Plum Blue Gift

Blue Dar is a variety of domestic plum that has gained popularity among residents of the central regions of Russia. The trees are very thermophilic, but they please with stable yields, are perfect for commercial cultivation, planting in summer cottages. They can be used as honey plants in private household plots.

Plum Blue gift was received by crossing the varieties Ochakovskaya and Pamyat Timiryazeva. The selection work was carried out by specialists from the All-Russian Institute of Selection and Technology of Horticulture and Nursery. The variety was approved for use in 2001, the application was registered back in 1992.

The trees are medium-sized, up to 3 m tall, with an oval crown of low density. The leafiness is also quite moderate, without thickening. Shoots pubescent, arched, covered with grayish-brown bark. The leaves are lanceolate and dark green. They are pubescent below, smooth above, slightly wrinkled.

The fruits of the Blue Dar plum are small, weigh about 14 g each, have a regular oval shape with an inconspicuous abdominal seam. The color of the fruit is dark purple, saturated. The skin is smooth, with a pronounced waxy bloom. The pulp is rather dense, grainy-fibrous in structure, greenish-yellow in color.

The fruits are sweet and sour, with a medium aroma. The tasting grade is about 4 points.

Plum begins to bear fruit for 4 years. Refers to varieties of medium ripening periods. Fruiting regularly, from August 16 to 22, plums are removed.

The variety has a higher yield than average. Up to 13 kg of ripe fruits are obtained from each tree.

The variety is self-fertile, it successfully dispenses with third-party pollinators for the formation of fruits. It blooms in the 2nd decade of May.

The variety prefers to grow on soils with neutral indicators of acidity, loamy or sandy loam. In regions with short summers, spring planting is performed. In places with a mild winter climate, you can get by with planting in the period from September to October, in the fall. Such plants take root better.

When choosing a site on the site, elevations should be of particular interest, at a distance of 1.5 m or more from the groundwater level.Even slight shading should be avoided. Plants are placed only in well-lit areas, on the south side of the building or structures. It will be necessary to retreat 3-4 m from the nearest walls or fences. It is allowed to plant cherry plum, apple tree, and other plums nearby.

It is better to take a seedling at the age of 1-3 years, with healthy roots, live buds, not flaking bark. If a plant with ACS is purchased, it is pre-soaked in a mash made of clay and manure for about 10 hours. If the root system is closed, it will be enough just to send them into a container of water before planting. This will make it easier to remove the clod.

A spacious pit is prepared, at least 70 cm in diameter, but it is not necessary to immerse the roots deeply, a depth of 40 cm is enough. A special retaining stake is driven inside. In the center of the hole, a soil substrate is poured in a cone. The selected seedling is installed on it, the roots descend on the sides. After that, it remains only to sprinkle them with soil, slightly compact and water abundantly. In the future, for moistening, it is dug around the trunk in the form of an annular groove, the rest of the surfaces are mulched.

Pruning trees in this case does not require the use of complex schemes. All shoots extending from the conductor not at an angle of 45 degrees are removed. In spring and autumn, dried, broken, pest or disease-affected plant parts are cut out. Once every 4 years, it is also necessary to slightly incise the bark on the trunk so that it does not crack. Places of cuts are processed with garden varnish.

Pour the plum into the dug ring. In the first 3 years of cultivation, this is done every 2 weeks, adding 10, and then 20-30 liters. In autumn, after a good replenishment of the moisture charge, the roots of fertile trees are lined with a thick layer of peat mulch or straw. Before the very frosts, trunks and branches are covered with a net from rodents.

Plum of this variety is affected by clasterosporiosis to a moderate extent. Against the most active insect pest - the moth - it is well protected. The tree must be treated with spray guns in early spring. Insecticidal spraying allows you to achieve a good harvest. Plants must be treated with fungicides during periods of prolonged cold weather with rains.

The blue gift is a plum with average winter hardiness, it can freeze out when atmospheric temperatures drop below -25 degrees. Flower buds are moderately affected by cold weather. The variety is moderately sensitive to drought, not very heat-resistant. It is better to provide additional moisture during the flowering period.

Gardeners give the Blue Gift plum quite high marks, noting its suitability for planting even in small areas due to the compact size of the tree. The variety is also praised for its abundant harvests, no need for additional pollinators. The fruits have a very high consumer appeal, they are willingly bought for fresh consumption and for processing. They are stored and transported perfectly due to their thick skin.

The variety is considered new but has already gained an excellent reputation. Summer residents mention that the Blue Gift itself becomes an excellent pollinator for other plums. Ripe fruits are harvested earlier than many popular varieties. Pies are baked with fruits, other dishes, jam are prepared.

The main disadvantage is the small size of the fruits of this plum. They lose weight and volume every year, which noticeably affects the popularity of the variety among summer residents. It is noted that when planting, these plums should not be placed next to tall trees, as well as near cherries and plums. They negatively affect the plant's ability to pollinate.