SEEDLING AND CONTRACTION OF MIRABELLE PLUMS
NANCY MIRABELLE PLUM
This is a self-fertile variation. It is suitable for orchards and garden plots, as well as for small plantings. It is resistant to diseases such as e.g. sharka (plum pox virus) that is dangerous for all types of plum. Its resistance to frost is of medium level, it should be protected from coolness. It requires an average rainfall of at least 600 mm, it is less developed on too moist or very sandy lands. It develops a conical crown with a broad base and branches arranged in relation to the primary root at wide angles, slightly raised. Generally it will not be yet thickened.
The ripening of Nancy fruits falls at the end of August. The fruits do not tolerare heavy rainfall, they are susceptible to cracking and rotting. They should be collected as soon as possible because of their easy fall. Nancy fruits are well suited for mechanical harvesting.
MIRABELLE PLUMS OF 'FLOTOWA' TYPE
It is an open – pollinated variety. It is suitable for orchards and garden plots. The trees grow strongly forming a spherical crown with very rigid branches. Sprouts are abundantly lagged with fruit-bearing spurs. Its fruition starts relatively early, usually yielding abundant crops annually. This variation may be characterised by significant resistance to frost and diseases including fungal diseases. It grows particularly well on slightly raised, sunny areas.
The period of ripening of the fruits starts at the end of July and lasts till the mid-August. After the period of fruition the growth of the tree significantly decreases. Plums should be collected in a certain time because of their easy fall. They should be also protected during their transport because of their sensitivity to damages. Due to the cracking peel they are not recommended for stewed fruit.
BELLAMIRA MIRABELLE PLUM
This is a self-fertile variation. Its tree is of a medium strength and flourishes late. One should also consider the fact that the full fruition occurs only in the fourth and fifth year after planting so if a large collection is considered this variation shall be planted in advance.
Bellamira mirabelle plum gains its maturity to be collected in the period of mid-August. Flowers occur on a one-year and older increments. Bellamira mirabelle plum is tolerant to sharka disease and it is resistant to brown rot disease. The great advantage is that its fruits do not crack as the effect of rain and they are resistant to damages occuring during transport and keep their freshness even for the period of four weeks after their collection. The Bellamira variation grows well on sunny areas and with moderate soil moisture.
MIRAGRANDE MIRABELLE PLUM
This is a self – fertile variation, rarely met in Poland. Its trees grow very strong and its flowers are formed on the one-year old and older sprouts. It blooms medium late. Its first fruition occurs relatively early – in a second year after planting. After obtaining its collection maturity, the Miragrande mirabelle plums may be left on the tree without a risk of their cracking. The characteristic feature of its fruit is its oval shape and color. The collection maturity is reached in the mid-August.
The Miragrande mirabelle plum is tolerant to the sharka disease. It may be also characterised by its entire lack of vulnerability to fungal infections. Its root system should be protected from a loss of water and from frost.
BRENNERGOLD MIRABELLE PLUM
This is the variation of the best growth on pervious, nutrient-rich soils such as loess, alluvial soils, chernozem. It requires mild humidity – growth of trees is slow on too humid or very sandy lands. It grows particularly well on slightly raised, sunny areas. Fruits of the Brennergold variation contain a lot of sugars due to which their aroma is strong and they are very sweet.
Bennergold variation is medium-resistant to frost and cold, it should be protected during the colder months of the year. It does not require any special safety measures during the transport.