Cherry plum Gek

This variety was obtained at the Crimean Experimental and Selection Station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing named after N.I. Vavilov through hybridization of Chinese plum 'Sкороплодная х алыча Отличница'. Authors: G.V. Yeremin, S.N. Zabrodina. Introduced into the State Register for the North Caucasus region in 1995.

Medium-growing tree, with a flat-round crown of medium density. The trunk is gray, smooth, medium thickness, with few small lenticels. Shoots: initially vertical, then horizontal, thick (30-35 mm), with moderate lenticels, apex of growing shoot uncolored. Growing shoot has intense anthocyanic coloration. Developing branches are short (bouquet-type), short-lived (1-3 years). Flower buds are small, round, pressed, scales of unfolding buds green. Leaf blade is large, length 74 mm, width 43 mm, elongated-oval, oriented upwards during growth. Base is wedge-shaped. Apex is strongly pointed, upper side of leaf green, medium-shining, very slightly hairy underneath. Leaf margin is doubly-toothed. Leaf edge waviness is moderate, glands located at leaf base. Petiole of medium length (15-16 mm), thin (1.0 mm), with deep groove, intensely anthocyanic. Two flowers develop on a bud, many on a shoot. Flower size is medium (20-22 mm), petals white, slightly closed, medium size (length 10 mm, width 8.5 mm), egg-shaped, moderate corrugation, apex edge wavy at medium degree. Many stamens (28), slightly curved, staminal filaments 5-2 mm long, yellow anthers. Style of pistil 10 mm, slightly curved, stigma above anthers, oval. Ovule is bare. Calyx is bell-shaped, hairless. Calyx lobes slightly recurved, oval, length 4 mm, width 3 mm. Pedicel of medium length (11 mm), thin.

Fruit is large, length 41 mm, width 37 mm, thickness 37 mm, weight 31 g, egg-shaped, greatest diameter near base, slightly asymmetric. Ventral suture is well expressed, straight throughout its length. Apex is rounded. Depth of depression is moderate. Skin color is mainly yellow, covering color orange-pink with blush up to 25% of surface, with medium density waxy coating. Few subcutaneous dots, yellow. Flesh is yellow, fine-grained, medium density, slightly juicy, cut surface darkens slightly in air. Skin is medium thickness, elastic, difficult to separate from flesh. Sugar and acidity levels are moderate. Fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for canning. Canning evaluation in points: juice with pulp 4.5 points, compote 4.4 points, jam 4.5 points. Fruits contain (on fresh weight) dry matter — 11.70%, sugars — 8.3%, acids — 2.40%, ascorbic acid — 5.10%. Stone does not detach from flesh, medium size, length 25 mm, width 14 mm, thickness 14 mm, weight 1.19 g, 3.91% of fruit weight, oval shape, elongated-elliptical from ventral suture side, symmetrical, maximum width in the middle. Ridge is not developed. Surface is smooth. Edge fusion is partial, complete. Ventral suture width is medium. Base width of stone is medium, slightly concave shape, apex is pointed. Peduncle of medium length — 12 mm, thin — 1.5 mm, hairless.

Blooms early — in early April, self-sterile. Ripens in medium term — in mid-July. High and regular yield. High winter hardiness, moderate drought resistance. Resistant to diseases. Performs well under various climatic conditions.

Advantages: high productivity, adaptability, high taste and canning qualities of fruits.

Disadvantages: stone does not detach from flesh.