Content
Cherry plum Lama is a productive variety with decorative properties due to its dark red foliage. The plant is unpretentious and frost-resistant, and can tolerate long periods of drought.
History of selection
The culture has been spreading throughout household plots since 2003. The semi-dwarf cherry plum variety Lama was bred by the famous Belarusian scientist-breeder Valery Avksentievich Matveev on the basis of seedlings of cherry plum and Ussuri plum. He is the author of many large-fruited hybrids of delicate taste, which have spread from Belarus to neighboring and distant countries. The scientist was looking for an opportunity to combine in a plant:
- frost resistance of plums and hardiness of wild cherry plums;
- pest resistance;
- the taste of cherry plum and plum fruits, bringing them closer to dessert characteristics;
- increased early pregnancy.
Abroad, these varieties are more often known as Russian plum.
Description of culture
The Lama cherry plum is a low-growing species - its height does not exceed 2 m, most often 130-150 cm. The crown is compact, it is formed in the form of a spectacular semicircular sphere, as noted in reviews of gardeners in the Moscow region about the Lama cherry plum. The smooth brown-red bark of young plum shoots darkens and becomes rough over the years. Shoot formation is high, the growth per season is up to 150 cm. The length of the lanceolate leaves of the plum, which taper towards the base, is 15-18 cm. The leaf blade is finely serrated along the edges, two-colored: the upper side is green, the lower side is red-burgundy in spring and early summer, unevenly colored. Over time, Lama plum trees stand with brown leaves on the back of a warm chocolate tone.
In spring, the annual shoots of the Russian plum Lama in the middle and lower parts are decorated with elegant bouquets. The flowers are small, 3-3.5 cm wide, with white and pink petals, several of them are attached to short bouquet branches.
The large fruits of the table hybrid of cherry plum and plum are round-oval, weighing 15-40 g, fleshy. The fibrous pulp is juicy, with a refined fruity-almond aroma. The dense skin is purple, dark, and has grayish subcutaneous dots. A small stone separates from the dark red pulp. The taste of cherry plum combines pleasant sweetness and invigorating sourness, which is especially pronounced near the seed. The fruits contain malic and citric acid, 10% sugars. Tasters gave the hybrid cherry plum variety Lama with red flesh 4.4 points.
The Lama variety has inherited winter hardiness from plums, so it can be cultivated in the middle climate zone, in the north-west of the country, in Siberia and the Far East.
Characteristics
In descriptions of the red-leaved cherry plum Lama, gardeners point to its hardiness.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The cherry plum variety is drought-resistant and can withstand 40-degree heat. Water the plum only in conditions of prolonged heat. The plant survives frosty winters well, up to -36 OC, but sharp changes with thaws and the return of cold can be detrimental to it. Due to its species characteristics, plums have a short dormant period, up to 45 days, so late winter temperature surges can damage the buds. Flowers can withstand temperatures down to -7 OC.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
With an even winter, the flowering of the Lama cherry plum begins later than other hybrids, in mid-May, so it is not afraid of spring frosts. The variety is self-sterile; for a full harvest, the crop needs other related plants, preferably East Asian plums and wild cherry plums. European species and thorns are not suitable for hybrids. The following varieties are considered the best pollinators for Lama cherry plum:
- Mara;
- Asaloda;
- Vitba.
Plums are planted according to a 5 x 3 m pattern. The fruits of the mid-late variety ripen after August 12-16.
Productivity, fruiting
Russian plum is extremely productive, the branches are literally strewn with bright burgundy fruits. Already in the 3rd year, cherry plum can produce up to 40 kg of fruit. The harvest of an adult plum reaches 300 kg. The Lama variety begins to bear fruit early, sometimes even in the first year of planting.
Area of application of fruits
Dessert cherry plum has a pleasant taste and healthy composition, so it is best to eat it fresh. At the same time, plums are universal and suitable for a variety of homemade preparations.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Lama plum variety resists many fungal diseases, subject to proper annual pruning and crown formation. Routine garden maintenance will prevent pests.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners grow the variety thanks to the bright advantages of the Lama cherry plum:
- endurance to atmospheric factors;
- precociousness;
- productivity;
- good consumer qualities;
- transportability;
- disease resistance;
- decorativeness.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- the need to plant pollinators;
- mandatory annual pruning;
- crumbling of ripened plums.
Landing Features
Although the cherry plum variety is quite unpretentious in terms of growing conditions, some requirements must be adhered to.
Recommended timing
Growing Lama cherry plum in the south will be successful with autumn planting; the tree will have time to take root before the onset of winter. In cold regions, plums are planted in the spring, when the ground is already dry and the air has warmed up to 12-14 degrees.
Choosing a suitable location
In reviews of the Lama cherry plum, gardeners advise planting the hybrid on western slopes, including those sloping to the south or north. The variety will survive in the lowlands, but the quality of the fruit will be noticeably reduced. For plums, it is important to place groundwater no higher than 1.5 m and soil with neutral acidity. When planting, a drainage layer is required.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum
The characteristics of the Lama cherry plum emphasize that pollinating varieties should be planted next to the hybrid. Other stone fruit species also have a beneficial effect. Do not place the plum near tall trees and those plants whose roots grow far to the sides.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Experienced gardeners choose 1- or 2-year-old plums for planting. Plants planted in containers are also moved in the summer. The exposed root system is carefully examined to ensure that the shoots are fresh. The bark of healthy seedlings is smooth, without cracks, and the branches are elastic.
2-5 hours before planting, the plum roots are soaked, adding clay and a growth stimulator to the water, if desired.
Landing algorithm
Drainage, fertile soil with fertilizers are placed in the hole and a small support is installed.
- The plum is placed so that the root collar is deepened by 3-4 cm, and covered with substrate.
- The stem is tied to a support and cut by one third.
- The soil is trampled down, watered with a bucket of water and mulched.
Subsequent care of the crop
The soil is loosened and removed weeds. Planting and caring for the Lama cherry plum is simple; pruning is done in early spring, leaving 11-12 skeletal branches. 1-year-old shoots are shortened by one third. In autumn the trunks are whitened. This is pest prevention and protection from rodents, from which the stems are also wrapped in burlap or newspapers. In winter, snow is added to the cherry plum. Plums are watered 30-40 liters during drought, when the ovaries are formed. Feed with mineral fertilizers.
Harvesting, processing and storage
According to descriptions of the Lama cherry plum, the fruits are collected every two days. Unripe plums are stored in the basement for up to 3 months. They are used to make jam, marmalade, and sauces for main courses.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The red-leafed cherry plum Lama is moderately resistant to clasterosporiosis.
Diseases | Signs | Prevention | Treatment |
Clusterosporiasis | Brown spots on shoots, leaves and fruits | Autumn leaf removal, pruning | Bordeaux liquid |
Moniliosis | Dry shoot tips | Pruning, removing affected parts | "Horus", "Skor", "Mikosan V" |
Verticillium | Darkened and wilted plant | Treat the area with vitriol | The tree is removed and burned |
Photo of Lama cherry plum affected by clasterosporiasis.
Pests | Signs | Struggle | Prevention |
Aphid | The leaves are curling | Spraying with soda or soap solution | Removing Ants |
Fruit brown mite | The leaves dry out, there are few ovaries | Application of acaricides | Cleaning old bark |
Plum moth | One-sided fruits | Application of insecticides | Loosening the soil, clearing old bark |
Conclusion
Cherry plum Lama will bring double joy - with its bright appearance and delicious fruits. Having planted a Russian plum tree in an unused area, you need to pay attention to the formation of the crown and watering in the heat. The plant will give a bountiful harvest.
