Plum Stanley (Stanley)

In a changeable climate, it is sometimes difficult to grow a fruit tree that will yield a good harvest. To do this, you need to select special varieties with high frost resistance and quick adaptation to the climate. These include the American-bred Stanley plum.

Stanley is a mid-ripening plum bred 100 years ago by American breeders led by R. Wellington. Several plum species were used to breed a fruit crop - Dagen and Grand Duke. It appeared in the State Register of the Russian Federation for the North Caucasus region in 1983. The fruit tree is most productive, growing in the southern regions of the country, but this does not prevent it from being popular in Siberia or in the Moscow region.

Stenley plum is a medium-sized tree with a rounded pyramidal crown, rarely thickened with bright green foliage. In favorable conditions, the tree reaches a height of about 3 meters. The tree is characterized by erect stems of gray-brown color, moderate spreading of branches and a strong root system. 1-2 flowers are formed in each bud. The tree blooms in the second half of April. At this time, the openwork crown is covered with large snow-white flowers.

Plum is considered large-fruited. Fruit weight ranges from 30 to 50 grams. The shape of the fruit is elongated-ovoid with unequal sides and a perfectly smooth surface characterized by the presence of a gray waxy coating. When ripe, plums have a beautiful and uniform color - deep purple. The skin of plums is of medium density, not rigid. If you look closely, you can see numerous small subcutaneous points and a pronounced abdominal suture.

The purpose of the fruits is universal, which allows them to be eaten fresh, used in cooking, canned, processed into marmalade, sauces, jams, frozen and dried on prunes. The fruits removed from the tree are easily transported without losing their presentation, and can also be stored in a cool place for 6-14 days, and at a temperature of +1 - up to one month.

According to the tasting rating, the plum is endowed with excellent taste. The amber pulp of the fruit has a fleshy, tender and very juicy uniform consistency, complemented by a bright fruity aroma. At the stage of technical maturity, the fruit pulp is denser, slightly taut, with tartness that disappears after ripening. The taste is dominated by pleasant sweetness, which is perfectly combined with a subtle sourness. The stone inside the fruit is large, but it is easily separated from the pulp. The pulp contains almost 14% sugars and 1% acids.

Stanley is a late ripening plum. The first full harvest can be observed in the 4th year after planting. You can taste plums in the 3rd decade of August. The phase of active fruiting of the tree occurs at the end of summer - beginning of autumn. The plums are ripened gradually.

High yield is the advantage of this type. With proper care, the tree will certainly give an excellent harvest - 60-70 kg from a young tree and about 90 kg can be removed from an adult plum.

Over the past decade, the geography of growing the Stanley plum tree has expanded significantly - from the south to the middle lane. In addition, the tree has taken root well in the northern part of Russia.

Self-fertility in the plum is partial. Pollinating trees with similar flowering times should be planted on the site. As practice shows, the best results were achieved with cross-pollination of the following plum varieties - President, Bluefri, Empress and Chachakskaya plum.

Plum seedlings are planted both in autumn and spring. When choosing a site for planting, do not forget that the plum loves light, sun and space, therefore it is necessary to plant at the rate of 1 tree per 9 m2. It is better to choose a place on a small hill, where there is no stagnation of moisture, otherwise the root system will die. The soil should be air and moisture permeable, loose, fertile. Loams or sandy loams with neutral or low acidity are considered optimal. It is characteristic that if the seedling does not like the growing zone, it can be easily transplanted to another place.

Cultural agrotechnology consists of standard procedures: regular watering (you can not wait for the soil to completely dry out), mulching the soil, applying mineral and organic fertilizers (three times a year), loosening the soil, sanitary pruning of branches, thinning and shaping the crown, as well as the prevention of diseases and invasions insects.

In addition, do not forget about whitewashing trunks and branches, preparing the tree for winter, as well as installing hunting belts in early spring.

Plum Stanley easily copes with major diseases without requiring additional preventive measures. She practically does not undergo polystygmosis and shark. The most common disease that a tree is exposed to is gray rot (moniliosis). Among the insects that harm fruit trees, the plum aphid is considered the most dangerous. It is extremely rare that a tree is attacked by a plum sawfly and a thickened leg, which will help to get rid of them by spraying with insecticides.

Stenley plum is frost-resistant, therefore it experiences a drop in temperature to -30 ... 34 degrees, but it does not react well to stuffiness and drought. With prolonged drought and lack of watering, the tree can shed its fruits. Another unfavorable natural factor that negatively affects the development and fruiting of a tree is an excess of moisture, its stagnation. And drafts.

Plum tree of American selection has gained immense popularity among Russian summer residents and farmers. This is due to the numerous advantages of the culture - frost resistance, stable fruiting, high yields, simple agricultural technology and the versatility of the variety. Indicating all the advantages, it is also worth noting some of the disadvantages of the culture - drought intolerance and overestimation of the quality of the soil.