Strawberry "Mara de Bois": characteristic of the variety and cultivation
The most popular among domestic gardeners is remontant strawberry variety. This is due to the ability to produce more than one crop per season. Therefore, the berries decorate the table in summer and autumn.Over the years, the strawberry-strawberry hybrid Mara de Bois has been successfully grown. Russian climate and weather conditions do not deprive the berry of valuable qualities.
Variety description
The variety "Mara de Bois" was bred by French breeders. Fruits emit strawberry flavor, because wild berries were the material for creating a hybrid variety. The shape and size were transferred to her from strawberry varieties. In the French regions, this species is considered very popular and is used for use in its natural form.
Quite easy cultivation of strawberries occurs in greenhouses and greenhouses. The French hybrid grows beautifully. Massive and lush bushes are able to decorate any garden or yard. Strawberry "Mara de Bois" was bred for a long time. On its basis, the breeders were able to bring all the well-known variety "Manila". Its ripe fruits reach large sizes and have the same smell of wild strawberry. "Mara de Bois" significantly inferior in size of the fruit.
The berry bush grows small - it reaches only 20 cm in height. Outwardly quite compact, but because the site looks neat. Leaves practically does not overgrow. The shoots are small, take a light green color. Leaf stalks are completely naked. High yield provides a large number of peduncles, which are located in the lower part of the bush. Ripe berry fruits are of medium size. The weight of an individual berry is about 25 grams. The shape of the fruit resembles a cone. Painted in light red color. To date, there are many large-fruited varieties that can replace the "Mara de Bois."
Distinctive features of the variety are intense aroma and wonderful taste. Even in rainy seasons, the plant is able to retain all its nutritional properties. Under the influence of sunlight, the garden berry becomes completely unparalleled. It tastes like sweet forest strawberries with a slight sourness.
The ripening of the first berries is observed already in the beginning of summer. Perhaps the appearance of ripe fruit a little earlier. This feature is closely related to the growing region. The flowering and ripening period is quite long, up to the first frost. Indoor ground and allows the plant to bear fruit in the winter season. Judging by the reviews of gardeners, the largest and most tasty strawberries ripen in spring and autumn.
Flowering remontant strawberries come much later than other varieties. For this reason, do not fear for the health of the plant during the first cold weather. "Mara de Bois" requires great efforts for proper and successful cultivation in garden plots. This happens because throughout the whole season the culture bears fruit, expending strength on each new formation and ripening of fruits. In this case, it is very important to feed the bushes with additional nutrition based on mineral substances - potash and nitrogen fertilizers.
The popularity of remontant species is growing with each season. Gardeners are not deterred by the rather troublesome cultivation of this crop. Ripe fragrant harvest is harvested 2 times a year - in summer and autumn you can gladly feast on berries.
Features of growing
Representatives of remontant varieties are famous for their high yield. Sometimes there is fruiting up to 4 times a year. Early harvest can please gardeners kilogram of ripe fruit. To provide yourself with a steady crop, you should not grow strawberries for more than 4 years on the same plot. In the future, the soil will begin to need another culture. In this way, the earth is cleared of harmful insects and various diseases that accumulate over the entire life of strawberries.
Landing is closely related to climatic conditions. For example, the month of planting may be May or April. Residents of the northern regions should begin planting in early June. Focus in such cases should be on the temperature and humidity level.There is a danger of death of young plants planted in early summer, as the lack of moisture does not allow them to take root.
The variety "Mara de Bois" is very warm and light-loving in nature. Therefore, to choose a place for cultivation should be based on this feature. Sunny places will help the plant to develop normally, which will affect the taste and aroma of berries. When planting seedlings, you need to remember that the distance between the bushes should not be less than 40 cm, and between rows - about 50 cm.
Do not forget about the preparation of seedlings for planting - be sure to inspect them, remove damaged roots, the cuts should be treated with ash.
The so-called point of growth of strawberries must be above the ground. The rammed seedling should be watered and mulched thoroughly. For this ideal hay or mowed grass. Someone for this purpose uses a black film. It is suitable if the plant does not grow in clay soil - otherwise it will become very dense. Such a grass cover, like mulch, is able to maintain the desired level of moisture in the ground and protect young shoots from the sun. This environment is conducive to rooting outlets and, importantly, will not allow the weeds to break through the beds.
Judging by the reviews, the cultivation of the French variety is quite complicated. Most gardeners complain that they do not always succeed in this business. Culture is very whimsical, constantly in need of warmth, light and fertilizer. Rain watering can also harm her. It is worth bearing in mind that if it is not possible to feed the bushes with mineral compounds each time, it is better not to start planting. In this case, you should pay attention to the early and mid-season varieties. In the northern areas of "Mara de Bois" need to grow exclusively under the films. Without a film cover, the berries will not have time to ripen, with the result that the yield will drop significantly.
Plant Care
The main procedures for the care of garden strawberries are: timely watering, weeding, the necessary level of fertilizing and spraying to kill pests and infections. Mulch can help in weed control. It will work in the event that the weed is young. It is better to get rid of old ones by trimming. Frequent cutting of weeds will deprive them of the ability to branch. Of course, there are chemical means for weed control, and they are quite effective. But there is a minus - such funds leave an imprint on future berries. Therefore, if you resort to chemical compositions, it is best a year before planting.
Watering should be strictly according to the rules. French berry culture does not tolerate liquid entering the outlet and the fruit. Gardeners recommend using drip irrigation or spraying water around the perimeter.
You can feed at the moment when the bush got accustomed to the new site and the first leaves appeared. The use of complex fertilizers is allowed only for shrubs that have long been growing in one place. Nitrogen in large quantities is suitable as a fertilizer.
According to experienced gardeners, the best means for watering is a mullein infusion. But this mixture should be applied about 3 times a month. Potassium solutions have a great influence on the quality and number of peduncles. Do not forget to inspect the foliage for the presence of insects. Protective drugs for diseases should also be always at hand. Strawberry "Mara de Bois" is immune to powdery mildew. But brown spotting can affect the level of yield.
Despite the fact that the French strawberry variety “Mara de Bois” is rather difficult to cultivate, domestic gardeners continue to grow it in their plots.
The main thing is to follow all the rules and take a responsible approach to the care of young strawberry bushes. At the end of the season, the plant will thank the conscientious gardeners with juicy and fragrant berries.
In the next video you can watch the Mara de Bois strawberries closer.
