Description and characteristics of the Marshal strawberry variety, cultivation and care
Among the unpretentious and highly productive varieties, the Marshal strawberry can be noted. It is also appreciated for its quick adaptation to growing conditions, large fruit size and good taste. To grow a rich strawberry harvest, you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with its main characteristics and features of planting, care.
General information
The American breeder M.F.Well became the author of the fruitful strawberry (1890). After the Second World War, the Marshal variety was already known in Japan and European countries.
Description
Marshal strawberry has a strong and spreading structure. The bush does not exceed 15 cm in height, its root system is strong enough. The stems are straight and strong, the deciduous mass is distinguished by a light green color, externally the plates resemble umbrellas.
According to the description, Marshal strawberry has thick peduncles, on which a large number of flowers are formed. They are large, white, bright yellow hearts. They look out over the leaves quite a bit. When the berries reach their technical maturity, the flower stalks tilt towards the ground.
The Marshal variety is positioned as a large-fruited plant, its berries have an average weight of 40-60 g, but under favorable growing conditions they can reach 90 g. Their color is bright red, the surface is glossy. The shape is wide, wedge-shaped, in the upper part there is a concave spout.
Consumer qualities are excellent: sweet taste with a slight sourness, rich strawberry aroma. The pulp stands out for its juiciness, light red color and the absence of internal cavities. Since the density of the pulp is average, the variety does not tolerate long-distance transportation. But due to its excellent presentation and taste, it is in high demand.
Specifications
The Marshall strawberry variety belongs to the category of medium ripening. With competent agricultural technology and comfortable climatic conditions, up to 1 kg of berries can be harvested from one bush. The highest productivity indicators are observed in the first year after planting strawberries in a permanent place, in subsequent years they noticeably decrease.
The berry culture is not afraid of subzero temperatures, withstands frosts at -30 ° C. She also has a high degree of endurance to dry weather, as well as many fungal infections.
Strawberry advantages and disadvantages
Both experienced and novice gardeners note the following positive characteristics of the Marshal variety:
- high taste;
- large-fruited;
- excellent yield indicators;
- long fruiting period;
- friendly ripening of fruits;
- sufficient resistance to adverse environmental factors;
- good survival rate;
- universal purpose of fruits;
- increased immunity to major ailments;
- frost resistance;
- drought resistance;
- high ability to form a mustache;
- there is no need for additional feeding.
But, despite the whole list of advantages, Marshal strawberries also have some disadvantages:
- low degree of transportability;
- decrease in yield in the second year after planting;
- the need for regular antennae removal.
Given the strengths and weaknesses of the berry culture, it is possible to harvest the richest harvest possible.
Cultivation of varieties Marshal
Although strawberries do not belong to capricious crops, for better rooting and vegetation, certain recommendations must be followed.
The right time
The optimal time for planting is early spring, when warm weather sets in and the threat of return frosts has passed. In regions with a warm climate, it is possible to plant Marshal strawberries in late autumn. It is recommended to plant seedlings in a permanent place 2-3 weeks before the onset of cold weather.
Site selection and soil requirements
To provide Marshal strawberries with favorable growing conditions, it is necessary to plant them in clearings that are sufficiently lit and protected from through winds. It is best if the place for planting strawberries will be on the south side of a plot with a flat surface.
The area where moisture constantly accumulates during atmospheric precipitation is not suitable for growing berry crops. Soil with excessive moisture provokes the development of putrefactive processes on the root system of plants.
It is more expedient to plant strawberries in the beds where garlic, onions, legumes, radishes, radishes, spicy plants, and carrots grew before. But the places where potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers used to grow are not suitable for planting garden strawberries. The soil for strawberries should be with a slightly acidic environment, sandy loam or loamy. Also with good air and moisture permeability.
Before planting work, the soil must be loosened, fertilized with organic matter. If the soil is loamy, then you need to add sawdust, sand, wood ash. In order to avoid contamination of seedlings with pathogenic microorganisms, when digging the soil, all weeds are removed along with the roots.
Preparation of seedlings
Before planting plants in the ground, they are processed. The roots are immersed in a potassium permanganate solution for several minutes and washed with clean water. For better rooting, they can be kept in a growth stimulant solution.
Landing scheme
Given the active growth of the upper part of the strawberries, when planting, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 25 cm between seedlings, and 80 cm between rows. You can also plant the bushes diagonally.
Strawberry planting technology:
- Dig holes, the depth of which is determined by the size of the plant root.
- Place the seedlings in the holes, straighten the roots.
- Sprinkle with soil, tamp.
- Water abundantly.
After a few days, the soil must be loosened to prevent the formation of a crust on the surface.
The nuances of caring for the variety
The main activities for the care of Marshal strawberries include: removing weeds, loosening, moistening the soil, carrying out protective manipulations against diseases and pests.
Watering and feeding
From the beginning of the growing season, strawberries need to be irrigated regularly until harvesting. The optimal time for procedures is in the morning and evening hours. Watering is carried out at the root. In hot weather, the bushes are moistened 2-3 times a week.
Feeding procedures are performed in May, early summer and autumn, it is especially important to introduce nutrition at the stage of flowering and ovary formation. It is best to use herbal infusions, chicken solution, wood ash, mullein for these purposes. In the case of thinning of the shoots, potassium sulfate, ash or potassium nitrate are used.
Weeding and loosening
To prevent oxygen starvation and provide moisture access to the strawberry roots, you need to regularly destroy weeds and loosen the soil. On clogged soils, the culture grows frail.
Mulching
To retain moisture in the soil, mulch is used - straw. In addition, such an agricultural practice allows you to reduce the growth of weeds, avoid contact of fruits with the ground, and increase the fertility of the site.
Protection against diseases and pests
It is possible to prevent the appearance of parasites on strawberries by processing with special preparations in the flowering phase and after picking the fruits. It is also effective to plant spicy crops, marigolds, calendula between plants. You can prevent the development of fungal diseases by spraying the bushes with fungicidal agents, cutting off the regrown antennae.
Propagation of strawberries
It is possible to breed the Marshal variety with the help of seeds, and with the help of a mustache, and dividing the bushes. The first method is more time consuming, it is best to use the other two. The mustache of the first order is sprinkled with soil, regularly moistened, and when they take root, they are separated from the mother bush. Delenki should have 3-4 leaves, one shortened shoot and healthy roots.
Harvesting and storage rules
It is recommended to pick strawberries two days before reaching full technical maturity. The fruits are laid in one layer in a plastic or wooden container with holes. Harvesting should be done in dry weather. Before storage, the berries are cooled to 0-2 ° C.
Marshall strawberry is not a capricious and productive plant that bears fruit in any conditions. The main thing is to follow the correct agricultural techniques and choose high-quality seedlings.
