European plum Dream

This variety was developed at the Dubovsky Experimental Station of the Nizhnevolsky Research Institute of Fruit Growing by sowing seeds of the 'Early Blue' self-fertile variety. Authors: R.V. Korneev, L.K. Zhukov. Undergoing state variety testing since 1980.

Trees are vigorous, with round, dense crowns. Bark on the trunk and main branches is gray and flaking. Branches diverge from the trunk at a 60° angle. Shoots are straight, medium in length and thickness, gray-brown. Numerous buds. Buds are small, conical, brown, attached to shoots at a 45° angle. Leaves are large, oval, wrinkled, green on the outer surface and light green on the inner surface, slightly hairy, with short, pointed tips. Leaf blade is concave. Base is rounded. Leaf margin is concave and toothed. Petiole is long, green, slightly hairy, pigmented. Two brown, medium-sized carpels. No trifoliate leaves. Flowers are double and single, white, medium-sized, bare. Fruit set is primarily concentrated on spurs and weak one-year shoots.

Fruits are very large, average weight 50-60 g, broadly round, dark purple, covered with a strong waxy coating, with dense skin. Fruit apex has a small depression, rounded base, medium-sized calyx. Pit is small and faintly visible. Flesh is greenish-yellow, tender-fibrous, very juicy and sweet. Stone is medium-sized, rounded, detaches from flesh moderately. Stone weight to flesh weight ratio is 7-8%. Juice is colorless. Fruits contain 15.86% dry matter, 11.47% sugars, 0.34% acids, and 8.78 mg/100g ascorbic acid. Fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and processing.

Flowering occurs in the first decade of May. Fruit ripening takes place in the first to second decade of September. Fruit production begins on the 4th-5th year after planting in orchards using one-year-old seedlings. Grows well on plum, apricot, and woolly cherry rootstocks. Depending on the rootstock, lifespan varies from 15 to 25 years. Partially self-fertile. Best pollinators: 'Volgogradskaya', 'Early Blue'. High yield. Average yield of 7-14-year-old trees is 70-72 kg. High winter hardiness. In severe winters and winters with frequent thaws and sharp temperature fluctuations, partial frost damage to flower buds may occur. Susceptibility to diseases and pests is low. Good transportability. Suitable for intensive orchards.

Advantages of the variety: high winter hardiness, yield, fruit quality.

Disadvantages of the variety: vigorous trees and need for pollinators.