Plum Isyum-Erik

Synonyms: Isum-erik, Iesum-Erik, Issum-Erik, виноградная слива, Izyofime Erik, Prune raisin de Crimee

Plum Isyum-Erik – one of the most widespread Crimean varieties of the domestic plum. It belongs to the group of Hungarian plums. In translation from Turkic it means «grape-plum». In the 1945 census of Crimean orchards it occupied first place among all plum varieties (30.8%). From Crimea it spread to the southern regions of Ukraine and to the North Caucasus, Bessarabia. Included in the assortment of most countries of the European CIS.

Tree of medium vigor with a regular tall, slightly compacted pyramidal crown. Secondary and scaffold branches are thin. Leaves are obovate, small, light green. Blooms in mid-season; flowers are white, small.

Fruits abundantly; from one tree aged 18–20 years it is possible to harvest 115–140 kg and more. Fruits ripen in Crimea in early September. Comes into bearing late, in the 7th–8th year after planting.

Fruits small or medium-sized, 31 х 22 cm, the average fruit weight reaches 9.3 g. Fruit shape oblong-pear-shaped, with a longitudinal groove and a neck. The pedicel is thin, long. Skin is firm, black-blue with a heavy waxy bloom and large light-colored dots. Flesh is yellowish-green, with a pinkish tint at full ripeness, tender, translucent, of excellent very sweet flavor. Stone small, oblong-ovoid, with pointed ends, separates well from the flesh.

The variety is self-sterile. Best pollinators: Anna Shpet, Victoria, Kirke, Renklod Ullensa, Yaichnaya Zheltaya. As a pollinator this variety is mediocre.

Hardiness zone: 5-9.

Location/site: recommended to plant in sunny, warm locations. Requires fertile and well-drained soils. The tree is drought-tolerant.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well.

Diseases and pests: resistance to fungal diseases is high. Practically not affected by Monilia.

Propagation: propagated by grafting.

Uses: fresh fruits contain 10–14% sugar and in terms of sugar content rank among the top of other plum varieties. In France this variety is used to make a special prune which in taste does not concede to the prune from the variety Vengerka Italianskaya. Fruits are consumed fresh and used for making preserves, pastille, marmalade, jams, and compotes.