The best varieties of columnar plum

The first columnar apple and pear trees appeared in Russian gardens about twenty years ago. A columnar plum with poorly developed or missing skeletal branches is even more rare, but the advantages of an unusual culture are already of interest to both summer residents and owners of farm gardens.

A natural mutation of fruit plants, leading to a form that is not traditional for trees, was noticed and fixed. As a result, today enthusiasts have at their disposal several varieties with large fruits for universal use.

Features of a columnar plum

Plums are quite tall. Many orts are prone to excessive crown density, which interferes with care, promotes the spread of pests and diseases, and also makes it difficult to collect ripe fruits. The structure of the crown of a columnar plum is quite different. The height of an adult tree does not exceed 2–2.5 meters, while there are no large skeletal branches on the trunk, and fruiting occurs only on bouquet branches no more than 15–20 cm long.

With proper planting and care, columnar plums on strong rootstocks begin to bear fruit already for 2–4 years. What are the other advantages of growing fruit trees with a narrow, practically non-branching crown?

During the season, a summer resident can collect from 5 to 10 kg of sweet fruits from a columnar tree. Such a yield is significantly less than that of an ordinary varietal plant. But if we take into account that the trees of the plum-columns are planted more often, the yield of the garden rises sharply. In addition, the maintenance and care of the planting of columnar plums is much easier. The small crown is easily accessible for pollinating insects, it is ventilated and fully illuminated by the sun.

The only drawback of the columnar plum is the relatively short age of the tree. By the age of ten, aging begins and yields will naturally drop. Therefore, gardeners interested in intensive fruiting should in advance, at least partially, update the planting.

Today in nurseries, summer residents can find several varieties of plum with a compact crown in the form of a green column.

Columnar plum variety Blue Sweet

For private gardens from the Moscow region to the southern regions, the Blue Sweet variety of the columnar plum is suitable. Trees up to 2.5 meters high are distinguished by a small trunk, extremely rare formation of side branches and abundant fruiting. On fruit trees, with competent agricultural technology, up to 15 kilograms of large dark blue fruits ripen. If the summer is warm enough, fruits that are not prone to cracking gain weight up to 60–70 grams. Under the skin covered with a gray waxy bloom, there is a juicy, bright yellow pulp of a sweet and sour taste.

A pleasant bonus for lovers of fresh fruits of the Blue Sweet variety will be the oval-pointed bone that is easily separated from the melting pulp.

Plums are ready for harvest in 3-4 weeks of August or early September. The columnar variety of plum is winter-hardy and can withstand the cold of the middle zone without additional shelter.To get a massive harvest, the plant needs pollinators, such as the nearby Stanley trees.

Columnar Plum Imperial

A tree up to two meters high has a narrow pyramidal shape with sparse lateral branches. Young plants of the Imperial Columnar Plum have a high growth rate, which slows down significantly by 3-4 years, when the time of fruiting begins.

Medium in size, elongated, without pubescence, the cast appears after flowering in the first decade of May. The abundant ovary densely covers the bouquet branches, and as it ripens, it turns from green to pinkish-purple or maroon. Thin, covered with a bluish bloom, the skin hides yellow or pinkish flesh. Plums of this variety:

• accumulate sweetness well;
• have low acidity;
• spread a light fruity aroma.

Mass ripening begins in mid-August, and the farther south, the better the quality of fruits weighing from 40 to 60 grams.

Like many varieties, the Imperial Columnar Plum is a self-fertile crop that requires the planting of pollinating trees. They are selected based on the timing of the general flowering.

Once removed from the branches, plums can be stored for up to two weeks, until they can be used fresh, in conservation or in cooking.

Recommendations for planting and caring for a columnar drain

The main danger that lies in wait for a summer resident who decides to grow a columnar plum is damage to the apical growth bud. Most often this happens when very young seedlings freeze out. A tree with limited growth actively forms lateral branches. The crown loses its original shape, yields are falling rapidly. To prevent this from happening, it is important:

• choose the landing time correctly;
• find a suitable site;
• plant a young fruit tree correctly;
• immediately provide it with proper care, including watering and nutrition.

In the middle lane, in the Urals and other regions, where frequent autumn frosts and cold weather come very early, zoned varieties of columnar plum are planted only in spring. South of the Chernozem region, this crop can be planted in the fall, providing reliable protection from wind, rodents and snowless wintering.

On a flat sunny area with light fertile soil, plums are planted at a distance of at least 50 cm from each other. Between the rows in such a garden, intervals of about one and a half meters are made.

Care after planting a columnar plum differs little from the traditional one. To speed up rooting, after the seedlings have fallen into the ground, it is useful to feed them with growth stimulants that activate the growth of the root system. Pruning of trees is reduced to sanitary, that is, damaged, frozen or dried branches are removed in a timely manner. If the tip is damaged, the growth point is transferred to one of the suitable rings.

Video about fruiting a columnar plum

A large, juicy and tasty plum is always a godsend for a gardener. The varieties that grow on the territory of our country are quite diverse, but not many of them can boast of a really good harvest. Did you know that columnar plums are gaining incredible popularity today? What these trees are, what are their features and which varieties are best to prefer for your garden, today we will analyze with you.

general characteristics

These trees do not have the characteristics of an ordinary plum orchard. Most often in our gardens we see undersized trees with a spreading crown. And columnar plums are amazing plants, in which the fruits are located directly on the trunk. They appeared relatively recently, when an American breeder noticed an unusual branch on a tree that was thinner than the rest and bore fruit well. The work on it resulted in the appearance of the world's first columnar apple tree. Later we got to pears and, last of all, to stone fruits.

Today, columnar plums are no longer a curiosity, although there are gardeners who have just learned about their existence. Obvious advantages include the small size of the tree, growing in height from one and a half to two meters, an underdeveloped crown and an early onset of abundant fruiting. By the end of the second year of life, you will receive a fairly large number of fruits. In addition, good keeping quality is noted, which means that the resulting crop can be transported to the place of sale without fear for the goods.

Yield

Columnar plums are very convenient in terms of harvesting, since the trees are not spreading and do not exceed the average height of a person. Despite this, each adult plant can withstand a harvest of 10-12 kg. That is why it is very important to keep an eye on it and tie it up as needed. During the first 6-7 years, intensive growth and development of the seedling is observed. At the same time, an increase in productivity is taking place. In the 7-8th year, the tree already enters the maturity phase. For about 10 years, it will delight with a consistently high yield. And at the 17th year of life, the number of fruits drops sharply. Now the plum can only serve as a decoration for the garden, or the tree must be replaced with a younger one.

Columnar varieties of plum for the Moscow region

Going to buy seedlings, do not forget that each variety has its own characteristics. In particular, it is very important to find out how resistant your chosen seedling is to winter cold. It is advisable to use only local varieties - they will definitely be adapted to climatic features and will not freeze out. Below we will consider the varieties that are recommended for planting in the Moscow region.

Like all other fruit trees, the columnar plum requires attention and care. Before planting it, it is important to prepare the soil well using a nutritious substrate. The planting hole is filled with light earth, necessarily containing sand, as well as humus or compost (3-5 kg ​​per tree). It is not recommended to apply mineral fertilizers at the time of planting - this can adversely affect the development of the plant. The distance between trees is 40-50 cm, and between adjacent rows is 1-2 meters.

Planting care

Planting a columnar plum is a simple procedure, even a novice gardener can handle it. And further from you, attentive and careful care of a young tree will be required. During the warm season, plants should be fed with urea at the rate of 50 g of fertilizer per 10 liters of water. It is recommended to spend at least two liters of solution for each tree. The plum is fertilized in three stages, with an interval of one day of the week. You can use urea and immunostimulants at this stage. By the end of summer, the grown and matured trees begin to be fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Pruning

This is a traditional ritual that is carried out for all fruit trees, so that only those branches on which there will be fruits are grown, without unnecessary growth of green mass. It is recommended to cut the columns in the spring, before the buds swell on the trees. Since the tree itself is undersized, the top is usually not removed. But if you want to get several side shoots, then you can pinch it slightly. One good shoot is left from the side ones, and the rest are used as a scion. Do not forget that all flowers that form in the first summer after planting must be removed: for now, all nutrients must go to the formation of a powerful root system, as well as to the growth of the seedling itself.

Imperial grade

It is the most common in Russia. Gardeners call it "peach" for its unusually large and tasty round-shaped berries. Their color is also suitable - dark red. The mass of one fruit can reach 55 g. The pulp pleases with its juiciness and sweetness.Delicate nectar notes and a bright golden color will give pleasure even to children who usually do not like garden plums for their tart taste.

Columnar plum Imperial gives a harvest in the twentieth of August. A mature tree reaches two meters in height. The fruits can be eaten immediately or used for various preservation.

The pride of Blue Sweet gardeners

Continuing to consider the columnar varieties of plums, one cannot but recall this unique variety. Do you want an exact analogue of southern prunes to grow on your site? Then this is what you need. Dark purple fruits reach a weight of 75 g. The pulp is very juicy, with a sweetish-sour taste. Their shape is oval and even slightly flattened.

This is a large tree by the standards of the column. Height can reach 2.2 meters. The maximum crown diameter is 90 cm, so they can be planted quite close to each other. The fruits ripen in August. This variety is distinguished by its stunning presentation and good keeping quality. One tree can produce up to 13 kg of selected plums, despite its compact size.

Commander

Column-shaped plum varieties for the Moscow region are constantly updated, every year there are improved ones, with more interesting characteristics. The Commander differs from others in the reddish or purple hue of the skin and tasty, juicy fruits of large size. The pulp has a delicate structure, yellow color and sweet taste with sourness. The stone is medium, can be removed without problems. This variety is used both processed and fresh. The mid-ripening variety pleases with fruits from the middle of summer, when most of the plums are still in the ripening stage. The tree grows up to two meters in height.

Yellow plum

If you want to harvest early, then this is the perfect option for you. Most of the columnar plums for the Moscow region are late, and the yellow one begins to bear fruit at the end of June. The fruits are very large, round, yellow in color, with the aroma and taste of fresh honey. They are consumed fresh and canned. The plant is self-pollinating, so if rainy weather or diseases prevent insects from doing their job, you will still not be left without a crop. The tree is large, reaches 2.5 meters in height, tolerates winter well and is resistant to diseases.

Mirabella

Another excellent early maturing variety with excellent yields. One tree will give you up to 15 kg of medium-sized plums. Each of them is no more than 40 g, but this does not in any way affect the excellent taste and fruity aftertaste. In appearance, the fruits are very similar to yellow apricots, only from one barrel they are covered with a slight blush. The pulp has a dense structure and a pleasant sweetish taste. The tree begins to bear fruit in mid-August. Ready-made plums can hang on the tree for a long time and not crumble. Summer residents note the high resistance of the variety to a variety of diseases.

In memory of Timiryazev

Another great columnar plum. The description of the variety emphasizes that it is excellent for the Moscow region. It appeared as a result of crossing such varieties as Skorospelka red and Victoria. The fruits are small in size - about 22 g. They are ovoid and yellow-red in color. The pulp is tender with a fine-grained structure. Fruits are of medium juiciness, very aromatic and tasty. In terms of timing, the variety is quite late, in some regions it can ripen only in August. The crown has a bushy shape, but the branches are not too close. Up to 9 kg of fruit can be harvested from one tree. The variety is perfectly adapted to frosts, but does not like drought. Therefore, it is very important to regularly and thoroughly water the plantings. According to gardeners, the fruit tree resists fruit rot and other fungal and viral diseases well.

Instead of a conclusion

The columnar drain is a great solution for small garden areas.It does not take up much space, it is very compact, so that at a distance of two to three meters, you can grow 5-6 specimens at once, providing yourself with fruits for the whole winter. Depending on the variety chosen, the fruits can be eaten fresh or canned, dried and made delicious compotes. The columns, adapted for growing in the Moscow region, are not afraid of frosts and perfectly tolerate them in late spring and early autumn. But summer residents need to remember that they are extremely sensitive to drought. Lack of watering can cause the tree to shed its entire ovary. Therefore, in extreme heat, even if your summer cottage is far away, you will have to visit the planting every day.

Can a natural mutation make the gardener's work easier? Yes, if we are talking about columnar trees, in particular about plums. The species appeared by chance, this is not the result of selection or genetic engineering, but a timely noticed and recorded natural mutation, in which one strong branch, without the support of multiple lateral ones, gives a bountiful harvest.

Features of a columnar plum

The tree is undersized, the height of some varieties reaches up to two meters. The crown is narrow, formed by fertile ringlets with spears.This structure allows you to get high yields already in the fourth year after planting.

What are the advantages of the columnar plum over other types of fruit crops?

Yield

Depending on the variety, each tree is capable of producing 6-10 kg of plums. This is due to the shape of the crown: the absence of many lateral branches makes it possible to spend incoming nutrients directly for fruiting.

In addition, for the plum, an important condition is the abundance of sunlight and the crown in the form of a column contributes to this.

Endurance

The branches are strong enough, do not break under the weight of the fruit. A garter for seedlings is necessary, but its purpose is to prevent the twigs from bending, to change the direction of growth. Columnar plum easily tolerates frosts down to -300C.

This expands the geography of breeding from the Moscow region, where severe frosts are observed in winter, to the Krasnodar Territory, where spring frosts are not uncommon. Gardeners also note such a feature as high resistance to clasterospiriosis, gommosis, coccomycosis and gray rot.

Fruiting

The first crop appears in the second year after planting. By the fourth year, the columnar plum reaches its peak yield, which lasts for ten years. Then the number of fruits decreases and by the 15th year of life the tree ceases to bear fruit. For a visual representation, see the graph.

In general, the size of the crop does not change during all 10 years of active fruiting. Small fluctuations are permissible and depend on weather conditions and agricultural technology.

Recommendations

for industrial and amateur gardening - to update seedlings in a timely manner.

One of two approaches can be taken:

1. Annual planting. After 15 years, the seedlings planted first are uprooted, and young trees are planted in their place.
2. Partial garden replacement. Part of the trees at the age of 13 is uprooted, new ones are planted in their place.

For subsidiary farms, the second option is optimal. Trees can not be uprooted, but used as a garden decoration.

Crown structure

The absence of multiple trunks and strong branches eliminates the need for pruning. Thanks to this, injury and the associated recovery of the tree's strength are reduced. The saving of the gardener's time for leaving is also obvious.

Varieties, characteristics, photos

As of 2015, 5 varieties of columnar plum are known:

• Oscar plus;
• Mirabella;
• Imperial;
• Blue suite;
• Olenka.

The most common variety is Blue Sweet, which is often sold under the name "Columnar blue plum".

Features of varieties, see the table:

Blue Sweet	Height 2-2.5 m, small crown, 40-46 cm in diameter. Fruits are large, 60-65 g, some specimens - 70 g. The skin is dark blue, almost black. The pulp is yellow or pink, juicy, sweet. The bone is easily separated.	350-450 rub.
Mirabella	The tree is 1.9-2 m high, the crown is pyramidal. Fruits are yellow with a light waxy bloom, medium, weight 30-40 g. Yield 10 - 12 kg	RUB 450-600
Imperial	The tree is of medium height, bush-shaped. Fruit weight 45-50 g, some specimens 60 g. Fruit color from purple to dark brown. The pulp is sweet, bright yellow. Harvesting in mid-August.	350-550 rub.
Oscar plus	Fruits are round, slightly depressed apex, weight 45-55 g. Color from red to dark brown. The plum ripens by September.	400-600 rub.
Olenka	The crown is spreading, flat in shape. Fruits are small, 25 g. The color is bright red, with small spots. The variety is characterized by transportability.	RUB 200-500

Varieties other than Imperial cannot self-pollinate. Plums such as Blue Free or Stanley are recommended to be planted nearby.

The fruits can be used fresh and canned. Keep in mind that regardless of the variety, plums are stored for no more than 2 weeks.

Care and planting recommendations

The success of the cultivation of the columnar plum largely depends on the observance of agricultural technology. Be careful: some of the common rules for planting fruit trees are not suitable for columnar seedlings.

Boarding time

The main danger for immature trees is frost, which damages the top of the branch. At the same time, development stops, in order to compensate for the injury, the ringlets (additional branches) and the spear develop. This leads to a violation of the shape of the crown and a decrease in yield. Therefore, the answer to the question of when is it better to plant a columnar plum, in spring or autumn, depends on the region. For the south of Russia, the optimal time is autumn, for the middle zone and the Urals - spring.

Seat selection

The site for planting a columnar plum must meet the following requirements:

• lack of shade - the culture prefers sunny territories;
• protection from cold northerly winds;
• the landing site should not be flooded with melt water, the groundwater level should not be less than 1.5 meters.

If the requirements are not met, the root system is inhibited, the trunk is damaged and the plum begins to hurt.

Planting principles

Dig a ditch 30-40 cm wide and the same depth. The length is determined by the number of seedlings: the distance between them, according to the requirements of agricultural technology, is 50 cm.In industrial gardening, the row spacing is 1-1.5 m.Adhere to the indicated distance when laying a garden in a summer cottage: this will facilitate further care and harvesting ...

Pour a fertile substrate into the bottom of the ditch. It is best to use the compost sprinkled with a thin layer of soil to protect the roots. The rate for one seedling is 3-4 kg. It is unacceptable to use mineral fertilizers during planting: the roots of columnar plum seedlings are delicate and easily damaged by chemistry.

Place the seedling in the prepared ditch, straighten the roots. Make sure that the root collar is 2.5-4 cm higher than the soil level. Novice gardeners do not know where the root collar of the seedling is. It's easy to determine: clean the seedling just above the roots from the soil with a soft cloth. The place where the trunk color changes from greenish to brown is the root collar. Remember to compact the soil after planting.

The root system of columnar plum seedlings is poorly developed, therefore, immediately after planting, use root growth stimulants. These preparations contain phytoestrogens and vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the growth and strengthening of roots. See the table for recommended stimulants and their dosage:

Heteroauxin	Prepare a solution: 1 g of the drug in 3 liters of water. Water the seedlings immediately after planting and after two weeks.
Kornevin	Proportion: 5 g / 5 l of water. The rate for one seedling is 350 ml. Re-application 3 weeks after planting.
Radifarm	The proportion of the solution is 10 ml / 5 l of water. For each seedling 2.5-3 liters. Single application.
Zircon	Ampoule for 10 liters of warm water. The norm for a seedling is 3-4 liters.You can soak the roots in the solution before planting.
Charkor	4 ml / liter of water. Soak roots for 4 hours before planting

Growth stimulants not only enhance the development of the root system, but also improve the survival rate of columnar plum seedlings. Be careful: drug overdose is unacceptable.

Plum care

The attractiveness of columnar plum varieties for amateur gardeners is due to a small list of works. Pruning of trees is required only if the top is damaged (a new trunk is formed from the ringlet). In exceptional cases, you can form a tree in the form of a bush with two or three branches, while the yield will not decrease. Damaged and broken branches are also pruned.

Despite the fact that the phase of active fruiting begins in the second or third year, some seedlings bloom almost immediately. The action in this case is the timely removal of the inflorescences.

Needs a columnar drain and fertilization:

• feeding with urea, at the rate of 50 g per 10 liters of water, is carried out three times: the first time at the time of flowering, then with an interval of 3 weeks;
• saltpeter, 20 g / liter - from the second year of life;
• growth stimulants.

Watering with water should not be more than once a month. An exception is the dry season, in this case, watering is carried out depending on the moisture content of the soil.

Disease prevention

Columnar varieties of plum are resistant to disease, but if the root system or branches are damaged, the tree can get sick. Control and prevention measures are needed.

Gommoz	The appearance of drops of resin on the branches and trunk of the plum	Damage by severe frost, excess moisture and fertilizers	Treatment of "wounds" 1% solution of copper sulfate
Coccomycosis	Red spots on foliage, followed by its fall	Excessive humidity, accumulation of fallen leaves under the tree	Spraying with Bordeaux liquid or copper oxychloride
Clasterosporium disease	Brown spots "burning" the leaf	Fungal disease	Spraying with Topsin-M according to the instructions

Conclusion

If you follow the agricultural techniques of columnar plum varieties and recommendations, you will be rewarded with a high yield and excellent fruit quality. Learn about new products and exchange experiences with other gardeners: this will help you learn in more detail all the intricacies of growing a crop. After all, it is impossible to highlight all the nuances within the framework of one article.

Let's continue the topic of columnar varieties of fruit trees. After apple and pear trees, columnar varieties of plums appeared a little later. This direction of selection turned out to be very successful, the varieties turned out to be prolific and not particularly demanding to care for. Therefore, they quickly win the hearts of gardeners, but there are also secrets here.

Plum columnar Blue Sweet

Columnar varieties of plums have almost no side branches, therefore, as a rule, they do not require pruning. In addition to the central twig, there are so-called spears - processes 2-15 cm, pointed in shape and ringlets - short (1-4 cm) with annual rings and a central kidney. It is these formations that are the basis of the future harvest. With proper care, the columnar plum is abundantly covered with numerous large fruits by autumn.

Saplings of columnar plums, although expensive, pay off quickly within 3 years. Such a seedling begins to bloom in the first year, and bears fruit the next, within 16-18 years. Then the yield drops sharply and the tree requires replacement, although it can continue to grow in the garden, but already as a decorative one.

Column-shaped plum Mirabelle

Planting and leaving

Before planting seedlings of columnar plums, the soil is fertilized with organic matter, but at the very moment of planting fertilizers (especially mineral ones) are better not to be used. The root system may not be able to cope with abundant feeding. Planting is usually carried out in rows at a distance of 30-50 cm and 1.2-1.5 m between rows. Feeding is carried out 3 times a year, with urea, at the rate of 50 g per 10 liters of water (2 liters per tree).The first feeding - after bud break, the second - after 2 weeks, the third - after another two weeks.

As it was written above, the pruning of columnar plums is usually not carried out, however, if the apical bud of the central shoot is damaged, then one side is left and is already carried out as the central one. Although some gardeners prefer to leave 2 or 3 shoots (we described how to do this in relation to speckled apple trees). There are also fans of creating bushy forms (as shown in the photo).

Do not forget to treat plums with drugs against pests and diseases (then the yield will be noticeably higher), and for the winter, provide protection from rodents and frost, because the bark of columnar plums is thin and relatively tender.

Column-shaped Imperial Plum

Columnar plum varieties

There are not so many varieties of columnar plums, consider the most popular.

• Blue Sweet - medium ripening period, up to 2 m in height, crown diameter - 0.7-0.9 m. High-yielding, with large (up to 70 g) purple fruits. Frost resistant.
• Imperial - characterized by a more delicate taste than Blue Sweet. Medium growth, high yield and frost resistance, but requires more watering. Fruits - juicy up to 60 g.

Well, for lovers of yellow plums, a variety of columnar plums is suitable. Mirabel (or as it is sometimes called Mirabella). It is the fruits of this variety that serve as the basis for the preparation of the famous French Mirabelle pie - the symbol of Lorraine. It is also used to make great jam and the famous plum brandy.