Description and characteristics of the strawberry variety Vima Zanta, cultivation and propagation

Growing large-fruited strawberries Vima Zanta is a relatively recent hobby for gardeners. However, despite this, the culture has a large number of positive reviews and is in demand among both experienced gardeners and beginners. This is due to the crop’s productivity and attractive characteristics.

Description and characteristics of garden strawberries

The species was formed as a result of mixing the Elsanta and Corona varieties. The variety of berries is early ripening, yield begins in late May - early June.

Description of the fruit:

• large, red;
• the skin is dense, the flesh is sweet with notes of strawberries;
• the shape of the first berries is oval, the remaining harvests have a slightly elongated shape;
• first harvest in the first year after planting.

General characteristics of the variety:

• large bushes, boat-shaped leaves;
• inflorescences are lowered to the ground;
• yield up to 800 grams;
• the hybrid does not belong to the remontant varieties;
• berry weight up to 30-40 grams;
• resistance to diseases and low temperatures.

With sufficient moisture, the berries reach large sizes, which can often lead to the formation of voids inside.

Pros and cons of strawberries

The garden strawberry variety has the following advantages:

The culture is suitable for cultivation by gardeners who have experience in caring for strawberries.

The nuances of growing the Vima Zanta variety

Planting the crop is standard, but following some nuances will allow you to get a harvest in the first year.

Time and place for landing

When choosing a planting site, it is necessary to select an area that is well lit by the sun and with rich soil. Planting strawberries in the shade can reduce their taste.It is also not recommended to place beds on hillsides or in places where liquid may accumulate. The planting site for large areas of crops must be chosen in such a way that it is convenient to install a drip irrigation system.

Plants are planted in the fall in mid-September, and seedlings are prepared in the spring in February. After the snow melts, when the soil warms up, it is planted in open ground under a film.

Preparation of seedlings

The Vima Zanta strawberry variety requires a high-quality selection of planting material. For seedlings grown in greenhouses, it is necessary to carry out hardening procedures several weeks before planting. This process will further reduce the risk of diseases and speed up the period of adaptation to the new place of growth.

When using purchased seedlings, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:

• the root must be developed and have up to 4 main processes;
• leaves without damage;
• the root length must be at least 7 cm;
• pink bud without rot or dryness.

If there are dark spots on the root, it is not recommended to use such planting material, since the plant will take a long time to recover and is often susceptible to disease.

Planting process

The soil is prepared by clearing the area and adding humus. After the soil has settled, it is necessary to perform the following algorithm of actions:

• make holes up to 10 cm deep, maintaining a distance of up to 40 cm between holes;
• the cutting is lowered into the hole and the roots are straightened;
• after the seedling is placed, the hole is filled with earth and lightly compacted;
• it is necessary to sprinkle with earth so that the top bud is on the outside;
• the beds are watered with warm water and covered with a layer of mulch or plastic film.

The strawberry variety requires a lot of space, so a distance of at least 60 cm is maintained between the beds.

Rules for caring for crops

In order for the crop to quickly strengthen and begin to develop, it is necessary to properly care for it and promptly water and fertilize it.

Soil and fertilizers

Strawberries are demanding on the soil, so it is necessary to fertilize them regularly. It is not recommended to use alkaline or overly oxidized soil. Strawberries take root well on moist sandy soil with a humus content of at least 3%.

To saturate the soil with all the necessary components, you must follow the following bait algorithm:

The amount of fertilizing depends on the type of soil; additional compounds can be used if the gardener notices symptoms of mineral deficiency in the crop.

Watering and humidity

Garden strawberries prefer moisture, so watering is carried out regularly every three days. For productivity, it is necessary to use drip irrigation, with the help of which the plant will receive the required amount of moisture without being exposed to diseases such as rot and root intertrigo.

Relation to temperature

The berries tolerate high temperatures and hot periods of the season. The fruits do not bake in the sun and retain their presentation. The plant is frost-resistant.However, with a strong drop in temperature, the root may be damaged, which will lead to diseases and weakness of the bush. Therefore, before winter, the bushes must be covered with a layer of mulch.

Disease and pest control

Wima Zant's garden strawberries are disease resistant. However, it is necessary to highlight the following possible diseases:

• Powdery mildew - damages leaves and shoots, has the appearance of a white coating. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to spray 50 grams of Karbofos per 10 liters of water.
• Gray rot - appears on the fruits and stems and roots of the plant. Damaged areas of the bush are removed, the remaining plants are treated with Horus or iodine in the proportion of 1 drop per 1 liter of water.
• Aphids - attack young plants and lead to yellowing and drying out of the bush. To eliminate it, use a soap solution.

Diseases most often occur as a result of infected seedlings that were planted in the ground. To reduce this risk, it is necessary to carefully inspect planting material for the presence of pest eggs and disease symptoms.

Strawberry propagation

The plant can reproduce in the following ways:

1. Dividing the bush. A strong bush is selected and divided into several parts.
2. Usami. The plant produces a large number of tendrils during the season, which are recommended to be removed. Several bushes are left for propagation; the cuttings are sprinkled with soil and left until roots form. The resulting cuttings are pruned and planted in open ground.
3. Seedlings. Seedlings emerge from seeds that are harvested in the fall. To obtain seeds, you need to mash the ripe berries and wash them. The resulting seeds are dried and planted in containers for seedlings.

Propagation using mustaches is used more often, since there is no need to harm the bush, and the planting material quickly adapts after transplantation.

Difficulties in growing and recommendations

With timely watering, the crop does not cause any difficulties in growing. However, you can notice a decrease in the yield and taste of the fruit. Such situations may arise in the following cases:

• incorrectly selected landing site;
• no fertilizers have been applied to the soil;
• the soil is depleted and its composition is not suitable for strawberries;
• excessive watering;
• wrong neighborhood.

To eliminate difficulties during the growing process, it is necessary to review the rules for caring for the plant. Very often, the wrong neighbors, such as raspberries and currants, take all the necessary useful components from the soil and lead to strawberry diseases. This fact must be taken into account before planting.

Strawberries also deplete the soil very quickly, so after 4-5 years they need to be replanted to a new place of growth.

INimportant. To prevent the berries from being damaged or rotting, it is recommended to use a layer of mulch made from sawdust or pine needles.

Harvesting and storing garden strawberries

The first harvest occurs at the beginning of June. The fruits are large, so deep containers are not used. Wooden boxes in which strawberries are folded in no more than 2 layers and placed in a cool place are considered suitable. It is not recommended to pour berries or expose them to vibration, otherwise the presentation will deteriorate.

Garden strawberries have distinctive taste and are used for fresh consumption and as winter preparations.To ensure that the yield does not decrease, it is necessary to follow simple rules for caring for the plant, which will allow you to enjoy the berries in the first year after planting.