Festival chamomile strawberries: characteristics of the variety and agrotechnical features
“Festival chamomile” is a variety of strawberries that gardeners have known since the beginning of the XXI century.The variety has established itself as drought-resistant, winter-hardy, productive and unpretentious in the care. It is often used for growing in open areas, but it can grow in greenhouses.
Inference history
The variety was brought out by the specialists of the Ukrainian Agrarian Academy. The culture was derived when crossing the varieties "Redcoat" and "Zarya". The culture was tested by foreign and domestic summer residents, after which it was officially registered in the State Register of Cultures that are allowed for cultivation in the post-Soviet space.
As a result of additional testing, which was carried out in various regions of the country, it was confirmed that the variety adapts well to various conditions and at the same time gives high yields.
The optimal conditions for its cultivation are the western and middle parts of Russia, as well as Siberia. Because strawberries of this variety are grown by state-owned enterprises and many well-known agrofirms. But it can also be found often in the garden plots. Garden strawberries are in demand among the population, as it has a good taste and large berries.
Variety description
Bushes can reach 20 cm in height. They are spreading, clean and abundantly covered with foliage. The leaves are large with a green color and concave in the middle. On stems may be mustache medium thickness and in small quantities. On a small-sized shrub, up to 15 powerful shoots with leaves can form. They are located above the ground and can contain up to 5 berries.
Festival chamomile strawberry refers to the early ripening variety and different fast maturation. Fruit plant begins in mid-summer. The crop at the same time ripens evenly for 7-14 days. The berries that appear first are quite large and weigh up to 40 g. Then the berries become smaller, and their weight sometimes reaches 20 grams.
The fruits are round and symmetrical. Dark red skin with glitter on the surface. The flesh is thick and juicy, and also has a balanced sweetish taste and aroma. After tasting tests, the berries received the highest scores, as well as their consumer qualities.
Useful components:
- acids - 1.0%;
- sugar - 7.0%;
- Vitamin C - 78%.
The fruits are used in cooking, as well as good to use them fresh. Housewives can use them for making desserts, jams and expose other processing. It is recommended to freeze berries for the winter. During transportation, the fruits are not damaged and retain their structure and shape.
It is noted that, depending on the region of cultivation, the yield of this crop may be different. Rates range from high to medium. According to gardeners who are engaged in the cultivation of these crops on an industrial scale, an average of 180 kg of ripe berries can be obtained per hectare.
The variety is intended for mechanical harvesting, as the fruits themselves are located on powerful stems and do not adjoin to the ground. This also allows them to be evenly illuminated by the sun and ventilated, and therefore the berries are always dry. They are clearly visible on the bushes due to the large size, and therefore it is convenient to assemble them. It is noted that an average of 500 g of berries can be obtained from one bush.
Strawberries of this variety tolerate severe frosts and can withstand temperatures up to minus 25 degrees. Therefore, in most regions, it can winter without a special shelter right under the snow. If we compare this culture with other similar ones, then it is also distinguished by drought resistance.
Due to the fact that the bushes have small dimensions, then They usually land at a distance of a maximum of 25 cm from each other. This can be used two-line or one-line landing scheme. Between rows it is recommended to leave a distance of 70 cm.
The landing is carried out in the spring, when there are no frosts, and the snow melted.If necessary, you can make planting seedlings in the fall. At the same time, it is recommended to choose open and level areas that are well illuminated by the sun and have fertile ground.
This strawberry variety is resistant to various pathologies that usually affect such plants, and therefore does not require special care and periodic treatment with drugs. When disembarking, it is worth considering that it is recommended to avoid wet and shaded places, since fungal pathology may develop on the plant and it will begin to rot.
If this happens, it is recommended to prophylactically process strawberries with chemicals.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the variety "Festival chamomile" include:
- disease resistance;
- good transportability and taste;
- unpretentious care;
- high yield;
- frost resistance.
However, there are disadvantages. Sometimes a shrub may be affected by a tick, which should be considered when growing. Get rid of this parasite is quite difficult.
Growing up
Before you start growing this variety of strawberries, you need to prepare the site. Strawberries love to grow in a well-lit place where there is no strong winds and rather dry soil. Does not like strawberries "Festival chamomile" sandy or clay soils. Experts recommend planting crops in those areas where tomatoes or potatoes used to grow.
Watering is done as the soil dries. It is recommended to choose for watering the evening or morning. Before the start of fruiting can be watered by sprinkling. After the berries appear on the plant, it is recommended to add moisture under the root.
To ensure optimal nutrition of the root system, it is recommended to periodically break through the soil on the site, as well as remove weeds from it, which absorb useful components from the ground and remove moisture from it, which negatively affects the growth of strawberries. After watering the beds, it is recommended to mulch it with grass or straw. Top dressing is usually made by mineral fertilizers after planting. During fruiting is not recommended to make any fertilizer.
In the fall, if necessary, the leaves can be cut. But this may affect the fact that insects and other pests or pathologies will appear on the stems. To avoid this, it is recommended to plant garlic or onions nearby.
Strawberry propagates by dividing the bushes, seeds and rooting a mustache. Each gardener chooses the best breeding method for him, depending on preferences and conditions.
If there is a desire, then it is possible to grow this crop with seeds, but this is a rather painstaking and lengthy occupation, which requires certain skills and knowledge from gardeners. In this case, the seeds can be purchased from trusted suppliers.
Planting seeds in early February is carried out in special boxes. In order to accelerate germination, it is recommended to cover such boxes with glass or film, creating constructions like microbaths. Experts point out that preparation of material for disembarkation can be dealt with at a convenient time of the year if the necessary conditions are available
It is noted that this variety may be affected by some diseases. For example, the spider mite settles on the sheets and eats them, sucking the juice. As a result, the leaves become deformed and rot. If pests appear, it is recommended to treat the bush with karbofos. Some experts recommend spraying garlic solution, which is prepared from the components at home. And also you can use tobacco infusion.
If the bushes appear snails or ants that eat berries, then this bush has nothing to help. In extreme cases, it is recommended to sprinkle the earth around the bush with soda.
The care also uses other standard techniques agrotechnika, among which can be noted regular watering and the introduction of top dressing. Fertilizers are recommended to be applied two or three times per season.After that, you need to break through the soil and mulch it. In order to get the highest yields, it is recommended to periodically remove the whiskers on the bushes, leaving small processes. Such procedures are recommended to be performed after 4 years of fruiting of the plant in one area.
Gardeners reviews
To get the maximum crop yield, it is recommended to carry out the main agrotechnical measures. According to gardeners, strawberries do not require special care. She needs frequent watering, but the soil should not be very wet. In order to preserve moisture for a long time, the land is advised to mulch, as well as remove weeds from it. All this is well reflected in the fruiting and condition of the plant. Basically, experts give positive reviews about this crop, as can be seen for yourself if you start growing it in your backyard.
Due to such features, even a novice gardener can cope with growing this type of strawberry and as a result receive a large amount of tasty and fragrant berries, which can persist for a long time and not lose their qualities. Berries ripen quite quickly and in a short period. The yield is high and stable. You can make winter preparations from this strawberry, as well as freeze it and then use it fresh in winter. And also the variety winters well and copes with temperature drops, heat and frost.
A brief overview of the strawberries "Festival Chamomile", see below in the video.
