Content
It is difficult to find gardens where fruit trees do not grow. Plum ranks third in popularity after apple and cherry. One of the worthy representatives of its family is Ksenia plum. The tree is a variety of Chinese plum. The variety pleases gardeners with large yields and good taste.
History of variety selection
By origin, plum is associated with the Far East. Wild relatives of this culture live in Japan and the north of China. Ksenia was bred in the village. Chemal (Altai Mountains) at the breeding station of the Scientific Research Institute of Gardens by scientist M. Matyunin. The seedlings appeared from pollination of another variety - Red Ball. The Chemal large plum appeared in 1975. Included in the register of the Russian Federation in 2005.
Chemal large is low- and medium-sized, has a paniculate crown and dense shoots. White cupped flowers, collected in bouquets, appear in May.By this time, the dark green leaves have not reached their mature size, so the Chemal variety looks unusual.
Description of the plum variety Ksenia
The large Chemal fruit is round in shape and weighs approximately 40 g. Its color is yellow, with a crimson blush. The taste is juicy and sweet. The skin lacks the sourness inherent in many varieties of plums. The large variety Ksenia does not taste bitter like an ordinary Chinese plum. The ripe fruit falls off easily.
According to the description of the Chemal large plum variety, it differs from other crops in its large size, as well as the average depth of the abdominal seam. The yellow color of the fibrous pulp has a green tint. Subcutaneous points are barely noticeable. The seed of the Ksenia variety is freely separated from the pulp.
Ksenia plum is recommended to be grown in the Southern and Central regions of Russia. In these places it is perfectly cultivated. The large Chemal also adapts well to more severe climatic conditions, since its winter hardiness is satisfactory.
Characteristics of the variety
Among fruit trees, the large variety Ksenia occupies one of the leading places because it has excellent characteristics.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The large Chemal plum is characterized by average drought resistance. However, it tolerates winter well, holding the record for frost resistance. Various sources claim that the plum can withstand temperatures from 30 to 50 degrees below zero. Plum flowers can tolerate frost if they do not exceed 3 °C. However, the Ksenia plum is not resistant to diaper rash.
Plum pollinators
The Ksenia variety is self-sterile.Therefore, when planting large Chemal, it is worth considering that other plums are needed for its normal fruiting.
The best pollinators of Chemal are the following varieties:
- Scarlet Dawn;
- Vika;
- Anniversary;
- Peresvet.
Chemal large reproduces well by seeds. At the same time, do not forget about stratification. The sprouted material is sown before the onset of frost in a specially designated bed. If there are no spring shoots, do not touch the bed, but wait until next spring and then draw a conclusion. The vegetative method produces a completely pure variety.
Productivity and fruiting
The Ksenia plum has a high yield, but its fruiting is irregular. Chemal large begins to produce crops 3–4 years after planting. Then it consistently bears fruit for ten years, and with proper care, this period is extended.
In terms of ripening, the Chemal variety is early. It bears fruit in late July - early August.
Area of application of berries
Plum Ksenia is considered a universal variety for the use of berries. They can be eaten fresh or used for culinary purposes. Compotes, juices, jams, desserts, and wine are prepared from large Chemal plums.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Chemal large plum has average resistance to various infectious and fungal diseases. But if the tree gets sick, you should take simple steps to cure it. For example, introduce insecticides, burn fallen plum leaves, whiten the trunk.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Chemal large plum is a favorite tree of many gardeners.It has excellent product characteristics:
- good transportability;
- appetizing appearance;
- extraordinary taste without bitterness or sourness.
This distinguishes the Ksenia plum from other species. The disadvantages include two characteristics: increased requirements for moisture provision and instability to diaper rash.
Landing Features
Like any other fruit tree, the Ksenia plum has its own characteristics that should be taken into account when planting it in the ground.
Recommended timing
The timing of planting the Chemal large plum depends on the specific area. In the middle and southern regions of Russia, the Ksenia plum can be planted after the snow melts. If the crop is intended for planting in the Urals or Siberia, then approximately 4 decades should be counted until the first frost, otherwise the plum seedling will not have time to establish itself in the ground.
Choosing a suitable location
An important role when planting Ksenia plums is played by the correctly chosen place. Elevated and well-lit areas are considered good locations. A suitable earthen substrate should be light or medium. Sand is added to heavy soil. The substrate should have a pH of 4.5–5.5.
The plum variety Ksenia suffers from too wet soil, so it should be planted in an area where groundwater does not lie too close to the surface. If the planting area is flat, it is necessary to build a ridge. It will raise the tree in winter, when the snow cover reaches 80 cm.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
The Chemal large variety needs neighbors. Next to this tree it is worth planting other plums, an apple tree, and a black currant bush. If you plant thyme under the Ksenia plum, it will prevent the growth of weeds, and black elderberry will protect the Chemal variety from aphids.
Friends of plum Ksenia:
- tulip;
- narcissus;
- primrose.
It is not recommended to plant large poplar, birch, fir, walnut trees, and sea buckthorn near Chemalskaya.
Selection and preparation of planting material
In order for the tree to grow strong and healthy, it is necessary to choose the right material for planting. The plum seedling must be at least two years old, otherwise it will be difficult to transplant. A two-year large plant is more frost-resistant, and it can also withstand sudden changes in soil.
Landing algorithm
The Chemal large seedling has a closed root, so this planting material can be planted throughout the entire season.
Recommended bed dimensions: height within 50 cm, width – 2 m. The length of the bed depends on the number of seedlings. A distance of 60 cm should be maintained between plum seedlings, and approximately 80 cm between rows.
Planting stages:
- The plum roots are carefully distributed in the hole (the depth of which is 70 cm), then covered with soil.
- When a young plum seedling is planted in the ground, the soil should be trampled down to eliminate air gaps.
- The root collar is left above the ground (approximately 10 cm).
- At the base of the bed there is usually humus (about a bucket), mixed with superphosphate (2 handfuls), potassium salt (a handful) and wood ash (a shovel).
- It is necessary to build a small trench of earth around the planting hole, which will prevent water from spreading during irrigation, and also protect the Chemalskaya plum seedling from pests.
- After abundant watering, the young plant must be tied to a peg.
When planting, a large Chemal seedling should go into the ground by one third or half.
Fertilizers are applied when planting plums. Preference is given to organic components.2 kg of compost are diluted in 10 liters of water. Pour 3 liters of the mixture under each tree. Phosphate and potassium fertilizers added to the soil will saturate it with useful substances. Ratio: 500 g of any drug per bucket of humus.
Fertilizers applied during planting will last for 3 years. You should not overfeed plums, as this will lead to excessive branching and reduced yield.
Aftercare for plums
The large Chemal tree needs high humidity or regular watering. However, if you water the tree frequently, it will rot. Watering is carried out once a week, in the morning. In summer, the Ksenia plum should be moistened once every 30 days.
A young tree needs formative pruning. During fruiting - rejuvenating. Sanitary pruning is carried out every year, in the first ten days of March. Its goal is to remove dry branches that absorb many useful microelements from the ground.
After the Chinese plum Ksenia begins to bear fruit, it needs to be fed. The usual mixture consists of 7 kg of organic substance and 100 g of ash. After 2 or 3 years, fluff lime is added to the soil.
In the fall, the Chemal large one should be prepared for winter.
To do this you need:
- Remove dry and diseased branches, as well as excess branches.
- Add fertilizer.
- Dig up the soil (digging is carried out a year after planting the seedling).
- Clean the trunk from scales and whiten it.
To protect against rodents, you can use a simple and safe method: treat the crop with a mixture of clay and cow manure (1:1 ratio).
It is necessary to cover Ksenia for the winter in the following cases:
- if the tree is young;
- if the crop is planted in a harsh region.
For this, bags, paper, polyethylene, humus and other available materials can be used.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Gum treatment. Heavily fertilized plums, as well as crops exposed to severe frosts, can be affected by gum disease. Diseased areas of the tree should be cleaned with a knife and lubricated with copper sulfate.
Dwarfism. If the Chemal large tree’s development slows down, it is uprooted. To prevent dwarfism, you need to treat the plant with a clean tool.
Rust and clasterosporiasis. When rust occurs, small spots appear on the leaves. And with klyasterosporiosis, holes remain at the site of the spots that have arisen.
These diseases are fought with the help of Bordeaux mixture. It is also necessary to dig up the soil around the tree and cut and then burn old shoots.
Chlorosis appears in the veins. Ready-made products “Chelate” and “Antichlorosin” cope with the disease.
Parasites that can overcome a plum:
- codling moth;
- aphid;
- ants;
- beetles;
- caterpillars;
- plum sawfly.
To combat the codling moth, painful areas are treated with Bordeaux mixture (2 mg per 10 liters of water).
To get rid of aphids, the drug “Oxychom” is used, which contains copper. The tree is sprayed with it (30 mg per 10 liters of water).
To protect the plum from other parasites, as well as to prevent diseases, the crop should be bleached with a limestone composition in which iron sulfate, mullein and clay are diluted. Whitewashing is carried out annually, in the first half of April.
Conclusion
Plum Ksenia is an unpretentious crop that does not require special care.It has an unusual taste that does not contain bitterness or acid. By planting this wonderful tree, you can not only enrich your fruit table, but also get excellent raw materials for preparations.
Reviews
