Description of Gariguetta strawberries, planting and care rules
The dessert variety was developed at the beginning of the 20th century, presumably in France. It has not become widespread in Europe, since it is considered elite and is not grown on an industrial scale. But many gardeners grow Gariguetta strawberries in their backyards, appreciate it for its excellent tasting qualities, rich taste and aroma, and high immunity.
Description and characteristics of strawberry Gariguetta
A feature of the Gariguetta variety is the elongated conical shape of the fruit. Cultivation on an industrial scale for sale in stores is impossible, since strawberries have a low degree of preservation and cannot tolerate transportation.
Berries
Description of fruits:
- the pulp is soft, juicy;
- surface color is light red;
- pronounced aroma and taste;
- achenes are immersed in the pulp;
- surface roughness is characteristic;
- in the first fruits, the shape is ribbed, in the next it becomes varied;
- partial ripening is possible when the end of the berry remains unripe;
- the mass of the first fruits is 70 g, by the end of the season the berries become smaller, do not exceed 30 g.
Leaves
Medium size, deep green. The surface of the leaf plate is slightly rough. The shape is rounded, light green veins are expressed. The bush is medium in size but strong. The root system is developed.
Bush yield
With standard agrotechnical measures, the yield per plant is about 400 g. If intensive agricultural technology is used, then the bush can give 600 g.
Peduncles
The flower is white, large for this type of culture, has a bowl-shaped shape. The core is yellow. The flowering shoot is strong, under optimal conditions it produces about 20 flowers.
The formation of stepsons is abundant, due to which up to 20 rosettes are formed on one plant.
The Gariguetta variety is characterized by a high reproduction rate.
Climate
The variety was created in the south of France, therefore, with proper care, it grows well in the southern regions of Ukraine, in central Russia.
Optimal for strawberries Gariguetta is a temperate climate with no intense heat during the growing season. With prolonged hot weather and the scorching sun, the taste of the berries deteriorates. But in cold climates, sour fruits are formed.
Pros and cons of the variety
The problem with growing Gariguetta is that the fruits are tasty and aromatic only in suitable climatic conditions.In the Russian climate, varietal qualities are often lost.
Advantages of Gariguetta strawberries grown under optimal conditions:
- rich taste and aroma;
- soft, melting flesh in the mouth;
- good productivity;
- abundant mustache formation, which allows you to independently prepare planting material;
- immunity to infection and insects.
The disadvantages of the Gariguetta variety can appear when grown in the Russian climate:
- the unevenness of the size and shape of the fruits;
- poor weight gain, excessive stretching and narrowing of berries, if the summer is cool;
- the need to shade the plantation in hot and sunny weather;
- high acidity of fruits grown in rainy summer.
Cultivation of culture
Gariguetta strawberries are propagated by seed and vegetative method. The second option is used more often, since a mustache with multiple rosettes provides an abundance of planting material.
Landing dates
Gariguetta strawberries are planted either in the last days of August, or in spring, after warming up the soil.
In the northern regions and the Middle Lane, where the climate is cool, the bushes are planted in elevated areas, mulching is used. In the southern regions, where there is constant heat during the growing season, the strawberry plantation is shaded with an awning.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Strawberry Gariguetta loves loose, airy, fertile soil. Do not plant it in loam and sandy loam. In the lowland, the fruits rot, so the selected area should be elevated, fenced off from strong winds.
The soil is prepared for planting in the fall:
- remove the remains of leaves and weeds;
- dug to a depth of about 25 cm;
- fertilize, use peat (5 kg per 1 m2), superphosphate (50 g per 1 m2) and potassium sulfate (30 g per 1 m2).
Preparation of planting material
For vegetative propagation, rosettes with a fully developed central part and formed roots are chosen. The bushes are carefully cut off from the mother plant, dug out, and transferred with an earthen lump to the chosen place.
When buying planting material, they carefully examine the leaves: they should not be dry. The central part must be formed, the root system must be developed. Purchased seedlings are treated with a drug against fungal infection before planting.
Landing rules
Leave at least 40 cm between the bushes. The row spacing is 50 cm. With a dense arrangement of bushes, the mustache is difficult to develop.
Strawberries are planted on a cloudy day. The first days after planting, the beds are shaded so that the bushes feel comfortable and take root faster.
Landing Algorithm:
- dig shallow holes;
- a bush or two is placed in each recess;
- straighten the roots;
- watered;
- cover the hole with earth;
- mulch the beds.
Subtleties of strawberry care
The Gariguetta variety is unpretentious, but only in optimal climatic conditions. It is difficult to care for strawberries on the territory of the CIS countries.
Watering and feeding
In greenhouse conditions, it is watered with a drip method twice in 10 days. When grown outdoors, the frequency of watering is determined by the abundance of rainfall. If the season is dry, watered in the same way as in a greenhouse. If the weather is rainy, there is no need to water.
Fertilization:
- in spring, when the first leaves appear - urea;
- after flowering - potassium, phosphorus, a mixture of organic matter and ash;
- at the beginning of fruit formation - a growth stimulator.
Mulching and loosening
Mulching is an obligatory procedure for growing both in the greenhouse and in the open field. Peat, pine needles, straw are placed immediately after planting.
If the beds are covered with agrofibre, you do not need to loosen. If the ground is open, then loosening is carried out when a crust forms on the soil surface. Don't forget about weed control.
Preparing for winter
Gariguetta strawberries won't survive the winter if not protected. To protect from the cold, the bushes are tightly covered with needles and straw, and a film is placed on top. You can put arcs and stretch agrofiber.
In the southern regions, a film cover for the winter is not required. It is enough to put a thick layer of mulch.
Diseases and pests of strawberries
Strawberry Gariguetta has high immunity. The only problem that a gardener may face is mold on the fruit, but not due to infection, but due to contact with excessively moist soil.
Of the pests, slugs most often attack strawberries. They are fought with the drug Karbofos.
Strawberry harvesting and storage technology
The fruits are harvested several days before they are fully ripe. The collection is carried out in the morning, after the dew has dried, or in the evening. Dried fruits last longer. For collection, take wooden boxes or plastic containers. The bottom is covered with paper. The berries are picked carefully, the tails are not cut off.
Store the crop in the refrigerator. The shelf life does not exceed 3 days. At room temperature, the berries lie no more than a day.
For long-term storage, strawberries will have to be frozen. But after defrosting, the berries break apart, they cannot be consumed fresh. They are used to prepare compotes, smoothies, desserts.
