Plum Opal

Plum Opal
The main characteristics of the variety:
  • Authors: Sweden
  • Appeared when crossing: Early Favorite x Renkloda Ulena
  • Name synonyms: Opal
  • Growth type: medium-sized
  • Crown: wide-conical, thick
  • Tree height, m: until 3
  • Fruit size: medium
  • Fruit weight, g: 20-25
  • Fruit shape: round or round-oval
  • Fruit color: yellow-green at first, and by the time of ripening yellow with a violet-blue blush almost throughout the fruit
View all specifications

A plum called Opal was obtained by crossing. Breeders have combined the Rivers (early yielding variety) and Renclode Ullensky varieties. Despite the fact that this variety was obtained in Sweden, it has taken root remarkably in different regions of Russia. Gardeners recommend planting the variety in the middle lane.

Description of the variety

Medium-sized plants reach a height of up to three meters. The crown is compact, but very dense. The shape can be round or broadly conical. The color of the leaves is dark green, the shape is elongated. Despite the recommendations to grow the Opal variety in the central regions of the country, it has taken root well in the southern latitudes. In areas with unfavorable weather conditions, the plum is grafted into another frost-resistant variety.

Fruit characteristics

The weight of one fruit is 20-25 grams. Sizes are medium. The shape is round or oval-round. The color of the fruit changes as it ripens. Initially, it is yellow with a green tint, and upon reaching maturity, the surface becomes bright yellow with a rich purple blush that covers the entire fruit. A blue waxy bloom is visible on the skin. It is thin, but moderately dense.

A very juicy and dense pulp is hidden inside. Its color also changes from green to yellow. The stone is small, pointed at the end.

Ripe berries are suitable for processing or fresh consumption. Opal fruits are often used as a filling for desserts made from flour and other delicacies. They are also popular as an ingredient for compote, jam or preserves. The purpose of the fruit is universal.

Taste qualities

The fruit combines sweetness and sourness. Separately, the delicious and bright aroma is noted. Assessment of tasters - 4.5 points out of five maximum. The bone is easily detached from the pulp. The percentage of sugar content is 11.5%.

Ripening and fruiting

This variety belongs to the mid-early varieties. Trees bloom from early to mid-May. The harvest begins in early August. Plum bears fruit periodically.

After planting a plum sapling on the site, of course, the question of the beginning of the fruiting of the tree always arises. Most varieties of plums begin to bear fruit 4 years after the seedling is planted. However, there are those that differ in an earlier or later period of fruiting. The difference in the beginning of fruiting is determined by the color of the plum. So, purple varieties always begin to bear fruit earlier - by 2-4 years, but yellow varieties differ in later fruiting.

Yield

Due to the high yield, up to 50 kilograms of fruit are harvested from one tree. When growing the Opal variety through seedlings, the first fruits will appear in the third year after planting, on zoned varieties fruiting begins a year earlier. Trees aged 8 years or more give out about 20-25 kilograms.

The size of the fruit is reduced when the yield is large. To grow large fruits, gardeners carry out rationing of the crop. The procedure consists in removing excess buds. Another feature is unstable fruiting. After a rich harvest, trees often go dormant, and the next year the volume of the harvest decreases noticeably.

Growing and care

Plum does not tolerate transplanting, so you need to immediately choose a suitable place for growing a fruit crop.Opal prefers well-lit locations and must be protected from blowing. If there are trees or other objects (for example, buildings) on the site, trees are planted at a distance of 3 meters from them.

From the north side, a cold and strong wind often blows, from which fruit trees also need to be protected.

The area chosen for planting should be flat. Water often stagnates in the lowlands. Excessive dampness provokes the development of fungus and root rot. Plum does not like acidic soil and will not be able to form a high-quality crop in such conditions. If the reaction to acidity is high, lime or dolomite flour is mixed into the ground. Peat soil will also not work.

Opal grows remarkably well in loamy soil. It is mixed with sand and humus. Organic matter will make the soil more fertile and nourish the trees. If groundwater is located on the site, they should be at a depth of at least one and a half or 2 meters.

You should buy seedlings in the fall, and in the spring they are planted. So that young trees can easily endure the winter, they are buried in a special place protected from drafts. A small oblong hole is made on the site, in which the seedlings are laid. A layer of wet soil is poured on top and a covering material is laid. Regular burlap or any breathable fabric will do

Preparations for planting fruit trees begin in mid-spring. The area is cleared, weeds are removed and planting holes are dug. The soil is mixed with compost. The nutrient composition is placed on the bottom of the hole, and a seedling is placed on top. The roots are gently straightened to avoid creases. The trees are sprinkled with earth, which is carefully tamped.

At the end of the planting procedure, the earth around the trunk is mulched. As a rule, organic matter is used (straw, dry grass, humus, sawdust).

Follow-up tree care includes the following.

  • Trees are watered 3 to 5 times throughout the year. This is a standard irrigation scheme that can be changed depending on the climate and weather conditions. Up to 10 liters of water are consumed per drain. It is desirable that the liquid be settled and not cold. Plants especially need moisture during flowering and harvesting.

  • The moistened soil is loosened so that the water reaches the roots faster. And also this procedure is needed for oxygen exchange. If the roots receive a sufficient amount of air, the trees will fully develop and delight with a rich harvest.

  • They begin to fertilize trees from the first days of spring. You yourself can prepare a solution from water, potassium salt, urea and superphosphate. The second time, fertilizing is applied at the end of flowering, but now potash and phosphorus fertilizers are used.

  • Experienced gardeners form the crown in tiers. In the process of pruning, they are sure to get rid of deformed and diseased shoots. The work is done in spring or autumn.

  • A strong protective net will keep the tree from rodents. She covers the trunk of a tree.

  • 3-4 years after planting, the soil near the trees is carefully dug up and fertilized. 10 kilograms of compost or humus are consumed per 1 m2 of plot.

For normal development and timely release to fruiting, the plum must be planted at a favorable time, provided with food and water. It is necessary to choose the right seedling, determine the location, prepare the planting pit in advance.
If you wish to get a full harvest in the future, and to renew the tree, the plum is grafted onto crops that are classified as pink. In this case, the plum cuttings are implanted on the mother plant, which will be responsible for further vegetation and nutrition of the scion.
Pruning plums is not easy and very important. If it is not carried out, the number of branches on the tree will be excessive, the crown will become too thick, the fruits will begin to shrink. You can trim plums in spring, summer and fall.
Plum feeding is one of the important stages of fruit crop care. In order to properly and fully feed the plum tree, various types of fertilizers are used. Both mineral and organic options are used. Many of the folk remedies are found to be useful and effective.

Despite the fact that plum is considered more hardy than many fruit trees, it is not immune from diseases. It is attacked by viral, fungal and bacterial infections, and parasitic insects harm it. It is necessary to notice and recognize the signs of plum disease in time. They are easier to deal with and defeat early on. Well, in order to protect the garden tree from such a misfortune in the future, preventive procedures can be carried out.

Reproduction of plums will help save on planting material: you do not have to pay money for a seedling. In addition, this activity is simple and exciting. Plum can be propagated by cuttings, root shoots and layering.
Main characteristics
Authors
Sweden
Appeared when crossing
Early Favorite x Renkloda Ulena
Name synonyms
Opal
View
home
Appointment
universal
Yield
high
Average yield
up to 50 kg / wood
Wood
Growth type
medium-sized
Tree height, m
until 3
Crown
wide-conical, thick
Fruit
Fruit size
average
Fruit weight, g
20-25
Fruit shape
rounded or rounded oval
Fruit color
first yellow-green, and by the time of ripening yellow with a violet-blue blush almost throughout the fruit
Skin
thin, with a bluish waxy coating
Pulp (consistency)
dense, juicy
Pulp color
at the beginning of ripening, greenish-yellow, in ripe fruits - yellow
Taste
sweet with sourness
Scent
there is
Bone size
small
Growing
Self-fertility
self-fertile
Pollinator varieties
Blue gift; Super early; Hungarian Moscow
Winter hardiness
below average
Soil requirement
fertile and loose soil with neutral pH
The need for feeding
during the period of mass flowering
Moisture requirement
during drought - constant watering
Pruning
annual sanitary
Disease and pest resistance
steady
Scab resistance
steady
Maturation
Early maturity
on cherry plum seedlings it begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year after planting, on the Wangenheim Hungarian - in the 2nd year
Ripening terms
mid-early
Flowering time
early-mid-May
Fruiting period
at the beginning of August
Regularity of fruiting
periodic
Reviews
There are no reviews.
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