Content
Plum Imperial belongs to the columnar varieties. Among domestic gardeners, the culture has just begun to spread. A compact tree is not demanding to care for, bears fruit abundantly, takes up little space in the garden. Plum can rightfully be called marketable because of the exquisite taste of the fruit, good transportability of the crop.
Breeding history of the variety
Varieties of columnar plums not so much. Imperial is a worthy representative of this group. The author of the variety is the domestic breeder Eremin G.V. At the moment, there are very few reviews about the Imperial columnar drain. However, the compact tree has already been appreciated by some owners of small plots from the best side.
Description of the variety of columnar plum Imperial
The shape of the tree resembles a column, a narrowed pyramid or a candle, medium covered with small oval leaves. The leaf plate is bright green. There is a gloss on the front side of the sheet. The Imperial tree grows from 1.5 to 2 m in height. The tree consists of a trunk, annual fruiting branches and a ringlet. There are practically no side branches, if they grow, then very few.
The fruits of the Imperial variety are densely located throughout the crown of the tree. Plums are usually pink in color. Sometimes a purple tint may appear. Less commonly, you can find the columnar variety Imperial with brown fruits. They taste no different from their pink counterparts. The average weight of the fruit is 55 g. The flesh is golden in color, tender with a honey flavor. Slightly acidic.
The flowering of the Imperial Columnar Plum begins early. In early May, the tree is abundantly covered with flowers. All inflorescences are female. In the middle lane and other cold regions, the Imperial variety takes root, but the Kuban is considered the best growing area. Well columnar plum has spread in the gardens of the Ciscaucasia.
Variety characteristics
To get a better understanding of the columnar variety of plum, it is worth taking a closer look at the characteristics of the crop.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The columnar variety Imperial is considered winter hardy. Fruit buds and wood are resistant to freezing. Only young trees under the age of three years are very sensitive to frost. Saplings of the Imperial variety are wrapped in non-woven material before the onset of winter. The shelter protects the non-lignified bark of young plums from freezing. In the fourth year, the tree can not be wrapped.
The drought resistance of the Imperial plum is medium, even weak. Here again it is worth paying attention to the root system. In the columnar variety, most of the roots grow in the surface layer of the soil. During a drought, they are not able to independently extract moisture from the depths of the earth. In hot summers, the tree requires frequent watering.
Plum pollinators Imperial
Despite the fact that the Imperial Columnar Plum is self-fertile, it needs pollinators.The following varieties are considered the best:
- Grade Renclode Altana begins to bloom at the end of April. The fruits ripen in August - early September.
- Stanley variety begins to bloom from mid-April. Fruits ripen at the beginning of September.
- Bluefri variety blooms from mid - late April. The fruits ripen in September.
As pollinators, the Stanley and Bluefri varieties are best chosen in warm regions and regions with a temperate climate. In the north, the fruits of these crops simply do not have time to ripen.
Productivity and fruiting
A feature of the Imperial columnar plum is its early fruiting. The crop can be harvested as early as the second year after planting the seedling. The average lifespan of a tree is 15 years. From two to seven years, the yield of the crop is constantly increasing. From seven to ten years, the indicator remains. Further, the yield begins to decline. At 13-17 years of age, the Imperial plum can completely stop bearing fruit. However, the tree does not die and can be used simply to decorate the garden.
The fruits ripen in mid-August. From one tree remove from 10 to 12 kg of plums. Ripe fruits do not crumble and can hang on the branches for a long time. Plucked plums are stored for up to 10 days. The crop can be transported.
Scope of berries
The fruits of the columnar plum are universal. The fruit is eaten fresh. Delicious compotes, preserves, jams are obtained from Imperial plums. Can be used for whole preservation and in slices. Lovers of alcoholic beverages prepare tincture from plums.
Disease and pest resistance
The columnar variety Imperial has the same pests as ordinary plums. The harvest is destroyed by the moth, sawers. Hole spots may appear. Fungi that cause rot are dangerous. The Imperial variety is considered resistant to all diseases and pests, provided that preventive spraying is carried out.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Positive and negative qualities will help to briefly characterize the Imperial variety. Of the advantages, it can be noted:
- Imperial is the only self-fertile columnar variety. Even in the absence of a pollinator nearby, the tree will bear a harvest.
- Large tasty fruits.
- Compact crown that requires virtually no pruning. Only damaged and dry branches are removed.
- Limited tree height up to 2 m.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the short lifespan of the columnar tree. This is due to the drying out of the lower ringlets.
Planting and caring for a columnar plum Imperial
The variety will appeal to all novice gardeners, since planting and caring for the Imperial plum does not require complex actions.
Recommended timing
Planting of seedlings of a columnar plum Imperial in the middle lane and other cold regions is carried out in the spring. This should be done before the kidneys awaken, but the earth should completely thaw and warm slightly. In the south, seedlings are planted in the fall. They manage to take root and endure mild winters.
Choosing the right place
The columnar variety Imperial loves a bright sunny area, protected from drafts and north winds. Due to the shallow root system, an area with moderately moist soil is considered optimal. Swampy terrain is not suitable for plums.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
If the area of the site allows, then the plum loves a lonely growth. However, such conditions are rare. In many summer cottages, apple, cherry, and pear trees grow next to plums and bear fruit normally. Although, if you take a pear, then it is a bad neighbor. Plum gets along well with apple, black currant. It is strictly forbidden to plant any walnut, birch, poplar or fir nearby.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The peculiarity of the cultivation of the Columnar Imperial plum is the fact that for planting it is necessary to buy only one-year seedlings. This choice is due to the early entry of the culture into the fruiting phase. Traditionally, seedlings are selected without damage with live buds. The root system can be open or closed. In the second case, the engraftment of the seedling is faster.
Landing algorithm
A feature of the columnar plum is the compactness of the crown. Seedlings can be planted even at a distance of 0.5 m. In mass plantings, they maintain a row spacing of at least 1.2 m. The holes in the rows are arranged with a slight offset, adhering to a checkerboard pattern.
The size of the planting pit is determined by the size of the root system. The hole is always dug twice as much. When planting, only compost is mixed from fertilizers. Mineral complexes are not used. There is a threat of burning the roots of the young seedling. Before plum engraftment, watering is carried out with water with the addition of a growth stimulator.
The video shows the planting of a columnar plum:
Plum follow-up care
The ease of caring for a columnar tree is that there is no need for pruning. The plum itself forms the crown. If necessary, cut only broken and dry branches. The tree is not tall. It is not necessary to limit growth by cutting off the top. The central trunk can be shortened by three buds, provided that it is weak and does not give growth.
Watering is needed regularly - once a week. Especially the plum needs moisture in June and July, when new flower buds are laid. At least 1 bucket of water is poured under the root.
Top dressing of the seedling begins only in the third year. During flowering, a solution is diluted from 1 bucket of water and 2 tbsp. l. urea. 2 liters of liquid are poured under the tree. Repeat feeding after 2 weeks.
Rodents love to feast on the young bark of seedlings. The trunks are protected from hares with fir branches. You can use pine, juniper. The branches are tied with the needles down. Trampled snow around the trunk is an obstacle to mice. Small rodents do not move on the surface in winter. Mice are only able to penetrate through loose snow. You can also use special nets to protect against rodents. Roofing material is a bad choice. The roofing material will protect the bark from rodents, but due to the resin impregnation it will create chemical burns. The tree may die. It is unacceptable to treat the shafts with petroleum products: grease, kerosene, oil.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Fruit trees are always of interest to pests. Do not rely on the resistance of the variety. Annual preventive treatments with insecticides and fungicides will save the crop. It is impossible to spray during flowering. Processing is done until the buds appear and with the beginning of the ovary.
Conclusion
You can even grow a columnar fruit tree near a house or a gazebo. Plum Imperial will become a decoration of the yard, in addition, it will bear delicious fruits.
