Content
There are several different types of cherry plums and plums, one of which is the Kuban Comet cherry plum. This variety combines ease of care, compactness of the tree and excellent taste of the fruit.
History of selection
The Kuban Comet plum was obtained by crossing two other varieties (Chinese plum and Pioneer variety). As a result of long-term work, domestic scientists and breeders in the late 70s of the last century developed a new variety of plum, which is still widely used among both professional gardeners and amateurs.
Description of culture
The description of the Kuban Comet cherry plum variety should begin with the size of the tree; its height usually does not exceed 2.8-3 meters. The crown of the plum is sparse and quite wide.The trunk is smooth, rich gray in color. The leaves, like most types of plums, are bright green, slightly elongated, with a pointed end, and smooth.
The buds are white, the size of the flowers of the Kuban Comet cherry plum varies between 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruits have a red-violet peel, are large, the weight of one plum can reach 40-45 g.
Characteristics
For a more detailed description of the plum, it is necessary to characterize the variety. And for clarity, below is a photo of the Kuban Comet cherry plum.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The characteristics of the Kuban comet cherry plum, first of all, include the plant’s ability to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions. The variety is frost-resistant and can withstand low temperatures down to -25-30°C.
Drought resistance is average; during long periods without precipitation, cherry plum needs additional watering.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Unlike other hybrid plum varieties, Kuban Comet is partially self-fertile. But to obtain a richer harvest, it is recommended to plant pollinators for the Kuban Comet cherry plum next to the trees. These are, first of all, varieties with similar flowering periods, for example, Pramen, Seyanets, Red Ball.
The flowering of the Kuban comet cherry plum begins quite early, around the 20th of April. The fruit ripens in the second half of July.
Productivity, fruiting
One of the main advantages of the variety is its high yield. From one tree, 2 or 3 years after planting, you can get 10 kg of harvest; as the plum matures and grows, the harvest volume reaches 45-60 kg.The correct formation of the Kuban Comet cherry plum depends on regular pruning of shoots, which will not only make the tree more compact, but also increase its yield
Area of application of fruits
The taste of the Kuban Comet cherry plum is very pleasant, slightly sweet, with a refreshing note of sourness. Many people note that the taste of plums resembles apricots. The fruits are highly valued by professionals and are widely used for making juices, compotes, and various sauces.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Russian plum, or as it is also called the Kuban comet cherry plum, has average resistance to diseases inherent in most stone fruit crops.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the obvious advantages of the variety are:
- high productivity;
- rapid fruit ripening;
- frost tolerance;
- excellent taste;
- suitability of plum fruits for long-term transportation and storage;
- adaptation to various environmental conditions.
Reviews of the Kuban Comet cherry plum also contain information about some disadvantages, which include:
- average drought resistance;
- tendency to be affected by diseases of stone fruit crops;
- A bountiful harvest may result in a reduction in fruit size.
Nevertheless, this is one of the most common varieties grown in the North Caucasus and central regions of Russia.
Landing Features
Growing Kuban Comet cherry plum is a completely simple process. The main thing in this matter is to follow all planting rules and choose the optimal landing site.
Recommended timing
Cherry plum Kuban comet in the Moscow region and other regions can be planted in spring or autumn.
Choosing a suitable location
It is necessary to plant the Kuban Comet plum in an open area with a light, loose substrate that has a neutral, weakly acidic or alkaline environment. Plum does not tolerate the accumulation of moisture in the root area, so when planting you need to take into account the contact of groundwater to the surface.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum
In order for pollination of the Kuban Comet cherry plum to occur as efficiently as possible, it is recommended to plant other varieties of plums with similar flowering periods next to the crop. Also, apricots, cherries, sweet cherries and other stone fruits can act as favorable neighbors. But it is undesirable to plant plums next to trees and shrubs that have a powerful root system.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The choice of seedling plays an important role in the future growth and development of the plant, and numerous reviews from gardeners about the Kuban Comet cherry plum confirm this fact. The planting material should not have any damage, swelling in the root system, severe cracks in the bark or broken shoots.
Landing algorithm
Planting the Kuban Comet plum includes the following steps:
- Digging a hole with a diameter of 80 cm and a depth of 50-55 cm.
- Mixing the substrate with gold or peat.
- Place the seedling in the center of the hole, straighten the root system and drive a peg nearby.
- Filling the hole with earth and simultaneously compacting the soil.
- Tying a plum to a peg.
- Form a roller around the seedling at a distance of 40 cm and spill 10-15 liters of water.
- Mulching the soil with shavings.
The pit can also be prepared in advance, approximately 10-14 days before the planned planting.
Subsequent care of the crop
During drought, cherry plum needs to be watered approximately 1-2 times a week, 10-15 liters each. It is important to loosen and mulch the soil a day after watering.
You also need to regularly form the Kuban Comet cherry plum. For this variety, the best option is a configuration that resembles a vase in shape. This method allows you to stop the growth of shoots at the desired height. Pruning of the Kuban Comet plum is carried out in the spring before the buds open.
Starting from the second year after planting the plum tree, it is necessary to feed the tree. In the spring, the optimal fertilizer is urea; in the summer, it is recommended to apply manure, droppings and dandelion leaves with the addition of potassium sulfate and superphosphate. In the fall, wood ash is added.
Preparing a plum tree for winter includes loosening the soil, covering the trunk to the level of the shoots with a solution of lime, and also filling the tree trunk circle with mulch.
Harvesting, processing and storage
The hybrid Kuban comet plum bears fruit for 2-3 years after planting, from mid-July to early August. At room temperature, the berries can be stored for no more than 2-3 days, and in the refrigerator or cellar the shelf life can increase to two weeks.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Kuban cherry plum is not highly resistant to diseases and pests of stone fruit crops. But timely control and prevention methods presented in the tables will prevent the defeat of cherry plum.
Disease | Methods of control and prevention |
Rust | Treatment of trees in early spring with a 3% urea solution. Affected leaves must be collected and burned. |
Gray rot | Before flowering begins, the plum needs to be treated with copper sulfate. After flowering, Cuprozan is used. Whitewashing cherry plum trunks can be used as a preventive measure. |
Gum treatment | After pruning the shoots, the sections must be treated with petrolatum. To prevent the disease, you need to monitor the acidity of the soil, the timing of fertilization and the watering regime. |
Brown spot | Treatment of shoots with 1% Bordeaux solution immediately after bud break. For prevention, the affected branches are removed and the soil is sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate. |
Below are the main pests and methods for their destruction.
Pest | Methods of destruction and prevention |
Gypsy bark beetle | After the insects crawl out, it is necessary to treat the bark with Dichlorvos. For prevention, before flowering begins, the plum is treated with Trichlorol-5. |
codling moth | Three weeks after the end of flowering, the tree is sprayed with Avant three times with a break of 12 days. |
Fruit sapwood | For prevention, dry branches should be regularly cut down and burned, and mosses and lichens should be removed from the bark. |
Downy silkworm | During the growing season, plums are sprayed with Virin-ENZh. To prevent the appearance of the pest, treat with Nitrofen until buds appear. |
Conclusion
Cherry plum Kuban comet is one of the few frost-resistant plum varieties. Planting and caring for the Kuban Comet cherry plum will not be difficult even for novice gardeners; the main thing is to take into account all the recommendations described in the article.
