Cherry plum Soneika: variety description and characteristics, features of planting and care

Plum Cherry Soneyka, bred by Belarusian breeders, is very popular. It is actively grown throughout Russia and Belarus. The variety takes root at low temperatures and is resistant to drought. Soniaka plum loves fertile soils that must be prepared in advance. The fruits are sweet and sour, dense, juicy. The tree gives a great harvest.

History of Soniaka plum breeding

The variety was bred by Belarusian breeders. The work took place at the Institute of Fruit Growing. The variety was bred by pollination of cherry plum Mara with pollen from diploid plums. The results were successful. The main work was carried out by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Valery Matveev.Cultivation of cherry plum variety Soneyka began in 2009.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Many gardeners choose the Soniaka variety for its resistance to disease, frost and drought. Cherry plum gives a lot of fruits that are well stored and do not suffer during transportation.

Tree options

Soniaka cherry plum tree is low, the branches are distributed in the shape of an oval. The maximum height is 3 meters. The branches hang down, grow densely. The leaves are green, oval in shape with elongated ends. Inflorescences of white color. The weight of the fruit is on average 38 grams, the peel is dense, has a light pink tint. Pulp of cherry plum is dense, juicy, sweet and sour in taste.

Resistant to low temperatures and drought

The tree is able to endure low temperatures down to -30 °C. It does well in the northern parts of the country. Tolerates frost without loss. During the period of bud formation, a sharp temperature drop, especially at night, contributes to the death of the primordia.

Tolerates drought well. It has powerful roots that help the plum to nourish moisture from the deep layers of the soil. A good watering regime will bring more fruit.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

Plum Sonia was vaccinated against clasterosporiasis and other diseases. She rarely gets sick, her immunity is well developed. The main pests are aphids and seed-eaters. Aphids eat leaves, they begin to turn yellow, dry and fall off. Insects are localized from the underside of the leaf, small, black.

The seed-eater penetrates the fruit's bone and eats it from the inside. Fruits become duller, begin to fall off. To prevent these diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying.

Pollination and flowering

Requires a nearby pollinator to set fruit. Eastern European plum varieties are suitable for this. The Altai Anniversary plum and Alyonushka plum varieties are planted. Their blooms match.

Important! The flowering of the pollinator should coincide with the flowering of cherry plum Soniaka.

Buds form in early May. By the end of May, white flowers bloom, in one inflorescence of 5 flowers. Each of them consists of 5 petals. After flowering is completed, fruits are set that ripen by the end of August or the beginning of September.

Yield and fruiting

High-yielding variety. In one season, cherry plum produces about 40 kilograms of fruit from one tree. The first fruits of cherry plum gives 2 years after being transferred to the ground. Fruits ripen almost simultaneously, which simplifies harvesting. They have a dense stem, so that the fall of the berries is minimal. They have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Where the fruits are used

Plum Soniaka is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. The fruits are consumed fresh, and compotes, jams, jams are also prepared from them. In cosmetology, cherry plum extract is used in the manufacture of shampoos, creams, scrubs, balms.

Because fruits are well stored, they are convenient to transport and sell. Consumption period is long, stored for about 30-40 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

This variety has its pros and cons. Benefits include:

• winter hardiness;
• drought transfer;
• strong immunity;
• small plant size;
• good harvest.

The disadvantages include the need for a pollinator for fruiting, as well as supporting sticks for branches during the fruit ripening period. There are a lot of fruits on one branch, because of this there is a risk that the branch will break off, part of the crop will be lost.

Crop planting features

Sonya has its own characteristics of transfer to the ground. It is important to choose the right place for the plum so that it feels comfortable and bears fruit better.

Recommended timings

In autumn, the selected area is dug up, stones and weeds are removed. The seat begins to prepare from March. Dig a hole in the form of a square 60 by 70 centimeters. Near it, all weeds are removed. Drainage is installed in the hole and organic fertilizers are added. A month later, a seedling is planted.

Choosing a suitable location

The place for the tree should be well lit. It is not recommended to plant cherry plum next to canopies and tall plants that will shade it. Plum loves fertile soil.

Important! It is necessary to select a place where the roots will not be flooded with water, this reduces the immunity of the tree, it bears less fruit .

What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plums

The following crops are well compatible with cherry plum:

• raspberries;
• currant;
• gooseberry;
• apple tree;
• pollinator trees.

Next to cherries, cherries or pears, plums bear fruit worse, it is recommended to plant such crops at a far distance from each other.

Selecting and preparing a seat

For planting choose young trees with dense roots, without the presence of rot. The branches are strong, straight, if there are cut ones, then it is better not to take such a tree. There is a possibility that it was damaged. They buy two-year-old seedlings to get a harvest right away.

A seat with good illumination, next to a pollinator and a good outflow of excess water is the best for Soniaka cherry plum. It has been prepared since autumn. They dig the entire site, choose weeds and stones. Fertilize with organic compounds. In March, they prepare a landing hole.

Fitting technology

The drainage system prepared since March is sprinkled with a layer of soil. 5 liters of warm water with mineral fertilizers are poured into the pit. Install a support stick to protect the young plant from strong winds. Then the seedling is transferred to the ground.

The roots must be carefully straightened. The earth is not cleansed. Sprinkle with soil on top in layers, tamping each with your hands so that there is no space with air. Again poured with warm water.

Follow-up tree care

Like any plant, Soniaka's cherry plum requires compliance with certain rules for caring for it. If you observe watering, circumcision, disease prevention, take care of the transfer of cold months, then the plum will please you with a large harvest.

Water and fertilize

While the plum is young, it needs to be watered more often. Irrigate 2 times a week, 1 bucket of water. During the dry period, watering is increased to 1.5-2 buckets per day 3 times a week.

Important! It is impossible to transfuse the plant, this causes festering of the roots and reduces immunity. Cherry plum may die.

Feeding is done three times a year. Early spring, mid summer, late summer. Humus is used for these purposes. Sonya loves phosphate and potash mineral fertilizers.

Crown formation

Pruning is performed 2 times a year. Cut off all dead and damaged branches. Since the crown of the plant is thick, it is necessary to thin out after harvesting so that next year the fruits are of better quality and do not interfere with each other.

Care and loosening of the trunk circle

To save water near the roots of the tree, the trunk circle is mulched. Use organic materials, cover with a layer of 7-10 centimeters.Loosening the soil is carried out regularly, depending on the appearance of weeds near the plant. All weeds are removed. The soil is loosened for improved aeration of the roots.

Preparing the tree for wintering

Wood tolerates low temperatures well. However, young trees are recommended to be insulated for the winter. To do this, the trunk circle is covered with a warm cloth or moss. This will help keep the roots warm. The older the tree, the stronger the frost resistance. Not worth the risk until the plant is strong.

Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

For spraying prepare a solution of urea. 700 grams of powder is diluted in a bucket of water and sprayed on tree leaves in early spring, before bud formation begins. To prevent pest damage, special preparations are used once a month: He althy Garden, Aurum-S, Iskra-bio. The package contains a selection of instructions for use.

To strengthen immunity, spraying with solutions of "Zircon" and "Ecoberin" is carried out. These drugs significantly reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases.

Reviews of gardeners about the Soniaka variety

Natalia, 35 years old, Moscow: “I have been eyeing Sonya Cherry plum for a long time, this year I bought it together with a pollinator. I planted them side by side. I took a biennial plant. It got on very well. Landed in April. At the end of the summer they tried her harvest. Fruits are stored for a long time, taste pleasant, dense.”

Vladimir, 43 years old, Kerch: “I planted Sonya plum in the garden 5 years ago. She never ceases to delight every year with her harvest. Bought her young. In the first year it did not bear fruit, it survived the winter well, but I covered it. A pollinator grows nearby. It blooms very beautifully in spring, suitable for decorating the site.”

Marina, 54 years old, Minsk: “Sonya has heard about cherry plum for a long time, and last year she decided to experiment.I bought a seedling, planted according to all the rules. Unfortunately, for the winter the young tree was poorly covered, it froze a little. I tried to restore it the following year. It worked, but it took a lot of effort. This year I hope to get the first fruits.”

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