The best plum varieties for the middle zone and Moscow region (photos, descriptions)

The best red-fruited plum varieties

A new early variety of plum for the Central Black Earth Region. A tree of medium height, with a dense, wide crown. The fruits are rounded, elongated, leveled, weighing 45 - 55 g, red-violet, with a thick bluish coating, without subcutaneous points, the ventral suture is poorly defined. The pulp is juicy, dense, yellow, aromatic, sweet with a slight sourness. The skin is strong, of medium thickness. Transportability is good. The bone is large and comes off easily. This plum has good winter hardiness and disease resistance. To set fruit, a pollinator is needed that blooms at the same time. Popular in the Moscow region.

• large-fruited
• free separation of the bone
• transportability
• good winter hardiness

• average yield
• requires an early flowering pollinator variety

A good old early ripening plum variety of Kuibyshev selection. The tree is large, grows quickly, forms a spherical, medium-dense crown. The fruits are oval, smooth, weighing 30 - 40 g, purple with redness and noticeable subcutaneous spots, with a medium waxy coating, the ventral seam is clearly visible, the skin is easily removed from the pulp. The pulp is orange, tender, sweet with sourness. The bone comes off freely. The fruits have a dessert purpose. The fruits are moderately resistant to shedding. Winter hardiness is average; in unfavorable years, flower buds completely die. This plum variety is well suited for growing in the Central region and the Volga region.

• dessert taste
• good pitting
• partial self-fertility

• vigor
• affected by clasterosporiasis
• poor winter hardiness of flower buds
• Frequent rains lead to cracking of fruits

An old Voronezh hybrid with genes of cherry plum and 5 types of plums. The tree is tall, with a spreading crown. Due to its powerful growth, it is often grafted onto a weak-growing rootstock, although self-rooted seedlings are more hardy. Early ripening. The fruits are round, sparsely located, weighing 20 - 30 g, burgundy, with a bluish waxy coating, the ventral suture is poorly defined. The pulp is juicy, loose, light orange, sweet with moderate sourness, aromatic. The bone is medium, it separates poorly. Has a table purpose. It is characterized by high complex winter hardiness. It is a good rootstock for other varieties and a stable skeleton former. Productivity depends on weather conditions during the flowering period. Rain and lack of heat sharply reduce it. The hybrid is not able to self-pollinate and serve as a pollinator for another variety. Pollinated by Renclod collective farm and Renclod harvest. This plum variety performs well in the Central Black Earth Region.

• high winter hardiness
• good taste

• poor bone separation
• unstable yield
• very large tree

Moscow variety from open pollination. A tree of medium height, with a spherical, dense and spreading crown. The fruits are oval or ellipsoidal, irregular in shape, violet-red with a dense blue-violet coating, weighing 20 - 25 g, the ventral suture is pronounced. The skin is rough. The pulp is very dense, juicy, rich yellow, with a simple sweet and sour taste. The bone is medium and comes off easily. The fruits go well for drying and compotes. This plum variety is characterized by average winter hardiness, good resistance to fungal diseases and annual fruiting. It does not require pollinators, but is a good pollinator for other domestic plums.

• stable yield
• winter hardiness
• unpretentiousness
• self-fertility

• small fruits of mediocre taste

Early ripening proven plum variety. A medium-sized tree with a round, neat crown. The fruits are round or slightly oval, weighing 30 - 50 g, deep purple, with a thick waxy coating, subcutaneous points are clearly visible, the ventral suture is deep and pronounced. The pulp is dense, juicy, bright yellow, sweet with delicate sourness, traditional plum taste. The bone is medium and comes off freely. The purpose of the fruit is table and technical. The first fruiting occurs already in the 3rd - 4th year. It is characterized by high winter hardiness of wood and flower buds. It yields annually if there is an early flowering pollinator (Morning, Early Yellow, Egg Blue, Smolinka). It is not demanding in care and is rarely damaged by diseases and pests. The first variety among those recommended for the Moscow region.

• good pitting
• large-fruited
• early onset of fruiting
• high winter hardiness

• In comparison with modern varieties, it is inferior in taste
• pollinator variety required

Prune varieties

Regular consumption of healthy dried fruit improves digestion, solving the problem of constipation, has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, normalizes metabolism, helps the body recover from illness, increases efficiency, improves heart function, and maintains the normal state of the nervous system.

Despite the fact that prunes are considered a high-calorie product, nutritionists advise not to exclude them from the diet. It quickly relieves hunger, so snacking on prunes is not harmful.

In winter, when the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits decreases, prunes are a good find, since they allow the body to receive the necessary substances.

It contains fructose, glucose, sucrose (up to 17%), many organic acids, pectin, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins C, A, P, group B, etc. Recent studies have shown that prunes, Thanks to vitamin A and beta-carotene, it helps maintain visual acuity.

Methods for obtaining prunes

Large volumes of plums (for sale) at fruit processing plants are processed in boiling water, then cooled in running water and steam-dried in special drying devices at the required temperature.

In another method, pre-washed fruits are dried in the fresh air under the sun's rays. The artisanal method does not make it possible to obtain beautiful prunes, as in industrial production, but this does not diminish its beneficial qualities. It is believed that it retains even more useful substances than prunes obtained in factory conditions.

Dried fruit comes with or without a seed. The latter is considered less useful and costs less. In a cold, dry place, the product can be stored well for up to one and a half years.

Plum varieties suitable for producing prunes

The statement that any variety of plum can be used for prunes is erroneous. The “correct” product is obtained from Hungarian plums, which contain more than 17% dry matter.

If you take fruits whose quality characteristics are not suitable for producing prunes, the final product will simply be called a dried plum, which is not black in color, but most often brown-brown.

Prunes are obtained from special varieties that are distinguished by large, fleshy and dark fruits, with a sugar content of at least 12% and with a small amount of moisture. The most ideal variety is considered to be Italian Hungarian.

Hungarian Italian

The homeland of this plum is sunny Italy. The variety has an average height and pleases with the first harvest after 5 years. “Italian” has large fruits that resemble an egg, with a rich dark blue color and dense yellowish-green flesh, with large dots under the skin. The taste of the fruit is sweet, the smell is weak. Prunes from Hungarian Italian turn out very beautiful.

In Russia, plums are mainly grown on the Black Sea coast (Gelendzhik, Adler). In more northern regions, its cultivation is not so successful, since the plant is heat-loving and can freeze in winter. However, Italian Hungarian can be found in the gardens of Voronezh, Kursk and nearby regions. But plums are not grown on an industrial scale in these regions.

Hungarian Common (Domestic)

The peculiarity of the variety is the difference in taste, size, and timing of fruit ripening. It depends on the methods of reproduction. Like many varieties, fruiting of the Domashennaya plum begins at 5 years of age.

The fruit ripens quite late - at the end of summer or in the first ten days of September. Common Hungarian lives a long time and produces good, stable yields. After 25 years, more than 150 kg of plums can be removed from it.

High frost resistance allows the fruit tree to be grown in regions with low winter temperatures.

Hungarian Azanskaya

The variety has Western European roots. It grows best in mild climates, as it does not have good frost resistance. The fruiting period begins in the 4th or 5th year of development.

By the end of summer, the harvest ripens almost at the same time and does not fall off the branches. Hungarian Azhanskaya does not like prolonged wet weather; its fruits begin to crack, which affects their quality. The variety is high-yielding, consistently producing 55-60 kg of plums after 12 years of growth.

The fruits are violet-red with a dense skin and green-yellow flesh.

Hungarian Moscow

This variety of Hungarian plum is found in the Moscow, Ryazan, and Tula regions. The tree bears fruit 5 or 7 years after planting. The fruits are oval in shape and red (with a purple tint).

The pulp is dense and juicy, and the skin has a bitter aftertaste, which does not spoil the overall taste sensation at all. The harvest ripens in early September at almost the same time.

Plums of this variety can be picked not quite ripe, and during the ripening process their taste becomes sweeter.

Hungarian Pulkovskaya (Zimnitsa, Pokrovka)

The plum was bred through “folk” selection and reproduces mainly using young root shoots. The plant has a spreading crown; fruiting occurs after the 6th year of growth. With good care, Zimnitsa produces high yields at the end of September.

Plum fruits are oval, red in color and have dark spots under the skin. The pulp of the “folk” fruit is sweet and sour, very pleasant to the taste, with a seed that can easily be separated from it.

The main growing areas are Novgorod, Leningrad and Pskov regions.

Hungarian Vanheim

The variety is believed to have originated in western Europe. He loves fertile lands, the undoubted advantages are winter hardiness and drought resistance. Plants develop quickly, after 15 years they produce very high yields (100-120 kg of plums from one tree).

Fruit ripening occurs at the same time, starting in the second half of August. The fruits grow of medium size, have the shape of an irregular oval, and their color is dark blue. The skin of plums is thin and easily separated from the rich green pulp.

Most often, Hungarian Vanheim can be seen in the gardens of the Rostov region and Krasnodar region.

Prune supplying countries

Plum trees, including those from whose fruits high-quality prunes are obtained, grow on almost all continents. Dried fruit comes to the international market mainly from Argentina, Chile, the USA and France.

Prunes from Moldova are valued on Russian territory. Suppliers of the product to our country are also countries that were previously part of the USSR: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.

The highest quality prunes are produced in the USA (California).

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Source: https://botanchik.ru/sliva/sorta-chernosliva

The best varieties of yellow plum

A good old variety of yellow plum, ripening in the mid-late period, actively used in breeding work to develop new forms. The tree is low, with a narrow compact crown. The fruits are rounded and elongated, yellow with a greenish tint, weighing 25 - 35 g, the ventral seam is faintly noticeable. The pulp is juicy, tender, honey-sweet and aromatic. The bone comes off easily. Fruiting begins at 7–9 years of growth. It is characterized by late flowering, which makes it difficult for it to find a pollinator. From the practice of gardeners, Renklod collective farm, Stanley, Altana are suitable. Grafting into the crown gives good results. It is better not to delay the collection of fruits, as they may fall off, and in rainy weather, they may also burst. This variety of yellow plum is grown in the Vladimir, Smolensk, Voronezh regions and Moscow region.

• amicable maturation
• large and tasty fruits
• free separation of the bone

• difficulties in selecting a pollinator
• fruits are prone to shedding and cracking
• gives a lot of growth
• average yield

An old, late-ripening Michurin variety of yellow plum that is not losing popularity. A medium-sized tree with a spreading, wide-rounded crown. The fruits are round, smooth, evenly colored, with a whitish waxy coating, weighing 20 - 25 g, the ventral suture is invisible. The skin is thin. The pulp is yellow, tender, juicy, harmonious taste. Separability of the bone is average. Has a table purpose. Self-rooted trees produce abundant growth. Winter hardiness is above average; in case of damage, the tree quickly recovers. Few suffer from fungal diseases. Zoned in the Central region, the Central Black Earth region and the North-West. Known outside the zoning zones.

• stable yield
• good winter hardiness

• fruit shedding
• poor bone separation
• requires a pollinator variety with an average flowering period

A promising plum variety with a wide distribution zone. Refers to varieties of medium flowering and ripening. The tree is medium-sized, with a dense oval crown. The fruits are oval, smooth, yellow-green, with a pink tan when ripe, weighing 25 - 30 g, with a medium waxy coating, the ventral seam is faintly noticeable. The pulp is yellow, medium density and moderate juiciness, sweet with obvious sourness. The fruits have a universal purpose. The winter hardiness of the tree is good, but the flower buds are weak. In unfavorable years (with frequent thaws and severe frosts), fruiting may be absent. Flower buds suffer less from spring frosts. Diseases are weakly affected. Designed for amateur gardening. The strength of growth depends on the rootstock. In the Register for the Central Region.

• good yield
• durability of wood (20 - 25 years)
• self-fertility

• late onset of fruiting
• average winter hardiness of flower buds
• non-simultaneous maturation

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Saratov variety of yellow plum with southern parents, late ripening. The tree is medium-sized, with a sparse raised and elongated crown. The fruits are spherical, leveled, weighing 40 - 50 g, yellow with a pinkish spotted cover, there is a waxy coating with pubescence, the ventral suture is poorly defined. The skin is tender and easily removed from the fruit. The stone is small and separates easily. The pulp is yellow, tender, melting, sweet with a slight sourness. Slightly unripe fruits are suitable for long-term storage in the refrigerator and transportation over long distances. It is resistant to diseases. Self-fertility is moderate, pollinators increase productivity. Flowers tolerate spring frosts. In harsh winters, the wood freezes. Suitable for growing in the Lower Volga region and further south.

• large and attractive fruits
• easy pitting
• partial self-fertility
• high drought resistance

• average winter hardiness

A new promising plum variety from Michurinsk, mid-early ripening. A medium-sized tree with a dense, wide-spreading crown. The fruits are spherical, yellow with a whitish waxy coating, weighing 40 g (individual fruits up to 60 g), without pubescence, the ventral suture is not pronounced. The pulp is light yellow, dense, juicy, sweet and sour. The skin is thin and easily removed. The stone is medium in size and separates well. The purpose of the fruit is table and technical. Characterized by early entry into fruiting - from 3-4 years after planting the seedling. To guarantee the harvest, several other early-flowering varieties are grafted into the crown. Flower buds have poor winter hardiness; as a result, in some years an ovary may not form, even in the presence of a pollinator. The winter hardiness of the wood is good. This variety of yellow plum is recommended for the Voronezh, Bryansk, and Lipetsk regions. In the Moscow region, slight freezing is observed after harsh winters.

• large-fruited
• free separation of the bone
• early onset of fruiting
• good winter hardiness
• high and stable yield

• difficult to choose a pollinator variety

Homemade plums are not afraid of heating, so young trees can be safely covered with snow in winter to protect them from frost. Plum is very sensitive to fertilizing and does not tolerate overfeeding. When planting, fertilizers are not applied, but only the next year after establishment and growth appears, they are fed with small doses of humus and ash. Potassium helps increase the sugar content of fruits, and phosphorus helps increase frost resistance.

Annual sanitary pruning is required, which is carried out in the spring before sap flow, so as not to provoke the development of gum disease. Autumn pruning reduces winter hardiness.

Plum

I have been growing various varieties of plums in my garden for a long time. Therefore, I want to highlight the most delicious and easy-to-maintain variety of this crop.

This is one of my favorites, because with minimal care I get an excellent harvest of tasty, juicy fruits. This is a prune plum. I recommend everyone to try growing this variety in their own garden. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the result.

Description

To have a more complete understanding of this culture, I recommend studying the description of this plum variety and looking at the photo.

The maximum height of the tree varies within 4 meters. The crop is self-fertile and can be harvested every year. Productivity does not depend on natural conditions. The tree is resistant to frost and drought, the taste of the fruit does not change in rainy weather.

The culture has high immunity to various diseases and pests. For high-quality plant development, minimal care is required. To get a large harvest every year, it is recommended to plant Prune varieties next to other plum trees.

The fruits of the crop are large and slightly oblong. The weight of one plum fluctuates around 50 grams. The peel is thick and bitter. It is difficult to separate from the pulp. The fruits have a rich blue color with a slight whitish coating.

The pulp of plums is greenish, very juicy, sweet, with a small amount of fiber. In terms of taste characteristics, it has 4 points out of a maximum of 5. The fruits contain up to 12% sugars.

The fruits have a long shelf life, have a good presentation, and are easy to transport.

Advantages

This crop variety has a lot of advantages compared to other plum varieties. These include:

• increased resistance to low temperatures;
• minimal plant care;
• high productivity;
• self-fertility;
• disease resistance;
• annual harvest.

Landing Features

Before planting a crop, the following nuances must be taken into account:

Selecting a location

The tree is unpretentious to the planting site. It can grow well in various types of soil. But preference should be given to sunny places that are well protected from the wind. Prunes can be planted next to buildings, along fences, in the yard. The culture loves moist soils.

It develops well in lowlands. Plum loves a lot of moisture, but the yield will not decrease if the crop is planted on a hill. The only thing is that the fruits may become sour.

When planting several trees, a distance of 3 meters must be maintained. If the crop is planted in several rows, the distance between the rows should be about 3-3.5 meters.

Planting holes for plums must be prepared in the fall. To do this, organic fertilizers are added to the planting sites: compost, humus, manure, rotted straw. You can water the soil with a solution of ash, 1 kg of which is diluted in 10 liters of water.

The soil is dug up well and then mulched. The soil should be loose, with good breathability.

Preparation of planting material

Seedlings are planted in spring. Before planting, you need to pay attention to the planting material. The tree must have a well-developed root system. The roots and the trunk itself should not have any damage. There should be no presence of rot or mold.

The tree should have side branches and live buds. It is recommended to purchase planting material with a closed root system. In this case, the survival rate of the tree increases several times.

Landing algorithm

In the spring, a hole is dug, the size of which is 50 by 70 cm. River sand, crushed stone or small pebbles are poured into the bottom of the hole. This will improve air exchange for the root system. Then add manure or compost.

The seedling is placed in the hole at an angle of 45 degrees. Carefully straighten the roots. The depth of the hole should reach the root collar of the plant.

I sprinkle the hole with earth and compact it. A peg is driven in nearby and a young tree is tied up. Water the seedling abundantly and mulch the planting area.

Rules of care

The next feeding of the tree is carried out 3 years after planting. It is carried out 2 times per season: in spring and mid-summer. During the first feeding, organic fertilizers and urea are used.

The second feeding is carried out with a solution of nitrophoska, 3 tablespoons of which are dissolved in 8 liters of water. You can also fertilize again in the fall with superphosphate.

Prunes develop quickly and produce a lot of young shoots in one season. Therefore, pruning is necessary every year. Remove dry, damaged and diseased shoots. The crown is formed by cutting off the branches in such a way that a high-quality crown is formed in the future.

To increase the yield, it is necessary to cut off young branches, leaving the main, strong and well-developed ones. Up to 4 prunings are carried out per season.

As soon as the tree gets stronger, after about 3-5 years, watering is carried out up to 6 times per season. It is especially important to water Prunes during flowering, the formation of fruit ovaries and during fruiting.

Diseases and pests

Prunes are resistant to diseases and pests. But if fungal infections appear on the tree, it is recommended to treat the plum with Bordeaux mixture. If the disease has spread throughout the tree, use the systemic fungicide Hom. If moniliasis is detected, treatment is carried out with the drug Skor.

To avoid the spread of pests, it is necessary to remove diseased, old and damaged branches. Remove fallen leaves every fall.

Marina

I have been growing prunes in my garden for a long time. I am very pleased with this variety. The tree requires virtually no maintenance. Only 3 years after planting, I trimmed and fertilized the plant. No pests or diseases. Productivity is always high.

The fruits are very tasty, juicy and sweet. This is a universal variety. The tree can be planted and there is no more effort required to care for it. Just harvest it every fall.

Victor

I have several Prune trees in my garden. I won’t lie, I only trimmed the plants a few times. I don’t water, I don’t process, and the harvest every year is simply excellent. It seems to me that this is the type of garden tree that requires no care at all.

Just harvest. And this plum tree is rich. The fruits are stored for a long time, they can be boiled and dried. An excellent variety of plums. I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a harvest, but does not have time to care for the garden.

Main conclusions

It is very easy to grow the Prune variety on your plot. This is the most unpretentious tree compared to other crops. You just need to follow the following recommendations:

• water the tree if necessary;
• prune old and diseased branches;
• feed the culture.

With minimal care you will get excellent results.

Source: https://sornyakov.net/frukty/sliva-chernosliv.html

History of variety selection

There is no exact information about the origin of the Prune variety. Most often, this name refers to damson. It was this that was obtained by crossing cherry plum with wild thorn. Sometimes there is information that Prunes were bred in 37 of the last century at the Maikop station. The result was a hybrid, but its parents are unknown. The variety was given the name Adyghe prune and included in the State Register in 1988. It is this culture that will be discussed further.

In everyday life, prunes are usually called dried plums that have been smoked. To obtain a popular product, the Stanley plum variety is most often used. The culture was developed by an American breeder in 26 of the last century. Stanley has been listed in the State Register since 1983.

Prunes are also made from the Hungarian plum, since its fruits lend themselves well to drying and are highly saturated with sugar. There are several varieties of Hungarian. The most common varieties are:

• Italian Hungarian is common in the southern regions. The heat-loving mid-season variety can freeze out in cold areas. The plum is self-fertile and does not require pollinators. The tree grows up to 5 m in height. The crown diameter is about 6 m. The plum does not tolerate drought, bears fruit 4 years after planting. Productivity reaches 50 kg per tree. Fruit weight is about 35 g.
• Domestic Hungarian bears fruit weighing 20 g. The plum variety Prune is late, heat-loving, and begins to bear fruit at the age of 7. The tree grows up to 6.5 m high. Productivity is about 150 kg.
• Hungarian Wangenheim is considered a frost-resistant crop. The plum variety Prunes is early, resistant to diseases, and thrives in poor soils. The yield of an adult tree reaches 60 kg, but the inflorescences require cross-pollination. Fruiting begins at the 6th year. The weight of the fruit reaches 30 g.
• Hungarian Korneevskaya is frost-resistant and drought-resistant. The variety is self-fertile. Pollinators are not needed. In terms of ripening period, the plum is mid-season. Fruiting begins after 6 years. At this time, the yield reaches 30 kg. Fruit weight is about 35 g.

The Renklod Karbysheva plum variety is well suited for the production of prunes. The tree is self-fertile and tolerates frost well. The weight of the fruit is about 40 g. The stone is easily separated from the pulp.

The mid-season variety Blue Bird is also used in the production of prunes. Fruiting of the seedling occurs in the third year from the moment of planting. The variety is self-fertile and resistant to frosty winters. The weight of the fruit is about 45 g. The stone is easily separated from the pulp.

You can dry prunes from the Izyum-erik plum variety. The culture is thermophilic, southern. The homeland of the mid-late variety is Crimea. Pollinators are required for fruiting. The yield of an adult tree reaches 115 kg. Fruit weight is about 10 g.

The plum Ural prune, which is also called Prune of the Urals, was bred from the cherry plum variety P-31. Another parent of the hybrid is the Ussuri plum. As a result, when crossing all varieties, the Ussuri plum produced a late prune, characterized by good frost resistance. The fruits grow of medium size, weighing no more than 16 g. The tree grows up to 2 m high. The variety is not self-fertile. The best pollinators are Ussuri plums and Ural red plums.

The video compares prunes with regular plum varieties:

The president

Another old late variety. It was developed in Great Britain in the 19th century. The tree grows quickly and reaches a height of 3 m. It bears fruit at the end of September. The fruits are large (weighing 45-70 g), round in shape. The skin is of medium thickness, burgundy-blue in color. The pulp is greenish-yellow, juicy, sourish-sweet.

The tree bears fruit well every year, but produces the first harvest only in the 5-6th year of life. Ripe fruits do not fall from the plant for a long time.

The tree tolerates dry summers and frosty winters well, and is resistant to fungal diseases, but it can be damaged by plum aphids. The variety is considered self-fertile, however, to increase the yield, it is recommended to plant plums of the Mirnaya, Skorospelka red, Stanley, Renklod Altana, and Ternosliva Kuibyshevskaya varieties in the garden.

If the summer turns out to be cool, in the Moscow region the President plums do not have time to fully ripen. The fruits become sour, but they are good when processed.

Description of the plum variety Prunes

Now we will look at what the Prune plum looks like, which is widespread in households. The trees grow tall with a spreading crown. The average height of a plum is about 4 m. The length of the fruit branches does not exceed 50 cm. The plum produces large flower buds. The foliage grows slightly wrinkled. The leaf plate is strong and thick.

The fruits of the Prune variety are large, weighing from 40 to 45 g. The skin of the plum is dark blue, and when fully ripe it acquires a black tint. The fruit has a depression near the stalk and a vertical stripe running through the entire fruit. The shape of the plum is round or slightly elongated in the form of an oval. Despite the rough skin, the prune pulp is juicy and riddled with fiber. The bones separate well.

The Prune variety is suitable for growing in the middle zone. Numerous reviews from summer residents about prune plums in the Leningrad region indicate that the crop tolerates winters well. Due to the fact that the crop is self-fertile, a large harvest is guaranteed even in the absence of pollinators growing nearby.

Description

To have a more complete understanding of this culture, I recommend studying the description of this plum variety and looking at the photo.

The maximum height of the tree varies within 4 meters. The crop is self-fertile and can be harvested every year. Productivity does not depend on natural conditions. The tree is resistant to frost and drought, the taste of the fruit does not change in rainy weather.

The culture has high immunity to various diseases and pests. For high-quality plant development, minimal care is required. To get a large harvest every year, it is recommended to plant Prune varieties next to other plum trees.

The fruits of the crop are large and slightly oblong. The weight of one plum fluctuates around 50 grams. The peel is thick and bitter. It is difficult to separate from the pulp. The fruits have a rich blue color with a slight whitish coating.

The pulp of plums is greenish, very juicy, sweet, with a small amount of fiber. In terms of taste characteristics, it has 4 points out of a maximum of 5. The fruits contain up to 12% sugars.

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The fruits have a long shelf life, have a good presentation, and are easy to transport.

Characteristics of the variety

The Prune variety should not be confused with ordinary blue plums. To get to know the culture better, let's take a look at its characteristics.

Read also: The best grape varieties of Moldova

Drought resistance, frost resistance

Prunes are considered a frost-resistant variety. Plum easily tolerates drought, but loves watering. In winter, fruit branches rarely freeze.

Plum pollinators Prunes

In terms of ripening time, Prunes are classified as mid-late varieties. Flowering begins in the spring along with the appearance of foliage. The plum is considered self-fertile, not requiring nearby pollinators to grow.

Productivity and fruiting

The variety is considered high-yielding. There may be rare interruptions in fruiting. A lot of fruit is set. The tree can shed excess plums.

Area of ​​application of berries

The main area of ​​application of Prune fruits is the production of dried fruits. About 22% of the finished product is obtained from fresh plums. Prunes are usually smoked. Fresh plums are used for preservation, they are used to make compote, jam, and make tinctures.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Plum is resistant to all fungal diseases. Pests such as aphids, sawflies, and scale insects can settle on the tree. Preventive spraying helps prevent crop destruction.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Prunes have the following positive qualities:

• a self-fertile variety can be grown alone without necessarily planting a pollinator;
• abundant fruiting, high yield;
• plum adapts to the climatic conditions of the region and is not too demanding on the soil;
• the variety resists fungal diseases well;
• excellent winter hardiness allows you to grow plums in the middle zone, Leningrad region, Moscow region;
• The culture is drought resistant.

The only negative qualities that can be identified are the rough skin of the fruit and interruptions in fruiting.

Harvesting and storage methods

The fruits of early plums do not ripen simultaneously, but in 2-3 waves, so they are collected gradually over the course of a month. It is also important that plums need to be collected a little earlier (5-6 days) than they are fully ripe if they need to be stored or transported. Another feature of early varieties is that they can fall off after they ripen. And this is also a reason to speed up the harvest.

The fruits of late-ripening varieties ripen in one wave and hang on the trees until they are harvested. This way they can hang until frost. Plums cannot be stored for longer than a few weeks. The harvested crop is consumed fresh or processed.

Most problems with growing plums lie in the incorrect selection of varieties for a specific climate zone. If trees freeze in winter, they need time to recover, so it is recommended to first pay attention to the adaptability of the variety to the climate, and then to the yield and other parameters. By following the rules of planting and caring for trees, you will provide yourself with a good harvest of plums.

• Author: Maria Sukhorukikh
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Landing Features

You can grow prunes according to the same rules as ordinary plums. Let us consider in detail the nuances of agricultural technology.

Recommended timing

It is better to plant plum seedlings in early spring. In the southern regions, planting time falls in March. Gardeners in the middle zone and the Moscow region plant plums no later than the second ten days of April. It is advisable to prepare the hole in the fall or no earlier than two weeks before planting.

Choosing a suitable location

Plum Prunes like to grow in hot areas. The tree can be planted in any place where there are no drafts or waterlogged soil. The culture takes root well along buildings or fences.

Despite its drought tolerance, plums love moderately moist soil. If there is such an area in the yard, then you can safely plant a tree here.

Like any plum, Prune loves loose, light soil. When planting in clay or black soil, sand is added for looseness. High acidity of the soil also has a bad effect on the tree. The indicator is reduced by introducing lime into the soil. If there are high layers of groundwater on the site, the drain will not grow. Alternatively, you can try planting the seedling on a hill.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?

Plum loves solitude, but does not refuse proximity to other fruit trees. You cannot plant any type of currant, walnut, coniferous trees, or birch nearby. The pear is considered a bad neighbor. Plum is friendly with all other fruit trees, but the distance necessary for the development of roots and crowns must be maintained.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Prune seedlings can be taken from friends by digging up young shoots. However, planting material from the nursery is considered the best. The seedling can be sold with an open or closed root system. The last option is better in terms of survival rate. The main requirement for good seedlings is the presence of a developed large root, side branches, and living buds. The bark should be smooth without cracks or damage.

Landing algorithm

For spring planting of plums, the hole is usually prepared in the fall. After plowing the land, the roots of weeds are removed from the site. A hole is dug up to 70 cm wide and deep. If the soil is heavy, the depth of the hole is increased by 15 cm. The added space is covered with a drainage layer of stone or gravel.

Fertile soil is mixed with manure or compost in a ratio of 1:2. The hole is filled with the prepared mixture and covered with insulation for the winter. In the spring, before planting Prunes, part of the soil is removed from the hole to accommodate the root of the seedling.

For a seedling with an open root system, a support stake is driven into the center of the hole. If the plum was purchased with closed roots, growing in a container, it is carefully removed and, together with a lump of earth, lowered into the hole. Such a seedling does not need a support stake. Backfilling is carried out with fertile soil previously removed from the pit. The seedling is watered, the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat.

Successful wintering of plums: how to ensure

To increase the winter hardiness of plums, at the end of October, after the leaves have fallen, the trees must be well watered, even if it rains. The norm is about 20 buckets per plant. Watering doses depend on the age of the plant: the soil at a depth of 40 cm along the entire projection of the crown should be moist. The plum should be watered abundantly, but so that the water does not stagnate. Thanks to the moisture reserve, the soil temperature in winter will be 3–4 °C higher than that of unwatered soil. Such irrigation is especially important after a large harvest. On the contrary, if during thaws the water cannot be absorbed into the frozen ground and stands in the tree trunks, try to divert it. Do not plant plums in lowlands or wet areas. Gum development is promoted by unfavorable environmental conditions, freezing, bark breaks, incompatibility of the scion with the rootstock, nutritional disorders, but most of all - excessive air humidity. In winter, during thaws, an “explosion” of gum production occurs. All cracks and damage to the bark, places where gum appeared, need to be healed as early as possible so that the wounds have time to heal before winter. They are first thoroughly cleaned down to living tissue. The gum must also be cleaned and destroyed, as pathogenic microflora accumulate in it. All bark that has moved away from the trunk, dead brown and black tissue, and rot are removed. Then the wound is washed with a 1-3% solution of copper sulfate - it will disinfect the damaged areas, and only then it is covered with garden pitch or Rannet paste.

For central Russia and the Moscow region, plum trees zoned for the 5th frost resistance zone are suitable. These are varieties that can withstand minimum winter temperatures of about -26. –30°C: detailed information about them is presented in this article.

Aftercare for plums

Immediately after planting, water the plum until the tree takes root well. Initially, pruning is done to help shape the crown. Subsequently, old and dry branches are removed. Prunes send out a lot of young shoots. It must be cut at least four times per season.

An adult tree is watered up to 6 times per season. Moisture is definitely needed after flowering, during ovary, at the end of harvesting, and in late autumn before wintering.

The video talks about spring feeding of plums:

The seedling initially has enough nutrients added during planting. In the second year, Prunes are fed with urea in early spring and June. From the third year of life, the first feeding is applied in early May. The plum is watered with a urea solution, dissolving 30 g of the drug in 10 liters of water. At the beginning of June, make a second feeding with a solution of 3 tbsp. l. nitrophoska and 8 liters of water. The last feeding of Prunes occurs at the beginning of August. The solution is prepared from 2 tbsp. l. potassium and superphosphate per 10 liters of water.

Features of planting plums and caring for them in these regions

Plums are planted in the Moscow region in early spring. Taking into account frost resistance, you can plant trees in the fall, but they may not have time to take root well before the onset of frost and die. Choose an area with bright lighting. The sun should illuminate it for at least 7 hours a day.

The soil needs to be well-drained, loamy. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air will accumulate, as well as wetlands. If the roots are constantly in contact with moisture, the tree will die in 1–2 years.

Pre-planting preparation of a seedling includes soaking the root system for several hours. Then the roots are dipped in clay mash with the addition of copper sulfate - this will protect them from the effects of pathogenic fungi, if there are any in the soil.

Weeds are removed from the area and holes are prepared for planting. The approximate size of the pit is about 0.6–0.8 m in depth and diameter. The distance between 2 adjacent pits is about 4 m. The distance to the nearest buildings is at least 6 m.

How to plant plum:

• dig a hole;
• put a bucket of humus there;
• pour soil on top of it;
• place the plum in the center;
• straighten the roots if possible;
• cover with soil;
• check the coverage of the roots, if necessary, add more soil;
• water the tree.

Now the seedling needs to be watered 2-3 times a week for a month. This is necessary for the earth around it to settle. Caring for the tree will consist of weekly watering and weeding. The tree is not pruned before fruiting begins. It also does not need to be fertilized since you have applied the fertilizer to the planting hole.

3 years after planting, when the plum reaches a height of at least 1 m, crown formation begins. The central trunk is shortened by 30 cm - this stimulates the growth of lateral shoots. The final shape should resemble a bowl: a shortened central trunk and 4 side shoots extending upward at an angle of 45°. This ensures uniform illumination of the entire crown and good air circulation.

In spring, adult plums are fed with fertilizer. It should be a balanced composition of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in a ratio of 1:1:1. Application volume - 200 g/m².

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The plum variety is resistant to fungal infections, but if it occurs, the tree is sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture. Severe damage can only be eliminated with the systemic fungicide Hom. In case of manifestations of moniliosis, the plum is sprayed with the drug Skor.

It is important to carry out preventive treatment with pest control drugs. Aphids, scale insects, sawflies, and weevils can destroy the crop and the tree itself. In autumn, fallen fruits and leaves must be removed from the ground. Many pests overwinter in organic matter. In the spring they will move again to a healthy tree.

External features

Mature trees of the Prune variety are quite tall. They often reach a height of 4 meters. During flowering, this plum produces large flower buds. The shoots of the fruit tree are straight, not long, on average about half a meter. The leaves are dense and thick, have a corrugated structure. The fruits of this crop are large. Their average weight is 40-45 g. Plums have a characteristic vertical stripe and a depression next to the stalk. Ripe fruits are round or oval in shape.

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The skin of the fruit is dark blue, close to black, thick and rough. The plum pulp of this variety is very juicy, has a granular structure and a small amount of fiber. The seeds are easily removed from the fruit.

Advantages:

• self-fertility of the culture;
• high and regular yield of fruit trees;
• unpretentiousness to external conditions and care;
• the variety tolerates winter well, suitable for the Moscow region and central Russia;
• fruits and leaves have strong immunity to fungal infections;
• The crop has good resistance to drought.

What varieties of plums are made from and how are prunes made?

Plums are one of the most delicious and healthy fruits. They are used not only fresh, but also in the preparation of culinary dishes, as well as in preparations for the winter.

Dried plums or prunes are a valuable low-calorie product that has healing properties due to the high content of vitamins and other beneficial substances, especially potassium.

The sweetest tasting plums

Sweet varieties of plums are good as a fresh dessert and in sweet preparations. They are considered the best for drying.

Hungarian Korneevskaya

The most delicious prunes are obtained from Hungarian Korneevskaya. Fresh plum is sweet, without a hint of sourness, weight - 31 g.

With a heavy harvest, tree branches may break

Variety characteristics:

• does not bear fruit for the first 4 years;
• self-pollinating;
• collection from a tree - up to 30 kg;
• tolerates moderate frost and drought, is not damaged by pests and diseases;
• Ripening time is the end of August.

Yakhontovaya

Yakhontovaya plum is juicy and sweet with thin skin and a beautiful bright yellow color. Size - medium, weight - 30 g.

Plum Yakhontovaya received the highest tasting score - 5 points

Main characteristics:

• partial self-fertility;
• collection from a tree up to 50–70 kg;
• tolerates winter well;
• does not get sick and is not affected by pests;
• ripens in August.

Which plum is best to make prunes from?

Plums for preparing prunes must meet certain requirements :

• percentage of dry matter – approximately 20%;
• sugar concentration in fruits – from 12%;
• moisture and acid content – ​​up to 1%;
• fruit weight – from 30 to 40 g;
• skin color – dark blue;
• the fruits have a dense, intact skin, are covered with a waxy coating, and the stone is small.

What varieties of plums are suitable for making prunes?

The varieties most suitable for drying and obtaining excellent prunes are Hungarian, Renklod, Adyghe prune, and Blue Bird.

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Varieties such as Mirabelle, early blue, apricot and some others are not dried , since they will not make good prunes.

Hungarian is one of the most popular and widespread plum varieties for prunes. Its fruits have an excellent taste, high sugar content and are ideal for drying .

Some varieties of Hungarian:

1. V. Italiana is a self-fertile (does not require planting near a pollinator variety) mid-season variety. It is cultivated mainly in the southern regions, as it can freeze out at low temperatures. The trees are low, up to 5 m high, the crown diameter does not exceed 6 m. It begins to bear fruit in the 4th or 5th year, the average yield is 50 kg of plums. Average fruit weight is 35 g. Does not tolerate drought.
2. V. homemade – late variety, demanding of heat. It is characterized by rapid growth, the average height is 6.5 m. Fruiting begins from 7–8 years of cultivation. At the age of 20 years, with optimal care, the maximum yield of trees reaches 150 kg. Fruit weight is about 20 g.

   Hungarian is one of the most popular and widespread plum varieties for prunes.

3. V. Wangenheim - an early variety, resistant to frost and diseases, can grow on insufficiently fertile soil. To increase productivity, it is recommended to cross-pollinate the inflorescences. Already in the 6th year of cultivation, a seedling produces 15 kg of harvest; upon reaching 10 years of age or older, its average yield is 60 kg. Fruit weight is about 30 g.
4. V. korneevskaya is a self-fertile mid-season variety that can withstand frost and drought well. Begins to bear fruit in 3–4 years. The fruits are purple, weighing up to 35 g. The trees produce abundant harvests: already at the age of 6 they can reach 30 kg.

Renklod Karbysheva

An early high-yielding variety , fruit weight is about 40 g. The stone is easily separated from the pulp. The crown of the tree is dense and requires regular pruning.

Adyghe prunes

A mid-late self-fertile variety with abundant but periodic fruiting. Resistant to frost, drought, fungal diseases. The average fruit weight is 40 g.

Blue bird

Mid-season with abundant and regular fruiting . The first fruits appear already in the 2-3rd year of growing the seedling. The average weight of the fruit is 45 g, they have excellent taste and an easily separated seed.

The trees are self-fertile and resistant to cold and disease.

Good varieties for drying prunes would be Blue Bird, Renklod Karbysheva, Izyum-erik

Crimean mid-late plum variety . Trees require planting near pollinating varieties. They bring abundant harvests, at the age of 20 years - from 115 kg. Fruiting occurs starting from the 7th – 8th year from the moment of planting.

The fruit size is small, the shape is elongated pear-shaped, the average weight is 9.5 g. The trees are resistant to drought and grow better on fertile, moisture-permeable soil.

Good low-growing plums for the middle zone

Varieties with a low trunk and compact crown are suitable for a small summer cottage. Harvesting is easy - there is no need to install a ladder.

Alexy

A small compact tree grows to only 1.5–2 meters. The oblong dark purple dessert fruits weigh around 20 g. The plum has a soft, sweet and sour taste.

The variety is unpretentious and has the ability to recover quickly

Main characteristics:

• self-fertile;
• does not bear fruit for the first 3–4 years;
• does not like drought and severe frosts;
• collection - no more than 15 kg per tree;
• is not afraid of fungal diseases, but is affected by mites;

Harvest begins in mid-September.

Red ball

The red ball is good from all sides - the tree is small (up to 2.5 meters), the appearance of large - up to 40 g - fruits is beautiful, and the taste is sweet.

In a room with a temperature range of 0°C, the packaged Red Ball can be stored for about two months.

Variety characteristics:

• early-fruiting - the first harvest is obtained after 2-3 years;
• the fruits ripen in the last ten days of July;
• pollinators are needed;
• moderate frost resistance;
• one tree gives up to 18 kg;
• not afraid of pests.

If your goal is to get large fruits, it is better to tear off some of the ovaries. If the tree is overloaded, the plums grow small.

Oryol dream

Chinese plum Orlovskaya dream is a small productive tree that produces tasty fruits with a delicate sweet and sour taste and a weight of 30–40 g.

The fruits are easily removed from the stalk and do not crack when ripe, but if the tree is overloaded, the plum becomes smaller

Variety characteristics:

• partially self-pollinating, planting pollinators increases yield;
• not damaged by frost;
• You can enjoy the first plums 2–3 years after planting;
• Harvest begins at the end of August;
• immune to clasterosporiosis.

Plum can be affected by polystigmatosis and is not resistant to pests.

How to dry prunes correctly

Prunes are prepared from well-ripened fruits that have accumulated a maximum of sugar and nutrients. Fruits that have fallen from the tree have the optimal degree of ripeness.

When selecting for drying, rotten, wormy, or damaged plums should be discarded.

The process of preparing prunes has its own characteristics . Drying plums alone cannot achieve the required quality of the product.

In this case, the fruits will lose their juice, their pulp will become excessively hard, and the skin will become brown rather than black.

To obtain the required product, special preparation of berries is necessary , its stages:

1. Drying plums are stored in baskets located in covered areas. The maximum number of fruits placed in them should not exceed 16 kg. In this form, fruits can be stored for up to 3 days to avoid spoilage of plums due to fermentation processes.
2. Before drying, the fruits are thoroughly washed until the water obtained after rinsing is absolutely clean.
3. Then the plums are sorted, separating large ones from small ones , followed by discarding berries that are not suitable for drying.
4. The selected fruits are washed again and blanched in hot water . This allows them to soften their tissues, remove the air contained in them and leads to the expansion of drainage cells. During the blanching process, oxidative elements are destroyed with almost complete preservation of vitamins and other valuable substances.
5. To remove waxy deposits from the surface of the berries, they are dipped for 15–20 seconds in a 1% caustic soda solution . At home, it is difficult to completely wash off the remaining soda from the fruit, so it is better to replace it with potash.
6. the drains cool , many cracks form on their surface. They ensure the slow release of moisture from the fruit, preventing rupture of the skin with the rapid loss of all juice, which will prevent the production of real prunes.

How to make prunes:

For this purpose, in production conditions, multi-tier drying cabinets or tunnel (channel) dryers .

First, the fruits are slightly withered at 40–50° C for 3–5 hours to prevent them from bursting. Then the temperature is raised and drying continues until the dried fruit reaches the required condition.

At this stage, biochemical processes take place in the tissues of the fruit, ensuring that prunes acquire their characteristic taste qualities.

For the production of prunes in production conditions, multi-tier drying cabinets or tunnel (channel) dryers are used.

Criteria for selecting fruits for prunes

Before you find out which varieties are best to give preference to if you decide to dry and wilt plums for the winter, let's look at the main selection criteria. It is quite possible that the desired variety is not growing in your garden. But this does not mean that you need to give up the idea of ​​​​cooking prunes yourself. If you know of any other variety that meets the requirements listed above, you can safely use it as the main ingredient for preparing prunes.

• Sugar percentage:12%.
• Minimum plum weight: 30 grams.
• Maximum plum weight: 40 grams.
• Peel color: dark blue.

It is important to know that the percentage of moisture in the finished product should not exceed 5%. If there is more water and acids, prunes will not be able to be stored for long. And, by and large, it cannot be called a prune either. In addition, we note that plums suitable for drying and drying always have a miniature pit. The skin of the fruit seems to be covered with a waxy coating, and the pulp is juicy and quite dense, with a relatively small initial amount of moisture.

There are varieties that are absolutely not suitable for preparing prunes. The leader among them is the Mirabelle plum variety. Apricot-shaped plums are also not suitable for these purposes. Actually, like the “Early Blue” variety, from which it is simply impossible to obtain high-quality prunes.

Useful properties of plum

The difference between plums and prunes is the usefulness of each product. Plum is useful for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its rich vitamin composition, the fruit should be included in your menu at least twice a week during the harvest period.

The ability of plums to influence the functioning of the cardiovascular system is due to the high content of rutin in it. This substance regulates blood pressure and increases vascular tone. Since rutin is resistant to high temperatures, plum jam can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases no less effectively than fresh fruits.

Many people know about the ability of plums to have a laxative effect. Thanks to this property, it is successfully used to treat constipation. Also, for this ability, plums are loved by those who want to lose weight or maintain their figure. Due to its rich vitamin composition, low calorie content, ability to cleanse the intestines and remove excess fluid from the body, plums should be included in the diet of every person who cares about their figure.

The high content of vitamin A makes the fruit a useful product for people suffering from gout and rheumatic diseases. Plum is also used as a sedative. It is enough to eat several ripe fruits at night and during the day to avoid insomnia and other sleep disorders.

The best late varieties

The president

This English plum has a history of more than 150 years. The fruits are large, fleshy, dense. The color of the skin is dark, blue-burgundy. The pulp is tender in taste, but only in a completely ripe fruit. Therefore, it is not recommended to pick it unripe, even in order to increase its shelf life. Productivity increases up to 12 years of age.

Pros:

• high crop productivity;
• large mass of fruit (maximum 70 g).

Minuses:

• the fragility of the branches manifests itself under the weight of a large number of fruits;
• insufficient resistance to attack by pathogens and pests.

A gardening forum user with the nickname Anona claims that fruits do not always have time to fully ripen before frost in the conditions of the Moscow region. Another gardener, Leonid Ilyich, points out a flaw that is not noted in the official description. We are talking about the loss of taste and hardness of plum pulp due to premature harvesting. The owner of his own garden observed the same phenomenon during early autumn cooling or excessive dryness of summer.

Hungarian Moscow

A popular variety among owners of summer cottages. Many people grow it as a pollinator and insurance in case of a lean season. The plum is old, proven, and has proven itself on the positive side. The fruits are blue ellipsoids, although they weigh less than average, but they are very juicy and soft. Fresh Hungarian is rarely consumed. Due to their unique sour taste, such plums are often processed into jams, compotes and other preparations. Fruits are stored for a long time in a cool room and can ripen when picked.

Pros:

• high yield under almost any circumstances;
• increased shelf life of plums.

Minuses:

• maximum fertility occurs 6-8 years after rooting;
• small fruit size;
• plums are not suitable for eating fresh.

Hungarian Muscovy needs a pollinator. But judging by the reviews on the Internet, the variety is completely unpretentious in this matter. And the plum itself is perhaps the best pollinating neighbor for others, says Andrey Vasiliev.

Gardeners also willingly cultivate other varieties of Hungarian: Voronezh, Donetsk, Azhan.

Vision (Vision)

This hybrid Canadian variety has been grown for over 50 years. Its fruits resemble Hungarian in shape and color, but are noticeably larger and sweeter. The yellow flesh is fleshy, tender and juicy. The bone is removed without difficulty.

Pros:

• resistance to fungal microorganisms;
• winter hardiness;
• large harvests;
• The density of the skin allows the fruit to be transported and stored for a long time.

Advice. Plums are suitable for various culinary experiments.

Minuses:

• pollinator required.

Owners of gardens and personal plots value Vision for its late ripening of fruits. The harvest in its juice is plucked from the branches at the end of September. The tree also blooms relatively late. A gardener from Voronezh under the nickname mystic69 indicates that the end of flowering of the Vision variety in his region occurs in mid-May. This means that the threat of kidney damage from recurrent frosts is minimized. On thematic forums, people share their experience of growing this variety in the middle zone, the Volga region and milder climatic zones.

Anna Shpet

This variety with a poetic name was bred by German breeders. Large ripe plums cover the branches of a long-lived tree with garlands. The color of the fruit is purple-red. The pulp is juicy and sweet, melts in your mouth. To achieve the best flavor, fruit should be kept on the branches until the first frost. Slightly dried plums can be stored in a cold place for up to 1 month. To increase this period, you need to harvest the crop unripe.

Pros:

• impressive yield;
• excellent taste;
• attractive presentation and large fruit size.

Minuses:

• flowering in mid-April, because of this there is a high risk of frostbite of the buds;
• proximity to pollinating varieties is desirable;
• a painful reaction to prolonged rain is possible.

Housewives share their experience: due to the high content of juice, Anna Shpet plums are difficult to dry and freeze. But they look great in jam, compotes and other preserves. Alexander from Voronezh region. talks about growing a variety without a pollinator. The yield in this case is lower than that declared by the breeders. Oleg Vladimirovich from Kharkov region. confirms this thesis, and also notes the need to treat plums against fungi and infections. Otherwise, diseases make the tree weak and brittle. The giant will definitely reduce the yield and may collapse from strong winds.

Drying plums at home

When making prunes yourself, you should adhere to the rules for preparing and drying plums as much as possible.

In the absence of special drying equipment, you can use a conventional oven or dry the fruits in the open air.

At home, you can dry plums in two ways:

1. Spread the fruit evenly in a single layer on plywood sheets or other suitable surface exposed to direct sunlight . Plums must be turned from one side to the other to avoid mold growing on them. After 5 days of drying in the sun, the fruits are transferred to the shade for final drying.
2. In ovens, the berries filled with juice are kept at 45° C for the first 4 hours, then turn off the heat to cool the fruit for 4 hours. In the next drying stage, which has the same duration, the temperature is raised to 60° C followed by cooling. The third stage lasts from 8 to 10 hours. During this process, the drying temperature rises to 75° C. When there are 3–5 minutes left before the end of the process, you can raise the temperature to 100° C to give the surface of the dried fruit a beautiful shine.

At home, you can dry plums in two ways: in ovens and in direct sunlight.

When prunes are ready, they have a soft structure; their tissues contain a certain amount of juice, which ensures their elasticity. But at the same time, moisture does not escape from the dried fruit even when it is squeezed using significant force.

It is used as an ingredient in various culinary dishes, for the preparation of sweets and confectionery.

Eating prunes prevents the development of bacteria and can be used to prevent caries and inflammatory gum diseases.

It improves the functioning of the digestive tract, normalizes blood pressure, and strengthens the nervous system.

How to cook prunes at home: