Description and characteristics of strawberries of the Tsarskoselskaya variety, its planting and care

High-yielding varieties of garden strawberries are popular among home garden owners and farmers who grow berries for sale on the market. Among the mid-late varieties, it is recommended to pay attention to the development of domestic breeders - the Tsarskoye Selo strawberry. The variety belongs to the mid-late variety and has a universal purpose. One of the main advantages of strawberries is their unpretentiousness to growing conditions and care.

Main characteristics of strawberries

The Tsarskoselskaya garden strawberry variety was bred by breeders at the Leningrad Experimental Station and entered into the State Register of Fruit Crops in 2002. It is recommended for cultivation in the Central region of Russia, but takes root well in other climatic zones due to its low maintenance requirements.

The originators of the strawberry variety compiled the following description of the crop:

1. The bushes of the garden strawberry variety are semi-spreading, densely leafy, and medium in height.
2. The leaf blades are large, dark green, matte.
3. The ripening period is medium-late - this means that the first berries begin to be picked in late June or early July, depending on the growing region.
4. Thanks to the parent varieties, Tsarskoselskaya withstands weather changes and significant drops in temperature in winter and does not require the creation of special shelter.
5. After the end of flowering, medium-sized fruits are formed on the bushes - the weight of one berry ranges from 50 to 70 grams. When fully ripe, their color becomes dark red, with a pronounced shine, the shape of the strawberries is blunt-conical, sometimes slightly ribbed. The pulp is sweet, with a slight sour taste, has a rich strawberry aroma and was rated 4.6 points by tasters.
6. During the season, a large number of pale red mustaches form on the bushes, so even a novice gardener can propagate the variety on the site.
7. The universal purpose of the fruit allows you not only to enjoy the berries in the summer, but also to make preparations from them for the winter.
8. The variety is characterized by high immunity to major crop diseases.

Positive and negative sides

Domestic gardeners growing the Tsarskoye Selo strawberry variety on their plots noted the following positive characteristics of this variety:

• high productivity - with sufficient care, about 7.4 tons of fruits are harvested per hectare of plantation;
• resistance of bushes to frost and weather changes in summer;
• large berries with a pleasant taste and rich aroma;
• the possibility of reproduction due to the large number of whiskers;
• high transportability and decent presentation of berries.

Tsarskoselskaya has few disadvantages, these include:

• average resistance to strawberry sawfly;
• the need for constant application of fertilizers to obtain the declared yield.

Tips for planting the Tsarskoselskaya variety

To plant garden strawberry seedlings, select an open sunny area; in the shade, the berries will form small and sour. Loams with neutral acidity and high fertility are considered the ideal soil for Tsarskoye Selo. If the soil in the garden does not meet these requirements, it must be improved, otherwise the declared yield will not be achieved.

Algorithm for planting strawberry bushes:

1. Half an hour before planting, the roots of garden strawberries are dipped in a growth stimulator, for example, “Kornevin”, this will help the seedlings adapt faster to a new place.
2. Make shallow holes at a distance of 50 cm from each other.
3. The seedlings are carefully lowered into them, straightening the roots, and covered with the remaining soil.
4. Moisten the plantings generously and place a mulch layer of straw or rotted sawdust around the bushes.

Nuances of care

Despite the fact that Tsarskoye Selo is unpretentious in care, basic procedures should still be carried out. Garden strawberries need regular and abundant irrigation, otherwise the bushes begin to dry out and produce small berries. Use warm, settled water for irrigation; irrigate strawberries once a week; if the weather is very hot, do this every 3-4 days.

The variety will be able to demonstrate the declared yield only if additional nutrients are added. Fertilize the bushes several times throughout the season:

1. The first time fertilizing is necessary in the spring, before flowering begins. Mineral fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen are introduced; it is necessary for the intensive growth of green mass.
2. The second feeding is done when the bushes bloom, using organic matter - bird droppings or mullein.
3. The strawberries are fertilized a third time after fruiting has ended and phosphorus-potassium mixtures are added.

Disease and pest control

The strong immunity of the variety eliminates the need for preventive treatments against gray rot and other common crop diseases.Among insects, strawberries are sometimes attacked by the strawberry sawfly. As a preventive measure, drugs such as Actellik or Fufanon are used.

Collection and storage

Berry picking is carried out in cloudy and dry weather, this way it is possible to extend the fresh shelf life of strawberries. The harvest that could not be eaten immediately is processed into jam and compotes; the fruits can also be frozen.