Remontant strawberries are very popular; many varieties of the crop with this feature have been bred. Let's consider the description and characteristics of Lyubava strawberries, the advantages and disadvantages of the variety, how to choose and prepare beds and soil, how to plant, feed and water, prepare for winter and protect from diseases. How to propagate, harvest berries and store the harvest.
History of variety development
This strawberry variety was bred by Russian breeder S.Aitzhanova, parent forms are varieties Geneva and Solovushka. Lyubava is considered one of the best remontant varieties of culture.
Description and characteristics
The berries of the Lyubava variety are dark red after ripening, the shape is beautiful, oval-rhombic, weight is 30 g. The taste of the berries is reminiscent of wild strawberries, juicy, but dense, so they can withstand transportation. The pulp is red, sweet and aromatic, contains a lot of ascorbic acid and carbohydrates.
Lyubava strawberry bushes are strong, well-leafed, spreading. The leaves are shiny, dark green, medium in size. Peduncles are strong, rising above the leaves. Flowering is long lasting and can be described as continuous.
Advantages and disadvantages of Lyubava strawberries
The Lyubava variety has the following advantages:
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- good frost tolerance;
- excellent berry taste, classic shape;
- productivity.
Disadvantages: consumes a lot of nutrients.
Advice on agrotechnical nuances
The Lyubava variety can be planted in almost any region of Russia. In the middle zone, strawberries bear fruit for 3 months; in the southern regions, fruiting can last up to 5 months. In general, the agricultural technology of the variety is similar to the agricultural technology of other varieties of crops.
Site selection and soil preparation
You need to choose a place for strawberries that is sunny and protected from the winds. The soil reaction should be slightly acidic or neutral.Water should not stagnate in the garden bed, so when groundwater is close or in regions with a humid climate, seedlings should be planted on ridges.
Soil preparation: after harvesting plant residues, dig up the beds and fertilize them with humus, add 0.5 kg of ash and 30-40 g of superphosphate per square meter. m. Afterwards, mix and level everything.
Landing
Planting pattern: 30 cm in rows and row spacing. Under each strawberry, you need to dig holes to a depth so that the roots can fit freely into them. The seedlings are lowered into the holes, the roots are straightened, and sprinkled with earth so that the apical bud is not covered. Pour half a liter of water into the hole and mulch the soil around the seedlings.
The Lyubava variety is suitable for growing in greenhouses, in bags made of dense polyethylene. Bags can be placed in several tiers.
Pollination
If strawberries grow in open beds, the flowers are pollinated by bees. But when growing plants in a greenhouse, you need to take care of pollination, for which you take a soft brush and run it over the flowers to transfer pollen from one to another. In greenhouses with a large area, you can place a hive with bees.
Feeding
The variety bears fruit abundantly and for a long time; the plants consume a lot of nutrients, so they need fertilizing. During the season you need to carry out 5-6 feedings. Use only rotted organic matter, fresh manure is excluded. You can alternate mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers.
Wintering
In terms of cold resistance, the Lyubava variety occupies a leading place among remontant varieties. Plants tolerate winter well, but if the winter is snowless, then you need to cover the beds with agrofibre.
Diseases and pests
Lyubava strawberries are considered resistant to mites, gray rot, spotting, and powdery mildew.But for prevention, plantings should be sprayed with fungicide solutions in order to prevent infection in time. To spray plants that have already produced berries, you should choose biological products that have a short waiting period.
The variety can be affected by nematodes; when plants affected by the pest appear, all diseased specimens must be uprooted and burned. Irrigate the area with a nematicide solution.
Reproduction
The Lubava strawberry does not produce many tendrils, but they may begin to bloom before they have roots. The variety is propagated by layering and dividing bushes. Due to intensive fruiting, plants bear fruit abundantly only for a couple of seasons, then they need to be replaced with young ones.
Harvesting and storing strawberries
Strawberries need to be picked 1-2 days before full ripening. Due to their dense pulp, they can be transported. Thanks to prolonged fruiting, berries can be picked throughout the summer and early autumn. Strawberries are used to make sweet homemade preparations - preserves, jams, assorted dishes.
Strawberries of the Lyubava variety are cold-resistant, so they can be chosen for planting in both the southern and northern regions of the country. Maintainability ensures high productivity. Disease resistance makes plant care easier. Strawberries are suitable for growing and propagating in personal plots - in open beds and in greenhouses. In the latter case, strawberries can be planted in bags, in which they produce a harvest no less than in the fresh air.
