Description and characteristics of the Elsanta strawberry variety, cultivation and care

The Elsanta strawberry variety has proven itself well in gardeners' beds and in industrial cultivation. The plant is unpretentious in care and does not require abundant feeding. But the important point remains the requirement for watering, since the bushes are sensitive to heat and drought. The advantage is the excellent taste of the berries, their density, fleshiness, which ensures long storage and resistance to transportation.

Description and characteristics of the Victoria Elsanta variety

When choosing a variety for cultivation, attention is paid to varietal indicators: yield, fruit characteristics, disease resistance.

Varietal features

Strawberries have a number of varietal characteristics:

• plant of medium ripening period;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• forms a small number of whiskers and, accordingly, rosettes;
• the bushes are characterized by medium size, not spreading;
• the bush forms up to 5 peduncles;
• The variety is moisture-loving.

Berries

The berries have an expanded conical shape with a specific shine. They are called “lacquered”. The color of the fruit is bright red, the nose is distinguished by a lighter shade. They are characterized by medium size, weighing 45 g. Large berries are found. The pulp is reddish and pink, relatively bright, sweetish with a pleasant note of sourness.

The berries are used fresh, for thermal processing, and freezing. The stalks are easily separated. The fruits have a dense structure, tolerate transportation well over long distances, and retain their original appearance for 3-5 days.

Productivity

The yield is quite high, up to 1.6 kg per bush. Fruiting begins in the middle period and continues for a fairly long period of time.

Sustainability

The plant is immune to white and brown spots, gray rot, but has no protection against powdery mildew. Also affected by root rot. It is characterized by poor frost resistance and, accordingly, requires covering for the winter season.

Breeding history

Obtained in Holland at the end of the twentieth century, this variety quickly gained popularity. Strawberries became the product of selection when crossing Holiday and Gorella. No matter what new species appear, this plant has been and will be a favorite among gardeners.

Region of natural growth

Grows well in film tunnels and open beds. Cultivated in the forest-steppe, Central Russia, Polesie. Increased yield is obtained with the tunnel growing method. It is worth considering that the variety is not frost-resistant, therefore, covering for the winter is important. But it also tolerates drought quite poorly. In Crimea, southern Ukraine, Russia, it is recommended to use drip irrigation to protect it from drying out.

In the industrial direction, in addition to the indicated regions, strawberries are cultivated in the Netherlands, Poland, and Croatia.

Advantages of the plant

Gardeners highlight the following positive aspects of the plant:

• large fruits with characteristic taste;
• increased productivity;
• fruits withstand transportation;
• bushes do not require heavy feeding;
• The variety is not afraid of a number of fungal diseases, verticillium.

Disadvantages of strawberries

In addition to the positive aspects, when selecting a variety for planting, it is important to pay attention to the negative aspects:

• poor frost resistance, which does not allow strawberries to be cultivated in regions with harsh weather conditions, at temperatures below -14 ^OWith no shelter he dies;
• requires regular watering;
• not resistant to root rot and powdery mildew.

Features of agricultural technology

Care and cultivation require compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology. To obtain the result, the beds must be updated every 4 years.

Site selection and preparation

The site is chosen to be flat, sunny or with slight shading, protected from northern winds.Before planting young bushes, the ground must be prepared:

• to plow;
• fertilize: manure or compost, calcium chloride, superphosphate;
• break the breasts;
• pour well, let stand for at least a day;
• loosen the ground and dig holes.

Step-by-step instructions for landing

It is recommended to plant strawberries in the autumn, no earlier than September. When planted in spring, the bushes produce small fruits.

Landing Features:

1. Produced in wet weather or in the evening.
2. It is recommended to plant in a two-lane method. The distance between the bushes is 0.4 m, between the rows - 0.25 m. The depth of the planting holes is 8 cm.
3. Pour water into the hole and place the seedling.
4. Sprinkle with soil and compact the soil thoroughly.
5. Mulch the planting with peat, pine needles, humus, compost, straw.

Loosening the soil

Loosening the soil and removing weeds are important steps in caring for strawberries. Done once a week. It is necessary to ensure ventilation of the beds and prevent fungal diseases.

Watering and fertilizing

For 10 days after planting young bushes, not abundant, but frequent watering is important. Further watering is carried out less frequently, but more abundantly. The roots will go deeper, making the plant resilient. Then the strawberries will be ready for winter. In spring, hydration is again considered a key care requirement. When fruiting, a large amount of water is not required to prevent the berries from becoming watery. It is enough to maintain the required water balance. On hot days, irrigate the bushes.

A special feature of this variety is that the bushes can be hardened. If they are not additionally fed and not fed with mineral fertilizers, then in one season strawberries can acquire endurance and durability.

This will allow you to reap the harvest in the future without much labor or expense. Standard spring and autumn fertilizing is sufficient to obtain a good harvest. In the fall, organic matter is introduced. In the spring, when the snow melts, apply urea and nitrogen fertilizers under the bushes. It is recommended to apply complex fertilizers in the 3rd year of fruiting, when the plant is already depleted.

Mulching

An important requirement in the care process is mulching the bushes. This is necessary to retain moisture, especially important in hot, dry weather. This procedure also prevents the development of fungal diseases, and the berries remain clean without coming into contact with the ground.

Mulching is carried out immediately after planting young seedlings. In mature beds, it must be done already during the flowering period so that the flower stalks do not come into contact with the ground. For mulching, it is recommended to use pine needles, straw, dry grass, sawdust, peat, and humus.

Pruning and wintering

There are two opinions about pruning leaves. Some believe that the foliage serves as a covering for the buds in winter. Others argue that pruning stimulates the bush for future productivity. In any case, when pruning, it is important to cut off only the leaf blades and tendrils, leaving the stems. Before frost sets in, cover the bushes. Covering is done after the initial frost to harden the plant. With good shelter and snow cover, the plant can withstand frosts down to -30 ^OWITH.

Preparing strawberries for winter

Any plant requires preparation for winter. In addition, please note that these strawberries are not frost-resistant.

Necessary:

• clean the bushes from diseased (if any) and injured leaves;
• treat against various harmful insects;
• loosen the soil, but not deeply, so as not to injure the root system, otherwise it will not recover before the first frost;
• mulch with peat, sawdust, dry grass, pine needles or leaves.
• cover the strawberries using natural material so that the plant does not rot.

Reproduction methods

Each gardener chooses the optimal and convenient way for him to plant strawberries. The following methods of reproduction exist:

• bush division;
• mustache;
• seed material.

Usami

When propagating by mustache, healthy, strong bushes are needed. To do this you need:

• select a powerful tendril on a bush, bend it to the ground and secure the rosette;
• cut off the remaining mustache;
• before planting, dig a rosette with a root ball of soil, cut off the tendril;
• plant in the prepared hole.

Dividing the bush

With this method, dig up a healthy, strong plant and divide it into several parts. Each part must have a full socket with 2-4 leaf plates. To facilitate division, place the bush in water.

Seeds

Since the variety is a hybrid, propagation by seed is used extremely rarely. With this method, there is little chance of maintaining maternal parameters.

To get young bushes from seeds, you need:

• choose a healthy berry, cut off the skin thinly and dry.
• prepare containers with soil.
• 60-70 days before planting, spread the seeds on the ground, sprinkle with a layer of snow, and place in the cold for 10 days;
• put in a warm place, irrigate as the top layer dries;
• Plant seedlings with 3-4 leaf blades in a prepared place.

Diseases and pests

The roots are considered the most sensitive part. They are susceptible to rot and fungus. As a rule, it is impossible to get rid of them.The solution is to destroy the bush.

An important measure is prevention:

• timely cleaning of old foliage;
• dig up and destroy diseased bushes;
• disinfect the soil under diseased bushes;
• it is necessary to mulch and weed the soil in a timely manner;
• every 4 years the beds are changed;
• Before winter, treat the soil with a solution of copper emulsion or Bordeaux mixture.

Collection and storage

Berries for sale, long-term storage and transportation are collected unripe. They are placed in special containers and placed in the cold. The storage period for berries at room conditions is 3 days, and in the refrigerator the crop will remain fresh for 5 days.

Growing this unpretentious berry with excellent taste is not difficult. The main point during cultivation remains protecting the plant from frost and mandatory timely watering. By following these simple rules, you will be able to please yourself and your loved ones with healthy berries.