Plum Red Ball Seedling

Plum variety Red Ball was bred in the laboratory of the Moscow Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture by crossing the American variety Burbank and the Ussuri red plum. The result was a new culture that combined the best qualities of "parents". In the State Register "Red Ball" introduced in 1989.

Variety advantages: consistently high yield, early maturity, frost resistance, transportability, excellent taste, versatility of use.

Characteristics of the variety

Treeshort – up to 2.5 m, compact, which simplifies plum care and harvesting. Great for growing in a small garden. There are few branches on the tree, the crown is not thickened. On annual and bouquet shoots, ovaries are formed. From one kidney blooms 2-3 flowers. Flowering begins before the leaves appear. Foliage – rather large, serrated, dark green matte color. Bark – brown, smooth.

The fruits of the "Red Ball" round shape, large, weighing 25-40 grams. Peel – dense, raspberry red. The pulp is juicy, sweet. The consistency is loose, fibrous with an easily detachable bone. Due to the excellent taste qualities, fragrant jams, marmalade, compotes, table wine, etc. are obtained from the plum.

Productivity of the variety is high – 15-18 kg per tree. The first full-fledged harvest "Red Ball" gives for 3-4 years of planting. Ripening – falls in August. Ripe fruits are harvested immediately, because plums lingering on the branches will soon begin to fall to the ground.

Immunity. "Red Ball" resistant to moniliosis, clasterosporiasis and other fungal diseases.

Growing conditions

Drought and frost resistance (up to –35°C) of the variety allows you to grow plums in almost any climate. The only thing that can negatively affect the crop is sudden return frosts, especially during the flowering period.

"Red ball" – self-infertile. For cross-pollination, a variety needs to be adjacent to another plum that blooms at the same time.

Care tips:

• Deadlines. In the middle lane and cold regions – seedlings are recommended to be planted in spring, in April-May, when the air and soil are warm enough. It is desirable that the threat of returning frosts has passed. In the south, planting takes place in the fall, the end of September – beginning of October.
• A place for a plum is chosen in an elevated, open to the sun, protected from drafts place in the southeast or southwest side of the garden.
• The soil must be fertile, with neutral acidity. Loam and sod-podzolic are ideal. Before planting, a fertile mixture of humus / compost, superphosphate and wood ash is added to the pit.
• Irrigation. During the periods of formation of fruit buds and ripening of the harvest, plums need 25 liters. water per week. Excessive watering leads to root rot. In a drought – The water supply is increased, focusing on the condition of the soil.
• Feeding. It is enough to apply organic and mineral complex fertilizers once a season, starting from the 2nd year after planting.
• Cropping. Crown of the "Red Ball" does not thicken, so one sanitary pruning per year is enough to remove excess growth, broken and dried branches.
• Wintering. For the winter, the trunk is covered with mulch, wrapped with burlap and garden netting. Thus, they protect the plant from a sharp cold snap after a thaw  and rodents.

Selection of seedlings

Before you buy Red Ball plum seedlings, inspect them carefully.

At a healthy tree:

• Roots – well developed, fibrous, moist. No signs of decay or stains.
• Stamp – in a good condition. Bark – without cracks, wrinkles and signs of dryness.
• Branches – fresh, elastic, with swollen buds.
• Seedling age – one-year-old.

Beware of counterfeit planting material! Buy plum seedlings of the "Red Ball" variety in nurseries and specialized stores.

Preparations