Description and characteristics of plum variety Zarechnaya early, cultivation and care

The Zarechnaya early variety is one of the most popular among plums, as it is easy to care for and also delights with delicious juicy fruits, thanks to which it is actively used in cooking. Every gardener who wants to grow this crop on his plot must study in detail all the information about the plant and the intricacies of its cultivation in their garden plots.

History of the appearance of the variety

In 1986, the Zarechnaya early plum variety was developed by crossing three different species (Red Dessert, Eurasia 21, Volzhskaya Krasavitsa). About a year later, the breeders provided a detailed description of the crop, based on the notes and observations of scientists. This made it possible to learn about proper planting and caring for the plant.

In 1988, the variety was registered in the State Register by professor geneticist-breeder Kursakov as an early variety. Ripening occurs in mid-July. The tasters appreciated the culture, which is adapted to grow in latitudes with moderate climatic conditions.

Often found in the CIS and Baltic states. It also grows in the central regions of Siberia, where winters are not too severe.

Description and characteristics of Zarechnaya early plum

The description of the Zarechnaya early plum differs in many ways from other species. It is characterized by moderate growth, not exceeding 2 m, a spherical compact crown, medium density, rich brown color of the bark of the branches and trunk. The large, ovoid leaves without jagged edges have a dark green tint.

Inflorescences with snow-white flowers that have a green tint in the initial stages of ripening. The petals are round in shape, the pistil is long and the presence of small numerous stamens.

On average, the weight of the fruit is at least 50 grams. Initially, a yellow tint predominates, which gradually turns into a rich purple color. The variety is valued for its regular round plum shape with a well-defined seam. The taste of the fleshy, juicy pulp is sweet with slight sourness, which disappears after full ripening.

The skin is dense, endowed with a large amount of useful substances, allowing the fruit not to spoil for a long time and maintaining the taste properties of the fruit.The tasting score of plums is 4.7 points, thanks to which they are considered a frequent export and import product.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Zarechnaya early plum variety has a number of advantages and a minimum number of disadvantages.

Advantages:

• stable yield;
• annual fruiting;
• compact plant size;
• early period of maturation;
• frost resistance;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• excellent transportability;
• ability for long-term storage.

The disadvantages of the Zarechnaya early plum variety include only the lack of ability to self-pollinate, as well as the growth of plums in the off-season period.

Features of cultivation

To ensure the tree rapid growth and an increased level of fruiting, it is necessary to follow the rules for growing the Zarechnaya early plum variety.

Landing dates

The plant is characterized by increased frost resistance, so plums can be planted in autumn and spring. Regardless of the time of planting, the seedlings have a 100% survival rate. In spring, it is recommended to plant in April, as soon as the snow thaws.

Choosing a place to plant plums

An important step in preparing for planting is choosing a suitable location. It is not worth growing plums in the shade, because without the influence of sunlight it will begin to wither, the leaves will turn pale, and eventually produce small fruits. It is best to choose a sunny area on a hill. Lowlands are contraindicated due to high humidity and dampness. The optimal soil is loamy or sandy loam. The groundwater level should be no more than 2 meters from the ground.

Strong wind has a detrimental effect on the plant, especially at the time of flowering, tearing off the inflorescences. This may reduce the yield. Many gardeners recommend planting plums near fences.

Planting a crop

The process of planting the Zarechnaya early plum involves the following steps:

1. Dig a deep hole.
2. Equip the bottom of the pit with fertilizers using organic matter and minerals.
3. Place the seedling so that the root collar is located 2-5 cm from the upper border.
4. Sprinkle with soil substrate without fertilizing.
5. Build a trench around the seedling for irrigation.

The early Zarechnaya plum is self-sterile, so varieties such as Renclod Tambovsky and Etude should be planted nearby, which will serve as pollinators.

Subtleties of plum care

To improve fruit production and the quality of fruit in the future, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plant for diseases and pests, water it in a timely manner, follow a fertilizing schedule, and also regulate the degree of crown density, shaping it by pruning.

Watering

The Zarechnaya early plum variety does not tolerate stagnant water, but drought also negatively affects fruiting, reducing yield. Watering occurs when:

• growing season in early spring;
• flowering phase;
• appearance of ovaries;
• last days of autumn.

For young trees, the optimal amount of water is 5 buckets, for adult plants that have entered fruiting - 10.

Important! It is recommended to loosen the soil before watering.

Top dressing

For the first 2-3 years, the plum tree does not need fertilizing. The need increases with the onset of the fruiting period, which usually begins in the 3rd year after planting. Feed the plant in the following order:

1. At the end of spring. Add 400 g of urea diluted in a bucket of water.
2. A month later. Also dilute urea in water, but this time its concentration is 1.5 times higher than the previous one.
3. August. Same as the first feeding.

An adult plant can do without fertilizers.

Trimming

Not only the aesthetic appearance of the plant, but also the degree of fruiting depends on the density of the crown, so it is necessary to regularly prune, following certain rules:

1. Remove unwanted layers.
2. Trim dry branches in a timely manner.
3. Manually adjust the distance between fruits.
4. Thin out branches if necessary to reduce fruiting.

It is also recommended to build a support that does not come into contact with the trunk. It can also be placed under the branches so that they do not break under the load of ripe fruits.

Important! When forming, trim the central, not the side branches..

Wintering

As mentioned earlier, the Zarechnaya early plum variety is resistant to frost, so it can survive even the harshest winters. All that the variety needs to survive winter favorably is covering the tree trunk area with a mulch layer.

Disease and pest prevention measures

The Zarechnaya early plum variety is characterized by strong immunity, but preventive measures should not be neglected, since no crop is immune from fungal diseases associated with excess liquid in the soil. Therefore, when the plant is dormant, namely in early spring or late autumn, treat it using Bordeaux mixture.

To protect the plant from pests, it is necessary to whiten the trunk using a chalk solution. For mature trees, it is better to use mixtures with the addition of lime and carbolic acid.

Cleaning and storage

It is recommended to harvest early Zarechnaya plums in dry weather before lunch. Initially, the fruits need to be removed from the lower tier, and then move to the upper one, using a stepladder.They should be placed immediately in one layer in boxes covered with food paper and sent to storage.

The Zarechnaya early plum variety will thank you for proper planting and timely care with a rich harvest that will delight you with its juicy pulp and incredible bouquet of odors.