Tula black plum: secrets of cultivating a fruitful tree

Description of the plum variety Black Tula

The variety has several other names:

• Tula prunes;
• Winter blue;
• Meshchovsky prunes;
• Bryansk late.

The tree and fruit have their own special characteristics.

The Tula plum grows up to 4.5 m in height. It has a small, dense, oval crown. The leaves have a dark green tint.

According to the photo of the black plum, the fruit looks like an egg. They cannot boast of large sizes. The weight of the plum reaches a maximum of 30 g. The color of the fruit is dark blue, sometimes with a red tint. There is a bluish coating on the skin.

The pulp of plums is yellow-green, dense, juicy. It tastes sweet. According to tasters, it deserves a rating of 4.1 points out of 5 possible for taste.

Attention! A tree grown in the southern regions bears tastier fruits.

Growing the Black Tulskaya plum works best in the Moscow region. The variety is also widespread in the Tula and Kaluga regions.

Tula black - a tasty and productive plum of folk selection

Choosing a fruit tree for your garden plot is not an easy task: you need to take into account climatic and soil conditions, as well as your own ability to care for the tree. The Tula black plum is unpretentious to growing conditions and produces regular harvests of not too large, but pleasant-tasting fruits. Although the tree, especially the flower buds, may freeze during spring frosts, it has a high self-healing ability. These properties make Tula black desirable in any garden.

Characteristics of the variety

The main characteristics of this variety of plum relate to its resistance to adverse weather conditions, fertility, and resistance to certain diseases.

Drought resistance, frost resistance

The Black Tulskaya variety does not tolerate a lack of moisture very well. Due to drought, unripe fruits fall to the ground.

Reviews of the “Tulskaya Chernaya” plum in the Moscow region indicate that its winter hardiness level is average. The tree quickly recovers after a frosty winter.

Pollinators of plum Chernaya Tulskaya

The variety is considered self-fertile. It does not need pollinators for stable fruiting. This is one of its main advantages.

Productivity and fruiting

The “Black Tulskaya” variety produces fruit regularly. Gardeners watched her for 17 years. During this period there was no harvest only 4 times.

The variety's yield level is average. Usually this is about 10 kg of fruit per tree. The maximum value is 35 kg.

Area of ​​application of berries

Black Tula plum is used to prepare various dishes and preparations. This is juice, compote, jam, jam, liqueur. But it is worth remembering that due to the high juiciness of the fruit, preserves and jams turn out to be too liquid.

Resistance to diseases and pests

A pleasant characteristic of the Black Tulskaya plum variety is its resistance to certain types of diseases and pests. The tree is not susceptible to clasterosporiosis and fruit rot.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Black Tula plum has a number of advantages.

1. Stability of fruiting.
2. Good yield (maximum 35 kg per tree).
3. High taste ratings.
4. Easy to separate pulp and pits.
5. The tree does not suffer from clasterosporiosis and rot.

Flaws:

• average level of winter hardiness;
• fruit shedding due to lack of moisture;
• influence of weather conditions on taste.

Another significant drawback is the susceptibility to the fatty stem.

Harvesting

The Tula black plum begins to bear fruit only in the 5th - 6th year of life. Refers to medium-late ripening varieties (fruits ripen in early September). The maximum yield with good care is up to 35 kg per tree, the average reaches 14 kg.

Tula black ripens in early September

Harvesting occurs as the fruits ripen. Plums are plucked from the stem and sorted for storage or processing.

To keep fruits longer, they need to be collected only in dry weather. It is not recommended to wash off the waxy coating - it protects the skin from damage.

Place the fruits in boxes in 3 layers (transferring from one container to another is undesirable - the fruits may become wrinkled and their shelf life will be reduced). Storage at a humidity of 90% and a temperature of up to 20C increases the shelf life to up to a month. The plum will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Brushed or damaged plums are used in processing - the best results are juices, liqueurs and liqueurs. This is due to the fact that the fruits contain a lot of juice. The jam may turn out slightly runny.

The fruits of the Tula black plum produce excellent juice

The greatest benefit will come from fruits in their natural form. Organic acids, macro- and microelements contained in plums will help strengthen the immune system, regulate digestive processes and cardiac activity.

Landing Features

How correctly the tree was planted depends on its health and productivity.

Recommended timing

The time for planting seedlings depends greatly on the region. If this is the Moscow region and surrounding areas, it is better to plant in the spring. In a few warm months, seedlings will not only be able to adapt to new conditions, but also prepare for winter.

It is better to start planting 5 days after the snow melts. The entire process takes 2 weeks. If you start it later, during the period of sap flow, the plum will take root poorly.

In regions with mild winters, autumn planting is preferable. We need to get there before the cold weather sets in. The ideal month for planting is October.

Attention! Plum seedlings of the “Black Tulskaya” variety, which have a closed root system, can be planted in the ground at any time of the year.

Choosing a suitable location

As mentioned above, the taste of the Black Tulskaya plum directly depends on the amount of sunlight. The more sun, the sweeter the fruits will be. That is why seedlings should be planted not in the shade, but in a place open to light. However, they must be protected from the wind. Therefore, the best option is space near the house or fence.

It is better to choose loam from the soil. It is good if groundwater lies at a depth of 1-1.2 m.

It is not recommended to plant plums on heavy, acidic, alkaline or cold soil. Clay will also not work. On it, the root system will be partially located on the surface, which is why it may suffer from severe frosts or air deficiency.

Restrictions are also imposed on sandstones. Such soil has no nutrients at all, and it dries out quickly.

Too low areas are also not suitable for planting the Black Tulskaya plum variety. Cold air accumulates in them. In addition, they are more susceptible to flooding than others.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?

It is not recommended to plant the following plants next to the Black Tulskaya tree:

• Walnut;
• hazelnut;
• fir;
• birch;
• poplar.

The proximity of a plum to a pear is also considered unfavorable. However, this applies to cases where the trees are very close to each other.

The Black Tula plum has good or neutral relationships with apple trees and black currants. You can also plant thyme, tulips, daffodils, and primrose near it.

Selection and preparation of planting material

The Black Tula plum seedlings selected for planting must meet several simple requirements.

1. Age no more than 2 years.
2. The presence of one conductor and three side shoots is a minimum.
3. The roots are 35-40 cm long. It is important that the root system does not have growths or overgrowths.

To protect the seedlings during transportation, their roots must be covered with a cloth soaked in water. Wrap the top with polyethylene.

Chinese plum

China is considered the birthplace of this plum. Its varieties are most often distributed in our country in the Far East and Siberia.

The main features of Chinese plums are their early fruiting and rapid growth. The first harvest from the trees is harvested 1-2 years after planting. With age, the number of fruits on the plant becomes larger.

In large-fruited varieties, the berries reach 120 g. Depending on the variety, their peel can be yellow, red, purple, or orange. They store well and are suitable for long-distance transportation.

The pulp is sweet, with a strong aroma and a fused stone that is not easy to separate. But in terms of taste, they are much inferior to homemade plums. Let's look at some varieties in more detail.

Alyonushka

• This is a variety of Chinese plum, which was bred specifically for cultivation in the middle part of our country. Obtained by selection of two varieties of Chinese plum.
• This variety has not yet become widespread in Russia. Due to its cold resistance, it is suitable for cultivation in Ukraine and Belarus. It is considered resistant to moniliosis and clasterosporiosis. But it is susceptible to aphids.
• Alyonushka is a small tree, with an average height of 2.2 m. The fruits are large, weighing up to 50 g. They are spherical in shape. They taste like peach.
• The skin is colored in different shades of red and pink. The berries inside are juicy, sweet, sour, and orange in color. Fruits with medium-sized seeds that are difficult to separate from the pulp.
• Alyonushka plums ripen early. They can be transported over long distances. But they are not suitable for storage. It is best to use them in their raw form.
• It is necessary to plant other pollinating varieties next to this tree, since it is self-sterile. The best “neighbors” for Alyonushka are early ripening varieties of Chinese plums and cherry plums.

Precocious

• Suitable for growing in the coldest areas of the Moscow region. Can withstand air temperatures down to -40 C.
• A small tree, no higher than 2.5 m. The color of the fruit can range from yellow to red. One berry weighs about 30 g. Inside it is juicy, with moderately dense orange pulp and an inseparable seed. The taste is sweet, with sourness. The smell is reminiscent of melon.
• Fruiting begins a year after planting at the end of July, beginning of August. From one tree you can harvest up to 30 kg of harvest. But to get berries, you need to plant other varieties - pollinators - next to it. “Skoroplodnaya” is demanding on the pollination process. For its proximity, it is better to choose cherry plum hybrids, the Red Ball variety.
• The plant is resistant to clasterosporiosis.

For long-term storage, early fruiting plums are harvested unripe.

Souvenir of the East

• The variety was obtained by hybridizing the Giant and Veniaminova Zarya plums. The fruits have a good presentation. The taste is similar to a peach. Mainly used for fresh consumption.
• The berries are dark red, weigh about 40 g. When cut, you can see the orange, juicy pulp, which contains a small seed.
• On a tree 2.5 m high, the first fruits begin to ripen in mid-August. But for this it is recommended to plant a Giant plum next to it. Subject to the presence of a pollinator, 1 plant can produce up to 45 kg of yield.
• There have been cases of plants being affected by clasterosporium blight. Winter hardiness is average.

Landing algorithm

Planting of the Black Tula plum is carried out in several stages.

1. About 2 weeks before planting, dig up the ground (radius 2 m) and add fertilizer (8 kg of humus, 50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium salt).
2. Dig a hole (depth 60 cm, width 70 cm). Combine the earth with peat (2 buckets), superphosphate (300 g) and potassium sulphide (80 g). Pour the mixture into the hole to fill 2/3 of its volume.
3. Drive a small peg into the hole.
4. Place the “Black Tula” plum seedling in the hole, carefully straighten the roots, and cover with soil. It is important that the root collar is 5-7 cm above the ground.
5. Form an earthen roller at a distance of 40 cm from the tree.
6. Water the ground with 2 buckets of clean water.
7. As soon as the water is absorbed, cover the soil with humus or peat (10 cm).

Several plums of this variety should be planted at a distance of 3 m from each other.

Aftercare for plums

Proper planting and care of the Black Tula plum is the key to a healthy tree and a good harvest. Not a single detail should be overlooked, be it gradual pruning or fertilization.

There are two types of pruning of this type of tree: formative and sanitary. It is held every year.

1. After planting, it is necessary to shorten the central trunk of the tree so that it is 25 cm higher than the branches.
2. At 2 years of age, the formation of a sparsely layered crown begins. It is recommended to leave the 3 strongest branches. Cut the shoots to 60 cm. It is important that the central trunk still remains 20-25 cm higher than the other branches.
3. At 3 years old, the formation of 2 tiers of the crown should begin. It is located 40 cm from the first and consists of 2 branches.
4. At 4 years old you need to make the 3rd tier.
5. Starting from the 5th year, it is necessary to trim only those branches that make the crown too thick.

Sanitary pruning of plants of this variety is carried out as necessary and does not depend on the age of the plum. It involves removing damaged or diseased branches. It is also recommended to remove root shoots, which have a bad effect on the nutrition and growth of the tree.

As mentioned above, the Black Tula plum variety does not cope well with drought. For this reason, special attention should be paid to watering. During the growing season, you need to water the tree 6 times:

• after the flowers fall;
• 2 weeks after the first watering;
• 2 weeks after the second watering;
• during the period of fruit ripening;
• after the harvest is harvested;
• in September – October.

Feeding is also carried out according to the seasons.

Another important part of caring for the Black Tula plum variety is its preparation for winter. It starts in October. First of all, the soil around the tree must be cleared of fallen leaves and dug up (20 cm). Afterwards, you need to fill the plum with 70 liters of water and cover it with sawdust or a 10-centimeter layer of peat.

To protect the plant from rodents, the trunk should be whitened. After this, wrap it with a layer of roofing material, glass wool and light-reflecting foil.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The plum variety “Chernaya Tulskaya” is not susceptible to clasterosporia and fruit rot. However, it may suffer from other diseases or pests.

Of the pests, the plum "Black Tula" is most often affected by the thick stalk, yellow sawfly and codling moth.

1. Chlorophos, Karbofos or Mospilan, diluted in water according to the instructions, will help get rid of the fatty leg.
2. The same drugs as in the previous case help fight yellow sawfly.
3. Chlorophos can protect plums from codling moths. Treatment is usually carried out in mid-June.

Important! Timely digging and destruction of damaged fruits will help prevent plums from being damaged by pests.

The plum "Black Tula" was liked by many gardeners. It has good yield, excellent taste, and resistance to some diseases. Like any other fruit tree, it requires constant care. If everything is done correctly and according to the schedule, the plum will delight you with fruits for many years.