How to grow a plum tree from the stone at home. How to grow a plum from the stone for a rich harvest of juicy and sweet fruits

Plum is one of the first fruit trees cultivated by man. And this is not surprising, because the branchy graceful tree has rich green foliage. In early spring, it amazes with beautiful flowers and allows you to enjoy an exquisite aroma. Truly, a plum is an adornment of any site. Is it necessary to talk about delicious fruits?

Every gardener tries to plant this tree on his site without fail. And only a few know how to grow a plum from a seed. Let's see how this process happens.

What caused the interest?

Surprisingly, many summer residents are wondering how to grow a plum from a seed. Why are they interested in this particular tree?

This desire is due to several reasons:

• Plum easily adapts to our climate. However, it is not "capricious". Even minimal care is enough for an amazing tree to please with a delicious and plentiful harvest.
• In addition, it should be said about the benefits of fruits for the human body. The concentration of nutrients in the plum is quite high. According to their content, the tree occupies an honorable second place, second only to raspberries.
• Plum is widely used in a wide variety of dishes. Juicy fruits become the basis of excellent sauces. They make delicious desserts. Plums are used to make compotes, jellies, juices, jams. In addition, delicious fruits are one of the favorite treats of children.

Such factors make people look for ways to grow a plum from a stone.

Tree varieties

If you're serious about growing plums from seed (the photo shows a beautiful tree you can get), there are a few things to keep in mind.

One of them is right choice varieties. The tree from which you take the stone must necessarily grow in your climate zone. Only in this case, the seedling will be able to please you with beautiful fruits.

If the parent tree grows in a warm climate, then it is difficult to count on the success of the venture. Most often, a "wild" grows from such planting material. But even if this does not happen, the drain will “freeze”. This means that a beautiful plentiful harvest is not to be seen. Therefore, we will consider which varieties are best used so that a plum from the stone appears in your garden.

The following varieties can be grown in the middle lane:

• "Belarusian";
• "Minsk";
• "Vitebsk late";
• "Volga beauty".

In a sharply continental climate and arid regions, varieties will take root perfectly:

• "Egg blue";
• "Morning";
• "Eurasia".

For warm areas suitable species:

• "Kuban comet";
• "Victoria";
• "Cromaine".

Is it possible to grow a plum from a seed?

This is a question often asked by beginner gardeners. Sometimes such a dilemma arises experienced professionals. After all, from time to time there is a desire to plant completely excellent grade from those that are available on the site.

Initially, we note that 3 ways allow you to get a tree:

• Propagation by green cuttings.
• Use of root cuttings.
• You can grow a plum from the seed.

The last method is of the greatest interest. However, before considering this method, you should learn about some features:

• The landing process is quite laborious. It will require a lot of patience from you.
• Not every tree grown from seed will bear fruit.
• Sometimes plums differ in taste characteristics from their "parent".

However, do not rush to despair. Is it possible to grow a plum from a stone that will have excellent characteristics? Experienced breeders say yes. After all, it is from the seeds that new varieties are derived. And maybe you will be the second Michurin.

As you can see, a stone plum may well appear on your site. Even novice gardeners can grow a tree at home.

You just need to listen to the advice of experienced professionals:

• Planting material should be taken from ripe juicy plums.
• It is best to take a few bones. Since in the first year some seedlings may not withstand frost and die.
• It is recommended to plant a seedling initially at home - in a pot. And only in the fall to transfer it to open ground. Such conditions will provide a greater likelihood that the seedling will take root and begin to bear fruit.

Preparatory stage

Now let's look at how to grow a plum from a seed. Initially, planting material must be prepared.

Such a procedure is as follows:

Planting in a pot

Having considered First stage, allowing you to understand how to grow a plum from a stone, let's move on to the next one.

Now your planting material needs the following activities:

It should be noted that the tree does not need special conditions. If you provide him with the same care as anyone else houseplant, then the plum will quickly please with its sprouts.

Transplant to the ground

If you have provided proper care for the growing plants, then by autumn, medium-sized seedlings will form from your seeds. They can already be planted on the site.

Rest assured that the growing process will take approximately 4 years. And the tree will please with fruits only after 5-6 years. Initially, the plums will be quite small. However, year after year their size will increase.

The second option for growing a seedling

If you are confused by such a long process, it can be greatly accelerated.

Consider another method on how to grow a plum from a stone at home:

Site selection

When thinking about how to grow a tree from a plum seed, you need to consider a few more important points:

• It is best to plant a seedling on a small hill. Plum is a lover of sunlight. Therefore, to get a great harvest, provide her with a bright area.
• It is recommended to plant trees along the fence. Like many plants, plums do not like drafts. It is along the fence or barn that it is easier to find calm places.
• Northern areas are preferred for plums. Because it is on them that the snow lingers longer.

Required soil

Now let's talk about soil.

Gardeners, explaining how to grow a plum from a stone, are advised to follow the rules:

Third landing method

Experienced gardeners do not use long preparatory stages. They plant the seeds directly in the open ground.

However, the seed with this approach needs protection. Therefore, mouse poison is laid out around the planting. After all, rodents are very fond of germinated seeds.

Unfortunately predict weather impossible. And, therefore, there is no guarantee that seedlings will appear in the spring. Sometimes the first sprouts sprout from the seeds after 1.5 years.

Grow from the bone a healthy and fruitful plum is possible. This is a fascinating process, consisting of many details that determine the success of the event.

It is important to choose the right planting material and properly prepare it for landing, simulating as much as possible natural conditions development.

How to grow a plum at home: the necessary steps

Selection of planting material

It is important to immediately determine for yourself that planting a stone of a plum you like and growing a fruit tree with similar fruits is difficult. This is possible only with vegetative propagation.

The reason for this is cross-pollination by insects, during which pollen from different varieties is mixed. This changes the genetics of the fetus and bone.

Often such planting materials give the most unexpected results. The gardener can instead cultivated plant grow a wild plum with sour and unsuitable fruits in the country. In some cases, fruiting is completely absent.

Varieties and hybrids of plum species differ in the necessary qualities:

• Ussuri;
• Canadian;
• Chinese.

For the cultivation of plums from the stone, seeds of ripe fruits, trees adapted to local climatic conditions are selected.

If the purpose of planting a stone is to grow a frost-resistant scion for heat-loving crops, you can plant a seed of any zoned plum variety.

Only with the full ripening of the fruit in the stone is a full-fledged embryo formed, on which the germination and strength of the plant depend in the future. So seeds of ripe fruits are selected for planting, trees adapted to local climatic conditions.

It is better to select a few bones, so you can guarantee maximum germination and choose a strong seedling for planting in open ground.

How to germinate a bone: stratification

An important stage in the reproduction of plums from the stone is stratification. This is keeping the planting material in cold and humid conditions, which allows the seed to germinate, provokes the growth of the embryo and the subsequent rupture of the shell for its access to light.

As a substrate for stratification, you can choose:

• crushed moss;
• sawdust;
• coarse river sand;
• perlite;
• lowland peat.

Stratification - keeping the planting material in cold and humid conditions, which allows the seed to germinate

After selecting the substrate, it is moistened and treated with a solution from potassium permanganate and water (5 g / 1 l). Humidity inside the substrate should be at least 60%.

To check it, you can squeeze it in your hand. If everything is normal, a small amount of moisture will be released, and the substrate will retain its shape.

Before being placed in the substrate, the bones are kept for 3 days in water., filling them to half the height.

During this period, it is necessary to change the water every day and turn the bones. When the seeds are completely immersed in water, oxygen access to the embryo is disrupted, which can lead to its death.

Soaking promotes swelling of the membranes and washes out inhibitors - substances that delay the germination of embryos.

In the stratification tank, it is necessary to make side holes for air exchange, this will prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases. For the same purpose, the bones are placed at a distance from each other. The surface is covered with polyethylene or glass.

Correct stratification- maintaining a certain temperature for periods. These are the steps:

1. warming up. Seed aging in the substrate for 15 days at a temperature of +15°-+20°C. It is optimal to put the container in any warm place.
2. cooling. The temperature drops to +1°-+5°С. This period lasts 60-80 days. The container with the bones is removed to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
3. Presowing. The temperature is lowered to 0°-1°C for 20-35 days. The container can be removed cold cellar. The level of germination strongly depends on compliance with this stage.

In this period moisture needs to be controlled.. When mold appears, the substrate is sprayed with a 3% solution of potassium permanganate.

The readiness of the bone for planting can be judged along the cracked shell. It is important to plant it as soon as possible in a comfortable place of temporary development.

Growing a seedling

For planting seeds for seedlings, it is necessary prepare handy potty with a diameter of at least 20 cm. The containers are disinfected with a 3% formalin solution.

At the bottom, a drainage layer of expanded clay or broken brick 3-5 cm layer, laid on top thin layer coarse sand and charcoal. Thus, a drain is provided excess moisture and root aeration.

An ideal soil mixture is a combination of components that create all conditions for favorable development for the roots of seedlings. This is an optimal air exchange, moisture capacity and a balance of trace elements, which together inhibit the growth of fungi and mold.

A substrate of components mixed in equal parts has such properties:

• humus;
• leaf land or peat;
• vermiculite.

0.5 parts of calcined river sand or perlite.

The substrate is placed in a pot and watered abundantly. The bone is placed in the center of the container, deepening by 5 cm. After that, the pot must be wrapped with polyethylene. This creates soft greenhouse conditions, and the sprout will appear within 45 days.

For the proper development of the seedling at home, it is necessary to maintain optimal conditions lighting, watering, fertilizing

During this period, the container must be ventilated every day, lifting the covering material. Humidification is carried out with a spray gun every other day.

For the proper development of the seedling at home, it is necessary to maintain optimal conditions:

1. Lighting. The container is placed on a well-lit window sill without direct sunlight on the seedling. The ideal option is the southwest direction. In darkened rooms, it is advisable to install fluorescent lamps or enhance the reflection of the sun's rays by the side mirrors.
2. Microclimate. The optimum temperature for seedlings is +20-+25°C. It is important to monitor the humidity of the air. In dry rooms, you need to spray the air around the pot more often.
3. Watering. Abundant but rare. It is enough to moisturize twice a week. The water must be room temperature and definitely defended. A tray of water can be placed under the pot until the substrate is completely saturated with moisture.
4. top dressing. From the moment the first sprouts appear until the end of the growing season, it is necessary to make three top dressings with nitrogenous fertilizers. To do this, you can use a solution ammonium nitrate and water (30 g/10 l). Approximate consumption per plant 100 ml.
5. picking. In the period from the cotyledon state to the appearance of two true leaves, you need to pinch 1/3 of the length of the root. This activates the formation of a strong and branched root system. After that, the seedling is planted in a new nutrient substrate, watered abundantly and shaded.

So that a wild culture does not grow from a seedling, it is transplanted into a new soil mixture and into a wider container every three months. A young tree can be transplanted into open ground a year after planting the seed.

Pre-hardening. A week before planting, every day they keep a seedling on fresh air for 3-5 hours.

Transplanting a seedling in open ground

Ideal for planting plums well-lit site with a gentle slope directed to the south or south-west direction. On such a site there is good aeration and stable heating of the soil.

In a low-lying area, a hill formation 50 cm high and a base width of 100 cm will be required.

Groundwater must lie below 3 m, otherwise anaerobic conditions are created for the roots, which lead to rot and prevent full development.

A plum seedling can be transplanted into open ground a year after planting the seed

Preparing the site for the future tree

If a seedling transplant is planned for the spring, a plot for a fruit tree is prepared in the fall.

When planting in autumn, this must be done in early summer.. During this time, the soil will settle, structure, and complex mineral compounds will take on easily digestible forms.

The site must be dug up by 35 cm and fertilized per 1 m2:

• manure or compost 6 kg;
• superphosphate 60 g;
• potassium salt 30 g.

After that, a planting pit is formed, on the quality of which the first 2 years of seedling development depend. The optimal depth of the pit is 60 cm, and the diameter is 80-100 cm. To minimize the strong shrinkage of the soil, the walls of the pit are formed sheer.

The upper part of the soil taken out of the pit is deposited separately, it will be needed to form the substrate. At a distance of 30 cm from the center of the pit, a stake is stuck, a seedling will be tied to it.

Soil mixture for filling the hole:

• manure 2 buckets;
• river sand 2 buckets;
• superphosphate 30 g;
• potassium sulfate 20 g.

The rest is supplemented with deferred sod land. With high acidity, 300 g of limestone is added to the soil.

How to plant a seedling

At the bottom of the landing pit form a hill from the prepared soil mixture. During the arrangement of the seedling, it is necessary to spread all the roots over the surface of the substrate. Curves in the upward direction should be avoided.

By adjusting the height, you need to focus on the root neck, it should be 5 cm above the soil level. This prevents its subsequent deepening under the influence of shrinkage.

When planting a plum seedling, you need to focus on the root collar, it should be 5 cm above the soil level

While falling asleep plum roots it is important to prevent the formation of voids. To do this, periodically shake the stem of the seedling.

After planting, the soil surface is compacted, the seedling is watered abundantly and tied to a stake soft material. The trunk circle is mulched with sawdust or peat.

Care after landing in the country

In the first two years of development of a young plum, fertilizers are not needed.. For the full nutrition of the tree, there are enough elements that are brought into the planting pit. The trunk circle must be kept in a constantly loose state, removing all weeds.

Young trees are especially sensitive to damage to the bark. Therefore, it is not necessary to allow friction of the barrel to the stake.

It is important to monitor the appearance of overgrowth at the level of the trunk or from the roots. Extra shoots take away a lot of nutrients and the ability of the seedling to develop fully, so they are immediately cut out.

Young trees are especially attractive to caterpillars and aphids. Their activity greatly affects the growth of the seedling. With moderate damage, the plum can be washed with ash soapy water.

If the defeat of the seedling is large-scale, you need to apply chemicals: "Karbofos", "Aktellik", "Aktara".

The seedling needs ensure regular hydration. Water should penetrate up to 40 cm deep. The frequency of watering must be adjusted based on climatic conditions. It is important to prevent severe drying, to which the plum reacts very painfully.

Care is required for a young plum: watering, protection from insects, preparation for winter

Young plums need to be carefully prepared for the first winter.. A layer of mulch is laid at least 30 cm. All branches of the seedling are grouped and tightly fixed to the stake.

Need until December wrap the stem of the plum with warm and breathable material. This will prevent the appearance of frost cracks - cracks that appear under the influence of temperature changes. In addition, the seedling will be insulated by pulling snow.

Young trees are attractive to rodents., which are especially active during the winter season in search of food. To protect the seedling, it is covered with spruce branches on all sides. Additionally, they are treated with a mixture of mullein and clay (1: 1), the pungent smell of which repels pests.

Plums planted from the stone begin to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting. The fruiting and quality of the fruits also depend on the attentive attitude to the tree during all periods of its development.

Therefore, it is important to follow all the rules of care, periodically carry out preventive work and inspect the tree, appearance which always signals internal problems.

Plums are used for making jams, compotes, pastries, second courses, as well as in fresh, therefore, this plant is sure to be in the collection of every amateur gardener. Below we will tell you about how to grow a plum from a stone and what stages this laborious process is divided into.

Seed collection

In order for an event with the cultivation of a plum tree at home to be successful, first of all, you need to select and properly prepare the seed material. When buying plums for sprouting, pay attention to the origin of the product. Imported fruits will most likely not work in an unfamiliar climate. It is best to buy ripe and soft plums in the markets from local residents in order to immediately increase the survival rate of the future tree.

Use the pulp of the fruit for its intended purpose, and leave the bones. They will need to be thoroughly rinsed and completely cleaned of the remnants of the pulp. Then place the pit on a windowsill or anywhere else that is sunny, dry, and warm. The bones will dry out for a few days. Now it's time to get the core, the seed itself. To do this, use a nutcracker. Be careful not to crush the seed.

In order for the plum from the stone to germinate with a high degree of probability, the seeds will need to be checked for suitability. Take a glass of water at room temperature and place the seeds in it. Fertile seeds will fall to the bottom, while the empty ones will float on the surface.

Video "How to grow a plum yourself"

How to germinate a seed

The first stage of germinating plum tree seeds at home is called stratification. This is a slow growing method. low temperatures. It is necessary to carry out the procedure before winter, no later than November, so that the seeds are ready by the time they are planted in open ground. Take a tight plastic bag, a small bowl, or glass jar and fill the container with fertile compost.

The soil should be moist, but not wet. Now put the seeds in a jar and shake it well. Such manipulation will help to make the soil loose and evenly distribute the seed material in the ground. The prepared container with seeds is sent to the refrigerator with a temperature of + 2- + 4 ° С. Thus, future plums should be stratified for 5-6 months. Planting of prepared seeds is carried out in mid-May.

Now you need to properly select and prepare a site in the garden. The place should be comfortable, sunny and quite spacious so that it is convenient to mulch and cover the young shoots with burlap or film in case of frost. It should be noted that temperatures below 0 ° C have an extremely negative effect on tree sprouts.

The earth must first be fertilized to a depth of 30-40 centimeters. For 1 square meter of land, you will need 50 grams of superphosphate, 50 grams of potassium salt and 2-3 kilograms of humus. The sowing depth should be about 6-7 centimeters, and the distance between the seeds should be at least 5-6 meters. In the prepared holes, carefully lay out the seeds that have been stored in the refrigerator all winter. Before planting, they should already have elastic white roots. Fill the holes with soil and water well. In the future, make sure that the landing does not dry out and is protected from all kinds of negative external factors.

From seed to tree

First of all, it should be noted that at least 4-5 years will pass from the moment the seed is collected to the receipt of the tree. The grown plant will begin to bear fruit only for 5-6 years. In this case, the first harvest, most likely, will not impress you with its quality. In the first year of fruiting, plums grow small. But if they did appear, then in subsequent years the tree will definitely delight you with juicy and sweet fruits.

When the first shoots appear on the surface of the earth, it is important to ensure that the plant forms an even trunk. The shoots, which still continue to grow by autumn, are pinched in early September so that the tree can endure the winter more easily. In cold weather, a young plum must be insulated. It is better to postpone the formation of the crown until the first abundant harvest appears.

Growing a plum from a stone, there is always a chance that it will not turn out to be a fruitful cultivated tree, but a game with small and sour plums. To prevent this from happening, experienced gardeners recommend germinating the seeds first in a pot and carrying out several transplants throughout the year. Only after that, a stronger tree is planted in open ground.

Video "Plum in a cold climate"

From the video you will learn how to grow a plum and others fruit trees in cold climates.

The plum tree was one of the first people to cultivate. Growing plums from seed is a fascinating process. The main thing is to choose the right planting material and follow the rules of care.

A stone for planting must be taken from fully ripe plums.

Selection of planting material

Propagation of plums in a vegetative way allows you to get the same daughter tree, and when grown from a stone, you will not be able to get the same fruits as the mother plant. The reasons for this phenomenon lie in cross-pollination. Insects carry pollen from other plant varieties, which contributes to the change in the genetic characteristics of the plum tree.

Is it possible to grow a plum from a stone so that it gives full-fledged fruits will depend on the planting material. Sometimes, planting a stone from a sweet large fruit, you can germinate wild plums that are completely unsuitable for food, and sometimes not fruiting at all.

In order for the plum from the stone to please the gardener with delicious juicy fruits, it is necessary to give preference to planting material from parent plants that are capable of suppressing all the genetic characteristics of other varieties during cross-pollination. Ussuri, Chinese and Canadian plums have such features. In cold regions, it is better to give preference to any zoned variety.

Germination of planting material depends on the degree of maturity of the fruit. Only with full maturation, embryos are formed in the seeds that can give strong sprouts. It would be better to choose two or three bones. This will guarantee the most productive germination: it will allow you to grow the strongest seedling for subsequent planting in open ground.

Bone stratification

Before you grow a plum in the country, you need to stratify. The stratification process involves keeping the seed in a cool, moist environment for a certain amount of time. This allows you to increase the resistance of the plant to temperature changes and quickly germinate the culture. The seed will tend to the light source, so it will break through the protective shell faster.

To carry out the manipulations, you will need to select the soil. It is recommended to give preference to low-lying peat, sawdust or coarse river sand. Then you need to bring the humidity level inside the substrate to 60%. To do this, the soil is treated with a weak solution of manganese and moistened.

To check if the soil is moist, squeeze it in the palm of your hand. If a small amount of liquid is released, and the substrate retains its shape, then you have achieved the desired effect.

The bones must be kept in water for 72 hours until they are placed in the ground. The seed should be half covered with water. It needs to be turned over regularly. This process makes it possible to wash out inhibitors that inhibit growth and increase the volume of the shells.

In a pot for stratification, you need to make drainage holes not only from below, but also on the sides. This will improve air exchange and prevent the seed from becoming moldy. The bones should be placed at a distance from each other, and cover the vessel with polyethylene.

Stratification is divided into 3 stages.

1. Warming up
2. Cooling.
3. Pre-sowing treatment.

For 15 days, the bones are kept at a temperature of 15–20 °C, for 60–80 days at a temperature of 1–5 °C, for 20–35 days the temperature is maintained at 0 to –1 °C. Don't forget to control the humidity. If mold appears, treat the soil with a 3% manganese solution. When the shell cracks, the seed must be quickly transplanted.

After pinching, the seedling is transplanted into another pot with fertilized soil.

Growing a seedling

Before planting a plum seed at home, you need to prepare an appropriate pot. Its diameter must be at least 20 cm. The containers must be disinfected with a fungicide. Don't forget the drainage layer. Expanded clay or crushed brick is suitable for this.

How to grow a plum from a seed:

1. lay a layer of coarse-grained sand on expanded clay;
2. this is followed by a layer of soil mixture of humus, peat and vermiculite;
3. the seed should be deepened into the soil by 5 cm;
4. after that, it is necessary to create a greenhouse effect by wrapping the pot with polyethylene.

In order to get a full-fledged sprout after 45 days, the container is installed on a well-lit windowsill. The ideal temperature regime is 20–25 °С. Watering spend 1-2 times a week, focusing on the humidity of the room. Use water at room temperature, separated. It is better to water by soldering. To do this, place the pot in a container filled with water and hold it there for 20 minutes.

When the first shoots appear, you can begin to feed the plants with nitrogenous fertilizers. Before the end of the active growing season, 3 top dressings should be carried out. One plant will need 100 ml of ammonium nitrate dissolved in water. Alternatively, wood ash can be used.

At the time of the appearance of two defective leaves, pinch the sprout. This will improve the branching of the root system. After that, the seedling must be planted in a new, pre-fertilized soil, covered a little from the sun to allow it to recover.

At home, transplantation is carried out every 90 days. Each time, take the pot wider by 2-3 fingers. On the open area the tree can be transplanted after a year.

Transplantation in open ground

The plum tree is best planted in a well-lit area, with good soil aeration. The ideal option is the southwestern slope. If you are going to plant a tree in a lowland, then first form a hill 50 cm high, with a base width of 1 m. It is not recommended to plant a plum in places of close accumulation ground water.

Preparing the site for the future tree

After growing the sprout at home, transplantation can be carried out in open ground in spring or autumn period. The land on the site must be prepared in advance, 4-6 months before transplantation.

Dig the ground 35 cm deep. Then deposit organic fertilizers, superphosphates and potassium salt.

Start shaping the hole. Its depth should be at least 60 cm, diameter about 1 m. Form sheer walls in the hole to reduce the risk of soil shrinkage. At a distance of 30 cm from the hole, place a peg to which you will tie the seedling.

To fill the hole, you will need to mix the earth. Components:

1. compost;
2. coarse sand;
3. superphosphates;
4. potassium sulfate;
5. soil taken out of the hole when digging.

After tamping the earth into the hole, water the soil abundantly

Proper planting of seedlings

Before transplanting, it is necessary to harden the culture for a week so that it does not die from the temperature difference in the street. To do this, periodically expose the pot with the sprout to the street, first only during the day, then in the evening and at night.

It is also necessary to properly transplant the plant into open ground so that it can develop a strong root system and bear fruit in the future. Make sure that all the roots are straightened and do not crumple when immersed in the hole.

Focus on the position of the root neck. It must be placed 5 cm above the level of the soil mixture. When filling the hole with soil, periodically shake the stem to avoid the appearance of voids at the roots. Tamp the surface of the soil and water abundantly. Then tie up the sprout. Mulch the soil around the trunk with fresh grass or peat.

Care after landing

During the first two years, the tree does not need to be fertilized. It will be enough of those nutrients that you introduced into the soil before planting. Loosen and mulch the soil after each watering. Don't forget to remove weeds. Watering is carried out depending on the dryness of the climate, moisture should penetrate into the soil by 40 cm. Do not allow it to dry out, otherwise the plant will not be able to bear fruit in the future.

Insecticide is used to control caterpillars and aphids

Protect the young tree from mechanical damage. If the bark is damaged, the plant begins to hurt and may dry out. In time, pinch extra sprouts that break through at the root or at the level of the trunk.

When caterpillars and aphids appear in small quantities, treat with soapy water. If there are more pests, use tools such as Karbofos or Aktara.

Before wintering, the plum must be carefully prepared. Line the sawdust around the trunk, the thickness of their layer should be 30 cm, cover with dry leaves on top. Wrap the barrel with a warm cloth that allows air to pass through well. If winters are snowy in your area, a mound of snow will help to additionally warm the plum.

Conclusion

cultivation plum pits in home - painstaking work. But, if everything is done correctly, the tree will bear fruit abundantly and delight the eye with its greenery. The culture is quite picky, so decide in advance on the landing site and take care of reliable insulation for the winter.

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From the bone, you can replenish your collection fruit trees new and original copy.

The method of propagation by cuttings is also popular, accessible even to a novice breeder.

The method of grafting a plum into an apricot split also gives excellent results.

Having tried all the options, you can get an original fruit tree that can please with a bright taste and aroma of ripe fruits in a few years.

Plum from the stone - the easiest way to grow
You can grow a stone fruit tree with fragrant and healthy different ways. Among the most popular of them is reproduction by bones (seeds). When choosing this method, keep in mind that top scores obtained by choosing varieties such as:

• Far Eastern
• Chinese
• Ussuri
• Canadian

Other varieties can either give the breeder a result in the form of small fruits, or the trees will refuse to bear fruit at all.

Cold stratification

The cold stratification process will accelerate the swelling of the surface tissues and facilitate germination. It is important not only to keep the bone in the refrigerator, but also to prevent the tissue in which it was wrapped from drying out.

Otherwise, the long process (from October to March) will be meaningless. In the cold, the bone can be placed not only in fabric, but also in sawdust or a moisture-permeable (50% sand) substrate.

Growing a seedling

The swollen and cracked bone is planted in an ordinary pot filled with moistened soil.

Experienced breeders often prefer sowing seeds directly on the plot in a place protected from the cold wind. The main advantage of this method is stratification, which takes place in natural conditions.

Be sure to protect the bones from mice that strive to pull apart the bones before turning them into seedlings. It should be borne in mind that in the conditions of the street, the bones germinate quite unevenly, and some even die. Among the seedlings, there may be the first spring seedlings, and those that will sprout only after 1.5 years.

Planting a seedling in the ground

In autumn, a small seedling is planted in the garden. Plants dive, counting that each of them should be located in a square of at least 40x40 cm (preferably 60x60). Only after the second wintering of the seedlings in the ground will it become clear which of them will become a fruit-bearing tree, and which will die. To form a high-quality root system, seedlings are regularly watered, since the shortest drought can lead to their death.

Strong seedlings are planted in a permanent place. Plum is quite unpretentious. However, when choosing a site for planting, it is necessary to choose soil with high humidity. For this purpose, medium-clay and clay soils high in calcium. Acidic soils inhibit growth and do not allow good harvest.

Propagation of plum cuttings

The second popular method is propagation of plum cuttings. It is quite laborious, but productive. Cuttings are prepared in the first decade of July, when the shoots are just beginning to harden and turn red.

Cut off in the early morning or evening on the mother bush, the shoots are immediately placed in the water. Further, cuttings (20-30 cm) with several leaves are cut from each of them. The cuttings are treated with a growth stimulator, for example, heteroauxin, and left for 14-18 hours. Their ends should be immersed in the solution by 10-12 cm.

Land for planting is prepared as follows:

• the beds are covered with peat with sand with a 10-centimeter layer
• the leveled surface is covered with a 2-cm layer of coarse-grained river sand
• in the morning, the soil is watered and flavored with a fertilizer solution (1 tsp superphosphate per 10 liters of water)

The cuttings sit vertically to the bottom sheet to a depth of 3 cm. The distance between future seedlings should be 5-7 cm. The beds are covered with foil. It is necessary to ensure that the temperature in the mini-greenhouse is 25-30 degrees. The cuttings are protected from direct sunlight and watered 2 times a day.

After 12-18 days (in difficult-to-root varieties after 30-40), adventitious roots form on the cuttings. From now on, the temperature in the greenhouse can be reduced by periodically airing the greenhouse, lifting the film. In mid-October, the beds are sprinkled with dry leaves or peat (5-10 cm). This will keep future seedlings until spring.

Gardeners often use the method of reproduction stone fruit trees root cuttings.

You should follow a few simple rules:

• It is necessary to choose an old tree (the older it is, the better the result will be) and dig out part of the roots at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from the trunk. The diameter of the roots should not exceed 1.5 cm, and their optimal length is 15 cm.
• The roots dug out in the autumn are stored in the basement, wrapped in moss and wet sawdust.
• Aged cuttings in early May are planted under soil consisting of peat and sand (3: 1), covered with foil and constantly watered. It is important to protect cuttings from direct sunlight, wind and cold before rooting.
• The next year, the seedlings are transplanted and grown to a height of 1.5 m. Only after that, the seedlings are taken out into the garden to a permanent place of deployment.

Plums of the following varieties propagate well with cuttings: Hungarian Moscow, Tula black, Early ripening red, Memory Timiryazev.

Landing in the ground

Before planting a seedling, prepare a foundation pit. This must be done at least two weeks before the event. The site, located in a place protected from the cold wind, is dug up (approximately to the depth of a spade bayonet). If necessary (if the soil is acidic), a deoxidizer is added for digging ( dolomite flour or ash in the calculation of 700 g/m2). Next, a hole is dug (60 cm deep and 70 cm in diameter).

Fertile (lower) and infertile (upper) layers are discarded separately - this soil will come in handy when planting.

A stake is driven into the center of the resulting pit, which should rise 1.5 meters above the level of the site.

The bottom of the pit is crumbling fertile soil mixed with peat or humus in a ratio of 1: 1. The seedling must be inspected before planting.

A viable plant has a trunk without bifurcations, bark without damage, root system not damaged or overdone.

The seedling is carefully placed on a hill around the peg, the roots are leveled and covered with earth (infertile) mixed with organic matter. equal parts. It is important to ensure that there are no voids. The root neck should remain 3-5 cm above the ground level. The seedling is watered with several buckets of water. After the earth settles, the trunk circle is mulched with peat.

Plum propagation by grafting

Among breeders, the method of propagating stone fruit trees by grafting is actively used, for example, a plum grafted onto an apricot or plum. The method requires a professional approach and is available, first of all, to experienced gardeners. When grafting, a part of another plant is attached to the seedling. This allows you to improve pollination and create optimal conditions for fruiting.

But most importantly, vegetative way reproduction allows you to get fruits of several varieties on one tree at once, which makes it possible to save the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe garden without compromising quality. Breeders recommend not to do more than 8 vaccinations on one tree.

On the day of vaccination, the tree is cut, the cuts are cleaned with a knife edge. The place of future vaccination is wiped with a cloth (wet). It is important that a kidney remains on the opposite side, which will help attract the maximum amount of nutrient juices to the joint. The graft cutting is cleaned with a damp cloth and the middle part of the shoot with 3-4 buds is cut off obliquely. Any contact with the cut must be avoided. Careless touching with hands can lead to infection and the cutting will not take root on the tree.

Reproduction in a split on a rootstock

When grafting a plum into a split on a rootstock, you should use a pruner to shorten the second-order stock - the branch to which the grafting will be carried out. The end of the branch slowly and accurately splits sharp knife to a depth of about 3-4 cm. Opposite oblique cuts are made on the graft handle, one of which should pass in the kidney area.

The resulting wedge must fully correspond to the split on the rootstock branch. The cutting is inserted into the crevice. If the cut size allows, several cuttings can be grafted at the same time. The graft is tightly fixed with electrical tape, the open ends of the branches are coated with garden pitch. The var must not get caught in the split, as this will slow down the healing of the graft.

Improved Copulation Method

The cupulation method used by gardeners when grafting plums has also proven itself to be excellent, and. It is important to choose a cutting (graft) and a branch (stock) of almost the same diameter. Identical oblique sections are made on them, after which the components of the vaccination are connected, tied and processed with garden pitch.

Improved (English) cupulation is the most reliable method of plum grafting. In addition to the main cuts, small incisions (tongues) are made on the stock and scion, which make the grip as reliable as possible. The tongues wind up behind each other, linking the branches into a lock. The connection is fixed with electrical tape and treated with pitch.

Plum care after vaccination

Behind the ends of the cuttings and branches after grafting, special care is needed. Experienced gardeners recommend putting bags (made of polyethylene or paper) over the vaccinations and securing them with ropes. The size of the strappings is 10-15 cm longer than the handle itself. This cover will keep optimal microclimate and help speed up recovery.

Plum is one of the most common fruit crops, which can reach 10 meters in height. It is believed that the plum we are used to is the result of a natural crossing of blackthorn and cherry plum. Modern scientists have bred many hybrids that differ in the shape of the fruit and the fruiting period.

You will find complete information on planting, growing and caring for plums in the article. We have described in detail the basic rules and features of cultivation fruit crop, and picked up photos and videos that will help novice gardeners grow a fertile tree.

Plum: care and cultivation

The care and cultivation of plums largely depends on the variety of the crop. Species with oblong fruits are called Hungarian, and round plums are called renklods. As a rule, it is grown on low-stem, semi-stem and high-stem forms. The crown can be shaped like a fan or pyramid. Palmette or cordon is not suitable for this culture.

Figure 1. Popular plum varieties: 1 - Voronezh Hungarian, 2 - Volga beauty, 3 - Eurasia-21, 4 - Record

Common varieties include(picture 1):

• Voronezh Hungarian bears brown-blue sweet fruits, in which the stone is easily separated. Is different high yield, but low winter hardiness;
• Volga beauty. The fruits are oval in shape, purple-red in color and sweet and sour in taste. Differs in high productivity and average winter hardiness. Harvest is removed in several steps, as it ripens unevenly;
• Eurasia-21 is distinguished by round maroon fruits with a slight bluish bloom. The taste is sweet and sour, the stone does not separate well;
• The award is suitable for growing on black soil. The fruits are oval, have a dark red color and a sweet and sour taste, rather large in size;
• The record is distinguished by black-blue oval fruits with a well-separated stone. Up to 15 kg of crop can be harvested per season;
• Kolkhozny renklod brings sour-sweet round fruits of yellow-green color. They are small, but up to 25 kg of crop can be harvested per season (Figure 2);
• Renklod Tambov: round red-violet fruits weighing up to 25 grams. The tree is characterized by medium winter hardiness and good yield;
• Early-growing is characterized by round bright red fruits. Differs in high productivity and winter hardiness;
• Early maturing red is distinguished by oval elongated fruits of dark red color. The stone separates well, but the yield is average;
• Smolinka - a tree with oval fruits of purple-blue color. Winter hardiness and average yield (up to 20 kg per tree);
• Tula black is an unusual culture with oval fruits of a black and blue hue. During the season, you can collect up to 40 kg from one tree.

Figure 2. Varieties of plums: 1 - kolkhoz renklod, 2 - early ripening red, 3 - tarry, 4 - Tula black

A separate type is the blackthorn, which is characterized by low growth and high endurance. It has a characteristic tart taste and blue-black color. There are other types of thorns different colors(for example, damascene or mirabelle). Similar to plum and cherry plum, which is often used as a rootstock.

Conditions

For cultivation choose powerful soils with high ability retain moisture. The soil around the tree is regularly cleared of weeds, but it is not recommended to loosen frequently, as this promotes the formation of root shoots.

Figure 3. Recommendations for choosing a place for planting a crop

To get a regular harvest, plant the crop in a frost-protected area, and for high-quality ripening, it must be well lit. Varieties intended for processing can also be planted in shaded areas. If a tree is planned to be planted against a wall, it is better to choose a southern or western direction, and only thorns can be planted against eastern or even northern walls. Figure 3 shows recommendations for planting plums in relation to other trees, shrubs, buildings and fences. From the video you will learn practical recommendations for choosing a place and planting plum seedlings.

rules

The selection of seedlings is focused on the size of the garden. For small areas, the semi-dwarf rootstock St. Julian A is suitable. There are also popular rootstocks of cherry plum B and Brompton, but for most gardens on household plots they are too high.

Figure 4. Seedlings of different quality and age

If it is planned to grow a low or high standard form, as well as a tree with a fan crown, buys a partially formed seedling. Only one-year-old seedlings are suitable for crown formation in the form of a dwarf pyramid. Figure 4 shows seedlings of various ages and qualities.

Peculiarities

At the beginning of autumn, all perennial weeds are removed in the area where the plum will be placed. Before planting, bone meal and mineral fertilizers are applied, and if the soil is too light, it is supplemented with rotted manure or compost.

Plum is planted during the dormant period of the root system, that is, in spring or autumn. But if the seedling was grown in a separate pot or tub, planting can be done in the summer. Landing recommendations are as follows (Figure 5):

• Dig a hole. Its width and depth should correspond to the size of the root system;
• If the tree is planned to be grown in an open area, a supporting stake is driven into the ground;
• For trees with a fan crown, a system of wire supports is formed, which are stretched horizontally at a distance of 15 cm from each other;
• The distance between trees should be at least 5.5 meters.

Figure 5. Recommendations for planting seedlings

Supports - necessary condition cultivation for the first five years. However, if the tree is planted in an open area not protected from the winds, the supports are left for more long term. High standard forms require additional supports with a horizontal bridge.

How to plant a plum from the stone

Growing a plum seedling from a stone is a very laborious process that requires certain rules to be observed. You will learn how to plant a plum from a stone correctly in this section.

What you need to know

First of all, you need to choose the right planting material. It is better to collect seeds from local varieties of trees, as imported fruits will not take root in the new climate. For cultivation, pick ripe soft fruits. Their bones will germinate much faster.

The bone is cleaned of pulp, washed thoroughly and laid out to dry on the windowsill. After that, you need to get the seed itself from the bone. To do this, the upper hard shell is split with nutcrackers (Figure 6).

Note: Before planting, be sure to check the germination of seeds. They are dipped into a glass of water. Quality seeds will fall to the bottom, while bad seeds will float on the surface.

Proper planting of a seed tree begins with the process of seed stratification (germination at low temperature). The best time for it is the end of November. During the winter, the seeds will have time to germinate, and the seedlings will get stronger before spring transplant into the ground.

To germinate a plum seed, you need to do the following:

• A glass jar is filled with moist fertile soil. Spread the seeds on it and shake the container well. This will fill the ground with air and make the soil loose.
• The jar is placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 5 months. During this time, the seeds begin to gradually germinate and harden before planting in the ground.
• Ready seeds can be transplanted into the soil as early as mid-May. The planting site is carefully dug up and fertilized. It is better to choose sunny and wind-protected places.

Figure 6. Growing a seedling from a stone

Only those seeds that have formed roots during the period of storage in the refrigerator can be planted in the ground. Such seeds will later turn into seedlings and mature trees.

Peculiarities

It should be borne in mind that at least five years will pass from the moment of preparation and stratification of seeds and the receipt of an adult tree. In addition, a seedling grown with your own hands from a seed does not bring too much fruit in the first year of fruiting. bountiful harvest. However, when proper care crop yield will be quite high (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Germination of seeds for growing seedlings

After the appearance of the first sprouts, they carefully monitor that the tree trunk is formed evenly. Young shoots formed in autumn are pinched for better wintering of the crop. For the winter, the shoots are insulated and covered with mulch.

Only after the formation of a strong trunk and several side branches with shoots do they begin to form a crown. To do this, pruning is carried out, removing excess and weak shoots.

How to grow plums from cuttings

You can grow a plum not only from the seed, but also by cuttings. To do this, in mid-June, you need to cut young green cuttings. The length of one branch is approximately 20-30 cm. Cutting is best done in the morning in cool weather so that the tree does not experience unnecessary stress. Harvested twigs are immediately placed in water for germination (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Preparing cuttings for planting

It will be better if a few leaves remain on the handle. Such shoots will take root much faster and turn into a full-fledged tree.

If you are interested in how to properly plant a plum from a cutting in the spring, you need to consider that special growth stimulants will help speed up the formation of roots. Similar drugs used instead of ordinary water for germinating cuttings.

You can take any growth stimulator, but it must be diluted with water to reduce the concentration of the drug. It is enough to immerse the cuttings in liquid for 18 hours, and after that they can be moved to a container with clean water.

The author of the video will tell you how to properly harvest and root green culture cuttings.

rules

Grown cuttings are transplanted into open ground according to certain rules. First prepare the soil. To do this, a layer of peat is poured onto the bed, and a layer of sand is on top. Immediately before planting, watering is carried out with water mixed with mineral supplements(Figure 9).

Figure 9. The procedure for planting cuttings in open ground

The distance between the cuttings should be no more than 7 cm, and the depth of the hole should be about 3 cm. From above, the bed is covered with a film or a shelter is built like a greenhouse. Watering is carried out several times a day, and the shelter is removed after about a month.

Conditions

Young seedlings are easily obtained sunburn, therefore, even after removing the shelter, it is recommended to lightly shade them.

The grown seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place after the formation of several side branches (about a year later). A plum bed is fertilized with rotted manure for several months and mineral fertilizers.

Plum: planting and care in the open field

It is advisable to plant a plum in open ground in the spring, until the buds open. In a warm climate, autumn planting is also allowed, in September. Before the onset of cold weather, the seedling will have time to take root and grow stronger.

Plum care in spring, summer and autumn includes standard measures for fruit trees. For each season there are certain activities (Figure 10):

• spring pruning, removing frozen and damaged branches. It is better to carry out the procedure in mid-March, when there are no more severe frosts, but the buds of the tree have not yet had time to open. In April, the soil is loosened on the trunk circles and mineral fertilizers are applied. It is also necessary to whitewash the trunks with lime and carry out preventive spraying against diseases and pests.
• Summer, after flowering is completed, they are re-fertilized with mineral fertilizers. Fruit picking begins at the end of summer. during this period, supports are installed under the branches of the tree so that they do not break under the weight of the fruits.
• autumn fruit collection is completed, the last top dressing is carried out with mineral fertilizers, the trunk is whitewashed with lime solution and young seedlings are covered for the winter.

Figure 10. Plum care in spring, summer and autumn

In winter, it is advisable to cover the trunks with a covering material and lay them around the bait for rodents. This will help protect the tree from pest damage.

Spring plum care

High yields are only possible if the young tree is properly cared for. To do this, water it regularly, fertilize it and protect it from pests and diseases.

• Watering and fertilizing

At the beginning of spring, they are introduced into the soil complex fertilizers and ammonium sulfate. However, if the site has acidic soil, it is replaced with lime-ammonium nitrate. Additionally, the trees are mulched, spreading fertilizers in a layer up to 5 cm so that they do not touch the trunk (Figure 11).

Figure 11. Caring for plum seedlings: 1 - fertilizer, 2 - mulching, 3 - watering

In dry and hot weather, plums are watered every 10 days throughout the growing season. 2.5 liters of water are needed per square meter of area. Excessive irregular watering adversely affects the quality of the fruit: they may crack.

• Frost protection

Regardless of where the plum grows, it is protected from spring frosts. To do this, use burlap or mesh, covering the tree for the night during the flowering period.

• Pollination

Plums begin to bloom very early, especially those growing near the walls. Due to the lack of insects, pollination is carried out by hand, transferring pollen from male flowers to female ones. To do this, you can use a cotton swab or a soft brush. Guidelines for hand pollination are shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12. Procedure for hand pollination

Most species of thorns and cherry plums are capable of self-pollination. In addition, there are similar types of plums, so they can be planted singly.

• Thinning fruits and supporting branches

The plum is freed from excess fruits only after the formation of the stone and only if they greatly burden the branches. If thinning is carried out earlier, the tree will bear fruit defectively.

As a rule, the first thinning is carried out when the fruits reach the size walnut, and the second - when they become twice as large.

Figure 13. Fruit thinning process

It is important that plums should not be plucked when thinning, as this can damage the stalk. Cut them with scissors or secateurs (Figure 13).

To prevent the branches from breaking, they are equipped with additional support. Supports are driven into the ground around the tree at an angle. At their top there should be forks wrapped in burlap. Branches with a lot of fruit can also be tied to the top of a nearby stake. Types of supports for mature trees and seedlings are shown in Figure 14.

Note: Ripe fruits are plucked along with the stalks. Moreover, this process is carried out in several stages, since ripening occurs unevenly.

Figure 14. Types of supports for seedlings and mature trees

Plums are not intended for long-term storage. The maximum allowable period is 2-3 weeks, but in this case, the fruits are removed slightly unripe and stored in a cool, dry place. For storage, they are usually preserved in the form of jams and compotes, as well as dried and frozen.

Experienced gardeners recommend spring preventive treatment with drugs against diseases and pests. Spraying is carried out in early spring, before the start of sap flow. During the summer, watering is carried out periodically if natural precipitation is not enough.

Note: In the process of preparing the tree for wintering, winter watering is additionally carried out, which provides the seedling with the necessary moisture in winter.

Top dressing is one of the main stages of care. Fertilizer application is combined with loosening to nutrients quickly entered the root system.

top dressing

Plums are best fertilized with mineral fertilizers. Organics are applied only once every 3-4 years, using rotted manure or compost for this. nitrogen fertilizers it is better to apply in the fall to activate the growth of the crop. Phosphorus and potassium are added in the fall to prepare the seedling for winter.

An adult culture for the winter can be left without shelter, covering only the trunk circles with mulch. Young seedlings must be covered with mulch or spruce branches. You can wrap the tree with burlap, but not with synthetic material, because under it the culture will begin to rot.

pruning

In no case should the plum be cut in winter, as this increases the risk of a milky sheen. In any case, the trimming points must be covered up.

The trimming of all standard forms is the same. The only difference is that an annual seedling for semi- and high-stem forms is cut less than for low-stem ones.

Pruning is carried out according to the following algorithm(picture 15):

• First year: before bud break, the trunk is cut to the first bud to a height of 1, 1.3 or 1.8 meters (for low-, semi- and high-stem forms, respectively). Sometimes when forming tall trees pruning is postponed in the first year, and only the side branches are shortened so that the central conductor becomes thicker. In summer, several first-order buds are selected, located closer to the top, and the remaining shoots are shortened.
• Second year: select four branches extending at right angles from the trunk. They are shortened by half along the outer kidney. All other branches (including those left in the first year to thicken the trunk) are removed. Also in the second year, all shoots formed below the crown are cut off.
• Third year: the procedure is repeated, and the main purpose of pruning is to allow second-order branches to develop. Select eight strong branches in the fall, and cut them in half in the spring. The branches inside the crown are also shortened.

Figure 15. Pruning a seedling depending on age

In the future, the plum bears fruit well without annual pruning. It may be required only for low-growing species. But dry, damaged branches still have to be removed, as well as regularly thin out the crown if it becomes too thick.

When forming a crown-fan, in the first year, a one-year-old seedling is shortened to a length of 60 cm above the soil (Figure 16). Below this boundary, two branches should be located, directed in opposite directions. All other shoots are shortened to one kidney.

Figure 16. Pruning a tree with a fan crown

At the beginning of summer, the central conductor is directed vertically, and the side branches are directed in opposite directions, tying them to the wire. When the lateral processes reach a length of 50 cm, the central conductor is removed. To stimulate the growth of new shoots, in the second year, branches extending to the side are shortened. Later, several strong shoots are selected on each of them and also tied to a support. In the future, the procedure is repeated to stimulate the growth of shoots.

Figure 17. Formation of a pyramidal plum crown

Figure 17 shows detailed diagram plum slices with pyramidal shape crowns. The video provides practical advice experienced gardeners by pruning plums.

Autumn planting is permissible only in regions with a mild climate. If your area has cold winters, planting will have to be delayed until spring, as young crops will not have time to take root and may die from frost.

For autumn planting it is also necessary to prepare the site in advance: free it from weeds, fertilize and carry out deep digging.

What you need to know

The pit for planting begins to be prepared about two weeks before the seedling is transferred to the ground (Figure 18). The soil can be any, but it is advisable not to choose areas with a close location of groundwater. Excess moisture can cause root rot and seedling death.

Figure 18. Planting pattern in autumn

It is better to choose a site sunny, with protection from cold wind and drafts. Acidic soil is additionally limed.

Peculiarities

An important role in planting is played not only by the correct choice of location and soil preparation. No less important is the choice of seedlings. Its root system should be fresh, without signs of any damage, dryness or decay.

Note: If the roots of the planting material are slightly dry, it can be lowered into water for several hours.

Landing is best done in a mound, poured around a supporting peg. After planting, the seedling is watered abundantly, and when the moisture is absorbed, the soil is slightly compacted and an additional layer of soil is added.

Plum disease and pest control

Plum care in the spring includes pest control. Birds cause great harm to fruit buds and ripened fruits, so it is advisable to cover the tree with a special net. In addition, it is affected by aphids and red fruit mites. To combat them, spraying with nitrofen is used (Figure 19).

Figure 19. The main plum pests: 1 - aphid, 2 - red spider mite, 3 - plum sawfly

If leaf-eating caterpillars appear, spray with karbofos. The same remedy is used to combat the plum sawfly.

When a milky sheen is detected, the diseased branch is cut to the place where healthy wood begins. Sections are covered immediately. If the tree is affected by bacterial cancer, diseased branches are cut and burned, and sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Fruits infected with brown rot are also subject to destruction (Figure 20).

Figure 20. Plum diseases: 1 - milky sheen, 2 - bacterial cancer, 3 - brown fruit rot

Since ancient times, man has admired nature. A piece of the living flora contributed to your site for further care behind him. The article is devoted to the topical issue of growing plums from seeds. The main methods of planting from the stone, planting them in the ground and the features of caring for them will be disclosed.

Gardeners love this crop, as the plum is unpretentious and grows well in a wide variety of areas. But it should be remembered that in order to get a good harvest of fruits, the soil must have high fertility, so it must be moistened.

Reproduction of plums with brushes

It is customary to propagate plums by cuttings, but nowadays it is increasingly practiced to grow these trees from seeds.

Need to take ripe plum and separate the bone. Then rinse thoroughly and remove the remaining pulp. After this stage, the bone is dried on the windowsill or in any sunny place. The bone will dry out in a couple of days, after which you need to remove the core from it.

Note: for planting, you need to use only ripe, mature fruits of plums from trees that grow in your area.

We carefully take it out and check for suitability for growing in the following way: put the nucleolus in a container with water, if it sinks to the bottom, then it is fertile.

Kernel germination

In autumn, we fill a dense container with fertile, moistened compost. Before planting, loosen the soil well and distribute the prepared plum seeds in it.

After that, the seeds must be refrigerated. Please note that the temperature regime should be up to + 4 ° С. This process is called stratification - storing seeds at a certain temperature to speed up their germination. In this state, they should stay up to half a year. Some gardeners in February place the seeds in a vessel with wet sand and put them in the lower sections of the refrigerator.

When the nucleoli from the seeds of the plum begin to hatch, they are planted in a pot with soil and put on the windowsill. The seed prepared in this way is planted in May.

Planting directly into the ground

You can plant plum seeds immediately in the ground. Sow in the soil in autumn, and wait for the first shoots in early summer. Dig up and transplant plums to their final habitat only when the first two leaves appear.

The seedling is planted a year after the appearance of the sprout. If you grew several seedlings, you need to place them not close to each other.

Note: young trees should be planted side by side - due to this, the plants are well pollinated.

Before planting the plant in the soil, you need to make holes, carefully sprinkle with fertilizer and mix with sand.

Good to know: some gardeners plant plums under a currant bush, as the soil is loose there: there will always be enough moisture and direct sunlight will not fall there.

The plum is moved to the prepared hole along with a lump of soil. Thus there will be no risk of damage to the roots. You should tamp the ground a little, insert stakes, tie a small tree.

To grow healthy tree from the bone, you should follow these tips and recommendations:

• choose seeds only from ripened fruits;

• plum seed must be checked for fertility;

• withstand the temperature regime during stratification;

• remove bad sprouts carefully so as not to harm the roots of the remaining plums;

• weak plants should be carefully cut, not torn.

To sprout plums from the pits, you do not need to put in too much effort. This requires a lot of desire and a little patience!

From this video you can learn how to properly dig up plum seedlings:

Every gardener tries to plant this tree on his site without fail. Plum can be grown not only from seedlings, but also from seeds. For this, it is better to use the seeds of the fruits of the Ussuri, Chinese, Canadian and Far Eastern plums. Other varieties may sprout, but the tree will not bear fruit, or the fruits will grow very small.

In this article we want to talk about growing a plum tree from a stone.

If the stones have dried up or been stored (not sown before winter), they should be stratified at a temperature of 0-2 ° C in wet sand or sawdust. The volume of the substrate should be three times larger than the volume of the seeds.

Bones are stratified for five to six months, laid no later than mid-November; sand cherries - fifty to seventy days, lay in the first half of March. Sow in early spring, early May. The soil is prepared in advance, cultivated to a depth of 30-40 cm, fertilized (2-3 kg of humus is added per 1 m 2, 40-60 g of superphosphate and potassium salt for digging each), leveled and rolled.

Seeds are sown in rows every 70-90 cm, in rows - 5-6 cm. The sowing depth on heavy soils is 5-6 cm, on light soils - 6-8 cm.

Care

In the spring, the furrows are heavily watered before and after sowing, after sowing they are mulched with organic matter with a layer of 2-3 cm. sawdust, which does not reduce their germination. On hot days, seedlings are shaded and protected from dry winds (shields). To prevent the curvature of plants, the mulch material should be raked away from the stems in a timely manner.

Thick seedlings are thinned out to 5-6 cm between seedlings in the phase of two or three true leaves, before which they are watered abundantly. Carefully dug seedlings can dive. In late August - early September, pinch the tops of shoots that have not completed growth.

But it must be remembered that in Siberia, especially in snow zones, spring grafting of plums with a cutting is more effective than propagation by sowing seeds.

Attention!

The bones, after being separated from the fruits, are undesirable to overdry, they are stored in slightly damp sand in the shade, in a barn. They are easier and more reliable to sow in the fall, especially on light, sandy loamy soils. On heavy soils, furrows with stones are covered with a light substrate (peat with sand). Bones sown in autumn, in the case of snowless autumn and the beginning of winter, may not sprout in the first spring, but this will happen only after a year.

Solovieva, doctor of agricultural sciences sciences, Novosibirsk, Country club №11