press two slices of equal size. The grafting site is wrapped in polyethylene and removed only after 4 weeks.

Root suckers

For this method of reproduction, a powerful shoot is used, which is located at the maximum distance from the mother. The cut material (length 15 centimeters) is planted in another area.

Root cuttings

In the fall, it is necessary to remove the roots growing a meter from the trunk and select the strongest ones. You can store the workpieces in a trench or in a cold room in the sand. In the spring (April) they are placed under film and kept for 30 days. When shoots form, choose a powerful one, and remove the rest.

Candy plum has mostly positive reviews among experienced gardeners. Even beginners can grow it, the main thing is to adhere to the correct agricultural technology and plant it within the specified time frame.