Plum Renklode Soviet

Soviet renklode is a representative of a large group of large-fruited varieties, tested for decades, united by this name. The fruits of homemade plums are used fresh, however, they are suitable for preserving and boiling jam, jams, with the exception of compotes, since the pulp is very boiled and makes the drink cloudy.

The originator of the variety was A. Ya. Voronchikhina, a breeder of the Rossoshansk zonal experimental gardening station. Renklod Ulyanishcheva and Record were used as parent material. After a trial period, the variety was approved for use in 1986.

Weak (up to 3 m) tree with a wide-pyramidal crown, sometimes disheveled like a broom, and weak foliage, covered with elongated oval or obovate leaves. The leaf plate is painted on top in dark green tones, the smooth surface has a glossy sheen, the bottom of the leaf is covered with a faint edging and has lighter green shades. Plum blooms with small snow-white double flowers with slightly corrugated petals.

Large (5–6 mm) buds consist of leaf buds, have a conical shape and a pointed tip. At the same time, flower buds are smaller, but the same shape. Violet-brown, densely pubescent shoots are covered with often located convex lenticels. The stem is “dressed” in brown bark with a gray tint and characteristic longitudinal cracking. No curling was noticed in the structure of the wood.

Large (41.5–80 g) fruits of a round, regular shape do not have lateral flattening. When ripe, they are colored green with an integumentary dark purple or brownish purple tint. The small but wide abdominal suture is clearly defined and not prone to cracking. The plums are covered with undisturbed skin with a strong prune bloom. The oblong bone separates well from the pulp. Composition: dry matter - 14.1%, sugar - 9.2%, acids - 1.7%, pectins - 0.3%, ascorbic acid - 7.7 mg / 100 g. 4.5 points out of 5 possible.

Dull brownish yellow, dense juicy pulp has a pleasant sweet taste with a slight sourness. During overripening, the pulp loses its elasticity, becomes loose and soft.

The variety belongs to the mid-early category - the crop is harvested in early - mid-August. Regular fruiting begins 4 years after planting.

Soviet renklode is distinguished by its high yield - up to 33.6 kilograms of tasty and aromatic fruits are harvested from one tree.

The plum is adapted for the Central Black Earth Region, the North Caucasus, the Middle Volga District.

Self-fertile variety does not need additional pollination.

The time for planting seedlings is spring or autumn, but autumn planting is preferable if climatic conditions and the time of the onset of cold weather permit. It will take a month for a young plum to adapt and root, after which it will safely survive the winter, and the next growing season will begin simultaneously with all crops. A seedling planted in early spring spends the same month adapting, therefore, the season can be considered lost. However, in the zone of risky farming, this guarantees the safety of the plant.

Plum, as befits a resident of the southern regions, loves the sun, so a suitable planting site should be on the south side with constant lighting and protection from drafts and cold winds. The optimal distance between the roots is at least three meters.

Despite the high requirements for irrigation, Renklode does not tolerate stagnant moisture - the proximity of groundwater (no closer than 2 meters to the surface) and swampy lowlands. The soil should be breathable, fertile, and pH neutral.

Dolomite flour, chalk, lime or wood ash are added to the acidic soil, which reduce the acidity of the soil. The standard size of the landing pit for Renklode is 50x50x65 cm.

At the bottom of the pit, a drainage layer of crushed stone, pebbles, broken brick is arranged and a support for a thin, fragile stem is immediately installed. The depleted soil is enriched with organic matter (humus, compost), superphosphate, river sand is added. Part of the prepared earthen mixture is poured into the hole, filling it by ⅓, a seedling is installed.

If the plant has an ACS (open root system), then the roots are pre-soaked for half an hour in Kornevin's solution, then spread over the surface of the earthen mound and fall asleep, making sure that the root collar remains above the soil surface. The near-trunk circle is watered abundantly with warm water, the next day the soil is loosened or covered with a 5-centimeter layer of peat mulch. Peat can be replaced with straw or cut grass.

Timely watering is a must for the variety, since its roots are located close to the surface. Abundant irrigation is carried out once every 2 weeks, excluding prolonged rainy weather. Lack of moisture during the formation of the ovary will lead to its inevitable shedding. After watering, if the mulching method is not used, the trunks need to be loosened, otherwise the formed crust will block the access of oxygen to the roots.

Top dressing begins in the second - third year after planting. In early spring, plums need nitrogen to build up a powerful green mass. The ideal fertilizer is complex formulations for fruit and berry plants. In addition, once a season, plums can be fed with mullein infusion at a rate of 1: 10.

Formative pruning begins immediately after planting, when no more than five buds are left on the branches, cutting off everything else. In the future, the formation consists of limiting the number of skeletal branches - 7-10 pieces are left in the crown. Shoots growing at an acute angle, inward, oblique and crooked branches are removed, achieving good ventilation and illumination of the inside.

Sanitary pruning is carried out annually in early spring, before the start of sap flow. At this time, broken, dry, diseased shoots are removed. All sections must be lubricated with garden pitch. A large harvest can lead to the breakage of skeletal branches, so care should be taken to support the props.

The plant has strong immunity, so the resistance to diseases (clasterosporium and polystygmosis) is at a decent level. However, resistance to moniliosis is within two points. Preventive treatments with insecticides and fungicides will help provide protection against diseases and pests.

The culture has good winter hardiness.