Description and characteristics of Kent variety strawberries, cultivation and propagation

The process of growing Kent strawberries is not particularly difficult if you know the basic points and use healthy seedlings for planting. This Canadian variety of berry crop attracts the attention of gardeners for its relative undemandingness to growing conditions, resistance to adverse environmental factors and high productivity rates.

General characteristics and description of the variety

Strawberry Kent, according to the description, forms a tall, erect bush. The color of its leaf mass is dark green, the number of peduncles is huge. The plant is mid-early, harvesting occurs already in early June. Fruiting is characterized as long-lasting; it is possible to harvest two crops per season.

Kent strawberries also ripen in low light conditions. The variety is quite suitable for growing indoors.

Kent strawberries are mostly large, up to 40 grams. Under favorable growing conditions, over 600 grams of fruit can be collected from one bush. The harvest is not afraid of transportation over long distances, it is stored for up to 10 days without loss of taste and commercial qualities. The berries are distinguished by their universal purpose; they are consumed both fresh and used as raw materials for winter preparations.

Advantages and disadvantages of garden strawberries

The positive characteristics of Kent strawberries include:

• high productivity;
• precociousness;
• large fruit;
• excellent consumer qualities;
• sufficient keeping quality;
• resistance to drought, temperature changes, frost;
• increased immunity to major diseases (gray rot, powdery mildew, diseases of the root system).

But the Kent strawberry variety also has weaknesses, including:

• low level of resistance to verticillium;
• the presence of substandard berries in the first harvest.

Features of growing strawberries Kent

In order for the harvest to be stable and rich, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations when planting Kent strawberries.

Time and place of landing

The optimal time for forming a berry plantation is early spring, when the snow melts and warm weather sets in. Autumn planting of Kent strawberries is also acceptable - in September. When growing crops in a cold region, it is better to carry out work in the spring, otherwise the seedlings will not have time to adapt and take root well before the onset of frost.

Preparation of planting material

Preparatory activities should be done a week in advance. The roots of the seedlings are cut to 10 centimeters, treated against fungal diseases with appropriate preparations, sprinkled with soil and placed in a dark, cool room. One hour before planting the Kent strawberries in a permanent place, the bushes are moistened and kept in a solution of garlic infusion to protect them from harmful insects. Clay mash helps prevent the root mass from drying out, and it also promotes better survival.

The rooting process can be accelerated by using a working fluid based on a biogrowth stimulator. Another important point: Kent strawberry seedlings should not have more than 4-5 leaves. This way the plant accumulates its strength faster and grows.

Planting strawberries

Kent strawberries should be planted in well-lit meadows, preferably hills and plains. Groundwater should not lie 50 centimeters below the surface of the earth. Abundant fruiting of the variety is observed on fertile soils; it is recommended to fertilize depleted soils with organic matter (rotted manure, compost) before planting.

Planting nests for Kent strawberries are placed at a distance of 40 centimeters from each other. First, the holes are watered, and then the prepared seedlings are planted. Young rosettes along with buds are planted with a lump of earth.Sprinkle the Kent strawberry bushes with fertile soil, leaving the root collar open - above ground level.

For better root formation and adaptation, it is recommended to plant seedlings in the evening, in cloudy weather. When planting, do not allow excessive soil moisture, otherwise there is a high probability of developing root rot.

Subtleties of crop care

Among the main measures for caring for Kent strawberries are: removal of weeds, irrigation, loosening, and carrying out preventive procedures against diseases and pests.

Shelter

When growing berry crops under a thin film cover, it is possible to significantly increase yields. Unlike open cultivation, this method allows gardeners to harvest Kent strawberries twice per season.

Trimming

Despite the weak intensity of the process of mustache formation, the bushes still need pruning. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the fall, combining it with the removal of old leaves. It is enough to leave 1-2 tendrils on each plant; excess shoots are cut off using sharp and disinfected pruners.

Watering

The strawberry variety Kent responds gratefully to moderate and regular watering. It is especially urgently needed during periods of severe drought. To prevent oxygen starvation of the roots, the soil should be loosened after irrigation and weeds should be removed. To avoid the development of fungal diseases, do not overdo it with watering; stagnation of moisture is also dangerous because it reduces the frost resistance of the bush.

It is necessary to moisten strawberries at the root or by sprinkling (in spring).

Wintering

You can protect bushes from the negative effects of freezing temperatures by using additional shelter.First you need to remove all old leaves, treat with drugs against diseases and parasites, and thoroughly loosen the soil between the rows.

In regions with harsh winters, it is more advisable to protect plantings with a mulch layer of fallen leaves, rotted vegetation, and straw. To prevent plants from being blocked in the spring, the shelter is removed as soon as the snow melts.

Mulching

To retain moisture in the soil and make it easier to care for strawberry bushes, mulch is used. Dried grass, straw, compost, rotted sawdust, and humus are excellent for these purposes. The optimal thickness of such a layer is 6-8 cm. An excellent mulching option is the use of black film.

Top dressing

In the spring, it is recommended to feed the berry plantation with preparations with a high concentration of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate). In summer and autumn, potassium-phosphorus compounds such as superphosphate and potassium sulfate are needed.

Treatment for diseases and pests of strawberries

The Kent variety has a high degree of resistance to major diseases, but there is a danger of gray rot and the Colorado potato beetle. Preventive measures will help prevent the occurrence of such troubles - spraying the plantings with fungicidal agents. If signs of verticillium infection have been identified, the diseased bushes should be removed from the ground and burned. This disease is practically untreatable.

Propagation of garden strawberries

It is more effective to grow a berry crop or rejuvenate a plantation with the help of mustaches. It is recommended to plant them in the summer, choosing specimens of the first and second order, they are strong and hardy. Strong mustaches are sprinkled with soil and watered regularly.

Alternatively, you can place them in suitable containers, also moisten them, and when they take root well, separate them from the mother bush. Regular plastic cups and seedling pots are suitable for these purposes. By the time they are planted in a permanent place, they should have 5-6 leaves.

The best time for planting is early August, so that young plants have time to take root and recover before the onset of cold weather.

Harvest and storage

The fruits are harvested in May-June. To prevent damage to the crop, it should be collected in a timely manner, avoiding prolonged contact with the ground. Place the berries in one layer in a plastic or wooden container with holes. It is advisable to remove the fruits with the stalk and calyx.

Strawberry Kent is a plant that, thanks to its unpretentiousness and high productivity, can be grown even by novice gardeners. When growing it, it is enough to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology and plant only high-quality seedlings. Reviews about the variety are predominantly positive.