Plum Firefly: variety description, pollinators, planting and care with photo

If you need to choose a highly productive and relatively unpretentious variety, then you should give preference to such a tree as the Firefly plum. It is also valued for its increased immunity to major ailments and parasitic individuals, good frost resistance. To grow a plant that bears abundant fruit and is resistant to adverse environmental factors, you need to know the basic rules of planting and care.

History of Plum Breeding Firefly

The varietal tree with an average ripening period is the result of crossing the Volga beauty and Eurasia 21.The work was carried out at the IV Michurin Research Institute of Genetics and Breeding. The fruit culture was bred by L.E. Kursakova, G.A. Kursakov, R. E. Bogdanov and G.G. Nikiforova. In 2004, the variety passed the state test.

Description of culture

Plum Firefly is practically devoid of flaws, it is positioned as a fruitful and cold-resistant plant. Even novice gardeners can grow it.

The appearance of the tree

Plum The firefly is distinguished by its vigorous growth and the presence of a spreading crown. The tree reaches a height of 5 meters. Medium thickened crown forms an oval shape. Brown-brown shoots have pubescence, they grow thin and straight.

The leaf apparatus is distinguished by its elliptical shape, dark green color and medium size. There is a crenate serration along the edges. The surface of the concave sheet plate is smooth, matte.

Stipules are small, fall off early. Pigmented petioles are also of medium size. The tree at the flowering stage is covered with white small flowers.

Fruit palatability

Plum Firefly forms large fruits. Their color is greenish-yellow, a slight wax coating is visible. The weight of the fruit is 40 grams, the shape is wide-round. There are no difficulties with separating the stone from the pulp. The Firefly Plum is known for its juiciness, sweet and sour taste and pronounced aroma.

The tasting score of the Firefly plum earned 4.5 points. The sugar content of the variety is 13%, acidity - 1%, and dry matter - 14.05%. There are 6 milligrams of ascorbic acid per 100 grams of fruit.

Characteristic

Knowledge of the varietal characteristics of the firefly plum enables the gardener to reap a rich harvest.

How the plant tolerates drought and frost

The firefly plum has a good degree of winter hardiness and drought resistance. It is able to painlessly endure temperature drops to -20 degrees. But young plants are recommended to be additionally protected.

The tree can also survive dry weather, but it is worth supporting it and irrigating it abundantly once every 10-12 days. Not only the lack of moisture has a detrimental effect on the Firefly plum, but also its excess. Excessive moisture in the soil provokes the development of fungal infections.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Due to the high degree of resistance to major diseases, in particular, to moniliosis, rust and clasterosporiasis, Firefly plum is actively grown on an industrial scale. With proper care, fungal diseases are not terrible for the plant. From harmful insects, small aphids can attack a tree.Therefore, the fight against parasites should also be aimed at the destruction of garden ants.

Self-fertile plum or not?

Since the Firefly plum does not belong to the category of self-fertile plants, it needs additional pollination. You need to choose varieties that bloom at the same time as this hybrid.

Pollinator varieties

Renklod productive, Mayak, Kolkhozny Renklod have proved themselves well. Such garden plantations near the Firefly plum will allow you to harvest up to 20 kilograms of crop from one tree.

Flower and yield

The flowering phase at the Firefly plum comes in the 12th-19th of May. The tree begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after being determined for a permanent place. The crop gives within 10-15 years, and lives 25 years.

Unlike other stone fruit crops, the firefly plum produces fruits stably and abundantly. When grown on farms, productivity indicators are almost 112 centners per 1 hectare.

Collection and application of fruits

Given the universal purpose of the fruit, Firefly plum is used both for winter preparations as a raw material and for making desserts. The crop is not prone to cracking, it can be transported over long distances. Commodity and consumer qualities of Firefly plum are high.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

When growing the Firefly plum, the following positive characteristics of it were noticed:

• large-fruited;
• excellent taste;
• universal use of fruits;
• resistance to drought, frost;
• high productivity;
• increased immunity to major ailments and parasitic individuals;
• harvest transportability;
• not demanding care.

Plum Firefly attracts the attention of gardeners with its prospects and the absence of serious shortcomings. The only drawback of the plant is the dependence of yield indicators on the presence of pollinating varieties on the site.

Planting a tree in the area

In order to initially create the most comfortable conditions for growth, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the basic rules for planting Firefly plums in more detail.

Disembarkation dates

Climatic conditions of a particular region influence the choice of planting dates for the Siwa Firefly. If planting seedlings will be carried out in the southern regions, then it is recommended to do it in the fall, and in the northern regions - in the spring. Preparatory work should be done in advance.

Preparing the seedling

When buying planting material, you should give preference to annual or biennial plants with a well-developed root system. It should not show any signs of mold, signs of damage by pathogenic microorganisms, as well as various kinds of damage.

If the Firefly plum roots are a little dry, they can be kept in a container of water for 2-3 hours. Before planting, they should be treated with a solution of a growth stimulator like Kornevin .

Choosing the best seat

Planting the Firefly Plum is effective in a clearing well lit and protected from through winds. So that the plant is not exposed to the negative effects of cold fog, it is recommended to plant it on a hill. The depth of groundwater at the landing site should be from 1.5 meters. Wetlands are the enemy of fruit crops.

Technology for landing operations

The dimensions of the landing pit for the Firefly plum are: 70 × 70 centimeters, depth 50 centimeters. To enrich the soil with useful components, use 1 bucket of manure, ½ handful of potash fertilizers, 2 handfuls of superphosphate and 1 shovel of wood ash.

In the prepared hole, where a layer of drainage (10 centimeters) has already been laid, a seedling is placed and its straightened roots are carefully sprinkled with soil mixture. To avoid the formation of voids in the hole, it is necessary to lightly tamp the earth. It is not worth deepening the root neck, it should be 5-7 centimeters above ground level.

Watering the Firefly plum should be done through a groove formed in a circle with a depth of 10 centimeters. To preserve moisture and against weeds, a mulch layer of peat or humus, dry earth will help.

Care

Plum Firefly does not cause difficulties in keeping, to maintain its he alth and abundant fruiting, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil, prevent the earth from drying out in the near-trunk circle, make nutritional compounds and protect it from diseases and pests.

Irrigation and fertilization

It is especially important to carry out irrigation activities in the first years after planting. The signal for performing the procedures is the drying of the top layer of the soil. It is enough to make three irrigations per season. Moisturizing the soil is best done in the evening.

Organic fertilizers under the Firefly plum are added 1 time in three years. In autumn, it is recommended to add a mineral complex composition in the same dosage as during planting. Under adult plantations, it is effective to mow the grass and lay it in a near-stem circle.

This technique allows you to both mulch the soil and feed.

Crown Shaping

Manipulations associated with pruning begin from the second year of a tree's life. The crown should be formed taking into account the standard variant characteristic of the plum culture. Every year, the plant should be inspected and all incapacitated branches, shoots with signs of infection, as well as crowns growing inward, should be removed.In order for the wound surface to heal faster and not become a source of problems, it is necessary to disinfect it with garden pitch.

Caring for the trunk circle

It is recommended to loosen the soil after each irrigation to prevent oxygen starvation of the roots. Young shoots should be removed in a timely manner. The soil in the trunk circle after each treatment must be mulched, using 1 bucket of humus for this purpose.

Protection against parasites and diseases

One of the ways to resist pests is whitewashing the trunk. Under adult plantations, staining is carried out and tree trunks are tinned. To prevent the development of diseases and the invasion of parasitic individuals, it is necessary to spray the firefly plum with insecticidal agents. Manipulation is carried out before the beginning of the flowering phase, and repeated - after the ovary.

Once during the season it is recommended to treat the plants with Bordeaux liquid, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions. In addition, fallen leaves are burned to prevent pests from wintering in it.

Preparing the plant for winter

First of all, the earth in the near-trunk circle needs to be dug up to a depth of 30 centimeters and fertilized (humus, wood ash, superphosphate). Plum Firefly should be treated with Bordeaux liquid. Before the onset of cold weather, from 35 liters of water are poured under each planting. Wrap the trunk from rodents with roofing material.

Growing Plum Firefly is not a difficult and profitable occupation. The tree bears fruit steadily, the main thing is to adhere to the correct agricultural practices and not neglect preventive measures against diseases and pests.

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