Description of cherry plum variety Zlato Skifov, cultivation and pollinators

Description of culture

The hybrid cherry plum Zlato Skifov can reach 200-250 cm in height. The spreading crown of the tree has a rounded shape. The leaves, like most plum varieties, are oblong in shape, the edge of the leaf blade is jagged, and its end is pointed.

As you can see in the photo of the Zlato Skifov cherry plum, the shoots of the tree are quite thick, yellowish in places. The flowers of this plum are white and numerous. The fruits are large, bright yellow, oval in shape. There is a slight waxy coating on the plum skin.

The weight of each fruit reaches about 30-35 g. The pronounced fruity aroma and sweet and sour taste make it possible to use the Zlato Skifov cherry plum variety in the food industry.

The main regions recommended for growing yellow plums are Ivanovo, Ryazan, Bryansk, Vladimir and other regions of central Russia.

Reviews from gardeners about the variety

Zlato Scythians has been living with me since 2000, and bears fruit since 2004. Bred at the Moscow Agricultural Academy. Winter hardiness is low, only 3.5 points according to Susov. If you purchase, it is better if the grafting onto a winter-hardy rootstock is done at a height of 1.0–1.5 m. Very tasty.

toliam1

https://www.websad.ru/archdis.php?code=340415

In the harsh winter of the year before last, our Zlato Skifov was frozen to the level of the snow, we cut it off, it recovered and survived the last warm winter normally. She has never bloomed before, because she is only 3 years old.

Sophie

https://www.websad.ru/archdis.php?code=340415

The garden is located in the north of the Moscow region, lowland. Scythian Gold overwintered normally, but another variety fell out this winter. The seedlings are 2 years old.

Naka

https://www.websad.ru/archdis.php?code=340415

For me, the taste of cherry plum variety Zoloto Scythians (it bears fruit for the second year) is very similar to the taste of zoned apricots!

Dachnichek

https://www.nn.ru/community/dom/dacha/pomogite_razlichit_abrikos_i_alychu.html?year=2013

My Zlato Scythians grows wide, the branches extend almost horizontally, they tend upward very weakly, the shoots are powerful and thick. Zlato Skifov is the first tree I planted in the garden, so I consider it one of my favorites. The taste is not as bright, but much more pleasant than many varieties. Sweet, even slightly honeyed, with a slight sourness near the pit. If you let it ripen, the stone separates from the pulp.

max28

https://forum.vinograd.info/showthread.php?t=415&page=123

I recommend Zlato Skifov. The berries are up to 5 cm in diameter, very sweet. I have all the cherry plums grafted onto the blackthorn. The branches break from the harvest. It overgrows very quickly, you have to prune it heavily every year, this is the only way to get compact bushes.

DimW

https://dacha.wcb.ru/index.php?showtopic=6119

Cherry plum Zlato Scythians is an unpretentious variety. Subject to proper growing conditions and proper care, the tree produces a bountiful harvest of fruits of excellent quality. It is used as a separate fruit crop and as a rootstock for plums, apricots and peaches.

• Author: Vita Gornaya
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Characteristics

The characteristics of cherry plum Zlato Skifov show that this is one of the best varieties bred by Russian breeders.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

Cherry plum is considered a heat-loving crop that tolerates dry periods of the year quite favorably. But only some varieties, including the plum Zlato Skifov, can boast of winter hardiness. This hybrid is suitable for cultivation even in areas with cold climates.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening time

Due to the sterility of plums, other varieties must be planted in the neighborhood. The main pollinators of cherry plum Zlato Skifov:

• Pavlovskaya yellow;
• Gift to St. Petersburg;
• Ruby.

Important! When choosing a pollinator for cherry plum, it is important that the flowering periods of the varieties approximately coincide.

The plum blossoms in late April - early May, and begins to bear fruit in June.

Productivity, fruiting

Cherry plum Zlata Skifov has an average yield: about 20 kg of plums from each mature tree. At the same time, the crop begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting.

Area of ​​application of fruits

The fruits of this plum variety are very juicy and soft, have a bright sweet taste with sourness and an attractive aroma. All these characteristics make it possible to use cherry plum for preparing a variety of dishes at home.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Plum is quite vulnerable to pathogens and diseases. But regular preventative spraying will reduce the risk of tree infection.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the cherry plum variety Zlato Skifov include:

• earlier fruit ripening;
• harvesting already 3-4 years after planting;
• regular fruiting;
• possibility of growing in areas with cold climates;
• universal taste of plum fruit.

The disadvantages are:

• self-sterility;
• relatively low plum yield;
• vulnerability to many diseases of stone fruit crops;
• poor keeping quality.

All of the above disadvantages of this variety are compensated by the numerous advantages of the Zlato Skifov plum.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before growing a fruit tree on your personal plot, you need to carefully understand all the pros and cons of the fruit crop.

See also

Description and technology of growing cherry plum variety Mara, pollinators

Read

Advantages of the variety:

1. Easy to care for.
2. The fruits ripen at the end of June.
3. The cherry plum begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year of growth.
4. Annual, stable fruiting.
5. Resistance to cold temperatures and prolonged frosts.
6. High taste and universal use of fruits.

Important! Low-calorie fruits are suitable for people with diabetes. The fruits do not cause a sharp jump in blood sugar levels and enrich the body with useful micro and macroelements.

Flaws:

1. Ripe fruits are not suitable for long-term storage. If long-distance transportation or storage of fruits is planned, harvesting begins 6-8 days before the fruits are fully ripened.
2. Young trees are susceptible to fungal infections.
3. Lack of ability to self-pollinate.
4. Due to the early flowering period, the buds are often subject to spring frosts.

According to reviews from gardeners and farmers, with the correct technology for planting seedlings and further care, the risk of problems with cherry plum cultivation is reduced.

Landing Features

Growing Zlato Skifov cherry plum does not require any special skills or abilities. It is important to wisely choose a seedling, planting site and place other varieties nearby to pollinate the crop.

Recommended timing

Despite the fact that the variety is winter-hardy, you need to choose the time for planting so that the seedling is not damaged by severe frosts and winds. The optimal time for excavation work is the beginning of April. In the south, plums are planted after leaf fall.

Advice! If the planting material was purchased at the end of autumn, then the root system of the seedling needs to be dug in and planting should be postponed until spring.

Choosing a suitable location

Cherry plum is a heat-loving and light-loving crop, so it is better to plant the tree in the southern part of the site on neutral loamy soils.

What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherry plum

Yellow cherry plum Zlato Skifov grows well next to other stone fruits, such as cherries, apricots, sloe or plums. And the best neighbors are pollinating varieties.

It is not advisable to place plums next to nightshade crops, large trees and berry bushes.

Selection and preparation of planting material

The optimal age of seedlings is 1-2 years; they take root easily. Reviews about the cultivation of cherry plum Zlato Skifov in the middle zone confirm this. Before purchasing, it is important to inspect the seedling for damage to the root system, broken shoots and cracks in the bark.

Pre-planting preparation consists of soaking the root for at least 3 hours.

Landing algorithm

The main stages of planting the Zlato Skifov plum:

1. First you need to dig a hole about 60 cm deep and about 65-70 cm in diameter, then prepare the soil with a mixture of humus, peat or sand.
2. Place the seedling in the center of the hole so that the root collar rises about 5 cm above its edge.
3. After this, all fertile soil is filled up and compacted tightly. If the seedling is fragile, you can drive a peg nearby and tie the tree to it.
4. A roll of soil is formed around the trunk of the seedling and 25-30 liters of water are spilled.
5. After all the moisture has been absorbed, the soil around the plum needs to be mulched with peat or straw.

Advice! It is better to prepare a hole for planting a cherry plum seedling in advance, at least 1-2 weeks in advance. If planting is planned in the spring, then the hole can be dug in the fall, after which organic and mineral fertilizers can be added to it.

How to plant Scythian Gold correctly

Zlato Scythians is a hybrid cherry plum variety that can adapt and bear fruit stably in a wide variety of climatic conditions. You just need to find a trustworthy nursery or gardener in the area where you plan to grow it. Regionalized seedlings purchased there take root much better, since they are already adapted to the vagaries of weather characteristic of this region.

Selecting a location

For proper growth and development, cherry plum needs warmth and sunlight. Select an open area for the seedling. On the northern or northwestern side, it is desirable to have some kind of barrier that protects the trees from sharp cold drafts. Since the variety is self-sterile, consider whether the selected area is large enough for two or more mature trees, and evaluate the size of the proposed pollinating varieties.

Preparing for landing

In regions with a temperate climate, experienced gardeners recommend planting Scythian Gold in early spring. You just need to wait until the ground thaws enough. The optimal time is the second ten days of April. It is important to get there before the leaf buds open.

Where in winter the temperature rarely drops below -10ºС, it is quite possible to plan planting for the beginning of autumn. The plant will have time to get used to the new conditions before the cold weather.

The quality of the soil, in principle, is not so important, unlike its acidity. Like all stone fruit trees, cherry plum prefers slightly alkaline soil. Find out the level of acidity in advance; if necessary, add dolomite flour to the substrate. Cherry plum grows best in light, fertile loam, but this is not the only option. Zlato Scythians only dislikes waterlogged heavy soils.

Excessively wet soil is not suitable for Scythian gold. If groundwater comes closer to the surface than 0.8–1 m, look for another area. If there is no alternative, create a mound at least 50 cm high.

A lowland where cold, humid air stagnates, and in the spring there is also melt water, is a bad choice. Cherry plum Zlato Scythians during flowering is prone to freezing of the buds.

Selection of seedlings

It is recommended to purchase any seedlings only from trustworthy places. Take the time to study reviews on the Internet and ask the opinions of friends and acquaintances of gardeners. At agricultural fairs and other similar events, there is a high risk of buying a “counterfeit”.

When making a choice, be sure to pay attention to the bark, shoots and roots of the annual seedling. The first one should be smooth, elastic, uniform in color, without spots, wrinkles or traces of peeling. The branches are necessarily flexible. If the seller allows, cut a small piece from one of them. A healthy seedling has white or greenish wood, not beige-brown. The roots of annual cherry plum are at least 10 cm in length. There should be no dry, rotten or moldy roots. In two-year-old seedlings, the roots are 2.5–3 times longer, and 4–5 taproots are clearly visible.

The scion site must be clearly visible on the seedling, otherwise it is grown from a seed - such trees extremely rarely retain the characteristics of the parent plant

How to plant cherry plum correctly

When planting in spring, the pit is prepared in the fall. In autumn - 12–15 days before planting. In the selected location, take out a cube of soil with an edge of 70–75 cm. The fertile turf soil is set aside and mixed with 15–20 liters of rotted manure or humus. Those who prefer natural fertilizers add 1–1.5 liters of wood ash, all others add 250 g of simple superphosphate and 35–50 g of potassium nitrate. Excess acidity is neutralized with 300–400 g of dolomite flour. The prepared soil is poured onto the bottom of the hole in the form of a small mound.

A properly prepared planting pit is the key to successful adaptation and proper development of the seedling

A few hours before planting, cherry plum roots are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (to destroy fungi and bacteria) or preparations Epin, Topaz, potassium humate (to strengthen and stimulate growth). Immediately before the procedure, the roots are dipped for a couple of minutes in a mixture of fresh cow dung and powdered clay.

Step-by-step description of landing

1. A support at least 20 cm higher than the seedling is inserted into the earthen hill, stepping slightly from the top to the side and securely fixed.
2. The roots of the tree are placed in the hole and carefully straightened so that none of them bend upward.
3. In small portions, they begin to add soil from the sides, periodically compacting it. Be careful, the roots are easy to damage. Always make sure that the root collar is 7–8 cm above the edge of the hole.
4. Having filled the entire hole, the soil is crushed again, retreating 40–50 cm from the trunk, and a shallow annular groove is formed. The tree is tied to a support.
5. The seedling is watered with 10–15 liters of settled water at room temperature.
6. When the liquid is completely absorbed into the soil, the tree trunk circle at a specified distance from the tree is mulched, filling it with freshly cut grass, straw, fallen leaves, dry peat or manure, and humus. The minimum layer thickness is 5 cm.

If the seedling was purchased in a tub, everything is even simpler. Preliminary preparation is excluded. Water is poured into a container with cherry plum until bubbles appear on the surface. Then the plant, together with the earthen lump, is taken out, placed in a hole and covered with soil.

When planting several seedlings at the same time, maintain a distance between them of about 2.5 m; when planting a garden, leave 3–3.5 m between the rows.

Subsequent care of the crop

Due to the plant's resistance to drought, it does not need regular watering during regular rainfall. But with a long absence of rain, especially in southern and arid regions, about 3-4 waterings per season are required. On average, one tree uses 30-35 liters of water at a time. When watering, never use cold water.

You also need to regularly weed and loosen the soil around the tree. As for feeding, if organic or mineral fertilizers were added to the hole before planting, then the tree does not need them until the first fruiting. Next you should proceed according to the following scheme:

• April - application of ammonium nitrate and potassium salts at the rate of 25 g and 35 g per square meter, respectively;
• May - urea solution at the rate of 80 g per 25 liters of water;
• June - mullein solution with the addition of superphosphate in a ratio of 1:3.

If the soil in the area with the plum tree is acidic, it is recommended to add chalk or lime every five years.

In addition, planting and caring for the Zlato Skifov cherry plum includes regular pruning of the tree. The procedure is carried out at the very beginning of spring before the buds swell, or in late autumn after the leaves fall.

To prepare a tree for winter, it is enough to whitewash the trunk with lime to protect it from pests.

How to care

Let's find out the main features of caring for the cherry plum variety Zlato Scythians.

Watering

Cherry plum Zlato Scythians is a fairly drought-resistant crop, so if it rains frequently in your area, the tree does not require additional moisture. However, if it is hot and there is no rain, then there should be watering.

Optimal periods for watering: immediately after flowering, then after the shoots have completed their growth, and after the fruits have completely ripened.

It is best to water directly under the root, moistening the tree trunk. One watering usually consumes 30-40 liters of water per tree.

Before wintering in October, it is necessary to carry out moisture-recharging irrigation by pouring 60 liters of water under each tree at a time. This procedure will help the plant roots to overwinter more comfortably. But how to care for a white honey plum, how it looks in the photo, can be understood by going to the description.

Attention: the water for watering cherry plums should not be cold. Its optimal temperature is +25 degrees.

Top dressing

In order for a tree to fully develop and bear fruit regularly, it needs feeding. It is necessary to apply fertilizer throughout the season, distributing it evenly.

So, in the spring, before the beginning of the flowering period, when digging the root circle, 40 grams of potassium salt and 25 grams of ammonium nitrate are added to the soil per 1 m2. In May, the plant must be fed with urea.

When flowering is over, apply mullein under the tree, do not forget to first dilute the organic fertilizer in water (proportion 1:3). Add superphosphate to the mixture (50 g per 10 liters of liquid). For every sq. meter of area, you need to pour two liters of the resulting nutrient solution. In early June, spray the tree with urea (four percent).

In the second half of September, cherry plum must be fertilized with a solution of superphosphate and potassium sulphide. These substances are diluted in a 10-liter bucket of water in the amount of 3 tbsp. spoons and 2 tbsp. spoons respectively. You need to pour 2 buckets of this solution under one tree.

Trimming

This procedure is extremely important for cherry plum, as it helps improve its productivity. Typically, pruning is carried out three times a year.

In the spring, before the active movement of sap, the tree is sanitary pruned, removing branches frozen over the winter, old, dry and diseased shoots.

When forming the crown, it is recommended to give the cherry plum a tiered, sparse form. This way, all the fruits will be evenly illuminated by the sun and will ripen at the same time.

But you can learn from this description how the Sinilga plum is pruned.

On the video - how to care for cherry plum:

Wintering

Before the onset of cold weather, the cherry plum must be covered with soil, and the root circle must be mulched with peat, humus or compost. The layer of mulch for wintering should be quite thick - at least 20 cm. When snow falls, throw more of it around the trunk - this measure will help protect the roots of the tree from freezing.

Harvesting

From one tree you can collect about 30 kg of delicious berries. Collect fruits in dry weather. It is important not to separate the berries from the stalk, as this will help the fruit stay fresh longer.

The Scythian Gold cherry plum is best stored in wooden boxes with ventilation slots provided. The optimal storage temperature is +2-6 degrees, air humidity is 90%.

If you plan to transport fruit over a long distance, it is recommended to harvest your crops a week ahead of schedule. This will contribute to better keeping quality of the fruit, since their skin and pulp will still be dense. It will also be interesting to know what kind of harvest can be harvested from the blue dar plum.

The video shows the cherry plum harvest:

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The plum variety is characterized by average resistance to disease, and gardeners’ reviews of the Zlato Skifov cherry plum are proof of this.

Table “Main diseases of the Zlato Skifov variety”

Table “Main pests of cherry plum Zlato Skifov”

Harvesting

The Scythian gold will bear its first fruits within three years. In central Russia, cherry plum will ripen somewhere in mid-July, and in the south, as a rule, earlier. The tree's fruiting is stable - 3 buckets from one tree, and under favorable conditions much more - 100 kg. Gardeners often have to put supports under branches - this way they are burdened with the harvest. Fruit weight is from 30 to 40 g.

Fruit weight - 30–40 g

Fruits with honey taste will delight you for a long time, as their ripening occurs gradually. Even the ripest ones remain on the branches for several days. There is no need to pick fruits ahead of time, hoping that they will “arrive” on the windowsill. This won't happen. The real taste of cherry plum appears at the moment of absolute ripening.

Using cherry plum

Unfortunately, fresh cherry plum is stored only for a few days. But it can be dried, frozen, pickled. The pulp is used to make marmalade, marshmallows, and jam. Cherry plum quenches thirst well and tones. The oil is used in cosmetology, and ground seeds are used to cleanse food products. Cherry plum is used to treat vitamin deficiency, colds, and diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Cherry plums are used to make jam, jam, marmalade

Harvesting and storage

Scythian Gold begins to bear fruit in the 4th year. Fruit ripening does not occur at the same time, so harvesting is carried out 2-3 times every 5-7 days. If necessary, they can hang on a branch without harm to themselves for 4-5 days.

It is advisable to harvest juicy berries in dry weather if you intend to store them. The fruits must be picked together with the stalk and carefully placed in shallow containers with holes for ventilation. At t=5°C, fresh fruits are stored for 18-20 days. Not quite ripe fruits are stored for a week longer, ripening at 7-10°C.

Fresh cherry plum is not suitable for long-term storage, but frozen storage is possible for a long period. Juicy fruits also make delicious jam, marmalade, jam, compote, sauces and seasonings for meat dishes.

Site and soil for planting cherry plum

Cherry plum is a sunny plant, the taste and size of the fruits of which directly depend on the illumination of the area. Therefore, the place for it should be well lit and protected from cold western and northwestern winds and drafts. You also need to consider the option of planting plants to pollinate the variety. Sometimes, if possible, you can group plantings in two adjacent areas, planting cherry plum at an accessible distance from the neighboring cherry plum.

Cherry plum is not as demanding on soil composition as it is on acidity. It prefers neutral or slightly alkaline soil, the acidity of which can be determined in advance using litmus or home testing methods. In case of high acidity, add dolomite flour or fluffed lime to deoxidize (according to the instructions on the package).

You may be interested in: Cherry plum “Kuban Comet”: features of cultivation and characteristics Cherry plum “Zlato Skifov”: features of cultivation and care

Heavy soils with too much moisture are not suitable for growing cherry plum. The occurrence of groundwater above 80-100 cm is detrimental to the roots - they grow at a depth of 30-40 cm from the surface. Alternatively, you can raise the soil at the planting site by building a hill 50cm high.

The most frost-resistant cherry plum varieties for the central and middle zones

To grow cherry plum in Central Russia, you need to pay close attention to the frost resistance of the variety. Trees must not only survive winter cold well, but also spring frosts, because the main threat from an unstable climate lies precisely in them. The varieties have the best performance

: Tsarskaya, Seedling Rocket, Vladimir Comet and others.

Gift to St. Petersburg

The variety is characterized by good resistance not only to cold, but to unstable climatic conditions, heavy rainfall and frost. A medium-sized tree with a wide, dense crown of large sizes, bears its first fruits already in the 4th year of life. Productivity is annual. The fruits are light orange in color, slightly elongated in shape and weigh only 20 grams.

. The taste is sweet and sour; the fruits also tolerate transportation well and can be used for various types of preservation.

Vladimir comet

This variety was bred relatively recently, but in all respects it already surpasses many older subspecies. A medium-sized tree has a wide but at the same time sparse crown. The fruits are large in size, round-oval in shape with a pointed end, burgundy skin color, with a light waxy coating. The pulp is a rich, dark orange color with a sweet and sour taste. The purpose of such cherry plum is universal. The tree quickly begins to bear fruit and also quickly increases its yield; ripe cherry plum can be harvested as early as mid-July. Frost resistance is very high, the same applies to the self-fertility of the variety.

Rocket Seedling

The variety is exceptionally frost-resistant; a medium-sized tree can withstand frosts down to -35 degrees. The crown of the tree is dense and spreading. The fruits are large, grow up to 30 grams, red in color, round in shape with pointed ends

. The productivity of the variety is at the highest level.

Timiryazevskaya

The variety got its name in honor of the scientific institute where it was bred. The tree grows to a height of no more than 3 meters, the crown is spreading, its shape resembles a cone, the foliage is very sparse. The fruits are small, egg-shaped, covered with a thin skin of light red color. The pulp is very tasty and juicy, loose, fibrous, the stone is separated without difficulty. You can collect up to 30 kilograms of fruit from one tree

, while it does not require complex care, tolerates frost well and is not affected by fungal diseases.

How to choose planting material?

To grow cherry plum Zlato Scythians use seedlings that can be purchased in specialized stores or farms. In order to grow a large, healthy tree, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for choosing planting material:

1. There should be no visible cracks or dry areas on the bark.
2. Crown without broken or dried branches.
3. The roots are at least 10 cm long. If the root system is open, there should be no separate dry roots. If it is closed, the root must be strong.
4. Pay attention to the soil in which the seedlings are placed. There should be no mold or lumps in it.

It is necessary to select seedlings only close to the planting site. Material grown in regions with a different climate will most likely not take root.