Kabardian Early Plum

Kabardian Early plum (Prunus domestica) – a cultivar of the domestic plum. Bred at the North Caucasus Zonal Research Institute of Mountain Horticulture (Nalchik) by breeder P. P. Kostyk from seedlings resulting from open pollination of the variety Anna Shpet.

It is a vigorously growing tree, reaching 6 m in height at 15 years. The crown is pyramidal, compact, sparse, with a diameter of 2.5—3 m. Main branches depart at an acute angle. Shoots of medium thickness with a dense arrangement of broadly ovate leaves with an elongated tip.

The cultivar is self-fertile, mid-early in ripening; under Donbas conditions — in the first decade of August, 3—5 days later than the Renklod Karbysheva cultivar. It begins to bear fruit in the 4th—5th year, yield is high, but due to frequent frost damage to the tree and flower buds under Donbas conditions it cannot be fully realized. Winter hardiness of the tree and flower buds is low. In overall degree of frost damage it is close to the cultivars Vengerka Azhanskaya and Renklod Altana, and is greatly inferior in winter hardiness to such cultivars as Anna Shpet, Vengerka Italiana, Vengerka Donetskaya, Vengerka Donetskaya Early.

Fruits weigh 40—50 g, on young trees up to 60 g; in some years often there are fused twin fruits weighing up to 70 g. Shape broadly ovate, fairly regular, the ventral suture very shallow. Skin tough, brownish-purple or dark purple, covered with small gray speckles and streaks and a pale violet wax bloom. Fruits are very attractive.

Pulp greenish-yellow, fairly dense, very juicy, sweet with pleasant acidity and a strong plum aroma, very good taste, tasting score 4.5—4.9 points. Skin is tough, sour, which somewhat spoils the taste. As with the parent variety Anna Shpet, after severe droughts or in cool weather during ripening the taste qualities of the fruits deteriorate sharply; sugariness decreases, the aroma disappears, fruits become of mediocre taste. Stone medium, completely free, lies in a roomy cavity. Fruits are used fresh and for making high-quality processed products. Transportability good.

Hardiness zone: 5B (-23°C).

Location: prefers sunny, wind-protected sites. Does not tolerate waterlogging or very dry sites. Groundwater should lie no closer than 2.5 m from the surface. Not demanding to soil, but prefers fertile, fresh soils.

Planting: It is preferable to plant a seedling in spring before bud break or in autumn 1—15 months before frosts. The hole should be at least 80x80x100 cm; spacing between seedlings must be calculated depending on the crown size of the tree at maturity (no less than 5—6 m). The seedling is backfilled with a soil mixture consisting of leaf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 1:3:2; you can also add a little peat and granular double superphosphate (250—300 g per planting hole).

Diseases and pests: affected by bacterial blight

Care: in the second year after planting it is necessary to apply a complete mineral fertilizer (phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium). In winter, protection against frost damage and rodents is necessary. Whitewashing of apple trees is applied in the 5th—6th year after planting the seedling. In the spring-summer period it is necessary to provide nitrogen fertilization and moderate watering. Feeding of the apple tree is carried out after flowering, then after fruitlet drop, and the last one – in late August - early September.

Pruning is carried out in two ways: for thinning and for shortening. For shortening, remove half of the upper parts of the shoots, and for thinning – remove the shoot or branch entirely. The optimal period for pruning is early spring – March-May. Apple trees that were planted the previous autumn should be pruned before the onset of sap flow. Summer pruning – pinching – can also be used.

Propagation: propagated by grafting.

Use: apple fruits are consumed fresh, dried, canned, and used for making compotes, jams, preserves, wine and cider. Advantages: large, attractive fruits of dessert taste, mid-early ripening period.