Tula black plum

Good winter hardiness, coupled with excellent taste characteristics, is very difficult to combine in one fruit tree: any breeder can confirm this. An example of such a variety can be the homemade late plum Tula black, which is one of the crops that represent the top ten varieties of the Central region.

This local Tula variety has been known for a very long time. It was first described in the 50s of the XX century by the famous gardener and agronomist G. Ya. Silver Tula black is considered the result of the so-called folk selection. The researchers concluded that this is a successful seedling, which was grown from the stone of some unknown plum variety. It took root, then began to spread from site to site. But there is also another version. It is believed that the culture is based on cross-pollination of the Hungarian plum. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the other parental culture.

By the way, this plum will probably hold the record for the number of names. It is called differently:

• Bryansk late;
• Tula prunes;
• Winter blue;
• Meshchovsky prunes.

First of all, Tula black is loved by gardeners because it is a very neat, compact plant with an oval and dense crown. The height can vary from 2.5 to 4.5 m. There are a lot of foliage on the branches, the leaf plates are lanceolate, dark green. Plum blooms with white flowers, they can be either single or as part of umbrella inflorescences, grouped by 3-5 flowers. At the same time, there will be both male and female flowers on the same tree.

There are many virtues of culture:

• bears fruit regularly, without skipping;
• self-fertile;
• the fruits are delicious;
• excellent immunity to disease;
• easy separation of the pulp from the bone.

As for the disadvantages:

• in drought, fruits may fall off;
• the taste of fruits depends entirely on the climate conditions in the area;
• insufficiently high winter hardiness.

The plum cannot be called large. Fruits, as a rule, are small, 18-20 grams each, sometimes they grow up to 30 g. The shape is rounded-oval, the abdominal suture is poorly expressed. Plums have a thin, dense skin, it is dark blue, almost black, but sometimes a reddish tint can be observed. And also Tula black can always be recognized by a pronounced gray wax bloom on the fruits.

The plum pulp is medium in density, but at the same time it is extremely juicy and also sweet. The skin adds a slight sourness. Fruits are eaten fresh with pleasure, but more often they are used in the preparation of preparations: preserves, jams, dried fruits, and so on. Unfortunately, on a five-point scale, taste is not rated too high - 4.1.

The culture begins to bear fruit only 4 even 5 years after planting. This applies to self-rooted seedlings, but grafted fruits will appear a year or two earlier.

Late plum Tula black begins to bear fruit at the junction of summer and autumn.That is, it is the end of August and the beginning of September.

The standard yield of plums is 12-14 kg per tree, but with good care you can achieve 50 kg. Fruiting is regular.

Culture is growing not only in the Tula region. It is happily grown in the Moscow region, where it is very common, in the Kaluga region, as well as in many territories of the North-West region of the Russian Federation.

Tula black is self-fertile. She does not need pollinators, and this is one of the main advantages of culture. However, if a home plum is planted nearby, the productivity of the Tulskaya Black variety will double.

A site for planting Tula black should be chosen well-lit by the sun, but closed from drafts. The culture does not tolerate drought well, so it is better to choose a low-lying place on the site.

The landing pit is prepared in advance, three to four days before the landing procedure. A size of 60 by 70 cm will be enough. The upper 30-centimeter layer of soil from the pit must be mixed with 20 kg of compost and 400 g of nitrophosphate, mixed, and then put back into the hole by a third, alternating with clean soil. In the center of the hole, you need to drive a long pole; it will be needed as a support for a young tree. After planting, the seedling is watered with 20 liters of water. When organizing a plum garden between the trees in each row, as well as between the rows, you need to leave 3 m of space - the plants need food.

The taste of the Tula black fruit always depends on the number of sunny days: the more sunlight there was in the season, the sweeter the fruit will be. Therefore, it is better to plant the crop in the sun. And also the closer to the south, and the warmer the climate, the sweeter the fruits of the Tula black.

They take care of the plum using the classical method: it is watered correctly, especially in a drought, and all the necessary dressing is given. Fertilizers will be needed during the period of ovary formation. The soil is loosened, get rid of weeds, you can resort to mulching. Pruning should be done annually starting from the 5th year of the tree's existence.

Despite the fact that the variety is able to withstand frosts down to -35 degrees, with sudden changes in temperature after the next thaw, the tree can freeze. However, the recovery is proceeding rather quickly.