How to grow strawberries varieties "Roxana"?

Strawberries, which it would be better to call garden strawberries, are a popular berry in our country. Everybody loves her unique sweet taste, both children and adults.It is not surprising that many owners of dacha or household plots are trying to take at least a small corner of this culture.

When planting strawberries, every gardener dreams of big harvests and large fruits. However, it is not always possible to find a suitable grade. It can be capricious and demanding to care or simply does not adapt well to local conditions. We have to make a lot of effort to get a decent harvest.

In this article we will tell about the variety "Roxana", which was specially bred to please the owners with their fertility. We will also tell you about the main features and explain how to plant and grow strawberries.

Compared to its many “sisters,” Roxana is quite young. This species was bred in Italy in the late 1990s. The first who experienced it in practice was the agricultural company New Fruits. Roxana was grown in the fields near the town of Cesena.

When the variety has successfully passed all the tests, it entered the free market. It happened in 2001. At about the same time, this strawberry came to Russia. And despite the fact that it is grown in our country for no more than seventeen years, local gardeners managed to appreciate the high quality of the variety, thanks to which it is now so popular.

What is this very quality? Let's figure it out. First we turn to the characteristic of strawberries. Variety can be attributed to late ripening. The bushes of the plant, though vigorous, but compact, not sprawling, erect.

Leaf density is medium. The stems of flowers grow quite long, and the flowers themselves are always on the same level with the leaves. By the way, in the first year after the beginning of fruiting, no more than two flowers form on one inflorescence, but the berries turn out to be large.

The shape of the berries themselves - conical, elongated. Their mass depends on the age of the culture. For example, in the first year the weight of one fruit can reach 35 grams. In subsequent it decreases to 22 grams, but the number of berries on one bush increases.

Strawberries have a delicious bright red or dark red color. It depends on many factors: moisture level, the amount of light, air temperature and proper care of the culture. And complements the beautiful appearance of ripe berries glossy shine. Strawberry skin is smooth, and its pulp, in turn, has an average density. It has a sweet dessert flavor and a pronounced strawberry flavor.

Now about the benefits of the variety. As already mentioned, "Roxana" is distinguished by large harvests consisting of high-quality fruits. One bush can give up to one and a half kilograms of berries. As a result, with 100 square meters you can collect a whole centner.

By the way, this species is able to bear fruit three times a year. It is often referred to as remontant varieties. This means that strawberries can grow not only in summer, but also in autumn, if it is warm.

Due to the high volume and quality of yields, Roxana is often grown for production purposes. At the same time it is easily transported, without receiving any damages. This fact, as well as excellent taste and appearance made this strawberry a hot commodity in grocery stores. So, if you do not have the opportunity to grow this beautiful variety on your plot, you will still be able to enjoy its sweet taste.

Once it comes to taste, it is worth noting that many people most often use this strawberry in its original fresh form. However, it often becomes the basis or filling for many dessert dishes and is able to decorate any table.

Another advantage of the variety is long shelf life. This applies both to the berries after harvest and before it. Fruits are able to hang on a bush for about two weeks without losing their presentation or taste. So, if you do not have time to pick berries, do not worry. You have plenty of time left.

But Roxana has one feature that can be treated differently. Sometimes the traditional oblong shape of the berries changes during growth. The cone seems to split, which is why the berry grows wide. On the taste of this, of course, does not affect. Some gardeners like this appearance, while others prefer the berries to be the same as for selection.

Most fruits ripen at the same time. There are no problems with their collection, as they are easily accessible.

And the last but no less important plus is resistance to diseases. The variety shows high resistance to such ills as gray rot and powdery mildew. The same can be noted for many pests.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about low temperatures. "Roxana" feels great in the southern regions of the country. It is able to transfer winters in central Russia. But if these months are really harsh, you will have to make a lot of effort to keep your strawberries. About how to properly cover it for the winter, we will tell further.

Before you start planting varieties, you need to choose the most suitable period for this business. You can do this both in spring and in autumn. There are no fundamental differences in the season. However, experienced gardeners recommend planting strawberries in the second half of August. According to them, this is an ideal period so that the crop can adapt to the climatic conditions and give a good harvest the following year.

If you decide to traditionally do this in the spring, then it is not necessary to wait for a specific moment. You can start landing after the snow melts, when the soil warms to at least 15 degrees.

Then you need to choose a suitable place where Roxana can grow in comfortable conditions. The main thing is that the bed is well lit by sunlight. The soil should be loose, with high fertility and low acidity.

It is recommended to fertilize the ground two weeks before planting strawberries. Great for these purposes:

• humus;
• humus;
• complex mineral supplements.

The next step is to choose the most suitable weather. Strawberries should not be planted in the heat. Better to wait a couple of days until it gets cooler. The best time for disembarking is the evening of a warm day.

The process itself is quite simple. First, dig holes that are 15 centimeters deep. The distance between them should be about 33 centimeters, so that the bushes have enough space for proper development. Place the seedling in the hole, gently straightening its roots. Then fill the hole with earth and slightly condense it.

If you believe gardeners who grow Roxana for many years, the variety is not picky about care. It will be enough standard procedures, which requires most crops.

When the seedlings grow, the frequency of watering can be reduced. It is better to do this early in the morning or in the evening, so that the sun's rays do not damage the stems and leaves. At least 10 liters of water should be left per square meter. Before flowering, it is better to water the strawberries in a drip way, and when the flowering and the formation of fruits begin - at the root, preventing moisture on the flowers or berries.

The next important stage is loosening. It should be carried out as often as possible. It is desirable after each watering. This will save the crop from obsessive weeds. Each bush should spud from all sides, while not falling asleep the ground of their core. Also, be careful. Strawberry roots are too close to the surface, they are easy to damage.

By the way, experienced gardeners between the rows of strawberries are planted mustard, which helps get rid of weeds and pests.

Nitrogen mixtures can be applied in different ways, sprinkling in dry form or stirring in water. In the second case, 20 grams of ammonium nitrate should be diluted in 10 liters of water and watered with plenty of bed liquid. Also, you can always use organic products. Strawberries take them very well.

An integral part of the care of "Roxana" is pruning. This should be done in the spring, when the snow melts. First, get rid of last year’s dead stalks. When the ground dries, remove dry leaves from the garden bed. Observe accuracy is not necessary. The main thing is that the core of the bush and the green leaves remain intact. All remote fragments must be burned, because they could overwinter pests or distributors of diseases.

Strawberries can tolerate slight frosts with enough snow. But you never guess what winter this time will be given out, especially on the territory of the Central region of Russia. Therefore, culture should be well covered. For these purposes, suitable wide branches of conifers or a special agrofiber. The best option is a greenhouse, in which the "Roxana" can grow all year round.

Prevention is an important part of care. Yes, "Roxana" has good resistance to many diseases and pests, but it is still capable of catching. For example, anthracnose, to which the variety is less resistant. And as you know, the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.

It is possible to carry out preventive spraying from early spring and throughout the season. To combat pathogens should be used biopreparations like Fitosporina or Fitotsida. Against pests such as aphids or strawberry mites, use insecticides, among which are “Actofit” or “Aktellik”. Copper-containing preparations can help with fungi. But they should be used with extreme caution.

Many gardeners and gardeners admit that they planted Roxana for the first time for an experiment. Few people hoped for a positive result. But it turned out that this variety knows how to surprise. A year later, most of them began to propagate the culture on their own site, agitating their “colleagues” to do the same.

According to them, this strawberry has many uses in cooking, which can not but rejoice hostesses. Of these berries are most often prepared:

• fruit drinks and fruit drinks;
• ice cream, yogurts and cocktails;
• jams and jams;
• pies, cakes and dumplings;
• other desserts;
• liqueurs and liqueurs.

Also, strawberries can be crushed and frozen for a long time.

But not all gardeners can boast of high quality crops, which Roxana is famous for. There may be several reasons. For example, increased thickening of landings.

The problem may be in the wrong watering or excessive feeding. Do not ignore the rules, hoping for a favorable outcome. Strawberries need pruning, loosening and weeding. And if you decide to transplant or transplant bushes, this should be done in a timely manner so as not to harm the culture.

How to grow strawberries: replanting, care, watering, mulching, see the next video.