Kuban comet is the most popular variety of hybrid cherry plum. He enjoys a well-deserved success for the fact that even with the least courting brings a rather rich harvest, and the fruits are famous for excellent commercial properties and excellent taste. In addition, plum Kuban comet has excellent frost resistance, which allows to receive fruit in any region, although the variety still needs certain pollinating neighbors.
Breeding history
"Parents" of the Kuban comet - Chinese plum Skoroplodnaya and plum Pioneer. The hybridization work was performed by G.V. Eremin and S.N. Zabrodin
A hybrid was obtained in the Crimea, at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry named. N.I. Vavilov (today - the All-Russian Institute of Plant Industry named after NI Vavilov). And since 1987, the result of this work has been included in the State Register of breeding achievements.
Did you know? Cherry plum does not apply to long-livers. The tree lives on average 15-60 years.
Tree description
The Kuban comet tree is low-growth (up to 3 meters in height), the crown is thin, has a flat-round shape. The barrel is smooth, not svilevaty, gray. The shtambe formed horizontal shoots of gray, medium thickness.
Shoots are short. Buds - small, roundish, with flowering pale pink. As a rule, two flowers are formed from the peephole. The leaves are shiny, greenish, medium-sized, oval with a pointed tip. Grow vertically.
You will probably be interested to read about the benefits and harms of using cherry plums.
Fruit Description
The fruits of this hybrid are large, oblong, with a dense skin of burgundy tone and a thin wax coating. The average weight of one berry is 35-45 g. The seam is weakly expressed, asymmetrical.
Pulp of berries - orange, fibrous structure, average juiciness and density. The aroma is weak, the taste is sour-sweet, reminiscent of ripe apricots. 
By five-point grades in taste deserves a mark of 4.6 points. Bone of the fetus - rough, medium-sized, is separated with difficulty.
Important! The fruits of the Kuban comet do not crack and remain on the branches for a long time when overripe.
Pollination
Kuban comet is partly a self-pollinated variety, in connection with which it is better to plant such varieties of plum in the neighborhood as:
Important! Next to cherry plum can not plant solanaceous (tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco). These cultures attract fungi that infest trees.
Fruiting
Many who are interested in plum Kuban comet are interested in the question: when does it begin to bear fruit? Experts say that fruiting in this hybrid occurs quite early - in the second or third year after planting.
Flowering period
This hybrid blooms early in late April, and lush. When flowering, a tree showered with many snow-white flowers, looks very elegant.
Gestation period
The Kuban comet ripens depending on climatic conditions from mid-July (in southern regions) to early August (in the north).
Yield
The fertility of the Kuban comet depends on the age of the tree. Young crops yield up to 10 kg, and the yield of adult trees reaches 50 kg. 
Transportability
The Kuban comet has a good level of transportability: it does not crush, does not rot, and for a long time keeps its taste properties. In addition, the fruits can be stored in the refrigerator or basement for 20-25 days.
In your garden, you can also grow fruit trees such as pear, plum, apple, peach, cherry, cherry, apricot.
Winter hardiness
This hybrid is appreciated for its winter hardiness. Although the variety is bred in the southern region, it quietly endures frosts down to -30 ° C. Even if the tree freezes, it is quickly being revived at the expense of young shoots.
Disease and pest resistance
This hybrid is resistant to many diseases that plum crops suffer, but may suffer from:
- klyasterosporioza (perforated spotting);
- milky luster;
- gum acherapy.
- plum moth;
- western unpaired timber tree (bark beetle);
- downy silkworm caterpillars.
Application of fruits
Use the fruits of the Kuban comet mostly fresh. Although they are suitable for preservation (fruit drinks, juices, marmalade, jams), drying and freezing. You can make wine from the fruit and liqueur.
Did you know? Queen Elizabeth II begins the morning with eating two plums and only then has breakfast. King plums are called Brompkon.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each culture has both positive aspects and negative qualities.
pros
Among the advantages of the Kuban comet can be noted:
- adaptation to the Central and North-Western climate;
- good immunity to many diseases;
- stable and rich harvest;
- the small size of the tree makes it easy to care for (sprinkle, crop, harvest);
- fruits do not crack, do not fall off, perfectly tolerate transportation;
- pre-collected cherry plum ripens well;
- large, palatable fruits have a universal purpose.
Minuses
Imperfection of the variety consider:
- difficult to separate the bone from the pulp;
- with a rich harvest fruits are reduced in size (shallow);
- uneven ripening (fruits ripen about a month);
- partial self-fertility;
- plum moth often settles in fruits;
- with a decent crop needs thinning;
- average drought tolerance.
As you can see, the Kuban comet is not in vain popular. It is great for experienced gardeners and inexperienced beginners. Moreover, with the least maintenance in a couple of years you can get a fragrant, juicy and generous harvest.
