Plum Etude

Plum lovers, when forming a garden, need to select the most capricious and productive varieties of plum trees. These include the mid-early plum Etude of domestic selection.

Plum Etude appeared as a result of cross-pollination of two varieties - Volzhskaya krasavitsa and Eurasia 21. The author of this plum variety is breeder GA Kursakov, who works at the All-Russian Research Institute named after V.I. I. V. Michurin. In 1983, the plum successfully passed variety trials and two years later (in 1985) joined the ranks of the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The culture is zoned in the Central Black Earth region.

The etude is a medium-sized tree with a rounded crown, developed rhizome, moderately spreading branches of a dark brown color with a rough surface, powerful erect brownish shoots and large dark green leaves forming a medium thickening. The cone-shaped buds grow without adhering to the shoots.

Large light flowers, practically without touching, neatly fall into beautiful inflorescences. The flowering period is short - the third decade of May.

Home plum Etude is large-fruited. Properly caring for the tree, fruits weighing 28-30 grams grow on it. The shape of the plums is oval-ovoid with a perfectly smooth surface, on which a thick waxy coating is noticeable. If you look closely, you can see small grayish dots on the skin. Ripe fruits are characterized by a uniform and rich reddish-purple color. The peel of the fruit is quite dense, slightly harsh, with a thick bloom. The abdominal suture of the plums is moderately pronounced.

The fruits tolerate transportation well, and can also be stored for a long time in a cool place - up to 50-60 days without loss of taste and presentation. The purpose of the table plums is that they are eaten fresh, canned, frozen and processed.

The fruit tastes great. Their greenish, sometimes yellowish flesh is endowed with a fleshy, medium-dense, tender and very juicy consistency. The fruit has a balanced taste - sweet and sour, without astringency, complemented by a pronounced aroma. The small stone inside the plum separates easily from the pulp. The pulp contains less than 12% sugars and almost 2% acids.

Plum Etude belongs to the class of medium early and early ripening varieties. The first fruits are expected in the 4th year after planting, if the seedling is one year old. Fruiting at the tree is stable - annual. Plums ripen quickly and amicably, so the fruiting period is shortened. Mass ripening of plums occurs in the last week of August.

The yield indicators of this table variety are good. Every year there is an increase of 2-3 kg. On average, under favorable conditions, one young tree gives 20 kg, but over time, after 6-7 years, this figure can grow up to 60 kg.

The geography of plum growing has expanded significantly in recent years. The tree is massively grown in the Moscow, Voronezh, Yaroslavl and Leningrad regions. In addition, plums are planted in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Estonia and Kazakhstan.

The study is a partially self-fertile variety, so cross-pollination is mandatory. It is due to donor trees that yield indicators increase significantly. The optimal pollinators, whose flowering dates coincide with the Etude plum, are: Volzhskaya beauty, Renklod Tambovskiy, Zarechnaya early. Experienced farmers recommend growing all 3 varieties on the site.

The optimal season for planting Etude seedlings is autumn - the period when the trees have thrown off their foliage. It is recommended to purchase a one-two-year-old seedling with a developed root without damage. The distance between plantings should be 3-4 meters so that the crowns do not shade each other.

Intensive tree farming consists of the following activities: watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, forming a crown, removing dry branches, mulching and preparing for winter.

Watering is carried out 1-2 times a week, when it is very hot outside. Pruning of branches is carried out in spring and autumn, rejuvenating the crown. Needles, humus or straw are used as mulch. Insulation of the roots and shelter for the winter is not required, since the plum is frost-resistant.

This variety has got a high immunity from the parental forms, which protects the tree from a number of diseases - fruit rot, moniliosis, perforated spot. It is also worth noting that the fruit crop is not exposed to the invasion of insects and rodents.

Plum has good frost resistance, easily tolerates heat, and flower buds do not freeze. In addition, the tree is drought-resistant - it is drought that gives the fruit a piquant sweetness.

The plot should be flat, sunny, on the south side of the garden. It is comfortable for the drain to grow in moisture and air permeable loams, with a neutral acidity and deep groundwater so that there is no stagnation of moisture.

Plum tree Etude is popular among summer residents and farmers. This is due to the fact that the culture quickly adapts to growing conditions, does not require complex agricultural techniques, and also gives stable and large yields. In addition, homemade plum captivates with its versatility, incredible taste and high immunity.

Along with the indisputable advantages, the variety has some disadvantages - the need for regular pruning of branches and partial thinning of the crown.