Plum-cherry hybrids: features, varietal range and secrets of cultivation

The practice of crossing and breeding new varieties is quite a popular activity among amateurs and professionals specializing in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. Sometimes the combination of two cultures in gardening brings positive results. Among the most striking examples is the plum-cherry hybrids.

Fruit stone crops are present at any dacha or in the yard of a private residential house. Most often this group is represented by cherries, cherries and plums, known to everyone. However, real experimenters-gardeners are in constant search for new species and varieties for obtaining a high yield of tasty and unusual berries and fruits.

The work of breeders favors the search for new hybrid cultures, delighting with more sophisticated species. Plum-cherry hybrid will be an interesting and appetizing addition to any garden, and because of its features, care and planting will differ little from growing the usual types of plum and cherry trees on the site.

Crossed species of stone fruit cultures have a number of common features; it is this observation that was the impetus for conducting an experiment to combine them. The result of the work was getting hardy and productive varieties. For the first time, a crossed CSF appeared in the USA, American cherry and Japanese plum were used to produce it. The latter endowed the fruit with a rather large size and an unusual taste; from the cherry, the hybrid inherited resistance to external environmental factors and ease of care.

Russian scientists are still engaged in breeding new varieties of stone fruit crops, the main goal of these experiments is to obtain a variety with high resistance to harsh climatic conditions and high yield of berries.

Plum-cherry hybrid is a fast-growing crop that can produce a crop the second year after planting. This feature characterizes the CSAS on the positive side. Plants grow to an average of 150 cm, and have the form of spreading shrubs. However, the height of the culture is very dependent on the affiliation to a particular variety.

The small size of the plants allows planting crops even in areas with a rather modest area. They do not create an extra shadow for other trees, in addition, the height of up to 1.5 meters facilitates picking berries.

Depending on the variety, the plum-cherry hybrid has a diverse crown. As for the root system, the plant has branchy and large roots, thanks to which it tolerates both frost and drought well.

The leaves resemble a plum leaf plate, grow alternately and have a rich green color. Flowering culture begins a little later maternal varieties of plants used to breed a hybrid. Flowers have a pleasant aroma and white color.

As for the yield, the branches of the plant during the period of ripening of the fruits are simply covered with berries, due to which the sprouts of the crop often deflect from the severity. To avoid breaking the branches, gardeners equip a special support around the bush. Ripe fruits can be collected in August - September. The shape and size of the fruit depends on the variety.

Berries are used for canning, freezing and fresh consumption.

The plant under consideration is very popular, therefore it is represented in a wide variety of varieties. The most popular varieties of plants are presented below.

• "Omsk night"- a short-growing plant with large black berries, which ripen in August.The weight of one fruit is about 15 grams, the crop is distinguished by high yield, so you can get about 40 kilograms of berries from one bush.

• "Beta"As a rule, rarely grows more than 1.5 meters in height, the berries have a red color with pulp inside the same color. According to the admirers of this variety, the berry is similar in taste to cherries.

• Opata - A variety of CSG, which stands out from the rest of the varieties in height, the average tree can reach two meters in size. The crown of the hybrid round, the fruit grows in the form of an oval of red-brown color with yellow flesh.

• "Pyramidal" grade represented by small plants that are resistant to frost. Fruits are yellowish-green with a slight sourness. Due to its pyramidal crown, such bushes are often used for decorative purposes.

• "Maynor" also refers to dwarf shrubs, in appearance it resembles a ball. Fruits are dark purple colored round shape.

• Plant varieties "Compass" can grow up to 2 meters, the berries have a brownish tint, the taste is quite sweet.

• "Zapalta" has a rounded crown, the fruits have a purple tinge with lilac pulp.

• Fruits of the variety Hayawat stand out for their size, they are ovoid and purple in color. There is an unobtrusive sour taste.

• "Gem" It refers to medium-growth trees, because its height can exceed 2 meters. Flowering in varieties comes after all, the culture is resistant to frost. The fruit inside has a yellow tint.

CSG is quite realistic to get yourself, for this it is worth exploring options for plant reproduction, as well as having a healthy stone fruit tree at the site. Since the hybrid is artificially bred, it is unlikely that it will be possible to obtain such a variety by ordinary dilution with the help of fruit pits, but some gardeners often use this option.

The most common methods of growing these plant species are the following:

• graft;
• grafting;
• horizontal layouts.

Vaccination is the most common way of breeding fruit crops. Grafted seedlings begin to bear fruit faster, in addition, this method is considered the fastest option for breeding a hybrid.

Since the plum-cherry hybrid rarely forms root shoots, which could be used to grow a young plant, cuttings are cut from the young shoot for breeding. Typically, the preparation of the material occurs in late spring, during the period of active growth of culture. Healthy shoots are cut into cuttings about 30 centimeters long, after which all are placed in a solution that promotes the formation of the root system.

Root the material in a well-heated greenhouse in the tank with a special mixture, where sand and peat are the main components. In the fall, they are sent for storage in a dark place, most often in a barn, where a special depression is created, covered with moss and sawdust. By planting the plant will be ready only in two years.

Due to the low height of the plum-berry hybrids, many gardeners prefer to propagate the culture with layering. Works are performed at the end of the spring period during the growth of young shoots on the bushes.

On an adult plant, the material located closest to the soil is chosen, and it is bent to the ground, to the previously dug groove, the central part of the branch is covered with soil. In order to escape did not turn into a normal position, it is fixed with a wire.

Laying care is performed using the same technology as an adult hybrid. After the shoot is well established, it is disconnected from the adult bush and transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.

Reproduction using seed, according to reviews gardeners, can give a completely unexpected result in the course of working with hybrids. In some cases, this method still allows the culture to be derived, but its characteristics will not be at the highest level.

As a rule, hybrids are planted on a plot of two, while trying to choose plants belonging to different varieties. In order to protect the stone crop from waterlogging or frost penetration, young plants are planted in specially equipped mounds, in addition, drainage is used, as well as a heat-insulating cushion. The introduction of organic fertilizers into the soil is mandatory.

When choosing a place on the plot for planting, it is best to stop on the southern side of the plot near a residential or commercial building. The north side should be protected from the wind by planting high shrubs, they will help protect the culture from the cold wind in winter. Conifers can be used as “neighbors”.

To plant a young plant as soon as possible after planting, it is planted only in heated land, and when it is planted, it is watered with warm water.

In addition to the specific planting of CSH seedlings, the care of the plant as a whole is carried out, as in the usual plum tree. It needs watering only in extreme cases, when the plant received no natural moisture because of the climatic features.

To reduce the risk of plant diseases, it is processed by special formulations, and fertilization is carried out with complexes of nutrients. Nitrogen, wood ash, potassium and fluorine are recommended as fertilizers. Usually the elements are introduced into the ground before the arrival of frost, in order to further feed the culture before the arrival of winter.

In addition to the standard measures relating to the care of a hybrid, bushes must be regularly thinned out, as well as clean non-bearing branches.

The greatest danger for CSAS, as well as for its parent cultures, is moniliosis. The signs of the disease are as follows: the foliage looks burnt, the flowers dry, and last of all, the disease is visually manifested on the shoots.

When such symptoms are detected in the culture, the “sick” parts must be cut off and burned. For the purpose of prevention, the plant is treated with Bordeaux liquid, in addition, copper oxychloride is used for these purposes.

To protect the culture from small rodents, the trunk of a young bush must be covered with coniferous branches or non-woven material.

During the cultivation of culture, care and protection from diseases and all sorts of pests do not forget the main thing - that the plant still differs from its "parents", because, in fact, is an independent culture, which has specific characteristics and characteristics.

To reduce the risk of plant death due to improper care and maintenance of plum-cherry hybrids. It is necessary to adhere to the recommendations that give experienced gardeners, not the first year engaged in the cultivation of such stone fruit.

It is necessary to elaborate on some of them.

• It is very important to choose the right place for planting plants on your site. To this end, the groundwater level is first taken into account.Taking into account their location and depth, they stop at one of two options: a high level requires planting on a mound hill that will have good drainage; under normal water conditions no special conditions are required for planting.
• In order for plants to be as free as possible, and they can fully develop when planning planting trees, it should be borne in mind that the optimal distance between hybrids should be at least two meters.

• With increased acidity of the soil before planting the crop, it is necessary to further fertilize the soil with dolomite flour. Clayey earth needs the addition of river sand and humus. The future growth and yield of the plant directly depends on the quality of the soil.
• As for fertilizers, the young seedling does not need to be fed with nitrogenous additives, since the element will provoke active development of the shoots, which will adversely affect frost resistance. As for phosphorus and potassium, these trace elements have a positive effect on the growth of a strong culture and provide greater yields in the future.
• Unfortunately, in addition to the positive qualities, hybrids from the mother plants got negative properties. This applies to the propensity to fungal diseases.

To learn how to properly prune plums, see the next video.