Description and technology of growing cherry plum variety Lama

Self-fertile cherry plum varieties

Most varieties of plums and cherry plums are themselves sterile. For high-quality pollination, it is necessary to plant at least two trees of different varieties, but blooming at the same time. However, several cherry plum varieties are self-pollinating and can be planted individually.

Kuban comet

Kuban comet

Kuban comet is a mid-early, self-fertile cherry plum variety. Cross pollination is not necessary, but desirable.

• Productivity is high, up to 50 kg. fruits from every tree. Fruits every year.
• Fruits weighing 30 - 40 g. sweet and sour taste, ripen in mid-July - early August.
• The trees are low-growing 2 - 2.5 meters.
• Fruiting begins 2-3 years after planting.
• Winter hardiness is high, recommended for cultivation in the middle zone, Moscow region and North-Western region.
• The variety is resistant to major diseases.

There is also Late Comet, this is a variety of the same variety that ripens at the end of August. Since the Kuban comet is self-fertile, it will bear fruit without any pollinators. But if another cherry plum or Skoroplodnaya plum grows nearby, then the harvests will be much more significant.

Advantages: self-pollinating, frost resistance, high and stable yield, average drought resistance, extreme unpretentiousness. Comet can grow on any soil; treatment for diseases and pests is practically not required. The trees are low and easy to work with.

Disadvantages: the seeds are difficult to separate, but this is a common drawback for all varieties of cherry plum. The abundance of fruit often causes branches to break.

Reviews: only positive, the Kuban Comet has proven itself well in all regions, from south to north. Many consider this variety to be the best.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra

Cleopatra is a late, partially self-fertile cherry plum variety. If there is cross-pollination, the yield will be 2-3 times higher.

• Productivity is average, fruiting is stable.
• The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, weight 30 - 35 g. ripen in September.
• The tree is medium-sized, 3 - 4 meters high.
• Early fruiting is average, usually the first harvest occurs in the fourth year after planting.
• Winter hardiness is high; this cherry plum variety is recommended for growing in the Moscow region and the middle zone.
• Good disease resistance.

To obtain a high yield, it is recommended to plant 1 - 2 other varieties of cherry plum or Chinese plum next to Cleopatra.

History of breeding cherry plum Lama

The culture was bred by a scientist-breeder from Belarus V. Avksentievich in 2003. This is a semi-dwarf variety obtained by crossing cherry plum and Ussuri plum. The scientist managed to achieve an almost ideal variety. The tree is extremely resistant to weather conditions, easily takes root in a new area, and rarely gets sick. The hybrid subspecies is famous for its rich taste and is popular in all countries of the former USSR. Abroad, the variety is called Russian plum. Its marvelous color and ease of care make the cherry plum a real “star” of gardening. It is grown by experienced agronomists and novice summer residents.

Landing Features

Cherry plum variety Traveler adapts perfectly to almost any type of soil, begins to bear fruit in a fairly short time after planting and pleases gardeners with regular high yields.

Place and time of landing

Cherry plum prefers well-lit, but at the same time protected from gusty winds places with groundwater running at a distance of no more than 1 m from the surface of the earth. The tree feels best on fertile, slightly alkaline loamy soils with good throughput capacity. It is advisable to plant cherry plums in the spring (before the sap begins to flow).

Selection of seedlings

It is recommended to purchase cherry plum seedlings of the Traveler variety at one year of age, propagated by root shoots or cuttings. They are distinguished by their increased ability to recover after freezing of the crown.

The root system of the seedling must be well developed and formed. When purchasing planting material in special containers or plastic bags, such roots grow through the holes made.

The trunk and branches of the seedling must be elastic, without mechanical damage

How to choose the right seedling - video

Site preparation

A month before planting cherry plum, the soil should be prepared. Deep plowing, removing debris, last year's leaves and weed roots are the main stages of preparation for future planting.

The pits for planting are prepared 2 weeks in advance. To do this, mark areas at a distance of 2–2.5 m from each other and form holes with a diameter of 0.7–1 m and a depth of 50–60 cm. The fertile soil layer is mixed with:

• 15 kg of humus;
• 50 g superphosphate;
• 60 g potassium salt.

The holes are filled 2/3 full with this mixture.

Step by step process

To plant cherry plum correctly, you must follow a certain sequence of actions. The process is quite simple, even a novice gardener can handle it.

1. Before planting, the roots of the seedling are dipped into a clay mash with the addition of Heteroauxin (1 part clay and peat per 10 liters of water + 0.1 g of the drug).
2. A stake 1.3–1.5 m long and 3–4 cm in diameter is placed in a pre-prepared hole. A mound is formed around it.
3. Place the seedling on a mound and, having carefully straightened the roots, cover it with soil, lightly compacting it to avoid voids.
4. The root collar of the plant should be at a height of 4–6 cm from the surface of the earth.
5. Tie the seedling with twine to a peg.
6. Water the tree with 1–2 buckets of water and mulch the tree trunk circle with compost or peat with a layer of 5–7 cm.

The seedling is placed on the north side of the stake and buried so that the root collar is 4–6 cm above the ground surface

Traveler is a partially self-fertile variety. However, to obtain high yields, it is recommended to plant other cherry plum trees on the site. The best cross-pollinators for the Traveler will be varieties of Russian and Chinese plums, as well as the Skoroplodnaya plum.

Planting and features of agricultural technology

In the southern regions, planting is preferable in autumn, in cooler regions - in spring. In the conditions of the Moscow region, planting can be done in any of these periods. The soil should be loose and nutritious, although the variety is not particularly picky and can grow on any soil. The main thing is that they are of neutral acidity, and the groundwater level is no higher than 1.5 meters to the surface.

Choose a place for Lama that is sunny and protected from the winds, otherwise the ovary may crumble. By the way, cherry plum forms a large number of ovaries, so crop rationing is a mandatory procedure. Pruning is another event that needs to be carried out annually due to the increased density of the crown. But it’s quite easy to do, the tree is simply formed and can be given any shape that fits into the landscape of your garden corner. Otherwise, care is carried out according to standard rules.

Llama is an excellent plant that can decorate even the most boring corner of the garden. Unpretentiousness, resistance to diseases and pests, frost and heat resistance, ease of formation - these are not even all the positive characteristics of the variety. The huge harvest will be enough for numerous preparations, which will come in very handy in the winter. The disadvantages of cherry plum are partial self-fertility, the need for annual pruning and shedding of mature drupes.

Cherry plum variety Lama is an unpretentious, consistently producing variety of fruit trees. The plant is famous for its resistance to adverse weather conditions, diseases and pests. A resident of the mountain valleys of the North Caucasus is grown in any region of Russia for sale or for personal consumption.

In order to safely plant a tree and care for it properly, it is important to read the information below

Planting a plant on the site

Cherry plum can be planted in a private garden or on industrial plantations. If you follow the required techniques, the variety will take root in the new place immediately.

It is important to choose the right location in the garden, the right time for planting, and prepare the soil in advance. It is also necessary to buy a suitable, non-wild seedling.

Favorable time for planting a variety

In the South, it is advisable to plant the variety in the fall, in mid-October. Some summer residents recommend carrying out planting work when the weather warms up in winter. In steppe regions and northern regions, the tree will take root faster if planted in April or early May. The air temperature should warm up to 12 degrees Celsius. When the bayonet of a shovel fits freely into the ground, this is a sign of fertile soil.

Choosing the best place

It is recommended to plant a hybrid variety of cherry plum on western slopes, with a bias towards southern or northern latitudes. The variety also takes root in lowlands, but the yield is reduced. The location of groundwater should be no higher than 1.5 meters with neutral acidity.

Advantageous and contraindicated proximity for the variety

Cherry plum Lama can be planted next to apple trees, black currants, and thyme. Bushes located next to the tree prevent the growth of weeds. You can also plant tulips and primrose near the cherry plum. They bloom before the plum and do not take away useful microelements from the soil.

You should not plant cherry plum next to walnut, hazel, fir, poplar, pear and birch. These crops emit components harmful to the variety and compete with plums for nutrients from the soil.

Preparing seedlings for planting

It is worth choosing planting material of the Lama variety of cherry plum in local nurseries, digging it into the plot in a semi-horizontal position. When transporting, the rhizome should be wrapped in a damp cloth and wrapped with cling film on top. For planting, 1 or 2 year old shoots are used. It is advisable to buy seedlings with an open rhizome, without bending or thickening. Such planting materials should be planted in the soil before the buds open.

Seedlings with a closed root system can be planted in the summer, at the end of May or beginning of July. Before planting, soak them in earthen mixture. Add soil to 10 liters of water until a creamy mixture is obtained and 2 tablets of 0.1 grams of Heteroauxin root feed. The event will enhance the growth of the rhizome and its formation.

Work technology

10 days before planting the Lama cherry plum variety, dig a hole 50 centimeters deep and 80 cm in diameter. Fill it 50% with a mixture of excavated soil and fertilizers - 400-600 grams of superphosphate and nitrophoska, also 15-20 kilograms of humus. Stir the combination so that the roots do not get burned from the strong concentration. Over the course of 10 days, the soil in the hole will subside.

1. Place the planting holes 1-1.5 meters apart, leaving 1.5-2 meters between rows.
2. Dig a wooden stick 100 centimeters high into the prepared soil.
3. Carefully spread the rhizome of the Lama variety along the diameter of the hole.
4. Sprinkle the seedling with the remaining fertile soil and compact it a little.
5. Tie the tree to a stick to form a strong and straight trunk.
6. Place the root collar 2-3 centimeters below the surface level. During late spring frosts, the seedling is able to regenerate due to the root shoots that develop below the freezing level.
7. Cut the Lama variety planting material to 1/3 of its length to stimulate the growth of lateral branches.
8. Water the seedling gradually with 3 buckets of water.

Mulch the area around the Lama cherry plum trunk with dry soil or a 10-centimeter layer of grass.

How to plant correctly

In order for the plant to produce a harvest, it is important to plant the seedling correctly in the ground. When planting, the basic rules on which the plant’s immunity depends are observed.

Location requirements

The landing site should be sunny. Otherwise the plant is undemanding. It can grow on poor soils, as well as in lowlands where water accumulates. The tree must be protected from drafts and prolonged winds.

See also

Description and characteristics of cherry plum variety Naydena, cultivation technology

Read

Preparing the site and pit

Before planting the seedling, it is necessary to properly prepare the hole. A hole measuring 100 cm is dug and filled with a nutrient mixture. To prepare the mixture, you need to mix two parts of soil, one part of humus, 200 grams of superphosphate. The resulting mixture is filled into the hole.

Important. If the soil is clayey, it is necessary to lay a drainage layer in the planting hole. For this purpose, broken bricks or large pebbles are used. This will reduce the risk of water stagnation and rot.

How to select and prepare planting material

In order for the planting material to quickly go through the adaptation period, it is necessary to perform the following procedures:

• carefully examine the seedling for damage to the roots;
• soak the seedling in a growth activator for 2 hours.

When choosing a seedling, the following criteria are observed:

• the seedling must have no visible damage;
• the roots should be light brown without damage or compaction;
• there should be at least 2-3 living buds on the stems.

Properly selected planting material is the key to harvest and rapid adaptation to a new place of growth.

Planting scheme

During landing, you must perform the following algorithm of actions:

• form a hill in the planting hole;
• place the seedling and straighten the roots;
• install a support;
• Sprinkle the seedling with the nutrient mixture and compact it.

After planting, the seedling is watered with water, at least 2 buckets per plant.

Recommendations for choosing deadlines

The crop is planted in April after the soil has warmed up; planting in the fall in mid-September is acceptable. Such a culture quickly adapts and is less susceptible to disease.

Acceptable and Inadmissible Neighbors

The culture is undemanding to neighbors; on one plot you can plant:

• plum;
• apple tree;
• apricot;
• pear.

It is not recommended to plant cherry plum near cherries and junipers. Such neighbors can consume all the necessary nutrients, and the cherry plum will reduce its yield.

Cherry plum Lama: description of the variety and characteristics

The history of the Lama cherry plum variety began specifically in Russia back in the mid-20th century. Breeders sought to obtain a frost-resistant, strong plant that would also withstand attacks from pests. In addition, they wanted this variety of cherry plum to be cultivated not only in the middle zone, but even in the northern regions, where there is a harsh, cruel climate.

Cherry plum Lama has unusual leaves, colored red. Also popularly and among gardeners, it is best known as Russian plum. The hybrid meets all the necessary identified criteria, and also looks quite attractive, which has influenced the fact that the variety has become very popular among a large number of gardeners. It is worth noting that the Lama variety is widespread not only in the central zone of our country: it is very often grown in the Far Eastern part, since this variety is quite loyal to unstable weather conditions.

Cherry plum Lama: photo of the variety

Red-leaved cherry plum Lama is a low-growing variety of cherry plum: the height of one bush can hardly reach two meters, on average the height is usually 1 meter 30 centimeters. But this is more an advantage than a disadvantage: such short stature greatly facilitates the care of the plant, and also simplifies the process of harvesting in the coming period. The crown of the Russian cherry plum Lama is flat-rounded and prone to thickening. Therefore, gardeners are recommended to periodically prune and give the crown a special shape. The bark of the tree is brown, sometimes with a reddish tint; in mature plants it becomes darker and may be a little rough.

Due to its rather unusual appearance and leaf color, cherry plum is often used for decorative purposes, especially in landscape design. In autumn, the leaves turn from a characteristic red hue to yellow. The Lama cherry plum blooms around the end of April, sometimes flowering continues until the beginning of May. The flowers are soft pink in color and reach four centimeters in diameter. Flowering forms on annual shoots, abundant and lush. Therefore, during this period the tree looks very beautiful, sophisticated and attractive. Some other varieties of cherry plum can be used as pollinators for the Lama cherry plum. For example, Vitba, Mara and others, everything depends solely on the preferences of the gardener himself in this matter.

As for the harvest, it usually ripens around mid-August, so this variety is classified as a late variety. On average, one fruit can weigh about 30 grams; when fully ripe, the skin becomes purple or burgundy with gray dots. The coating on the fruit is waxy and is easily washed off with water. At the beginning of September, the fruits sometimes become almost black, and gardeners should remember that this is only a feature of the variety and not a disease at all. The pulp of the fruit is fibrous, juicy, dark in color. The taste is sweet and pleasant, has sourness and an almond aftertaste. The aroma is pleasant, also slightly reminiscent of almonds. The fruits contain a large amount of useful substances and organic acids, as well as iron and potassium, pectins, which are extremely beneficial for humans and their health.

Since the Lama plum variety is prone to shedding, the fruits should be collected before they are completely ripe. In this state, they can be transported over long distances, since the Lama cherry plum variety is very transport-friendly. The fruits are mainly used to make marmalade or jam, marshmallows and other sweets, which are very popular not only with children, but also with adults. You can use cherry plum to make homemade wine; it will have an attractive and slightly specific taste.

How to grow cherry plum variety Lama

The low-growing, compact cherry plum Lama not only brings a rich harvest, but also pleases the eye with its decorative appearance. The plant has a spreading, burgundy crown with a green tint; in spring it is densely covered with pink buds, and in summer it is covered with large fruits of a rich red color.

Cherry plum Lama has bright foliage - burgundy with a green tint

Characteristics of the variety

Cherry plum (plum) Lama was obtained by Russian breeders at the Moscow Research Institute by crossing Russian and Chinese plums.

The hybrid was entered into the state register in 1991 with a score of 4.8. Suitable for cultivation not only in central Russia, but also in the northern regions, as well as in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Far East. Cherry plum has a second name - Russian plum.

Description of the tree

Professionals and amateur gardeners distinguish the Lama plum variety according to the following characteristics:

• short stature, compactness (up to 2.5 m in height);
• the crown is spreading, flat-round, prone to thickening;
• the trunk is rough;
• trunk color red-brown;
• Rosaceae;
• mid-late ripening.

The low height of the Lama cherry plum allows it to form a beautiful crown and is easy to harvest. The spring flowering of the tree amazes with its beauty. Fragrant light pink buds cover the entire top of the tree and scent the entire garden area. The variety is self-sterile, so it is necessary to plant pollinating trees in the garden. The best pollinators for Lama cherry plum are the Vitba and Asaloda varieties.

The color of the leaves of the Russian plum Lama is interesting. On top they are burgundy with a green tint, and on the back they are dark red, and with age they become chocolate-colored. The older the plum tree becomes, the darker the shade of the foliage. With the arrival of autumn, the foliage turns yellow and falls off.

Landscape designers use this beautiful plant in their projects.

Description of fruits

The Lama plum ripens in early August.

• Cherry plum fruits are large, round in shape, average weight - 30 g.
• The skin with gray dots, dark cherry, almost black, color, elastic.
• A waxy whitish coating serves as protection.
• The pulp of the Lama cherry plum is a beautiful dark red color, juicy and fibrous.
• The taste is balanced, with a slight sourness. A slight almond flavor adds piquancy to the fruit.
• The stone is small and easily separated from the pulp.

Cherry plums are grown from seeds or seedlings that can be dug up in the root zone of an adult tree.

You should dig carefully so as not to damage the trunk and root system of the seedling. Unnecessary breaks will slow down the growth and development of the plant.

Landing

Planting is carried out in spring or autumn, during slow sap flow. The site should be selected on the south side, not exposed to drafts. A closed root system (from a container) does not require additional preparation. If the rhizome is open, it is soaked for several hours in a nutrient solution of clay and heteroauxin with a creamy consistency. It serves as a stimulator for the growth and development of seedlings. The soil should have good air and water permeability. The groundwater level is no closer than 2 m.

Llama is a low-growing cherry plum, which makes harvesting easier

Prepare the pit in advance. It is dug to a depth of 80 cm and a size of 50x50 cm. A nutritious soil mixture is made from the excavated soil. Description of the mixture:

Broken bricks are poured into the bottom of the hole for drainage and a mound of soil mixture is made into which a peg is stuck. This stake will serve as a support for the Lama cherry plum seedling.

The straightened rhizomes are placed in a hole and sprinkled with remaining soil, trying to ensure that the root collar does not fall underground. In order for the plum to develop correctly, the root collar must be 5–7 cm above the soil level. This is a prerequisite for the development of the plant.

The trunk of the Lama plum seedling is tied to a peg, the remaining soil is covered, lightly trampling it. The root zone is watered abundantly with water at room temperature (3-4 buckets). After complete absorption of moisture, the ground is loosened and mulched with humus and straw.

Mullein with urea is an excellent way to feed in the spring.

This variety is easy to care for, but still requires some rules to be followed:

1. watering;
2. feeding;
3. pruning;
4. shelter for the winter.

Watering

Mature trees do not require watering. They need to be watered based on weather conditions. But young trees require abundant watering once every 14 days so that the roots receive the required amount of moisture.

Top dressing

The fertilizing process is carried out several times; cherry plum loves nutritious soil. She feels comfortable in it, gets sick less and enjoys rich harvests.

1. In the spring, you should feed mullein with urea.
2. In the summer months, a complex fertilizer with the addition of potassium and phosphorus is more suitable.
3. In the fall, be sure to dig up and add green organic matter (green manure). Before winter, the plant will gain nutrients and overwinter better.

Trimming

In order for a tree to be fertile, it must be pruned regularly. To properly form the crown, about 10 skeletal branches are cut. The shoots are shortened every year.

It is necessary to form a sparse crown, then the yield will be greater

It is important to prune the cherry plum regularly, avoiding the appearance of dead wood, crossed branches, etc., since the cherry plum has a tendency to strongly thicken the crown. A beautiful crown without crooked branches will delight you with its appearance and bring a healthy harvest. This procedure is easy to carry out on such a compact plant.

Shelter for the winter

In northern regions, severe frosts and wind can damage the tree, so the root system of the plant must be insulated. As insulation, improvised materials (old quilted jackets, mattresses), spruce branches, reeds can be used, and wood can also be covered with snow.

Diseases and their treatment

With unscrupulous care, poor preparation for winter and untimely cleaning of the garden plot, the trees begin to hurt. Diseases of cherry plum include: gum disease, fruit rot, plum pockets, clasterosporiosis, pox (sharka) and rust.

Gum discharge occurs due to freezing in winter or from damage

1. Gum flow is the secretion of a resinous substance from the bark that flows along the trunk and branches. The disease occurs if the plant is frozen in winter. These streaks are cut off with a knife, the wounds are treated with copper sulfate and sealed with garden varnish.
2. Dwarfism. This disease is incurable. It occurs as a result of using dirty garden tools contaminated with pathogenic spores. To prevent the entire garden from being damaged, the affected plant is dug up and burned.
3. Plum pockets. The fruits do not form a seed and grow. Their surface is covered with a powdery coating. Puffiness and irregular shape of the fruits are the first sign of the disease. Subsequently, all the fruits become covered with a whitish coating and fall off. The reason is rainy weather during flowering (or excessive watering during this period). For treatment and prevention, treatment with Bordeaux mixture (3%) is carried out at the time of bud emergence and after flowering.
4. Fruit rot, or stone fruit moniliosis, is manifested by a brown coating on the shoots and gray growths on the bark, which spread throughout the trunk, capturing the branches. The fruit rots and the tree becomes completely infected. The disease occurs due to fallen plums not being removed from the tree trunk area. For treatment, the tree is sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
5. Clusterosporiasis is a fungal disease that develops during long, warm but rainy summers, when air humidity exceeds 70%. It appears as gray spots on the leaves, which must be destroyed immediately after detection. They should not be placed in a cesspool; it is better to burn them so as not to contaminate the entire area. For prevention, you should clean the root zone, destroy root shoots, affected fruits and leaves.
6. Rust “eats” the foliage, it turns red, then holes appear in the leaves, and the entire crown turns into a rusty “roof” that falls off and exposes the branches.

Red-leaved cherry plum variety Lama (Lama) and other varieties of Russian plums of these species

For several years I have been eyeing ornamental plum and apple trees. Agree, a modern garden for a city dweller is not just a place to “get” vegetables and fruits. This is a vacation spot where everything should be perfect.

And of course, I want to greet spring with the green grass of the lawn, the white foam of blossoming cherries and plums. But in this harmony of white and green, shades of pink or red will not interfere.

Very impressive plum Nigra

. It seemed that this was an unusual spot in the spring color scheme of the garden: dark red, almost black leaves and pink flowers. Many varieties of apple trees are wonderful. But two facts about these cultures stopped my hand opening my wallet. Firstly, the taste of the fruit, even in the most liberal opinion, is mediocre. And I want to combine beauty and benefit. Secondly, over time these plants grow into giants, which is not good for my small garden.

RARE PLANT SEEDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - FREE DELIVERY. PRICES VERY LOW

And one day, at Sergei Yesichev’s Kaluga state variety testing site, I saw a small tree with glossy red-chocolate leaves. The shape of the leaves indicated that it was most likely an apricot. But hanging on the branches were clusters of rather large purple-red plums. They suggested that I try it.

Crown and leaves

“Lama” trees are miniature and compact, more like decorative plantings. Their height on average reaches 1.5-2 meters. The crown is formed neat, flat-rounded; over time it can thicken, since the trees are prone to rapid growth of shoots. Young trees have a reddish-burgundy bark, but over time it becomes coarser, darker, and rough.

The leaves of cherry plum are large, 17-19 cm in length. They are lanceolate in shape, slightly tapering at the base. The edges have a characteristic serrated serration. The leaf blade is smooth, with a slight glossy sheen; veins are clearly visible on it (especially on the back side).

The color of the leaves is very interesting. Young leaves appear in caramel shades, gradually darkening and gaining burgundy tones. On the grown leaf, green color may predominate on top, and the bottom will be chocolate-reddish.

Advice from experienced gardeners

To get a harvest, you must follow the advice of experienced gardeners:

• when planting a seedling, add additional peat and complex fertilizers, which will speed up the adaptation process;
• for storage, cherry plums must be placed in boxes with moss;
• young seedlings may be susceptible to diseases in the spring; to reduce this problem, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying with Bordeaux mixture in the fall;
• To increase flowering, it is necessary to add potassium and phosphorus; these substances also improve taste.

Following these tips will help you avoid mistakes that reduce your yield.

Pros and cons of the variety

The cherry plum variety is often grown in the garden and has the following advantages:

• tolerates temperature changes;
• the fruits ripen quickly;
• high taste qualities;
• suitable for transportation;
• not exposed to disease;
• used to decorate the garden.

The disadvantages include:

• is not a self-pollinating variety;
• it is necessary to carry out pruning regularly;
• plums do not stay on the shoots for long; when ripe, the fruits fall off.

With proper care, shortfalls do not matter when growing cherry plum in the garden.

Cherry plum varieties

Among the varieties of stone fruit crops we can distinguish:

• early ripening - Scythian gold, Found;
• mid-season - Kuban Comet, Cleopatra;
• late ripening - Golden Autumn, Hungarian.

Hybrids differ in size and taste of fruit. The fruit can be yellow, dark red, purple in color.

For regions beyond the Urals, winter-hardy varieties of early and medium ripening are chosen. Late-ripening hybrids are suitable for the south.

For the Moscow region and central Russia

In the Moscow region and nearby areas, frosts in winter reach 20-25 degrees. But due to high humidity, the cherry plum may freeze. It is better to choose trees of varieties that can survive and begin flowering by spring and fruiting by mid-summer.

Suitable for growing in the middle zone:

1. Early-fruiting Tent with large dark purple berries that have sweet and sour pulp. Begins to bear fruit in the 4th-5th year of life.
2. In early July, fruits appear on the Mara variety. Juicy, sweetish flesh is hidden under the yellowish skin.
3. The Lama hybrid not only produces high yields of cherry plum, but can also become a decoration for a plot. Reddish leaves blend harmoniously with ripe fruit. The tree is afraid of strong winds.
4. The Apricot variety ripens in August. Over the summer, the fruits become sweeter and taste like apricots. Productivity decreases in cold winters.
5. The Scythian cherry plum Zlato grows up to 3 meters in height. 4-year-old trees produce golden fruits with a delicate and sweet taste.
6. The Vladimir comet has large fruits with orange flesh. With good care, the tree produces high yields of fruit.

Cherry plum hybrids are rarely self-fertile, so trees of such varieties as Cleopatra and Scythian Gold are planted nearby.

For Siberia and the Urals

Viable hybrids bred by breeders have found their place in the Ural and Siberian gardens. It is better to grow winter-hardy trees here:

• Cleopatra, self-fertile, with purple berries;
• Nesmeyana early ripening;
• high-yielding Traveler;
• Mara, disease resistant.

Low-growing trees bear fruit abundantly and survive the winter with good shelter. Yields depend on proper care.

For the Altai Territory

In this region, cherry plum planting is carried out everywhere. Many hybrids grow in gardens and tolerate both severe frosts and dry summers. At the Scarlet Dawn, plums ripen in mid-July. They are bright red, weighing 18 grams, freshly sweet.

On the widely spreading bushes of Mars, burgundy-colored fruits will ripen in early August. The Almond variety retains its harvest for 10 days. Large orange fruits reach a weight of 30 grams. Cherry plum Rubin is beautiful with its red leaves, pink flowers, dark fruits with cherry pulp.

For southern regions

In areas with a warm climate, any hybrid crop is suitable for cultivation. It is better to choose Dessert and Tsar's plums with sweet plums. After grafting, they get cherry plum, which has a similar taste to apricots and peaches. The large-fruited Kuban Comet crop is often chosen.

In the south, trees are not afraid of frost, but with deep snow cover and zero temperatures, the lower part of the trunk damps out.

History of selection

Red-leaved cherry plum is one of the varieties of the subspecies of large-fruited cherry plum.
In the southern regions, especially on the Caucasian coast, Pissard plum is often grown. It looks amazingly beautiful with its pink flowers that darken towards the end of the process in the spring, cherry-red fruits in the summer and very bright red leaves in the fall. The botanist Pissard once brought it from Iran to Europe, where it took root in areas with a warm climate.

The first specially created varieties of this variety were “Rosa” and “Hollywood”, which pleased us with tasty and fairly large fruits.

Columnar trees of the Cistena variety look very beautiful. The ovoid leaves with a jagged edge, 6–8 cm long, are red-violet above and dark purple below, densely covering a two-meter tree, looking impressive against the backdrop of the traditionally green foliage of other trees or the dark greenery of fir trees and pines.

The leaves of tall seven-meter trees of the “Rannyaya” variety, red-brown above, intensely red below, densely cover the rounded crown, remaining a bright spot of color in the garden throughout the summer. It’s hard to believe that such beauty is grown for its delicious fruits, also done in red colors.

In the middle of the last century, breeders began to purposefully work on creating cherry plum varieties capable of bearing fruit in the difficult climatic conditions of the center of Russia.

A more winter-hardy plum was taken as the basis.

Experts set themselves a number of tasks - they tried to create varieties that could grow and actively bear fruit in areas with cold winters, resist known types of biological aggression, and meet high requirements for fruit quality. A very good result of their work can be called the “Lama” variety, which is successfully cultivated not only in the middle zone, but even in the difficult conditions of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Far East.

Video “Description”

From the video you will learn a lot of new varieties of red cherry plum.

Cherry plum "Lama" is a semi-dwarf tree growing from 1.3 m to 2 m. Young seedlings have smooth reddish-brown bark, which becomes dark and rough as it matures. The flat-round crown thickens quickly, but is easy to form and tolerates pruning well.

The leaves are up to 18 cm long, with a serrate edge, the upper side is shiny, greenish-burgundy, and the lower side changes color during the growing season from dark red to bright chocolate. The flowers are white and pink, 3.5 cm in diameter, collected in small inflorescences of 3–5 pieces.

The fruits begin to ripen by mid-August, they are quite large, weighing up to 42 g, they can be picked already red, but as they ripen they become darker, almost black, falling from the branches.

The fruits have a pleasant sweet and sour taste with a delicate almond aroma and contain pectin, sugars, acids, many vitamins and minerals that strengthen the health of the body. The seeds contain a lot of oil, which is compared to almond oil.

The miniature tree tolerates frosts of -35, and the flowers are not afraid of frosts down to -6 degrees. It easily tolerates drought; southern genes help it withstand heat up to 40 degrees.

One tree can produce from 40 to 300 kg of fairly large, tasty fruits, and fruiting begins in the second or third year.

To obtain fruits, trees of other varieties are needed that will participate in cross-pollination; the varieties “Mara”, “Vitba”, “Asaloda” do this well. In order for the harvest to be annual and high, one must not forget about regular pruning.

Landing

It is best to purchase seedlings from local nurseries to ensure they grow well in your climatic conditions. It is better to choose one- or two-year-old plants with an open root system, so you can carefully examine them and select specimens with smooth, healthy roots and aerial parts.

If the root system is closed, then you need to evaluate an even stem without unevenness or damage; it’s good if young roots have sprouted through the holes in the packaging.

It is best to select seedlings in the fall; in the southern regions they are planted in mid-October, but northern residents should bury the seedlings in a semi-horizontal position and wait until spring, when the air temperature reaches 12 degrees and the ground warms up to the required depth.

Cherry plum with red leaves can grow anywhere; it is used to surviving in the middle of the mountains, on rocky slopes, even in swampy lowlands, as long as the soil is not too acidic. But to get a rich harvest, it is better to place it on light hills or slopes, protected from the cold wind, so that the sun is not blocked from it by tall trees or buildings.

It is better to choose a soil that is fertile, well-permeable to water and air, and groundwater should lie no closer than 1.5 - 2 m to the surface of the earth. If it is too acidic, then you should add lime or dolomite flour in advance.

Two weeks before planting, you need to dig a hole up to 60 cm deep and about 1 meter wide, mix the excavated soil with superphosphate and humus, and fill half of the hole with this mixture. Several trees are planted at a distance of one and a half meters from each other.

If they are planting a cherry plum garden, then the rows are spaced two meters apart.

The root collar is left a couple of centimeters below ground level. The stem is tied to a peg, the tree is watered abundantly using several buckets of water, then the entire surface above the hole is mulched with grass or dry soil.

All shoots are shortened by a third.

Tree care

Caring for an adult tree does not involve constant hassle; it does not require constant attention. The cherry plum needs to be watered, fed, pruned, covered for the winter, protected from pests and diseases, and the fruits picked in time so that you don’t have to pick them from the ground later.

Mature trees can easily tolerate periods of drought, but it is advisable to water young trees every two weeks before fruiting begins (especially in the middle of a hot summer).

Watering should be plentiful so that all the roots are thoroughly saturated with moisture; 3–4 buckets will have to be poured into the prepared hole around the trunk.

Before the buds bloom in the spring, experienced gardeners recommend spraying the tree with a urea solution; this is both foliar feeding and a preventive measure that protects the plant from enemies and diseases. It is often advised to carry out such fertilizing a few weeks after planting, but urea can burn young leaves; it is better to do this fertilizing on unopened buds.

It is mandatory to apply nitrogen fertilizers in the spring for the first two to three years in order to speed up the establishment and stimulate plant growth. It is recommended to scatter ammonium nitrate granules over the root system, about half a meter around the trunk.

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For an adult tree, it is enough to apply complex mineral fertilizers, including nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, into a specially prepared groove along the perimeter of the tree trunk every year in the spring.

Regular pruning serves the same purpose - abundant fruiting and overall health of the tree. The first few years of pruning are aimed at forming the crown - for good growth of this compact low tree, 9 - 11 skeletal branches are enough.

Every year, starting from the second year of life, it is necessary to shorten the annual shoots, which grow by 1 - 1.5 meters per season, and it is on their middle part that fruits appear. Cherry plum is prone to thickening, so every year you have to cut out excess shoots and shorten existing ones so that the sun gets inside the crown. Pruning is done with sharp tools in early spring before the buds begin to open.

All cuts whose diameter approaches 1 cm must be treated with garden varnish to prevent infection and help the tree heal the wound.

If very severe frosts are expected, then cover with spruce branches, lutrasil or other material. If there are a large number of rodents nearby, the trunk and skeletal branches should be wrapped in burlap or something else.

Rodents usually do not touch whitened trunks, so whitewashing is also a good protection against mice and hares.

Diseases and pests

Cherry plum in general, and the Lama variety especially, thanks to the efforts of breeders, shows amazing resistance to pests and diseases. But there are such unfavorable circumstances, the combination of which provokes various diseases.

Thus, a long period of humidity combined with coolness or, on the contrary, prolonged heat can weaken the plant and strengthen pathogenic microorganisms. Then the cherry plum is threatened by fungal diseases: perforated spot, monilial burn or verticillium.

This happens very rarely, but special drugs will come to the rescue.

Description and distinctive features of the variety

The main features of semi-dwarf crops, which include the Lama cherry plum variety, are unpretentiousness to growing conditions and special resistance to aggressive environmental factors.

The small height of the tree (from 1.3 to 2 m) makes it easier to carry out regular agricultural activities and harvest. The reddish-brown smooth bark of cherry plum seedlings darkens and becomes rough with age. The crown of the tree is flat-rounded and prone to thickening. If necessary, it can be easily formed.

Long leaves (up to 18 cm) lanceolate in shape, slightly narrowed at the base. Green-burgundy shiny leaf blades have serrated edges. The back side of the leaf is dark red, which turns chocolate brown as the tree matures. This two-tone color lasts throughout the summer season. Small flowers (up to 35 mm in diameter) of white and pink color are collected in bouquets of 4–5 pieces. They densely dot the lower and middle parts of the annual cherry plum shoot.

Lama's fruits are large, juicy, aromatic

Cherry plum fruits contain up to 10% sugar, citric and malic acids, pectins, vitamins A, B, PP and C, minerals (potassium and iron). The cherry plum seed consists of 42% oil, the composition of which is similar to almond oil.

Fruit characteristics - table

Video review of cherry plum varieties

Cherry plum is an unpretentious plant that has good resistance to negative environmental factors. Its minor shortcomings will be more than compensated for by a generous and juicy harvest.

Advantages and disadvantages of Lama - table

The Lama cherry plum variety has a high annual yield

External description of the tree and fruits

The main feature of semi-dwarf cherry plum is its survival in all weather conditions. The trees grow up to 1.3 to 2 meters in height, which makes it easy to carry out agricultural work and collect fruits. The bark is reddish-brown, darkening as it ages.

The crown is flat, rounded, and tends to thicken. It is easy to shape. The leaves grow up to 18 centimeters long, lanceolate in shape, slightly tapering at the base, green-burgundy in color. The flowers are miniature, up to 35 millimeters in diameter, white-pinkish, collected in bouquets of 4 pieces.

Fruits include up to 10% sugar, malic and citric acids, pectins, vitamin elements of groups A, B, PP, C, potassium and iron.

Tree care

The crop is undemanding to the soil; this cherry plum variety can be planted in unproductive areas, near ravines and on slopes. Lama bears fruit in all moisture-intensive soils, loams, and grows well in sunny areas and in lowlands.

Recommendations for planting and care:

• It is recommended to purchase the material in the fall from special nurseries. During transportation, the roots are wrapped in damp cloth and polyethylene.
• Planted in a semi-horizontal position. With an open root system, planting is done before the buds open. With the roots covered (in containers), planting can be done in the summer.
• A week before the work, a hole is dug into which a mixture of soil and fertilizers is added to the middle. They dig in a wooden block. When planting, the roots are laid out in a hole, sprinkled with high-quality soil and lightly compacted. The seedling is tied to a peg. There should be a distance of about 1.5 m between plantings.
• The tree is cut by a third to stimulate shoot growth and watered (30-40 liters of water).
• The area near the trunk is covered with grass or dry soil.
• For stable fruiting, it is necessary to plant plants nearby to pollinate the Lama. Other varieties of cherry plum are suitable for this.
• Abundant watering is necessary 2 weeks after planting and after harvesting the fruits. During the growing period, it is recommended to use a drip humidification system. During drought, the plant is watered every 10 days.
• The first feeding is carried out a month after planting.
• Pruning is carried out annually before the buds open.
• In the northern regions, for a comfortable winter, it is necessary to whitewash the trees and insulate the root system.

After harvesting, cherry plum retains its appearance for a long time. Lama is a tasty and healthy variety. Growing the plant does not require complex agricultural technology; even under unfavorable weather conditions, you can get a bountiful harvest of juicy fruits.

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Rules of care

Proper care is necessary to increase crop productivity.

Watering mode

It is recommended to water the plant every 3 days after planting. After the first year of life, irrigation is reduced to once a week.

Top dressing

The plant must be fed according to the following scheme:

• humus in spring;
• before flowering, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers;
• in summer complex superphosphate;
• in autumn humus or peat.

If the seedling is planted on poor soil, an additional solution of chicken manure is used.

Preparing for winter

Cherry plum tolerates low temperatures well, so in the first year it is enough to cover the seedling with burlap. In subsequent years, a layer of spruce branches and humus is used to protect the roots.

Trimming

The tree is small in size, so pruning is necessary to form the crown and increase productivity.

Formative

This type of pruning involves shaping the crown of the tree. The procedure is carried out annually, since young shoots grow very quickly on the crop and their shape is lost.

Regulatory

It is used during the period of fruit formation. Shoots that do not bear fruit are shortened. This action improves the flow of light and accelerates ripening.

Supportive

The branches that grow during the season are shortened. During fruiting, the bark may crack and branches break under the weight of the fruit. Shortening the branches reduces this problem.

Sanitary

Held in spring and autumn. All damaged branches must be removed. You should also reduce the density of the crown and remove internal shoots.

See also

How to prune plum trees correctly, timing and features

Read

Important. After pruning, the cut area must be treated with garden varnish. This will prevent further contamination of the crop.

Tree trunk care

It is necessary to remove all weeds near the roots that can be a carrier of diseases. The soil must be loosened regularly. The trunk near the roots is whitened using lime.

For plants under 2 years old, it is necessary to use chalk, which does not destroy the young bark.

Characteristics of culture

Cherry plum Lama is characterized by the following features:

• fruit weight from 14 to 42 grams;
• the skin is dark red or deep burgundy, almost black in early September;
• the taste and smell are almond, sweet and sour;
• The color of the fruit is purple, the pulp is juicy.

The fruits ripen by mid-August, the pulp is easily separated.

Resistance to low temperatures and drought

The cherry plum variety exhibits strong drought resistance and can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees below zero. Water the plant only during prolonged heat. Only sharp changes with warming and cold are harmful to the tree. The rest period is 45 days; late winter temperature fluctuations can negatively affect the kidneys. Flowers can withstand cold temperatures down to -7 degrees.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Cherry plum Lama is able to independently resist fungal infections, provided that it is pruned every year and forms a bush. To prevent beetle attacks, they resort to standard garden care. In rare cases, cherry plum is affected by fruit rot; treatment involves the use of special aerosols. They are sold in gardening stores and on the market.

Pollinator varieties

The cherry plum blossoms in mid-May. The variety is not able to pollinate itself; other related plants should be planted next to it. It is advisable to choose East Asian plums or wild cherry plums. European subspecies and sloe are not suitable for proximity. The following varieties are considered the best pollinators:

• Mara;
• Vitba;
• Asaloda.

Cherry plum is planted according to the 5*3 meter pattern. The fruits will ripen by mid-August.

Productivity fruiting

The variety can be harvested from August 12-16, when the fruits turn red. During storage, their shade becomes darker. Cherry plums should be picked 3-5 days after ripening. It does not hold firmly on the footrests and falls off in strong winds or rain.

Many gardeners plant clover next to the variety so that when the fruit falls, they are not so injured, and the crop is nourished with vitamins and microelements due to the favorable proximity. Two years after planting, the tree produces up to 30 kg of cherry plum with a pleasant, sweet taste. After 10-15 years, summer residents harvest up to 300 kilograms of crops.

Where are plums used?

The fruits of the Lama variety can be consumed fresh as they contain many vitamins. They are also used to make jams, preserves, confitures, juices, sauces and wine. The collection and storage of cherry plum is a fundamental factor in its preservation. If fruits are picked correctly and kept in a cool place, they will retain their original appearance for a long time. Cherry plum is widely used to decorate desserts, cutting it fresh in a convenient way.

Characteristics of the variety

Red cherry plum belongs to low varieties. It rarely grows above 2 meters; its standard height is 1.3-1.5 meters. The crown of the plant is compact and needs to be shaped, since the cherry plum variety with red leaves also has decorative properties. A tree with a semicircular crown looks most impressive. It should be borne in mind that over time, the plum bark begins to darken and becomes rough. However, while the shoots are still young, the bark is very smooth and pleasant to the touch.

Note! The crown also needs to be formed due to such a property of the Alma cherry plum as high shoot formation. In one season, Russian plum branches can grow up to 150 centimeters

Under such conditions, the lack of action to form the crown can lead not only to a deterioration in the aesthetic appearance, but also to a decrease in the number of fruits.

The leaves of the plant resemble a lancet in shape and taper closer to the base. Their standard length is 15-18 centimeters. The leaf shape is finely serrated, and the color consists of two colors: the leaves are green on top and reddish below (closer to burgundy). The color of the underside of the leaf is uneven, gradually changing color to brown with a warm chocolate tint.

During the flowering period, red-leaved cherry plum also looks very beautiful. The inflorescences are small bouquets (several flowers, no more than 3-3.5 centimeters wide, are attached together on a bouquet branch). Petals are white and pink.

A description of the Lama cherry plum variety would be incomplete without a story about its fruits. They are quite large, have a round-oval shape, and weight varies from 15 to 40 grams. The fruit is quite fleshy, its pulp is very juicy, with a refined aroma of fruit and almonds. The color of the fruit is purple, dark, under the thick skin, which allows the fruit to be stored for a long time undamaged and easily transported, grayish dots can sometimes be found. The stone of the Russian plum is small and easily separated from the fleshy and fibrous dark red pulp.

The Lama cherry plum tasters gave a fairly high rating of 4.4 points. This is due to the richness of the taste - it combines sweetness with sourness, which is most pronounced near the seed. The fruit is very healthy. It contains acids necessary for humans (malic and citric), and easily digestible sugar.

An important characteristic and advantage of this variety of cherry plum is frost resistance, which allows it to be grown not only in the southern regions of Russia, but also in Siberia and the Far East

This variety is suitable for cultivation in Siberia and the Far East

The described crop inherited drought resistance from cherry plum (able to withstand heat of 40 degrees without losing the volume and quality of the crop) and frost resistance of the Ussuri plum. However, frequent temperature changes can be detrimental to the plant, when a thaw occurs during the day and severe frost returns at night.

Important! This type of plum has a short dormant period (no more than 45 days), which explains the early ripening of its fruits, but the downside of this advantage is its susceptibility to temperature fluctuations during late winter, when the plant is already beginning to wake up. In this case, the flowers do not fall off, which means that the ovary and fruit can form, even at a temperature of -7 degrees Celsius

If winter passes early, without any significant temperature fluctuations, then the flowering of red-leaved cherry plum will begin a little later than most other plants, so it also has resistance to spring frosts. It should be noted that in order to form fruits, related plants must be planted next to the described crop, since the Alma cherry plum variety cannot reproduce itself on its own. The optimal pollinator is, of course, the Ussuri plum or cherry plum, but the following varieties can also be used as such: Mara, Comet, Vitba.

In the description of red-leaved cherry plum, its productivity should be noted. Fruiting usually begins in the third year after planting the tree. The harvest volume can reach 40 kg. Later, with proper care and following all recommendations, the harvest can be 300 kg from one tree.

Cherry plum Lama is famous for its good yield

The best plum varieties for the Moscow region: TOP-10

The Moscow region climate is not suitable for all varieties of plums. In winter, air temperatures often drop to extreme values ​​(-30°C and below). Therefore, plants grown here must be frost-resistant. Also, the climate of this region is characterized by frequent recurrent frosts. It is necessary to choose cold-resistant species. Otherwise, you can completely lose the harvest, because the fruit buds will simply freeze.

It is important! Some plum varieties are self-fertile - there is no need for cross-pollination. They are preferable for summer cottages because they will produce a harvest even with a single planting and unfavorable conditions.

Self-fertile varieties for the Moscow region

The best self-fertile low-growing plum varieties for the Moscow region, which are adapted to the local climate, are:

• Bluebird - mid-season, high-yielding (up to 35 kg). The tree is vigorous and begins to bear fruit in 5-6 years. The fruits are large (up to 30 g). The pulp is juicy and very tasty. According to reviews from gardeners, the Blue Bird plum is one of the best of its kind. The only negative is the very spreading crown. Therefore, the tree needs a lot of free space.
• Bryansk late is a medium-sized tree (up to 4 m), consistently producing 15 kg of fruit per season. Fruits weigh up to 20 g. On fertile soils and with good care they can reach 30 g. They ripen in mid-September. The taste is sweet, sourness is present in the skin.
• Memory Timiryazev - medium-late, high-yielding (up to 25 kg). Early fruiting is good, plums appear in 3-4 years. Tree of medium height (about 3 m). Recovers quickly after damage from severe or prolonged frosts. The fruits are medium (up to 30 g) with a waxy coating, similar in color to apples. The pulp is medium-term, the taste has a slight sourness.
• Early ripening red - early ripening, high-yielding. With proper care it produces up to 50 kg of fruit. The fruits are small (up to 15 g), slightly pointed. The pulp is dry, the taste is sweet and sour.
• Egg blue - mid-season, consistently productive (12-15 kg). The tree is tall (up to 6 m), bears fruit for up to 30 years. The fruits have a characteristic egg shape and are covered with a thick waxy coating. Average weight - 30 g. Easily withstands significant temperature drops (down to −35°C). The pulp is juicy, sweet and sour.

The excellent characteristics of these varieties have been confirmed by many gardeners in the Moscow region.

Rating of self-sterile varieties

It is worth mentioning separately about varieties that do not have the ability to self-pollinate flowers, but demonstrate good resistance to unfavorable factors.

Brief description of varieties:

• Renklod kolkhoz - medium-late, high-yielding. A definite plus is that as the tree ages, it bears more fruit. After 10 years it gives over 50 kg. The plums are small (about 15 g). The pulp is light green, sweet, with a slight sourness.
• Smolinka is tall (more than 5 m), begins to bloom in the 2nd year. Productivity is stable (up to 25 kg). The fruits are large (up to 40 g), oval with a bluish bloom, ripen at the end of summer. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour. This variety makes excellent prunes.
• Yakhontovaya - early ripening, partially self-fertile, tall (up to 5 m). Shows good yield indicators - up to 50 kg per season. Fruit weight - up to 50 g. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour. 5 points on the tasting scale.

These varieties are loved by many gardeners for their constant and high yields.

Columnar plum: varieties for the Moscow region

It is worth highlighting the columnar plums. These plants are ideal for small areas. They do not have side branches, so they can be placed very compactly. The low height (up to 2.5 m) makes harvesting easier. The only drawback is the short lifespan. Most trees begin to age by the age of 10 years.

The best columnar varieties:

• Imperial is early ripening and bears fruit 2 years after planting. Productivity - 10-12 kg. The average weight of the fruit is 60 g. The pulp is tender, there is a honey taste, but there is also a slight sourness. Sensitivity to severe frosts is observed only in young seedlings under 3 years of age.
• Commander is mid-season, begins to bloom in the 2nd year. Frost-resistant, high-yielding. The pulp is golden, sweet with a slight sourness. Weight - up to 55 g.

According to many gardeners, self-fertile and low-growing varieties are the best varieties for the Moscow region. They are easy to care for and almost always bear a lot of fruit.

Features of the variety

The distance between plantings of fruit and berry crops is measured by the average size of the crowns of closely spaced trees. The above varieties require a distance of at least 4 meters from each other. But there is a variety of cherry plum called Kolonovidnaya, which is quite compact. It consists of one trunk and 3 - 4 branches, moreover, the crown of the cherry plum grows compressed, without interfering with neighboring crops.

Columnar cherry plum will not take up much space on your site, even if two or three trees are planted.

In 1954, breeders began work to develop a frost-resistant variety for the northern regions, which would not be inferior to its southern relatives. As a result, the Lama plum appeared, which satisfied all their requirements. This hybrid was based on varieties resistant to low temperatures, which is why this crop is also commonly called Russian plum.

The Lama plum tree can withstand temperatures down to -40 °C. If ovaries and inflorescences have begun to form on the plant, they will be able to withstand temperatures of -10 °C without losing their ability to form fruit.

The description indicates that the Russian plum Lama is precocious. The plant begins to bear fruit 3 years after planting. Ripe products can be transported over long distances, since the fruits are resistant to mechanical and physical stress.

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The disadvantage of the variety is that it is not able to independently produce pollen for pollination. In order to achieve stable and high yields, the Lama cherry plum requires pollinators - Mara and Vitba. These varieties have similar characteristics and growing season.

The maximum height of the plant is 2 m. This ensures ease of care for the crop and greatly facilitates the harvesting process. The crown of the tree is dense, oval in shape. The growing season lasts only 90 days from the moment the first ovaries appear, i.e. harvesting occurs at the beginning of July.

The leaves of the Lama plum variety are characterized by a lanceolate shape and a rich green tint. The surface is smooth due to the fact that it is covered with a dense layer of wax coating. The leaves taper slightly at the base for practicality. Sheet plates of this shape are less likely to break. The inner surface of the leaf is burgundy. The inflorescences are large, pink in color. Each inflorescence contains 5 flowers.

Features of the fruit

The description of the Lama variety of cherry plum indicates that the fruits are characterized by the following parameters:

• average weight - 25 g;
• the peel is dense, dark red in color, with small black dots visible on it;
• the pulp is red in color and contains fibers in its structure;
• the taste is pleasant, sweet, the aroma has slight notes of nutmeg;
• The seed is medium-sized and easily separated from the pulp.

Cherry plum Mara

Cherry plum Mara is a plum variety that grows quickly and has a rounded crown. The stems of this plant are slightly curved and brownish in color. The leaves are elliptical in shape with jagged edges. The medium-sized round fruits reach 23 grams. They have a sweet and sour taste, are very juicy, and have a bright yellow color. The outside of the fruit is slightly whitish. The pit of Cherry Cherry Mara is difficult to separate from the pulp. The plum tree bears fruit in September. Usually the fruits are consumed fresh, as they have a short shelf life. A new seedling will begin to bear fruit abundantly only after 5–6 years. One hectare of plum yields approximately 35 tons of harvest.

Choosing a landing site

When choosing a place to plant plums, you should consider some features:

• Plum loves a lot of light. If it is deficient, the fruits will be sour and the harvest volume will decrease.
• Cherry plum can withstand light frosts, but severe frosts will harm it. Therefore, the landing site should be between two buildings. For example, a barn and a solid fence. It is very good if the bush is covered with a brick wall on the north side. It will protect from strong cold winds and will provide additional heating for the plant, heating it up from the sun's rays.
• Stagnant water is harmful to plums. If such a factor is present on the site, then it is worth draining or raising the planting area. Stagnation of water leads to poor development of the plant and subsequently it may die completely.
• For good growth, it is recommended to plant plums on light sandy or loamy soils. But she is not a capricious plant. Plum will grow in any soil, just not as actively. In heavy soils it is necessary to make a deep hole for planting. Soil acidity should be brought to a neutral level.

Planting and care

Russian plum is planted as seedlings. Planting occurs in the spring, with a bare root system. You can grow the plant in a special container. In this case, planting in open ground can be carried out until October.

• Do not bury the seedling too much in the soil. The spine should be open at the top by 5–7 cm.
• Most plum varieties are not adapted to self-pollination. They require the presence of potential pollinators nearby. Therefore, plums must be planted one after another or in parallel. The common wild plum is well suited as a pollinator.
• During planting, fertilizing is added to the prepared hole. It must be of organic origin. The presence of nitrogen is not desirable. You can use fertilizers with potassium and superphosphate.

• Feeding is required before flowering begins. Urea and potassium sulfate can be used as fertilizer.
• The next feeding is carried out during fruit filling. At this time, the plant needs urea and nitrophoska.
• After collecting the first fruits, the plum is fed with potassium sulfate and superphosphate.
• It is necessary to add organic matter in early spring and late autumn. Autumn fertilizers should not contain nitrogen. Poor soils should be fertilized annually, while rich soils do not need frequent fertilizing.

In the first year of the plant’s life, all ovaries must be cut off. This will help the seedling to take root better. The next year, only half of the flowers, with the smallest diameters, are harvested. This selective pruning will allow the remaining fruit to become larger and sweeter. By removing flowers, you can independently regulate the fruiting of the plant. After all, the plum needs to rest after a year. Plum loves moisture. It is advisable to water it in the mornings and evenings. An adult plant requires a bucket of water for one watering.

It is very important to moisten the soil during the appearance of ovaries and ripening of fruits. The plum periodically develops basal shoots. You should get rid of it immediately

The shoots are cut out near the soil. If it is not removed, the plant will send all its nutrients to it. As a result, there will be no harvest. To protect the plant from severe frosts, mulch with horse humus. It is laid out in a circle near the trunk and the stamp is wrapped with appropriate material.

Plant pruning

If pruning is done correctly, the tree will produce a good harvest and various diseases can be avoided. Individual pruning is done at each growth stage.

• As soon as the seedling is planted, you need to cut off a third of the branch. This procedure helps the crown form faster.
• If annual growth decreases, the branch should be shortened to older wood.

Any pruning should be done before buds begin to open. It is better not to do autumn pruning. When performing full pruning, the cut must be made at the base of the branch. It is advisable that no “stumps” remain after pruning.

Description

The tree is highly decorative. It is very compact, with a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. The crown is beautiful, neat, flat-round. Small size greatly facilitates care and harvesting. The variety has good shoot formation, so the crown tends to thicken. The bark of a young plant has a burgundy-red hue. Over the years, it darkens and becomes rough. The leaves of the cherry plum are elongated, lanceolate in shape, tapering towards the base, 18 - 19 cm long. The edge of the leaf blade is serrated. The leaf surface is smooth, slightly shiny, with reticulate venation, which is more clearly visible on the back side. The petiole is ordinary. The leaf and petiole are anthocyanin colored. Young leaves of Lama are light brown, caramel in color, with a glossy sheen. The adult leaf darkens, becomes chocolate-red, with the top of the plate having a greenish tint, and on the underside a red tone predominates. This elegant two-tone leaf color remains unchanged throughout the summer. In autumn the foliage turns yellow. The flowers are small, slightly more than 3 cm in diameter. They are formed on annual shoots, collected in compact bouquet inflorescences of 5 - 6 pieces. The color of the petals is white, with a soft pink tint. Already a two-year-old seedling of this variety can observe abundant, lush flowering.

Lama fruits are round-oval in shape and large in size - on average they weigh about 30 grams. The ventral suture is poorly defined. The ovary is bare, as it fills, it acquires a reddish tint. During the period of ripeness, the skin of the fruit becomes purple or burgundy, and by the end of September it is almost black. Gray subcutaneous dots are clearly visible, the wax coating is thick. The pulp is medium-dense, fibrous, tender, juicy, red-pink in color. The aroma is not bright. The not quite ripened pulp crunches slightly. The taste of cherry plum is sweet and sour, and the sourness is more pronounced near the seed, the aftertaste gives off subtle almond notes. Taster rating: 4.4 points. The juice is dark red. The stalk is not very long, the detachment is dry. The stone is small and can be easily separated from the pulp.

Characteristics

• The llama begins to bear fruit already 2 - 3 years after planting in a permanent place, which indicates its good precocity;
• flowering occurs at the end of April - beginning of May. Late awakening of flowers saves them from returning frosts and protects the ovary from the codling moth;
• According to the ripening period, cherry plum is medium late. The first fruits can be picked at the end of August;
• The yield of the variety is excellent. At the beginning of the fruiting period, in the 3rd year, the crop already produces up to 40 kg per tree. And an adult specimen generously bestows a harvest of up to 300 kg;
• The plant's winter hardiness is excellent, withstands frosts down to -36°C. Temperature changes, when thaws give way to returning frosts, can be dangerous. Waking up flower buds can withstand temperatures down to -7°C;
• drought resistance is good, heat resistance is also at a high level - cherry plum can withstand forty-degree heat;
• Lama is highly resistant to various fungal diseases and pest attacks. The fruits are not damaged by birds;
• ripe fruits are prone to shedding;
• if the crop is harvested during the period of technical ripeness, it can withstand transportation over long distances;
• in a treated storage facility at a temperature not higher than 3 °C and a humidity of 85 - 95%, the crop can be stored for up to 4 months;
• You can use the collected fruits in different ways - they are tasty in their natural form, suitable for canning and processing into jam, jam, marmalade, compote, jam.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

Despite the fact that the described type of fruit is absolutely unpretentious to the conditions where it grows, some recommendations should still be followed.

On a note! Tree planting should be done depending on the growing region. If this happens in the southern regions of Russia, then it is better to plant in the fall, so that the shoot has time to take root before spring, and in the spring it begins to bloom and form an ovary.

In terms of location, the western slope of a small hill is best. It is not forbidden to plant in lowlands, but the quality of the harvest will be noticeably worse. Groundwater should preferably be at a level no higher than 1.5 meters from the surface of the water. The plant does not tolerate acidic or alkaline soils; optimal yield is achieved when planted on neutral soils. At the time of planting, be sure to make a drainage layer.

For planting, it is recommended to choose one or two year old shoots. Seedlings should only be moved from one site to another or from a store to a site in special containers. A few hours before planting, the roots should be moistened generously. If necessary, clay and a growth stimulator can be added to the water.

Next, drainage should be placed in the planting hole, a support should be installed and fertile soil mixed with fertilizers should be poured.

The landing sequence is as follows:

• The shoot is placed in the prepared soil so that the neck of the root is at a depth of 3-4 centimeters from the level of the hole.
• The hole is filled with soil.
• The shoot is tied with tape to the installed support and, if necessary, cut off by no more than 1/3.
• The top layer of soil is trampled down, watered with a bucket of water and mulched.

In terms of care, the plant is absolutely unpretentious. It is enough to loosen the soil to provide access to water and air to the roots, and also to remove weeds. The formation of the crown should be done in the spring, while the plant is still dormant. It is recommended to leave no more than 11-12 skeletal branches after pruning. In the autumn, it is advisable to whiten the trunks and wrap them with newspaper or burlap to prevent damage to the bark by rodents. It is necessary to water the Russian plum only during periods of prolonged drought in a volume of no more than two buckets. If necessary, you can fertilize with fertilizers.

Landing

Cherry plum is an undemanding plant. Even on the edge of ravines or cliffs, the tree will develop and bear fruit abundantly.

Landing dates

In the southern regions of the country, autumn planting of cherry plum is recommended (mid-October), and some gardeners practice planting even during winter thaws. In steppe regions and northern latitudes, the tree will take root faster and grow if planted in the spring (April - early May).

The decisive factor in determining the time of planting will be the air temperature (not lower than +12 °C) and the condition of the soil (the bayonet of the shovel fits freely into the ground).

Selecting a location

If there are so-called unproductive areas on your personal plot, do not rush to be upset - this is the area that is perfect for planting the Lama cherry plum variety. The native inhabitant of the foothills is undemanding to the soil and other external conditions.

The cherry plum tree will adapt and will consistently bear fruit on any moisture-intensive or loamy soils. It will be able to grow in lowlands, which will hold water for a long time and even become swampy when the snow melts, and in sunny, elevated, open areas.

However, it is desirable that the soil acidity is close to neutral. Common field plants (coltsfoot, chamomile, bindweed, nettle) grow well on such soils. The area should be completely sodded with bluegrass, bentgrass, bud, clover, and forget-me-not. The cherry plum fruits, which are loosely held on the branches, will remain undamaged if they fall into the grass. Such areas do not require loosening and will prevent the growth of weeds that deplete the soil.

Groundwater on site

It should be remembered that cherry plum is a drought-resistant crop. Although it is tolerant of growing in swampy lowlands, one should not expect a high-quality and stable harvest from a tree growing in such conditions. The sugar content of the fruit decreases sharply, the dense structure of the cherry plum is destroyed, as a result of which the berries become watery. Therefore, in the area where cherry plum planting is planned, groundwater should lie at a depth of 1.5 m.

It is advisable to add gravel or coarse sand (200–300 g) to the planting hole to create reliable drainage.

Planting material

It is best to purchase planting material from local nurseries in the fall and dig it into the area in a semi-horizontal position. When transporting seedlings, the root system must be wrapped in a damp cloth and wrapped with plastic film on top.

For planting, it is recommended to choose one-year or two-year-old seedlings. Experienced gardeners prefer seedlings with an open root system. The roots should be evenly developed, without deformations or thickenings. Such seedlings need to be planted in the ground before the buds open.

The trunk of the seedling must be smooth, without damage or defects

And small and medium-sized farms establishing plantations purchase seedlings with a closed root system, packaged in plastic containers or covered with a ball of earth. In this case, you should make sure that thin roots grow through the holes in the packaging. Seedlings with a closed root system can be planted in the summer (late May - early June).

Immediately before planting, you need to dip the roots of the seedling in earthen mash. Add soil to 10 liters of water to obtain a creamy solution and 2 tablets of 0.1 g of Heteroauxin root fertilizer. This procedure will strengthen the root system of the seedling and accelerate its formation.

Heteroauxin is a drug for stimulating root formation

Step by step process

Previously (7–10 days before planting), dig a hole 50–60 cm deep and 80–100 cm in diameter, which is half filled with a mixture of excavated soil and fertilizers (400–600 g of superphosphate or nitrophoska, as well as 15–20 kg of humus) . This mixture must be mixed thoroughly to avoid burning the roots.

Within 7–10 days, the soil in the filled hole will subside slightly.

1. Planting holes for a short Lama cherry plum tree are placed 1–1.5 m apart, leaving 1.5–2 m between rows.
2. A wooden stake 80–100 cm high is dug into a pre-prepared hole.
3. The root system of the seedling is laid out over the entire diameter of the hole.
4. Sprinkle the seedling with the remaining fertile soil, lightly compacting it.
5. The tree is tied to a peg to form a strong and straight trunk.
6. The root collar of the seedling (the place where the green color of the shoot gives way to the light brown color of the root system) should be 2–3 cm below ground level. During late spring frosts, the tree will be able to recover thanks to root shoots developing below the freezing level.
7. The seedling is cut to 1/3 of its length to stimulate the growth of lateral branches.
8. Water the tree with 30–40 liters of water.
9. Mulch the tree trunk area (50–60 cm) with dry soil or grass in a layer of 10–15 cm.

Compliance with all recommendations when planting seedlings is the key to abundant harvests in the future

Pollinators

It is necessary to plant several trees in the immediate vicinity or on a neighboring plot that will serve as pollinators for the Llama. If this is not done, cherry plum harvests will be small and irregular. Varieties such as Mara, Asaloda, Vitba are suitable as pollinators.

• Cherry plum variety Mara. A low-growing tree with a powerful spreading crown has high frost resistance and resistance to cherry plum diseases. Bright yellow round fruits weighing up to 25 g have a sweet and sour taste and ripen in early September. The stone is easily separated from the ripe pulp. The variety is high-yielding - from 40 to 140 kg of fruits are collected from one tree.
• Cherry plum variety Asalod. A low-growing, fast-growing tree with a neat round crown. Good overall stability. Large dark red fruits weighing up to 25 g ripen in early August. Juicy sweet cherry plum with yellow flesh has a pleasant honey aroma. The small bone is practically not separated from the pulp. The variety is high-yielding - from one tree you can get from 30 to 100 kg of fruit.
• Cherry plum variety Vitba. A weak-growing tree with a spreading crown has good resistance to aggressive environmental influences. Pinkish fruits with sweet and loose yellow pulp ripen in early August. The small oblong bone is easily separated from the pulp. The variety is high-yielding - from 40 to 200 kg of fruits are collected from one tree in different years of its life.

The best pollinators for the Lama cherry plum variety - photo gallery

How to plant correctly

The Lama variety is not a very demanding crop, but there are still certain requirements and rules for care.

As for growing this cherry plum in the southern regions, it is better to prefer planting in the autumn, during which time the plant will be able to adapt before cold temperatures set in. In regions with cooler climates, cherry plums are planted in spring. By this time, the soil is already quite dry, and the air temperature reaches twelve to fourteen degrees.

As a rule, when choosing a place to plant cherry plums, gardeners recommend giving preference to slopes with a western exposure. A slope towards the south or north is also suitable.

This plum can survive even in low areas, but the fruits will be of noticeably worse quality. For cherry plum, an important condition is the presence of groundwater. This level should be at least one and a half meters from the plantings. The soil must have a neutral pH level. Be sure to provide a good drainage layer before planting. It is also recommended to plant herbs directly under the plums. This is necessary so that when the fruits fall off, they do not break.

For planting, it will be better if you choose annual or biennial seedlings. Before purchasing, you must carefully examine the plant for damage and signs of disease. Before planting, several hours before planting, you need to soak the plum root system in a solution of water, clay and a growth stimulator.

After the seedlings have been prepared before planting, you need to lay a layer of drainage on the bottom of the hole, and also add a layer of fertile soil and fertilizer. Next, install a small peg. The cherry plum must be placed in such a way that the root collar is deepened by about three to four centimeters. Sprinkle substrate on top. After this, tie the plant to a stake and cut it by about 1/3. Lightly compact the soil, water and mulch the tree trunks to retain moisture longer.

Further care does not seem to be very difficult. The soil must be loosened regularly, and weeds must also be removed. When early spring arrives, you need to prune the plant and leave eleven to twelve skeletal branches. First order shoots need to be shortened by about 1/3. In the fall, you need to whitewash the plum trunks. This measure will help cope with rodents and harmful insects. Additionally, tree trunks can be wrapped in paper. When winter comes, you need to add a good amount of snow to the tree trunk circles. When the period of ovary formation begins, in dry weather you need to water the plants at the rate of approximately thirty to forty liters per tree. Do not forget about applying mineral fertilizers.

As for the collection of cherry plums, it can be done every 2 days. Plums that have not yet ripened are usually stored in a cool, dark place for about three months. Then they go for processing (jams, sauce, preserves).

Cherry plum, or Russian plum

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Cherry plum, or Russian plum

Message from Lilishka » 10.19.2006, 18:35

Messages: 1915 Registered: 03/16/2006, 21:50 Interests: dacha, video Occupation: translator From: Moscow, Medvedkovo - Sergiev Posad Thanked: 6 times Thanked: 552 times

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Posted by baraban » 10/19/2006, 07:46 pm

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Message from Lilishka » 10/19/2006, 20:02

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Message from Tamara » 10/19/2006, 20:34

pro Messages: 2374 Registered: 12/12/2006, 11:21 pm Interests: almost everything Occupation: gardener From: St. Petersburg Thanked: 517 times Thanked: 1081 times

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Posted by toliam1 » 01/03/2007, 05:40

• Lilishka, I agree with Tamara’s opinion. Of the ones you mentioned, Zlato Scythians and Alyonushka bear delicious fruit. I will only add that in your conditions you should plant on hills. Grafted onto a seedling of the Pchelnikovskaya cherry plum and into the skeleton of a Hungarian plant taken from the Pskov region. We are 5 degrees north of you, it should work out, Anatoly

Passed away Messages: 32043 Registered: 03/10/2006, 13:13 From: Moscow, railway station “PKh”, dacha 40 km along Yaroslavka Thanked: 103 times

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Message from Tamara » 01/03/2007, 11:09

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about cherry plum

Posted by toliam1 » 01/03/2007, 17:53

• Tamara, this is my quirk. I have been growing the gift for a long time, the first fruiting was in 2003. Along with Pchelnikovskaya, I use it as a skeleton. No complaints. Abundant, annual fruiting. Too lazy to collect. There are 24 varieties in total from different authors. but there are still no Belarusians. While I'm trying it on. I come to the conclusion that this extremely valuable crop for small gardeners has a large supply of plasticity. The most important thing is that the skeleton is resistant to the vagaries of the climate, Anatoly

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Message from Ingwar » 01/16/2007, 17:10

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Re: Cherry plum or Russian plum

Message from Ingwar » 01/16/2007, 17:29

Passed away Messages: 32043 Registered: 03/10/2006, 13:13 From: Moscow, railway station “PKh”, dacha 40 km along Yaroslavka Thanked: 103 times

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Message from Tamara » 01/16/2007, 18:54

pro Messages: 2374 Registered: 12/12/2006, 11:21 pm Interests: almost everything Occupation: gardener From: St. Petersburg Thanked: 517 times Thanked: 1081 times

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Posted by toliam1 » 01/17/2007, 01:25

• Sorry, I’ll intervene. You are right, they are “so-called”, I couldn’t find them anywhere in the catalogues. ..But what a miracle this is. Taste shades from apricots-peaches to melon. Appearance. Pulp. Honey juice. Dimensions. .. ..Tamara, please. Where can I read what the Slavic brothers (Bryansk and Belarusians) are doing in this regard? Maybe your magazine will come together?

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Message from Alain » 01/17/2007, 16:37

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Posted by toliam1 » 01/17/2007, 05:22 pm

• Alena, one of my favorites. -Precocious. It is tasty, looks very elegant and fail-safe. After the severe frosts of last winter, it was the only one that bore fruit. – Gift to St. Petersburg. The most winter-hardy. I also use and as a skeletal educator. – Timiryazevskaya, excellent taste and appearance, – Zlato Scythians, the same, – Tsarskaya, the same, – Chuguevskie (Nectarine, Peach, Nectarine aromatic, Apricot), etc.

. Most varieties, except Chuguevsky, were obtained in Moscow, from V.I. Susov. . Chuguev varieties have one unpleasant feature (or maybe a good one - we need to figure it out): after entering fruiting, there is no significant wood growth. . Last summer was dry, I visited the site only 4 times (due to circumstances), there was no growth. . Therefore, I wish you success in the capital, contact the Michurinsky Garden of the Moscow Agricultural Academy, sorry, I can only help with information,

Description of culture

The Lama cherry plum is a low-growing species - its height does not exceed 2 m, most often 130-150 cm. The crown is compact, it is formed in the form of a spectacular semicircular sphere, as noted in reviews of gardeners in the Moscow region about the Lama cherry plum. The smooth brown-red bark of young plum shoots darkens and becomes rough over the years. Shoot formation is high, the growth per season is up to 150 cm. The length of the lanceolate leaves of the plum, which taper towards the base, is 15-18 cm. The leaf blade is finely serrated along the edges, two-colored: the upper side is green, the lower side is red-burgundy in spring and early summer, unevenly colored. Over time, Lama plum trees stand with brown leaves on the back of a warm chocolate tone.

In spring, the annual shoots of the Russian plum Lama in the middle and lower parts are decorated with elegant bouquets. The flowers are small, 3-3.5 cm wide, with white and pink petals, several of them are attached to short bouquet branches.

The large fruits of the table hybrid of cherry plum and plum are round-oval, weighing 15-40 g, fleshy. The fibrous pulp is juicy, with a refined fruity-almond aroma. The dense skin is purple, dark, and has grayish subcutaneous dots. A small stone separates from the dark red pulp. The taste of cherry plum combines pleasant sweetness and invigorating sourness, which is especially pronounced near the seed. The fruits contain malic and citric acid, 10% sugars. Tasters gave the hybrid cherry plum variety Lama with red flesh 4.4 points.

The Lama variety has inherited winter hardiness from plums, so it can be cultivated in the middle climate zone, in the north-west of the country, in Siberia and the Far East.