Description and characteristics of the Kabardinka plum variety, planting and care

The Kabardinka plum variety is the earliest and sweetest crop. It ripens at the end of July, and in August it must be picked, otherwise the fruits will fall off the tree and begin to rot. This variety loves moderate amounts of sunlight and moisture and does not tolerate strong winds. Kabardina is a southern plant; in regions with frosty winters it can freeze. An ideal variety for lovers of sweet and juicy fruits.

History of plum breeding

The Kabardinka plum variety was obtained by breeders of the North Caucasus Institute of Horticulture quite by accident - thanks to the pollination of the Anna Shpet plum. In 1959, Kabardinka was included in the State Register. The variety is recommended to be grown exclusively in the southern regions. The fruit tree is not as winter-hardy as Hungarian. However, if the plant is protected from frost, it will delight summer residents with juicy and fragrant fruits every year.

Pros and cons of Kabardinka

Advantages of the variety:

• self-pollinating;
• simple separation of the pulp from the stone;
• early maturation;
• resistance to fungal diseases;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• beautiful shape.

Disadvantages of Kabardinka:

• low frost resistance;
• need for regular pruning;
• decreased taste during drought or rainy weather;
• too rapid falling of ripened fruits.

Description of the variety

Early Kabardian plum ripens in late July and early August. The variety comes from the southern regions. This fruit tree has its own characteristics. It is low, with a strong crown, large, sweet fruits.

Dimensions of the crown and root system

Description of the Kabardinka plum tree: a medium-height trunk with a wide but sparse crown. At 10 years the plant reaches almost 6 meters in length. The crown at this age grows up to 3 meters in width and has the shape of a pyramid. The leaves are dark green, oval, with jagged edges and a sharp tip.

The seedling gradually begins to bear fruit 5 years after planting. The most productive age is 10-15 years. The tree, with proper care, lives up to 30 years. The root system is taproot, the main part of the roots is located at a depth of 40 centimeters.

All about flowering and fruiting

The Kabardinka plum blooms in late April and early May. Flowering is abundant. Description of flowers: small inflorescences, 1.5-2 centimeters in diameter, white, with 5 petals and long yellowing stamens. The plant is self-pollinating and does not require additional planting of pollinators. True, if other varieties of plums are planted nearby, the yield will be higher. From one tree (depending on age) you can collect 55-125 kilograms of sweet fruit.

The fruits are large, oval, weighing 45.5 grams. Sometimes there are fused plums weighing 90.5 grams. On roundish fruits the seam is almost invisible. The pulp is dense, juicy, amber in color. The skin is shiny, hard, purple-burgundy. The top of the plum is covered with a bluish coating. Inside the fruit there is a not very large seed. In a ripe plum, it is perfectly separated from the pulp.

Taste qualities of fruits

Kabardinka plum is the most delicious of the early varieties. The pulp of the fruit is refreshingly sweet, with a slight sourness. The plum is very juicy, retains its shape for a long time and does not spoil. Kabardian can be eaten fresh, made into jams, compotes, or dried, dried, or frozen.

Plum contains fructose, sucrose, glucose, vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, C, H, as well as minerals - potassium, magnesium, iron and others. Plum gently cleanses the stomach and normalizes the activity of the digestive tract. Calorie content - 45 kilocalories per 100 grams.

Main characteristics of culture

The tree blooms in mid-spring and blooms very profusely. True, not all flowers form fruits. Plum is very sensitive to the vagaries of the weather. In the event of spring frosts, not only flowers, but also ovaries can die.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The plant is resistant to many common plum diseases. Kabardian rarely suffers from red, brown spot, moniliosis.Diseases that can affect this variety: witch's broom, gum bleed, plum pockets, clasterosporiosis. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to spray the tree with a solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture. To combat fungi, the following drugs are used: Topaz, Skor, Horus.

Insects that infect Kabardinka: plum moth, mites, aphids, plum sawfly. Various insecticides are used to control pests. For example, the drugs Gaupsin, Bitoxibacillin.

Resistance to negative temperatures and drought

Kabardinka plum does not tolerate drought and too rainy weather. In dry summers its fruits become small. During the rainy season, the plum grows large but sour. Kabardian does not tolerate very frosty winters. The optimal winter temperature is -10 degrees below zero. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees in winter, the tree may freeze and die.

Planting and growing Kabardinka on the site

It is advisable to plant Kabardian plum in the spring. If planted in autumn, young seedlings may die over the winter. During spring planting, the plant will have time to take root well in its new location and gain strength over the summer.

For plums, it is advisable to choose a sunny place, protected from winds and drafts. Kabardian prefers fertile, loose, not acidic or waterlogged soil. The distance to groundwater must be at least 1.5 meters. It is advisable to plant plums away from pears, poplars, and birches. Neutral neighbors - apple trees, gooseberries, raspberries.

For planting, prepare a hole 50-70 centimeters deep. It is advisable to purchase seedlings up to 2 years old. A bucket of rotted humus or compost is placed into the dug hole.In addition to organic additives, the plant needs mineral fertilizers. The earth is mixed with superphosphate (100 grams), potassium sulfate (120 grams), potassium chloride (80 grams), wood ash (500 grams). The seedling is lowered into the hole and sprinkled with soil up to the root collar. Then the soil is compacted, watered, and sawdust is sprinkled on top.

Tree care

The Kabardinka plum needs to be constantly looked after: regularly pruned, watered, fed on time, and preventative measures taken against diseases and pests. With the right agricultural technology, the tree will delight you with an abundant sweet harvest every year.

Irrigation frequency

Kabardinka plum is demanding of moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogged soil. At the end of spring, when the ovaries appear, the tree must be watered during the dry season. Watering is carried out twice a week. The soil should be well saturated with moisture. In dry summers, the tree is watered during the period of fruit ripening. Depending on the size, pour 1 to 5 buckets of water under the tree.

Regularity of feeding

To obtain high yields, the plant must be constantly fertilized. In September, it is advisable to add half a bucket of rotted humus, as well as 40 grams of double superphosphate and potassium sulfate. In spring, the plant is fertilized with urea (30 grams). Before applying fertilizers, the soil near the tree is watered and then loosened. If the soil is too acidic, add 300 grams of lime or 500 grams of wood ash.

Tree trunk care

It is advisable to water the soil near the tree, loosen it and treat it with insecticides. In spring, the trunk can be whitened with slaked lime. The soil will not lose moisture if it is mulched with tree bark or sawdust.In autumn, all fallen leaves and dry branches should be removed from under the tree and burned. They may contain pests.

Crown formation

Crown pruning is carried out in the third year after planting. The branches are formed into a fan shape. The crown is shortened by 20 centimeters in early spring, before the buds awaken, or in late autumn, after leaf fall. Be sure to remove dried and diseased branches. Make a crown that is too thick less often.

Preventative treatments

As a preventive measure, you can spray the plum with a solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture. If signs of any fungal disease appear on the tree, then all diseased branches, fruits and leaves must be removed. Then the plant is sprayed with a solution of any fungicide. The tree gets sick less often if you constantly trim off excess branches and regularly fertilize the roots.

To prevent pest attacks in spring and autumn, the plant is irrigated with insecticides. The following drugs are used: Chlorophos, Karbofos, Apollo, Neoron. You can use traditional methods and spray the plum with tincture of wormwood, pine needles, and gasoline solution.

Reproduction methods

The plant can propagate in various ways: cuttings, grafting, root shoots. Seed propagation is used only to obtain rootstocks. Cuttings are small twigs cut from the mother plant; they are grafted onto another variety of plum in the spring, when the juices from the ground move upward. This usually occurs in April or May. Kidney grafting is carried out in the summer, during the period of the most active movement of juices (in July or August).

When propagating by root shoots, the root that connects the young shoot to the mother tree is cut. The plant is transplanted to a new location in the spring.It is advisable to choose the seedling that is farthest from the mother tree. This plant almost feeds on its own. A shallow hole is prepared for the young seedling. The earth is fertilized with organic matter and minerals. The plant is planted in a hole, covered with soil and watered abundantly. The tree trunk soil can be mulched.

Plum trees can be propagated by root cuttings. To do this, in the autumn, roots are dug up at a distance of one meter from the tree. Planting material should be 15 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters thick. The dug up roots are stored in a sand-peat mixture until spring.

At the end of April, root cuttings are planted in specially prepared (fertilized) soil. They must take root and sprout. When the seedlings grow a little, they are transplanted to a permanent place.