Description of the plum variety Startovaya, pollinators, cultivation and care

Plum Startovaya is a variety that produces a bountiful harvest, so this variety is in demand among many gardeners. The fruits are fragrant, juicy, sweet taste. Trees have powerful immunity against diseases and pests. The variety does not require special care; even an inexperienced summer resident can grow it. You should first familiarize yourself with all the nuances of planting and caring for the plant.

How the plum variety Startovaya was developed

The varietal variety of plum Startovaya was bred by flower growers G. Kursakov, R. Bogdanov, G. Nikiforov and T. Pisanova. They connected Eurasia-21 and the Volga Beauty. As a result, the Startovaya plum appeared; in 2006 it was included in the State Register. The plant is widely grown not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine, Estonia, and Georgia.

Description of the tree

Plum Startovaya is a medium-sized tree with a dense bush of spherical shape. It grows up to 3 meters high. The shoots of the fruit plant are medium in thickness, slightly curved, brown-red in color, sometimes with a silvery coating. The buds recede slightly from the stem and are brown in color.

The leaves are a rich green hue, reach large sizes, wide with a pointed, ribbed edge. The surface is characterized by wrinkles, petioles with slight pigmentation. The variety blooms with large flowers, white in color. The flower cups are similar in shape to bells. Under the stigma of the pistil there is an anther. Plum will be a wonderful decoration for the garden during the pollen period.

Characteristics of culture

The fruit grows weighing up to 60 grams, oval in shape with a small hole. They received a tasting score of 4.7 points. On the surface there is a bluish coating with a purple undertone.

The pulp of the Starting plum is famous for the following features:

• amber;
• rich, juicy, sweet and sour taste;
• The nectar turns out transparent and watery.

Ripe fruits are easily separated from the fruit stem.

Resistance to low temperatures and drought

Plum tolerates frosts down to -40 degrees; adult shoots do not require shelter. This is one of the most frost-resistant varieties. Due to its increased resistance to low temperatures, the tree is grown in the northern regions and the middle zone.

Susceptibility to parasites and diseases

Plum Startovaya is one of the varieties with powerful immunity. The plant does not suffer from standard diseases such as scab, fruit rot, gum disease, and coccomycosis. Pests also do not eat it. No preventive treatments are required.

Pollinators

The plum of the Starting variety is a self-fertile plant, but forms a small number of ovaries. For this reason, it needs pollinators. These include Eurasia-21 and the Volga Beauty.

Productivity and fruiting

The plum ripens early and produces about 61 centners of berries per hectare. One tree bears up to 50 kilograms of fruit in the 3rd year after planting the cuttings and in the 6th year if a seed was used during planting. The berries do not fall for about 1-2 weeks, which is good for summer residents. The longer the fruits are on the tree, the sweeter they are. It is also not worth waiting until harvesting; it is advisable to collect fruits 2-3 days after they ripen.

Use of fruits

Starter grade plums are universally used, used in industry and for making homemade preparations. The berries are widely used for making preserves, marmalade, wine, candied fruits, and compotes. They easily survive freezing and you can decorate ice cream with slices.

The sweet and sour taste of the fruit will give the dessert a touch of exoticism. Fruits can be stored for no more than 25 days. Before freezing, the plums are sorted, spoiled or damaged fruits are thrown away, washed and dried. If you put undried berries in the freezer, they will turn into mush.

What is good about the variety: is it worth planting on the site?

The Startovy plum variety has a number of advantages, thanks to which gardeners fell in love with it. The advantages include:

• earlier fruiting;
• hassle-free transportation and storage;
• resistance to diseases, pests, frosts;
• versatility of application.

Among the disadvantages, the only highlight is the lack of independent pollination. Plums should definitely be planted on the site; this variety is especially suitable for summer residents.

Landing technology

Starting plum does not imply special planting technologies. The technique is the same as for other varieties. It is necessary to choose the right place and prepare the soil. The seedlings are fixed using a support stake.

Optimal time for disembarkation

Experienced gardeners advise planting the Starter plum in April or October, before frost. In 2 years, the cutting grows to the size of a seedling. It can be transplanted to another area or left to grow in its original place. A plant planted in spring has time to develop its rhizome before frost and easily survives the cold period.

In autumn, young shoots do not react to damage to the rhizome; it is only important to purchase high-quality material. When planting in autumn, seedlings need to be covered for the winter. It will not have time to form a root system before frost.

Choosing a suitable location

The Starter plum should be planted in a well-lit place where north winds do not blow. The plant prefers loamy, fertile soils with an acidity of 6.5-7 pH. The groundwater level should not be closer than 2 meters to the top.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?

Gardeners identify a number of trees that, when adjacent to the Startovaya plum, have a negative impact on it. They take away useful microelements from the soil and interfere with the development of the rhizome.

The variety should not be planted next to the following crops:

• Walnut;
• hazel;
• fir;
• birch;
• poplar.

Difficult relationships also happen with pear trees. You can plant other crops next to the Starting plum, but at a distance of 10 meters. Then the trees will bear fruit abundantly.

Preparing the seedling

A starter plum is usually grown from a scion. It is cheaper to sow seeds, but fruiting occurs after a longer time. It is better to purchase a seedling with its own roots for planting; it will grow into a fruitful tree. 2-3 year old seedlings are suitable. They should have 3-5 main roots 25-30 centimeters long.

Plum planting process

If we are talking about spring planting, the pits are prepared in the fall. Store the material buried. When planting is planned for autumn, prepare the hole a month in advance.

1. It is advisable to plant Starter plums at a distance of 3-4 m, and 5-6 m between rows.
2. Dig holes 70-80 cm in diameter and 70 cm deep.
3. If the soil is peaty or sandy, fill the hole up to a 10 cm level with clay mass.
4. Dig a 110 cm stick into the bottom, put eggshells there, and cover 2/3 with a combination of soil and fertilizer.
5. Spread the roots of the Starter plum and place the planting material in the hole.
6. Fill with soil completely and compact thoroughly.
7. Around the seedling, make a mound of the bottom layer of soil.
8. Tie the shoot to the stake, pour generously with 3 buckets of water.

You should first feed the soil. This is done using 2 buckets of humus, compost and peat. The procedure will help the seedling take root better.The root system should not be deepened too much, so that the roots do not become blocked and rot. It should rise 3-4 cm above the ground.

How to care for a tree

Careful supervision is especially important in the first 2 years of the Starter plum's life. The tree trunk circle has a diameter of 2 meters and requires the following activities:

• regular watering;
• weed removal;
• pruning;
• feeding

Mulch around the trunk after each watering. They use hay, dry grass, and sawdust for this. The procedure stimulates the growth and development of the tree. You also need to loosen the soil before mulching so that air exchange occurs in the soil.

Formation and trimming of the crown

Young plum trees require pruning in the 2nd year after planting. Remove damaged, weakened or twisted branches with disinfected pruning shears. At the first pollen, the flowers are picked off so that the plum bears a lot of fruit the next season. Root shoots should also be removed as they deplete the vigor of the Starter tree. The event is held 4-5 times during the summer.

Regularity of irrigation

Plum Startovaya grows well with proper moisture. It needs to be watered abundantly and in a timely manner. Irrigation in spring is carried out 2-3 times a week for young seedlings, since the soil dries out quickly in warm weather. Adult plums are watered once a week, 5-6 buckets per tree. The fruiting plant is irrigated with 10 liters of water.

In autumn, you can water the Starter plum 2 times a month. Pour water slowly to avoid stagnation of water. It should not be icy or hot, but at medium temperature.

Fertilizer application

You need to feed the plum in April, mid-June and after harvesting the fruits. Urea, wood ash, nitrogen, phosphorus fertilizers, organic matter and superphosphate are used.In the fall, any organic substances are introduced into the ground. Dilute purchased fertilizers strictly according to the instructions, the result depends on this.

Diseases and pests

Plum Startovaya is famous for its persistent protective properties that resist pathogens of fungal diseases. She is not afraid of pests either. Mature trees do not need to be treated with chemicals. Thanks to timely pruning, watering, and draining, the plant will yield a lot of yield consistently.

Preparing the plant for winter

There is no need to protect the Starter plum from frost. Young seedlings are covered with a non-woven fabric like burlap, having previously built a wire frame.