"Victoria": what is it and what are its differences?

The variety "Victoria" was obtained by crossing garden and wild strawberries in Europe in the XVIII century.First, virgin meadow strawberries were brought there from America, and later Chilean. By crossing these species, the breeders of that time received large-fruited garden strawberries and named one of the varieties in honor of the queen - Victoria. It was the first variety of large-fruited wild strawberries that fell on the territory of Russia. Therefore, it is precisely this name that eventually became entrenched for all other varieties.

Large red berries, now growing in almost every area, many mistakenly called strawberries or "Victoria". In fact, it is garden strawberries, and real strawberries are rarely grown. Strawberries (from the old Russian "tangle, spherical body") is a dioecious plant - it has male and female bushes, which makes it difficult to pollinate and care. In this case, only female individuals bear fruit, while males only bloom without forming ovaries, and rather aggressively occupy space. Because of this, the yield of strawberries is much lower than that of single-bed garden strawberries.

In addition, real strawberries are smaller than garden strawberries, have lighter pulp, and its berries rise above the bush. In the case of strawberries, due to their large weight and size, they are hidden under the leaves and hang low above the ground - hence its name.

Strawberries are a heat-loving plant that loves the sun. And strawberries feel better in the shade. Of the advantages of strawberries can also be noted the fact that it is more frost-resistant. Features and description of the Victoria variety berry:

• Bushes of strawberry of a large size, with powerful leaves of deep green color;
• the flowers have a white color and a lot of them are formed on the bushes - in a season, about one kilogram of “Victoria” can be collected from one bush;
• red berries with small seeds and pink flesh;
• the average weight of fruits is 10-15 grams, the largest ones reach 50 grams;
• Victoria berries are sweet in taste (sugar content is about 9%), slightly sour and very juicy.

"Victoria" extremely tasty and healthy. It contains a large amount of vitamins, trace elements and saccharides.

• Victoria's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help to prevent colds. Vitamin C it contains as much as in lemon. Eating garden strawberries will help to recover several times faster.
• In cardiovascular diseases, it should be taken in food to lower blood pressure, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, cleanse blood from cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Important! If enapril is taken to reduce pressure, then strawberries should be discarded - such a “partnership” will make it difficult for the kidneys to work.
• It helps to fight with excess weight not only because of its low calorie content, but also due to the high content of plant antioxidants - anthocyanins.
• Strengthening of bones is promoted by the maintenance of a large amount of potassium, magnesium, salicylic acid and deficient vitamin K. These components help to keep bones healthy.
• Improved memory occurs due to the same anthocyanin. This is especially important for older people as prevention of partial or complete loss of memory.
• To reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, strawberries are dried and ground into powder.
• Normal work of the gastrointestinal tract contributes to the high content of fiber in the berry. It soothes the liver and prevents constipation.
• Vitamin C helps maintain eye health. It prevents retinal aging, development of glaucoma, cataracts and night blindness. It also accelerates the recovery of the cornea of ​​the eyes.
• Diuretic properties help eliminate excess fluid from the body and prevent puffiness.
• Anti-aging properties are also used for cosmetic purposes. Ellagic acid in the composition protects skin cells from damage and wrinkles. Strawberry masks make the skin smoother. Vitamin B7 is also found in strawberries - an important ingredient for beautiful hair.

In addition to all the useful properties, it is worth noting the possible harm from the use of "Victoria".

• Strawberry is a strong allergen, so you need to be careful and know the measure. Especially children need to give it in small quantities.
• Excessive use increases the acidity of gastric juice and impairs the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
• More harm than good, and bring low-quality product. You can check this in appearance. Good berries leave marks on the walls of the container. If such spots are not found, it means that the strawberries are abundantly processed with chemistry. If the pulp is white in the middle of the berry, it means there are a lot of nitrates in it. And most importantly - rich aroma. If "Victoria" almost does not smell, then such a product should be abandoned.

Growing strawberries begins with the right choice of place, preparing the soil and planting.

"Victoria" prefers sunny areas with light sandy soil. In extreme cases, loamy. Strawberries will not grow on heavy clay and marshy soil.

The site should be protected from strong winds and be lit by the sun all day. It is not necessary to build a high bed, since in winter it will lead to freezing and death of the root system.

The soil must first dig up with fertilizer. For one square meter, 5-7 kilograms of humus, 20 grams of ammonium nitrate, 20 grams of potassium chloride and 25 grams of superphosphate are added.

We recommend making seedlings at a distance of 30 cm between neighboring plants and at a distance of 40 cm between rows. This will prevent infection of all the bushes in the event of an illness of one, it will ease care and the bushes will be better blown with fresh air.

The depth of each hole is about 20 cm. Before planting, they must be well shed water.

Planting material can be purchased in the nursery or take shoots from existing plants. Sockets come only from healthy bushes aged two years, and you need to choose the closest to the mother. Digging shoots need to be very careful not to damage the roots, preferably with a clod of earth. Dug out sockets are immediately placed in prepared holes and filled with earth. The whole bed once again watered.

After planting, caring for “Victoria” comes down to watering, mulching, feeding, loosening, weed and pest control.

• Watering is recommended to do only in the dry period, 1-2 times a week, with warm settled water. Preferably drip irrigation, so you can use a sprinkler for lawns. If there is enough rain, then Victoria does not need additional watering.

• Mulching is done twice per season. Immediately after planting, the soil is filled with sawdust, wood chips, straw and grain waste. You need to make sure that the leaves of the bushes are not sprinkled. For the second time this season, mulching should be done after harvesting. A layer of mulch prevents the development of rot in berries, retains moisture in the soil for longer, and helps protect the roots from freezing in the winter.

• Fertilizer and fertilizing is done twice a year. The first time "Victoria" must be fed before flowering. As a mineral fertilizer, 2 tablespoons of nitrophosphate, 1 spoon of potassium and 10 liters of warm water are taken. Organic can be fertilized every week. As such feeding you can take a green solution from weeds or a solution from Baker's yeast.To prepare a yeast solution, you need to take a spoonful of yeast, pour a liter of water, insist a couple of hours and add a mixture of 10 liters of warm water.

• Loosening the soil is necessary to supply it with oxygen. Since the roots of strawberries are located close to the surface, loosening must be done very carefully.

• Weed and mustache removal is done throughout the season. It is recommended to remove the mustache and for better fruiting of strawberries, and to prevent its growth throughout the site. It is also necessary to remove all damaged leaflets.

• Fight against diseases and pests. Only white spot and strawberry mite represent a significant threat to Victoria.

White spotting first manifests itself as red spots, then their center becomes white and holes appear. The disease affects not only the leaves, but also the whiskers and fruits of strawberries. To get rid of the virus, the plant is carefully sprayed with Bordeaux mixture (1%).

The appearance of strawberry mite is easy to notice: the leaves shrivel, dry and turn yellow. On the reverse side appears white scurf. In the fight against this insect, such means as "Fitoverm" and "Omait" have recommended themselves well. You can also use the "Clean Garden" and "Zolon." All bushes in the garden are sprayed with a warm solution from these preparations, and three days later they are covered with a film. With the greenhouse effect will be able to achieve the destruction of all pests.

Preparing "Victoria" for the winter begins in August. To do this, the strawberries are no longer fed, the extra mustache and sockets are removed, the earth is dug up between the rows. Closer to the cold beds cover. Straw, coniferous branches and any organic breathing materials are suitable for this. Synthetics are not recommended, it can provoke plant rot.

The berries of “Victoria” are considered ripe if they have acquired a bright red color right up to the tips. The fruits of garden strawberries are not stored for long, so the harvest should be done as needed. The best time is morning or evening. It is not recommended to pick strawberries after the rain - the wet berry will quickly deteriorate.

As a collection tank, a low wooden box is best suited. So the berries will be less washed and can "breathe." The best option would be to use several containers at once - so you can immediately sort out large, small and slightly crumpled berries.

Harvesting can be done with hands or small scissors, pruning the fruit along with the sepals.

Fresh Victoria can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. From the berries for the winter, you can harvest jam, compote, jam and much more.

Frost helps to keep the strawberries fresh. To do this, you need to wash the berries, dry them and put them into bags or special containers. In winter, frozen strawberries can be added to pastries, mashed with sugar, cooked fresh jam or stewed fruit.

When using this recipe with a brief heat treatment in a berry useful vitamins are saved.

For cooking, strawberries must be washed, cleaned from the sepals, covered with sugar and left for several hours. One kilogram of sugar takes two kilograms of berries. After the strawberries make juice you need to put it on a slow fire and bring to a boil. After boiling, cook for 5 minutes, periodically removing the foam.

The finished jam is poured into sterile jars and sealed.

Without exception, gardeners celebrate the wonderful aroma and taste of Victoria.

They also praise the berry for its frost resistance - it withstands the Siberian frosts, and the berries are found even in the fall under the first snow.

Bushes grow well, produce a lot of whiskers, so the problems with its reproduction in domestic gardeners do not arise.

At the same time, according to their reviews, garden strawberries are difficult to transport - the berry quickly crumples and deteriorates. In addition, the seeds and seedlings of the true old variety "Victoria" is difficult to find on sale.

On how to properly care for the berry, see the following video.