Plum Smolinka

Smolinka is one of the most popular plum varieties in Russia. Such a tree can often be found in summer cottages, in gardens and greenhouses. The strain is very interesting and is often recommended as a first choice for beginners.

Smolinka breeding work was carried out at the All-Russian Institute of Selection and Technology of Horticulture and Nursery. The leaders of this idea were Yenikeev and Satarova, who took the plums Ochakovskaya yellow and Renklod Ullensa to obtain a new variety. The tests began in 1980, and they were completed in 1990. In the same year, the resulting plum was entered into the State Register.

Smolinka is a rather tall tree, because its height usually ranges from 5 to 5.5 meters. The plant is medium-sized, has a round-pyramidal crown. The crown density is medium or rare.

The shoots of the tree are slightly curved, with an average size of internodes. They grow upwards at a slight angle, covered with a rough brown bark. The same bark covers the trunk itself.

The leaflets do not have pubescence, their base is rounded-wedge-shaped, and the size is large. On the edges there are light notches; in structure, the leaf plates are dense. Stipules are light green in color, there is a dissection.

Smolinka flowers are white and large, collected in spectacular two-flowered inflorescences. Their classic shape is a saucer.

Smolinka home plum fruits are very large. Oval-ovoid or rounded-oval plums weigh at least 35 grams. They have an attractive dark purple color that makes the tree decorative during fruiting. The abdominal suture of the fruit is located in the middle.

The peel is of medium thickness, and the wax coating on it is dense, goes in a thick layer. Among the tender and not too dense pulp, a medium-sized bone is hidden. It is not very easy to tear it off; when removed, the seed catches part of the pulp.

Smolinka is a harmonious, sweet and sour variety, but many attribute it more to dessert. The fruits contain 11.8% sugar. Taste score - 4.8 points.

Smolinka is a plum with medium ripeness. Fruits are harvested in the last decade of August, sometimes a little earlier. The first crop of plums gives 4 or 5 years. This indicates an average early maturity.

The yield of the described tree is above average. So, usually from 15 to 20 kilograms of plums are collected from one plant. If the year turned out to be good, it will be possible to get 40 kg of the crop. However, it is worth considering that the plant will bear fruit so irregularly.Basically, large yields are available to gardeners no more than once every 4 years.

Plum Smolinka was created for cultivation in the regions of the Central region of the Russian Federation.

Smolinka cannot pollinate independently, and therefore, without pollinators, her presence on the site is useless. Pollinating varieties are planted near Smolinka, and it is best to take the following plums for this:

• Volga beauty;

• Blue gift;

• Morning;

• Hungarian Moscow.

But in general, any plums will do. The main thing is that the flowering time of the varieties is the same.

It is necessary to plant Smolinka on the southern side of the site, because the quality of the crop will depend on the amount of sunlight. Groundwater flowing close to the surface of the soil does not like to drain, as well as gusty winds. It is best to plant it a few meters away from any structure that will serve as natural protection for the tree.

The planting dates of this variety fall in the spring, only in this case the plant will normally take root. It is grown on loamy light soils, in case of high acidity, the earth is lime. When preparing pits, fertilizers that are classic for fruit trees must be applied to them so that the plants immediately receive everything they need.

Planted trees must be properly watered, since Smolinka does not tolerate lack of water. As soon as the soil dries up, irrigation should be carried out. True, such scrupulous attention should be paid only to young seedlings. An adult plum can be watered every 10-14 days. In this case, it is best to use the groove method.

Provided that fertilizers are applied before planting, Smolinka can not be fed for the first two years. Then you still have to fertilize. In spring, wood will respond well to urea. It must be scattered in the near-trunk circle. If the soil is dry, it is best to bury the fertilizer a few centimeters deep.

Every two years, the soil around the tree should be fertilized with compost mixed with minerals (superphosphate, potassium chloride). In the autumn months, wood ash will give a good result, and in the winter you will have to mulch the trunk circle. In the role of mulch, humus is always taken.

When pruning Smolinka, you need to be very careful, because this variety is prone to gum flow. They begin to form the crown in the second year, the technique will be classic. In addition, do not forget about sanitary pruning. It is rarely necessary to thin out, but dry branches must be removed. It is also worth considering that Smolinka gives a lot of growth. It must be removed so that it does not draw power from the tree. The same is done with the weeds growing around the variety.

Usually Smolinka is rarely sick. However, it is susceptible to gum flow, so during pruning, one must remember to cover the wounds with garden varnish. Medium resistance is also observed to clasterosporiosis. Thorough cleaning of the near-trunk circle from foliage, as well as preventive treatment with Bordeaux liquid, will prevent it.

In addition to these diseases, plum trees are often attacked by aphids, plum sawfly and plum moth. You can try to deal with aphids using folk methods. The rest of the insects will require the use of insecticides. It is worth choosing the least toxic drugs.

Smolinka has medium heat resistance, so in too arid regions it is better to choose something else for growing. Winter hardiness is also at an average level, and trees will need to be covered for the winter. The trunks in front of the shelter are covered with whitewash, and spruce branches are also tied to them. Many gardeners use nylon for winding.

Gardeners really like Smolinka. Despite the average yield, the plum produces incredibly tasty and healthy fruits, and is also very easy to grow. Special care is required only for young seedlings, the adult culture is already more independent. However, summer residents note that landing is the main point. If you plant Smolinka in the wrong place, it will grow poorly and constantly get sick. And this will entail hassle with transplanting a seedling.