Content
Cherry plum and plum are related crops common in the middle zone. When choosing between them, their characteristics, unpretentiousness, quality and taste of the fruit are taken into account.
The difference between plum and cherry plum
Although cultures share common features, they belong to different species. The differences between them are at the genetic level.
Main similarities between cultures:
- round shape of the fruit;
- elongated green leaves;
- appearance of flowers;
- high content of vitamins and microelements in fruits;
- grow well in lighted areas and neutral fertile soils;
- most varieties require pollination;
- extended fruiting, which requires harvesting in several stages;
- good honey plants for bees;
- care plan (watering, pruning, fertilizing);
- methods of propagation (cuttings or shoots).
Often cherry plum and cherry plum are grafted onto the same rootstock. However, the crops will not pollinate each other, so planting a pollinator is required.
The fruits of each crop are used fresh and for homemade preparations.
Namely:
- jam;
- jam;
- confiture;
- compote;
- marshmallows;
- syrup;
- jelly;
- marmalade;
- juice;
- guilt.
In cosmetology, they are used to prepare masks for moisturizing facial skin.
Genetic differences between crops
Plum and cherry plum are representatives of the Rosaceae family, which also includes various stone, pome and berry crops (cherry, plum, peach, apricot, almond). The Plum genus includes more than 250 species common in the temperate climate zone.
Cherry plum is the original form of domestic plum. The crop is also known as cherry plum. It got its name from the Azerbaijani word aluca, which translates as “small plum”.
Domestic plum was obtained by crossing sloe and cherry plum. There are no wild varieties of plums in nature.
How does cherry plum differ from the plum in the photo:
Plum is less resistant to diseases and pests. It is not recommended to plant tomatoes, peppers and other nightshades next to it. This proximity leads to the spread of insects and fungal diseases. Plum is susceptible to spotting, rust, fruit and gray rot, and gum disease.
Cherry plum produces single white or pink flowers measuring 20-40 mm. The culture tolerates spring frosts well. The tree blooms more profusely, which also affects the yield. They are grown for decorative purposes. The crop completely lacks self-fertile varieties, so it is planted in groups.
Plum has simple flower buds that produce 1-3 white flowers with a diameter of 15-20 cm. Among the plum varieties there are partially self-fertile ones. However, they are characterized by late flowering, and cannot serve as pollinators for earlier varieties.
Which is tastier: cherry plum or plum?
The size, color and taste of the fruit largely depend on the crop variety. Typically, home plum fruits weigh 35-50 g, the largest reaching 70 g.
Plum fruits are purple, yellow, light green, red or dark blue. There is a waxy coating on the skin.The bone is flattened, pointed at the edges. The shape of the fruit is round or elongated. The pit can be easily removed from the pulp.
Cherry plum bears fruits weighing 12-37 g. They are often round or flattened. When ripe, the skin turns pink, yellow, red or purple. The fruits of some varieties have a slight waxy coating and a longitudinal furrow. The bone does not separate from the pulp.
The taste of the fruit depends on the variety. Cherry plum has a sugar content of up to 14%. It tastes sweet and sour, tasting score from 4 to 4.8 points. Plum contains from 9 to 17% sugar, its pulp is sweeter and is rated on average 4.5-5 points.
The difference between cherry plum and plum in the photo:
Calorie content and nutritional value of 100 g of plum:
- 34 kcal;
- proteins – 0.2 g;
- fats – 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates – 7.9 g;
- dietary fiber – 1.8 g.
Calorie content and nutritional value of 100 g of cherry plum:
- 49 kcal;
- proteins – 0.8 g;
- fats – 0.3 g;
- carbohydrates – 9.6 g;
- dietary fiber – 1.5 g.
Cherry plum is a higher-calorie product that surpasses plums in the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Unlike plums, they contain starch, more organic acids and potassium.
The fruits of the crops differ in their shelf life. The maximum storage time for plums is 4 weeks, after which the fruits begin to rot. Cherry plum tolerates long-term transportation, ripens easily after harvesting and is stored for more than 3 months.
Application areas for plums and cherry plums
Cherry plums are used to make sauces for fish, meat, poultry and side dishes, including the traditional Georgian appetizer - tkemali. To prepare tkemali, select sour fruits, add garlic, coriander and other spices.
To obtain dried fruits and candied fruits, preference is given to plums. Cherry plum contains more water, and after drying the fruit, it becomes difficult to separate the seeds.
How to distinguish a plum from a cherry plum
Due to the abundant flowering, cherry plum is characterized by increased productivity. Up to 50 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree. The average plum yield is 20-30 kg.
Cherry plum blossoms begin in the third decade of March at the same time as the leaves bloom. Plum buds bloom in April-mid-May, depending on the growing region.
The timing of fruiting is determined by the crop variety. Early cherry plums bear fruit at the end of June, later varieties - in August and September. Plums ripen in mid-July; the latest varieties produce a harvest in the second ten days of September.
Cherry plum begins to bear fruit faster. The first harvest is harvested 2 years after planting. The culture looks like a shrub or multi-stemmed tree 3-10 m high. Life expectancy is from 30 to 50 years.
After planting, the plum begins to bear fruit in 3-6 years. The tree grows up to 15 m. The lifespan of the crop is up to 25 years. Active fruiting lasts 10-15 years.
The average frost resistance of cherry plum is -20 °C. Some varieties can withstand temperatures down to -30 °C. When grown in cold climates, its roots and shoots often freeze.
Plum is considered more capricious due to its lower resistance to diseases and drought. The culture needs increased care.
In nature, cherry plum is found in Western and Central Asia, the Tien Shan, the Balkans, the Northern Caucasus, Moldova, Iran and southern Ukraine.Modern frost-resistant hybrids are grown in the middle zone and more northern regions.
Ancient Persia is considered the birthplace of plums. Over time, the culture spread throughout Eurasia. The crop has been grown in Russia since the 17th century. Its seedlings were brought to the village of Izmailovo near Moscow from Europe. The seedlings were characterized by low winter hardiness. Breeding work on developing more frost-resistant plum varieties was carried out in the 19th-20th centuries.
The difference between plum and cherry plum in planting and care
Cherry plum is more suitable for growing in warm regions. In cool climates, plums are preferred. In many ways, the resistance of trees to external factors depends on the variety.
Cherry plum seedlings take root faster after planting. It is best to purchase planting material from local nurseries and choose a variety adapted to the desired region. Zoned seedlings grow stronger.
After planting, cherry plum grows quickly. The crown of the tree is prone to branching, so special attention is paid to pruning. Be sure to eliminate weak and incorrectly oriented shoots. Every year the crop is rejuvenated by pruning old branches.
Shaping the plum involves trimming the center conductor. 5-7 skeletal branches are left per tree.
Due to low immunity to diseases, plums require frequent preventive treatments. Fungicide solutions are used for spraying. Treatment is carried out before and after the growing season. To prevent diseases, special attention is paid to caring for the tree, removing root growth and digging up the soil.
Young cherry plum needs additional shelter for the winter.In late autumn, the tree is watered abundantly and the trunk is covered with earth. The seedlings are covered with special agrofibre and spruce branches.
Conclusion
Plum and cherry plum have similar characteristics, however, there are significant differences between them. When choosing a particular crop, attention is paid to winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to diseases and pests. It is also taken into account that the growth and fruiting of trees largely depends on the specific variety.
Great article! Now I will know exactly the differences between cherry plum and plum. Very accessible and informative!