Plum (Prunus rossica) PRAMEN

Hybrid Plum (Prunus rossica) 'Pramen' (Прамень)

Frost-hardy Belarusian variety with tasty yellow fruits.

'Pramen' is an interesting Belarusian variety of hybrid plum (often called Russian or Siberian plum), created by crossing Ussuri plum and cherry plum. It is highly valued for its excellent frost resistance (down to -35 °C), early bearing onset, and tasty, sweet yellow fruits.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent frost resistance (down to -35 °C).
• Early bearing onset (2nd year after planting).
• High and stable yield.
• Pleasant sweet taste and juicy flesh.
• Good disease resistance (shot hole disease).

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Belarus
• Institution: Institute for Fruit Growing
• Parentage: Form 18/1 (hybrid of Ussuri plum and cherry plum) × Ussuri plum 'Barakan'

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium height (up to 3.5 m).
• Crown: Spherical, medium dense, spreading.
• Fruiting: Bears fruit mainly on one-year-old shoots.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Medium size, 18.5 – 22 g.
• Shape and Color: Flat-round. Base color is bright yellow to yellow-green.
• Skin: Thin but firm (tolerates transport well), with a weak waxy bloom.
• Flesh: Yellow, very fine, and juicy.
• Taste: Sweet and pleasant.
• Stone: Partially adheres to the flesh (semi-clingstone).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High (tolerates frosts down to -35 °C).
• Disease resistance: Good resistance to shot hole disease.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Self-sterile. Some sources mention partial self-fertility, but a pollinator is essential for high yields.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: End of July – beginning of August.
• Yield: High.