Description and characteristics of the strawberry variety Ruby pendant, planting and care

Remontant strawberry variety Ruby pendant is a representative of domestic selection. The berry was bred in 1988 by crossing two varieties: Zenga Zengana and Fairfax. The fruits are distinguished by their rich ruby ​​color, pronounced strawberry aroma and pendant-like shape. The ruby ​​pendant has been known for a long time, the variety is unpretentious, and a novice gardener can grow it without much difficulty.

General information about the variety

Strawberries of the Ruby Pendant variety are remontant and can bear fruit throughout the year. It has strong immunity, but not the highest yield. Characteristics of the variety:

• The bush is compact, low, semi-spreading.
• Powerful root system.
• The berries are a rich burgundy color with a high content of seeds.
• The yield is average, up to 0.5 kg per plant.
• Peduncles in the shape of umbrellas are located below the level of the leaves.
• Winter hardiness is average, shelters are not required at temperatures above -23 0C.
• Has a fragrant strawberry aroma.
• Remontant mid-late variety.
• Good transportability and keeping quality of fruits.
• Universal purpose: freezing, processing, fresh consumption.

Due to its average yield, Ruby Pendant is not suitable for commercial cultivation. For cultivation for personal purposes on a personal plot, this is an ideal option. The variety is little susceptible to diseases, tolerates winter well and pleases gardeners with the rich dessert taste of the fruit.

Advantages and disadvantages of garden strawberries

Like any variety of berries, the Ruby Pendant has advantages and disadvantages. Gardeners fell in love with this species for the following features:

• Stable yield and smooth ripening of fruits.
• The berries are easily torn from the bush.
• Seedlings quickly take root after transplantation and adapt to different climatic conditions and soils.
• The fruits do not wrinkle, the transportability of the berries is good.

The disadvantages of the variety include:

• The yield of the variety is average.
• By the end of the fruiting season, the berries become small.
• Requires shelter for the winter.
• Requires fertilization.

The ruby ​​pendant has been living in the beds of Russian gardeners for almost half a century. Strawberries of domestic selection of that time are inferior to modern improved hybrids in terms of yield and fruit size. But at the same time, the variety beloved by gardeners remains in the garden beds of summer residents and does not lose its popularity.

Growing Strawberries Ruby Pendant

In order to obtain the declared yield from Ruby Pendant strawberries, it is necessary to follow planting technology, agricultural technology, choose the right location and prepare planting material. It is impossible to do without fertilizing and adding additional fertilizers.

Time and place for disembarkation

The best time to plant seedlings in the ground is August; bushes planted in the spring will produce a harvest only the next year. The place for strawberry beds is prepared in advance: they dig up the soil, loosen it, and apply fertilizer. It is recommended to disinfect the soil from fungal infections - water the beds with warm water with potassium permanganate or iodine solution.

Plants are replanted in the evening; the sun can harm immature seedlings.

Preparation of planting material

The ruby ​​pendant is propagated in the traditional way - with a mustache. The plant produces a lot of them. Weak tendrils are removed, and strong ones are used as planting material. The main criterion by which seedlings are selected is the condition of the root system. It must be powerful. Roots longer than 10 cm are cut off.

Landing technology

Ruby pendant is a variety of garden strawberry that forms large rosettes. When planting plants, it is necessary to maintain an interval of 40 cm between bushes. In the rows, maintain an interval of 30 cm.

Important! The checkerboard arrangement of plants is the most correct, the bushes will not interfere with each other, and an optimal balance of illumination will be created.

The holes are made 20 cm deep. A handful of humus with wood ash is added to the recesses and mixed with the main soil. The roots must be carefully straightened and the plant covered with soil. The soil should not fall on the growing point of the bush. The planted sprouts are watered with warm water at the root.

Subtleties of caring for the variety

Strawberry Ruby Pendant is a moisture-loving variety; special attention must be paid to the watering system. The taste characteristics of the fruit depend on the composition of the soil and the degree of its fertility. On acidic soils without fertilization, the berries quickly become smaller and tasteless.

Watering, weeding and loosening

Maintaining a moisture balance is the key to successful cultivation of all varieties of garden strawberries. The gardener must take weather conditions into account. Before watering, you need to check the condition of the soil. It is enough to dip your finger into the soil and assess the level of moisture. You cannot allow moisture to stagnate at the roots; the fruits will begin to rot and become watery. Fungal infections, such as gray rot, can quickly spread; it is this disease that the Ruby pendant is most susceptible to.

The soil should be loosened regularly, combining the procedure with clearing the bushes of wilted leaves and removing weeds.

Mulching

Mulching is the surface covering of the soil with organic materials. This procedure prevents the growth of weeds, becomes a nutrient cushion for strawberries, and protects the plants from cold and pests.

The type of mulch determines the purpose of the procedure. For example, sprinkling plants with humus, peat or rotted manure creates a nutrient reserve that is evenly used by the plant. Spruce branches, straw, and sawdust disinfect the soil, serve as shelter for the winter, and prevent ripe strawberries from touching the ground.

The ruby ​​pendant must be mulched with humus in early spring, during the flowering period and after harvesting. The procedure is carried out after loosening. For the winter, the bushes are covered with spruce branches or straw.

Top dressing

A complex of mineral-organic fertilizers is applied to the soil in early spring. Plants need nitrogenous fertilizers and fertilizers, which contain potassium and phosphorus. Hardware stores offer a wide range of such complex fertilizers.

Among the folk fertilizer recipes, strawberries of the Ruby Pendant variety respond well to fertilizing with bird droppings and wood ash. For 10 liters of water, 1 kg of organic material is consumed and one glass of ash is diluted. The product must be applied in spring and during the flowering period. Feed strawberries in the evening.

Preparing for winter

In autumn, after the end of the fruiting period, strawberry plantings are prepared for the cold season:

• The bushes are trimmed and old yellowed leaves are removed.
• Plants are fed and sprinkled with humus.
• Cover the beds with spruce branches or straw.

The ruby ​​pendant can withstand frosts down to -23 0C. In colder winters, strawberries can freeze completely.

Treatment of strawberries from diseases and pests

Plants can be protected from pests and infections by preventative spraying with pesticides. It is especially important to carry out treatment during the flowering period. You can use Bordeaux mixture or complex preparations.

In most cases, the Ruby Pendant is affected by gray mold or verticillium wilt.

Both diseases are fungal and occur as a result of excess moisture and poor ventilation of the beds.Treating plants with copper sulfate, an aqueous solution of iodine, and garden sulfur are effective measures aimed at combating these diseases.

Propagation of garden strawberries

The Ruby pendant is propagated with a mustache. Weak shoots are removed, strong shoots are left and buried next to the plant. Then the daughter bushes are transplanted into prepared beds.

On a note! The planting pattern for young Ruby Pendant bushes is standard: 40 cm between bushes, 50 cm between rows. Seedlings can be purchased in specialized stores or grown independently from seeds.

Collection and storage

The berries of the Ruby pendant have good keeping quality and presentation. They can be consumed fresh and used for sale. Store strawberries in baskets or boxes with good ventilation. It is recommended to pick the berries before watering, so the strawberries will last longer without releasing juice. Do not leave the harvested crop in a sunny place, the berries will become soft. The fruits are collected together with the sepals; the berries are less damaged and stored longer.

The strawberry variety Ruby Pendant is easy to grow and zoned for the temperate continental climate of our country. It can be grown in risky farming areas, the main thing is not to forget about covering the berries for the winter. If you follow the elements of care, the strawberry Ruby Pendant will give you a harvest of delicious, bright berries.