Peculiarities of plum cultivation in the Urals

Plum

To properly plant a plum tree in the Urals, you need to consider the specifics of the work and adjust the process to the local climate. It's important to choose the right location and prepare the hole well in advance. Another important point is the variety; you should select only a regionalized option.

What you need to know about the climate

Growing any crops in the region is challenging due to the harsh climate, which differs from most other areas. It has a number of unique characteristics that are worth keeping in mind when choosing plum varieties:

This is a heat-loving crop, so it will not grow well in harsh conditions. The only exceptions are regionalized varieties adapted to the Ural climate or developed locally.
The uneven topography and mountain ranges cause uneven rainfall distribution. Therefore, in many places, trees must be watered to ensure adequate fruit production.
The region stretches from north to south. Therefore, temperatures vary greatly from place to place. Take this into account when planting, otherwise the tree will die or adapt slowly.
Sudden temperature changes can cause damage. Work according to the weather forecast to prevent subsequent frosts from destroying the plant.
A short warm period. In most regions, summers are almost identical to those in the temperate zone, but they are much shorter. It's best to choose early- or mid-season varieties; late varieties simply won't have time to bear fruit.

Different locations may have their own specific characteristics, which must be taken into account when carrying out work. The easiest way is to consult with gardeners; they will be able to advise which plum trees grow well and which are best avoided.

How to choose a landing time

To ensure a tree takes root, choose the right time to plant it. Mistakes can damage the plant, and in the most severe cases, the seedling dies. Avoiding this problem is easy if you time the work according to recommendations.

Spring

Many Ural gardeners consider this period to be the most successful. Most often, work is done after winter. If you remember and follow these simple rules, the tree will quickly settle into its new location and begin to grow:

Plant plums in the spring, when the average daily air temperature is +5 degrees or slightly higher, without frost at night.
The soil temperature isn't important, as long as it's thawed by the time the work is done. The only requirement is that the ground shouldn't be frozen.
Plant the plum when it's dormant, meaning with its buds closed. This will ensure good survival, as the plum will devote all its resources to rooting first. It's not advisable to plant it after the sap has begun to flow.
The soil is usually rich in moisture, so the root system develops quickly. Watering is practically unnecessary, except during winters with little snow, which is a rarity in the Urals.
You can determine how the plant has adapted to its new location and quickly respond to any problems, pests, or diseases.
Plum trees have a whole season to adapt and establish roots properly. The risk of freezing in winter is much lower than if planted in the fall.

Advice!

If frost is predicted after planting in the spring, the easiest way is to cover the trunk with pine branches and wrap it in agricultural fabric.

You can buy seedlings a little earlier and keep them in a damp cloth or tub to prevent the roots from drying out. When the favorable season arrives, plant them immediately in the soil to allow more time for development.

Summer

In the Urals, the season is characterized by high temperatures during the day, and often significantly lower temperatures at night. These conditions are unfavorable for any planting work; it's best to avoid it. But sometimes there's no other option, and in this case, follow a few tips to ensure success:

Use only closed-root plum trees. Buy tub-grown plums, as they minimize root damage during transplantation and will thrive better. If you use a regular plum tree, it will likely not adapt to summer conditions.
Choose periods with moderate daytime temperatures. If it's hot, wait for a cooler period; if it's cloudy for at least a few days, the seedling will take root much better.
Carry out the work after sunset. This will give the tree half a day to begin absorbing water and nutrients. If bright sun is forecast, shade the tree with agrotextile or other breathable material for a week.
Avoid planting in the second half of summer. This is an unfavorable time; plums don't take root well and often freeze in winter.

If possible, it's best to avoid this option altogether. But if there's no other option, work carefully and precisely, water the hole generously, and straighten out any crushed roots that protrude beyond the soil ball.

Autumn

Planting plum trees in the Urals in the fall requires precise timing and proper agricultural practices, otherwise winter will destroy the plant. If done correctly, the seedling will usually thrive, but you won't know until warmer weather arrives. Keep these tips in mind:

Carry out the work in the first half of September. There should be at least a month and a half before the onset of frost to allow rooting to occur. Furthermore, the trees need time to absorb moisture before winter; if planted late, they won't have time to do so.
Use planting material with fallen leaves. If the plum tree isn't dormant, it won't take root and will die in winter. It's important to choose the right moment and not rush.
If the soil is dry, water thoroughly. If the soil is moist, add a little water to the hole, but don't add any more.
If cold weather sets in prematurely, insulate the seedling. The easiest way is to build a frame of wooden slats, fill it with pine branches, and secure roofing felt or another weather-resistant material on top. It's best to protect all trees in this manner during their first winter.

Advice!

When planting in the fall, select only strong, healthy specimens. If they are weak or damaged by disease, the risk of death increases significantly.

It's best to purchase container-grown varieties; they'll establish themselves much faster. Use seedlings that are 1 to 2 years old; they adapt best; the older the plant, the less likely it will succeed.

Suitable varieties

Most often, proven varieties are planted; the best plum varieties for the Urals have been tested by hundreds of gardeners and have proven themselves to be well-adapted to harsh conditions. The choice should be based on the size and flavor of the fruit, the height and width of the tree, and its growth rate.

Blue Swift

An interesting choice, it's being planted increasingly frequently in the Urals. Gardeners appreciate its compact size, allowing it to be planted in places where other species simply wouldn't fit. Key features:

A columnar variety with short lateral branches. Its diameter typically does not exceed 60 cm.
The yield is up to 80 kg per tree. Typically, about 50 kg is harvested.
The fruits are large, with thick skin and tender flesh. They store well and are suitable for fresh consumption and canning.

This is a good choice for growing plums on an industrial scale. The trees are spaced literally every meter, and their compact size makes them easy to care for, making harvesting convenient.

Pride of the Urals

Developed in the 1950s, it is successfully grown not only in the region under consideration, but also in the Caucasus and Siberia. For several decades, it has been one of the most popular varieties for the following reasons:

Withstands temperatures above -30 degrees Celsius. No need for protection even in severe frost.
From flowering to harvesting, it takes about 120 days.
The trees are compact and do not grow more than 4 m in height.
The fruits are medium-sized, with red skin and pale spots. The flavor is sweet and sour, making them suitable for any kind of preserves.

The Pride of the Urals plum grows quickly and begins bearing fruit. It is recommended for beginning gardeners, as its crown requires little shaping or pruning. For normal fruiting, the presence of pollinating trees nearby is essential.

Chebarkulskaya

It thrives in short summers and is planted throughout much of the region. It is prized for its large (about 30 g) blue plums, which ripen in abundance. Key characteristics of the variety:

The plant is compact, rarely exceeding 3.5 m in height. However, the crown is spreading, and can be even wider than it is tall.
It's easy to care for, but requires pruning every spring. It's important to prevent the crown from becoming too dense.
The flavor is good, the flesh is tender and juicy. They are good fresh and also suitable for canning.

To ensure proper fruit set, plant a pollinator of a different variety nearby. If a plum tree is growing in the adjacent plot, this is not necessary. Alternatively, graft two varieties onto a single rootstock.

Snow White

Specifically bred for harsh conditions, it's grown in all regions with cold winters. It can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius, and seedlings take root well when planted in both spring and fall. Key advantages:

Small size. Rarely exceeding 4 meters in height, the spreading habit is moderate, and the crown is easy to shape.
The fruits are yellow with a slight red blush. The surface has a thick waxy coating.
The taste is sweet, with a barely perceptible sourness.
The yield is small, from 20 to 30 kg are harvested from a tree.

It's important to feed the plants regularly, water them during dry periods, and thin out the branches in spring or fall. Otherwise, the fruits become smaller; large ones weighing around 30 grams can only be obtained with proper cultivation practices.

Shershnevskaya

Developed through open pollination of the local Ussuri plum, this variety is perfectly adapted to natural conditions. It produces high yields even in less favorable seasons. It has the following characteristics:

It tolerates cold well and almost never freezes during sharp temperature drops.
The taste is excellent. The fruits are equally delicious fresh and in a variety of preserves.
Its resistance to fungal diseases is among the highest. Since this variety was obtained by natural pollination, it has a higher immunity than selected varieties.

It's best to buy seedlings from a nursery. Markets often sell other varieties or even wild plums labeled as "Shershnevskaya." At a young age, there's little difference in appearance, and scammers exploit this.

Pearl of the Urals

Developed by the South Ural Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing, it successfully passed trials and has been zoned for the region since 2006. It tolerates winters well, but if there is frost during flowering, most of the buds will die. Its characteristics include:

A partially self-pollinating variety. It bears fruit on its own, but for high yields, a pollinator must be planted nearby.
Ripening time is average. Fruits weigh up to 25 g, are uniform in size, and ripen evenly.
The flavor is excellent, the flesh is sweet with a slight tartness, and the texture is delicate. The skin is yellow-orange with a deep burgundy blush.

The 'Pearl of the Urals' plum tree doesn't grow large, but has a moderately spreading crown. It doesn't have many shoots, making pruning and harvesting easy. It responds well to fertilizing every 2-3 years.

Chemal's Gift

Found throughout most of the Urals, it's often planted in other cold regions. It tolerates low temperatures well and is almost unaffected by frost. Here's what you need to know about this variety:

It begins bearing fruit quickly. The first harvest is reaped in the 3rd or 4th year, and it bears fruit abundantly for at least 15 years.
The skin is orange with a scarlet blush. The flesh is greenish, juicy, and aromatic.
The harvest period is the second half of August. This is a normal time for the Urals, where it's still warm at this time.

Trees should be planted in areas with deep groundwater or at elevated elevations. If the roots rot during spring flooding, the plum tree will quickly die. This is an important point that must not be overlooked.

Ural golden

Zoned and added to the state register in 2004, it's suitable for cold regions, as it can withstand temperatures down to -30°C (-22°F), and is only slightly damaged at even lower temperatures. Key features:

Medium height, moderately spreading crown. Profuse fruiting beginning in its fourth year.
The skin is yellow, the flesh is tender and juicy. The stone is medium-sized and separates easily from the flesh.
It transports well and doesn't spoil for a long time. Therefore, this variety is often grown for commercial use.

With minimal care, trees are almost immune to fungal diseases. Disease outbreaks occur only during unfavorable seasons, such as prolonged damp weather.

General's

Developed by Far Eastern breeders, this variety is suitable for all regions with unstable weather and short warm periods. It tolerates cold winters well and adapts quickly to transplanting. Key features:

Large plums. Average weight reaches 40 g. Ripen in the second half of August.
The skin is a rich orange. The flavor is very good, with a predominantly sweet note.
It tolerates transportation well and is suitable for both canning and fresh consumption.

This variety is self-sterile, so it is essential to plant a pollinator nearby; the Ural Red variety is best suited for this purpose.

Other varieties for the Urals

Some species are less common but are well suited to the region's conditions. There aren't many options, so it's best to understand the characteristics of each one and choose from a list rather than buying an unknown tree:

Ural prunes. Small, dark-blue fruits, ideal for preserving and drying, weighing only 15 g on average. They transport well and have a predominantly sweet flavor.
Uyskaya. Up to 3 meters tall, with a sparse, easy-to-care-for crown, it yields around 15 kg. The fruits are sweet and very juicy. For pollination, you can plant an Ussuri plum nearby.
Uralskie Zori. Their main advantage is their early ripening time; under favorable conditions, the harvest can be collected as early as late July. The plants are large and spreading, producing fruits weighing approximately 30 grams with dark red skin covered in a waxy coating.
Uvelskaya. A good and undemanding variety, it's almost never affected by fungal diseases. It ripens relatively late, but manages to bear fruit in the Ural climate.
Sinilga. Large, pyramidal trees tolerate frost well, producing delicious plums weighing up to 40 g, which hold well on the branches and do not fall off even after ripening. A nearby pollinator is essential for fruit set.
Pioneer. Developed by open pollination of a wild Ussuri variety. It is characterized by its low maintenance, large crown, and ripening in late August.
Mikhalchik. It has an excellent flavor with a distinct lingonberry aroma, and averages about 30 g. It ripens early and evenly. The plants are compact, don't grow too much, and tolerate winter well.
Honey. A hybrid variety resistant to changing weather conditions, sudden cold snaps, and summer heat. The flavor is rich, with hints of honey. The plums are large, weighing from 30 to 50 g.
Manchurian Beauty. Developed by crossing three varieties. They emerge quickly in spring and branch vigorously, requiring annual thinning. The flesh is aromatic and tender, and the pit is small.
Kuyashskaya. An older variety, it bears fruit every year, which isn't convenient for autumn. However, the flavor is very good. Its main advantage is that, after awakening in spring, it can withstand frosts down to -5°C without significant damage.
Krasnoselskaya. It bears fruit late, in September, but produces a good harvest. The fruits are small, weighing up to 20 g. It tolerates winter well, but is often damaged by recurrent frosts in the spring.
Commander. A columnar variety that takes up minimal space, it grows no more than 2 m in height. The first ovaries, weighing up to 50 g, appear as early as the second year after transplanting.
July Rose. Distinguished by its early ripening period and excellent flavor, it is suitable for fresh consumption and preservation. It is demanding of soil quality.
Imperial. A columnar variety, it grows in a narrow pyramid shape, reaching a height of approximately 2 m. It begins bearing fruit early, yields abundantly, and is almost never affected by fungal diseases.
Zolotaya Niva. Compact plants about 2 m tall with a crown of the same diameter. The plums are golden in color and have a very good flavor. They bear fruit annually when young, and then periodically.
Yellow Hopta. Bred in China, it doesn't require nearby pollinators. The trees are large and spreading, yet the fruits are small—up to 15 g—sweet and sour, suitable for a variety of uses.
Mountain Large. Height no more than 2 m, crown oval. Ovaries cover the shoots and ripen by mid-August.
Ailinskaya. Developed by crossing the Sand Plum and the Zolotoy Plum. It grows very slowly, bears fruit in the mid-season, and has good flavor.

All varieties are zoned for the Urals and can be grown anywhere, as long as proper cultivation practices and planting instructions are followed. Select varieties based on the characteristics of your site and the intended use of the fruit; appearance can be easily assessed from photos online. Plant two different trees to ensure good pollination.

Preparing for landing

First, decide when to plant—spring or fall—and then schedule the preparatory work. It's best to do this six months to a year in advance; the longer the time, the better. Keep these simple guidelines in mind:

Select a location for planting. It should be well-lit and protected from cold winds. Some shade during the day is acceptable.
The distance from fences or buildings should be at least 3 meters, and it's best to place them on the western or southern side of the building. For columnar trees, a smaller distance is acceptable, but adequate light must be ensured for the crown. Leave 2 to 4 meters between trees, depending on the size of the crown.
The groundwater table should be at least 1.5 meters deep, and ideally 2 meters or more. Avoid placing the drain in areas where water stagnates in the spring or where the soil moisture level rises significantly.
Dig a hole about 80 cm deep and 70 cm to 1 m in diameter. Prepare a nutrient mixture of equal parts peat, humus, and black soil. Add a complete fertilizer for fruit crops and fill it three-quarters full. Top with garden soil, creating a small mound; the surface will settle.
If a hole appears in the prepared area within a month, add more soil to level the surface. Leave for six months to a year; that is, if planting in the fall, do the work in the spring, and vice versa.

Advice!

If the groundwater level is high in the area, instead of a hole, prepare a mound approximately 50 cm high and 2 m in diameter. Plant the tree in this mound so that moisture does not damage the roots.

Avoid planting plums near berry bushes and other fruit trees, as they will compete and compete for nutrients. The only neighbors plums thrive with are apple trees.

How to plant

The choice of variety and the specific planting details are completely unrelated; the process is the same regardless of the variety. Therefore, once you understand all the specifics of the process, it won't be difficult to do everything correctly, even if you have no experience at all:

Prepare the seedling. Inspect it; there should be no damage, rot, or deformations at the root. Cut out any damaged areas; if there are many, it's best to buy a new tree. Place it in water for a few hours to soak it.
The hole should be slightly larger than the root ball. The depth should be adjusted so that the root collar remains above the surface. The easiest way is to place a measuring rod on the ground and use it to measure the hole.
Spread the roots and cover with a 10-15 cm layer of soil. Then pour in 30 liters of tap water and let it sit for at least half a day. Fill the soil to the top, compact the surface well, and add more soil. It's a good idea to create a small mound around the trunk and leave a depression around the perimeter of the tree to collect moisture.
Drive a stake into the ground and tie the seedling in place. Don't tighten too tightly, as this can crush the trunk. Remove the support after 1-2 months, once the roots are firmly in place.
Mulch the soil with peat or humus to prevent a crust from forming on top and to slow down moisture evaporation. Renew the mulch about once a month.

The gardener decides when to plant a plum tree. It's easier to do the work in the spring; it's easy to maintain the plant, feed it, and treat it for diseases. Choosing the right time is crucial; morning or evening, when the sun is out, are best.

How to care

Planting and care during the first year are crucial. The seedling is still young and requires special attention. To grow a healthy tree, follow a few simple guidelines:

Plum trees should be watered only if there has been no rainfall for a long time. This should be done no more than twice a month, using 20-30 liters. Afterward, be sure to loosen the surface.
It's advisable to mulch the tree trunk area. Use sawdust, straw, grass clippings, or dried weeds. This eliminates the need to loosen the soil and remove weeds. After each watering, it's a good idea to turn the cover over or add a new layer.
Fertilizer is not necessary in the first year; the soil contains sufficient nutrients. Feeding every 2-3 years is sufficient, using well-rotted manure or ready-made mineral fertilizers for fruit trees.
Prune shoots six months after planting. To do this, choose a crown shaping method to remove any unnecessary branches. Also, inspect the branches and remove any damaged or dead parts.
To prevent and protect against diseases and pests, spray plum trees in spring and fall. Use a solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture, prepared strictly according to the instructions, and follow the proportions carefully. Treat not only the tree but also the soil beneath it.
In the first year, cover the tree for the winter. It's best to first wrap the trunk and branches in several layers of burlap. Then, surround them with spruce branches and secure them with twine; this will not only provide insulation but also repel rodents.

Advice!

Whitewash the trunk and lower parts of skeletal branches in the fall and spring. This will kill pests and their eggs, and protect against sunburn in the spring.

Often, before winter, a fall fertilizer application with mineral fertilizer is applied strictly according to the package directions, and the dosage should be followed. Remove the covering immediately after the onset of warm weather to prevent the bark from rotting.

Common mistakes when landing

If agricultural practices are violated, trees will die, and quite quickly. Preventing this problem is easy: understand the most common mistakes and avoid them during work:

Planting a variety that's not native to the Urals. If it's not adapted to the Urals, it will freeze in winter.
Lack of preparation. A seedling won't thrive in clay soil. It's best to fill the hole with a nutrient mixture in advance.
Lack of a nearby pollinator. If the plum tree is self-sterile, it will not bear fruit without another tree nearby.
Pest or disease damage. Cultivation is prohibited without preventative treatments.

Even when planting in spring, it's best to insulate the seedling before winter, at least during the first season. This will ensure it won't die in severe cold temperatures; mature plants usually tolerate cold temperatures without problems.