Description and characteristics of Diamant strawberries, planting and care

Strawberries of the Diamant variety are an achievement of the California Institute of Horticulture. The variety is high-yielding and is popular among Russian gardeners. The berries are grown for sale or personal consumption. For successful planting and care of the plant, you should familiarize yourself with all its features.

Main characteristics and description of the variety

Strawberry Diamant is a large-fruited crop of the remontant group. The fruits grow cone-shaped, elongated in shape. They have shiny skin and a deep scarlet color. At the stage of technical maturity, the berries are orange. The weight of one fruit is 32 grams, depending on growing conditions. The pulp is pinkish, accumulates a lot of sugar, but is not famous for its juiciness. Due to such indicators, crops can be transported over long distances. The variety is rarely used for processing due to its low juiciness and light pulp.

The bushes are spreading, with large leaves, up to 45 cm tall. The inflorescences are firmly attached to the peduncle. When the activation of fruit ovaries begins, whiskers are formed.

Diamond strawberries are grown in the garden or in greenhouses. The variety also bears fruit profusely in planter pots.

Advantages and disadvantages of strawberry Diamant

Strawberries of the Diamant variety have many advantages, but there are also negative aspects.

Subtleties of growing a plant

The process of growing Diamant strawberries does not involve any characteristic nuances. The variety is undemanding to soil; it can also be planted in small plots. It is worth choosing illuminated, flat surfaces or hills, but not lowlands where water accumulates. Strawberries grow safely in medium to light soil with an acidity level of 5-6 pH. The location of groundwater should be at least 70-80 cm above the surface. The best predecessors are legumes, grains, and greens.

You should not place bushes in a place where tomatoes and potatoes previously grew.

Timing

It is preferable to plant Diamant strawberries in September or late May. When planted in autumn, the harvest will be plentiful for the next season. If you plant strawberries in the spring, they will bear little fruit, but will recover in the second year.

Preparing the site

3 weeks before planting, you should fertilize the soil at the selected location with rotted manure in a ratio of 10 liters per 1 square meter. If the soil in the area is heavy, add sand to it. The area is first plowed with a shovel and the weeds are removed. You can disinfect the area with insecticides. 2-3 days before planting, make holes 15 cm deep. Lightly compact the earth.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting, seedlings are inspected for traces of diseases and shriveled fragments. Each specimen should have 3-4 leaves and branched roots. You can soak them in Epin or Matador solution, which stimulates the growth of the root system, for 30 minutes. Just before planting, water the sprouts with hot water.

The process of planting strawberries Diamant

Large-fruited strawberries should be planted according to the steps below:

• start planting early in the morning or evening, the sun should not shine;
• plant seedlings according to the standard 60*25 cm pattern;
• Place the seedlings carefully, straightening the rhizome so that the neck is above the ground.

Afterwards, water the beds and mulch with humus.

Specifics of care

Standard strawberry care involves timely watering, loosening the beds, and treating them against pests and diseases. Do not neglect mulching; the procedure will prevent the evaporation of moisture in the heat and free the summer resident from unnecessary weeding.

Watering rules

Strawberries are irrigated depending on weather conditions. If the season is dry, 2 waterings per week are required. The need for irrigation is determined by the dryness of the soil. Water the bushes in the early morning or evening; water should not get on the leaves. You should resort to irrigation with a watering can. The liquid should not be cold, approximately +20 degrees Celsius. When the berries appear, it is forbidden to pour water on them, as rotting may occur.

Feeding and fertilizers

Strawberry Diamond needs regular fertilizer, it especially loves bird droppings or manure. The bushes are also fed with a tincture of freshly cut grass. Organics are alternated with mineral compounds. Use saltpeter or special combinations for berries. Wood ash is sprinkled in small doses under the beds.

Organics not only feed the strawberries, but also prevent the reproduction of bugs.

Disease and pest control

Large-fruited strawberries of the Diamant variety are rarely attacked by beetles and diseases. Sometimes it is affected by a leaf beetle, strawberry mite or nematode. They are also capable of attacking purchased seedlings.

Next to the strawberry plantings you can place onions, marigolds, and garlic. They repel harmful insects.

Among the most dangerous diseases is gray rot. More often it is observed in densely planted beds. Weeds also spread rot. They destroy it with fungicides, for example - “Strawberry Rescuer”, “Switch”. Usually one treatment is enough. Every week it is advisable to inspect the bushes for damage by beetles and diseases.

Features of reproduction

Diamond strawberries are propagated by seeds, by dividing the bush or by tendrils. The first method is not in demand because it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Dividing a bush does not always give the desired result.The plant may grow different from the “parent” and not bear fruit. It is optimal to propagate strawberries with tendrils.

During the first fruiting, the strongest, most developed bushes are selected. The antennae are cut off from them and placed in grooves. Over time, sprouts will sprout, but only the first rosettes will remain. They are watered and the ground around is weeded.