Content
Plum Nika - a universal variety, common in the northern and southern regions. The variety has a number of undeniable advantages. They made it popular among summer residents and commercial gardeners. An unpretentious plant to care for will delight you with a quick, abundant harvest. Plum fruits are a delicious summer dessert.
History of selection
Nick's plum is the result of trial work with hybrid forms. Selective experiments were carried out by Voronchikhina A. at the Rososhansky zonal experimental station. The plum was added to the State Register in 1994.
Description of plum variety Nika
The variety is widespread today in several areas:
- north of Rostovskaya;
- south of Belgorodskaya;
- south of Voronezh.
Plum is characterized by average growth - up to 3 m. An adult plant after 15 years of life can reach 4 m. The rough bark is dark gray in color. Plum shoots change color: pinkish-brown in the sun, dark green in the shade.
Wide, oval-shaped crown of medium density. Green leaves with deep veins are from 6 to 10 cm in length. Medium-sized flowers turn into fairly large oval-shaped fruits. Their weight ranges from 30 to 40 g. When ripe, the plum skin is light green. Ripe fruits of a dark purple hue. Their flesh is rich yellow. An overripe fruit becomes very juicy and soft. The taste of plums is sweet, with a slight sourness and a slight hint of tartness.
Characteristics of the variety
This variety has distinctive features that determine the nuances of planting and caring for the plant. The abundance of the harvest and the health of the planting depend on taking into account the personal characteristics of the Nika plum variety.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The plum tree tolerates drought and frost without damage. The Nika variety can withstand the hot season provided that the soil is regularly moistened. Resistance to significant temperature changes allows the plant to be planted in the northern regions of the country.
Pollinators of Nika plum
The Nika variety is self-sterile.
Plum blossoms in the middle of the warm period. For a bountiful harvest, the plant needs good weather during this period. Poor climatic conditions prevent insect migration and quality pollination. The fruits ripen by August.
Productivity, fruiting
Five to six years after planting, the plum will produce its first harvest. It is characterized by high precociousness. From one tree you can collect up to 35 kg of fruit.With proper care and good pollination, the yield can be doubled.
Area of application of berries
Most often, Nika plum fruits are consumed fresh. An excellent option for using fruits is preserves and jams. In compotes, the fruit becomes soggy.
Resistance to diseases and pests
One of the advantages of the Nika variety is its high resistance to all types of diseases. Throughout history, scientists have not recorded cases of mass destruction by known diseases or pests. Timely prevention methods prevent their occurrence and development.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages of plum make it stand out compared to other garden crops:
- Frost resistance. Can be planted in northern regions. Temperature changes will not harm the plant.
- Abundant harvest. The plum bears many fruits in one season. Under favorable conditions and good care, the amount of fruit from one tree can be doubled.
- Unpretentiousness. The variety will not require large time or material costs.
A specific feature of Nika plum is the instability of the harvest. Under unfavorable climatic conditions, pollination will be worse - the number of fruits will be significantly reduced. The situation can easily be corrected by pollinating varieties planted nearby.
Landing Features
Nick's plum is planted in a garden plot for several decades. Planting a tree is a responsible undertaking. It is important to take into account the characteristics of the variety, choose the right place and soil. If you follow all the recommendations, the plant will delight you with rapid growth and a bountiful harvest.
Recommended timing
The best time for planting is spring.During the warm season, the young plant will have time to take root and get used to the climate and planting site. If seedlings were purchased in the fall, then during the winter they should be buried in the ground and carefully covered.
Choosing a suitable location
Nika plum prefers sunny places, protected from drafts and winds. The soil for planting must be moisture-absorbing. It is worth checking the groundwater level. They should not be higher than 2 m to the seedling hole.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
Pollinating varieties are located next to the Nika plum. They have a beneficial effect on productivity. Apple trees and shrubs will be good neighbors for this variety. Tall plants with spreading crowns will provide shade. This will negatively affect the growth and development of the plum. Such proximity should be avoided.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Planting material for planting seedlings of the Nika variety must be prepared in advance:
- Shovel for holes.
- Device for loosening.
- Fertilizer.
- A stake for fixing the cutting.
- Elastic rope for gartering plants.
- Water.
Landing algorithm
Planting Nika plum is not a labor-intensive process. There are several required steps:
- Preparing the pit. Holes for seedlings are formed in a few weeks or in the fall. Depth - from 45 to 50 cm, diameter - from 60 to 70 cm. If you plan to plant several cuttings, then the holes for them are placed at a distance of at least 3 m from each other.
- Working with soil. The fertile layer of soil from the holes is mixed with fertilizers.
- Fixation of the plant. A stake is driven into the center of the hole. The seedling is lowered into the hole. Its roots should be 5 cm from the bottom.Sprinkle the plum with prepared soil and compact it. The plant is tied to a peg with a soft rope.
- Watering. For the first watering, two or three buckets of clean water are enough.
- Mulching the soil.
Aftercare for plums
Caring for a young plant after planting is an important process. There are various recommendations for watering, fertilizing, and pruning plum trees. Advice from experienced gardeners is easy to follow:
- Watering. Nika plum is a moisture-loving variety. It will tolerate drought well if it is moistened in a timely manner. June, July, and the end of September are favorable months for watering using the “under the root” technique.
- Fertilizer. Plum prefers magnesium fertilizing. It should be added during the autumn digging of the garden. In spring, plantings are fertilized with nitrogen preparations.
- Trimming. To form the crown, numerous young shoots are shortened, which appear on the tree 2-3 years after planting.
- Fighting diseases and pests. To prevent the adverse effects of diseases, special means should be used to spray the plant.
- Preparing for winter. Before the onset of cold weather, the tree trunk is covered with burlap.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Disease/pest | Method struggle | Prevention |
Moniliosis | Spraying a tree with Bordeaux mixture | Timely pruning of branches, removal of weeds. Affected shoots must be immediately destroyed |
Plum moth | The use of special pheromone traps. They lure insects, saving the plum from their harmful influence. | Regular insecticidal spraying.During the warm season it is carried out at least twice. In May - the first treatment. 30 days before harvest - second |
Conclusion
Nika plum is an excellent fruit tree for the site. The variety will delight you with an abundant harvest of juicy sweet berries. The labor-intensive care process is one of the main advantages of this variety. Plum can grow in a variety of climates. Thanks to this, it is widespread in garden plots of the southern and northern regions.
Reviews from gardeners about Nika plum
