Description and characteristics of the Sonata strawberry variety, planting and care
Holland breeders have presented the world not only with many types of tulips, but also elite berry varieties. New hybrids have been developed to produce varieties with good mouthfeel, high density structure and transportability. The above-mentioned characteristics are possessed by the Sonata strawberry variety.
Description and characteristics of the Sonata variety
The variety was bred in 1990. The bushes are small, there are few antennae. Peduncles are strong, anthers are large. Sonata is a dessert variety that stands out for its sweet taste with a slight sourness. The berries are in the shape of a wide cone, evenly red.
Positive and negative sides of strawberries
The variety is notable for the following advantages:
- compact bushes;
- resistant to many diseases;
- frost-resistant;
- unpretentious, quickly adapts;
- bears fruit for a long time (from mid-summer to early autumn);
- the structure has a high density, which allows you to collect and transport berries without prejudice to the presentation;
- suitable for industrial and dessert cultivation;
- brings a great harvest.
However, the variety has certain disadvantages:
- the mustache is poorly formed;
- weakly resistant to verticellosis;
- at high humidity, the heart and roots begin to rot;
- bushes must be intensively fertilized, and balanced trace elements must be introduced into the soil.
Plant growing rules
If a gardener plans to grow Sonata strawberries, he needs to figure out when and where it is better to plant this berry, how to choose the right seedlings and plant. If you follow all the rules of cultivation, you can harvest a good harvest.
Landing dates
It is advisable to plant seedlings in the middle of summer or in March. The seedlings planted in the summer adapt to a new place, they form buds, which will bring harvest next season. Planting seedlings in March is also considered a good option, it provides favorable conditions for the growing season.
The worst months to plant are August and September. The bushes will barely have time to adapt, but they will not accumulate strength for the winter season.
Selection of seedlings
Having chosen the right seedlings, the gardener guarantees himself that he will harvest in the first, maximum second season. Each seedling should have four to five leaves. There should be no stains or deposits on them. The color is uniform and the skin is firm. A sign of a good seedling is considered to be a thick horn (from 7 to 8 millimeters).
Sluggish shoots do not need to be taken. It is better to choose fresh shoots, the rhizomes of which have a fibrous shape, more than 70 millimeters long. Experienced gardeners claim that seedlings grown using frigo technology show themselves well.
Drop off location
The beds should be done in a sunlit area. It is desirable that the landing site has protection from wind gusts in the form of trees or bushes that grow nearby. An elevated level of groundwater or the presence of a vegetable garden in a low-lying area can cause rotting of rhizomes, fungal infections. Therefore, it is better to plant bushes on a hill.
Landing technology
Landing is required taking into account the following recommendations:
- The seedling rhizomes need to be carefully distributed in the recess, making sure that they do not curl up into a ball.
- The growth point (heart) should protrude slightly above the earth's surface.
- Bushes are not prone to overgrowth, therefore they need to be planted at a distance of 250-300 millimeters from one another.
- Upon completion of planting, the land is well watered and mulched.
Nuances of culture care
According to the description of the Sonata strawberry variety, getting a good harvest is possible only if the rules of care are followed. It is not so difficult to understand them, even a novice gardener can do it.
Watering, weeding and loosening
After planting, the bushes need to be watered abundantly. When they adapt, the water volume can be reduced. It is necessary to water the soil before the end of September so that the bushes gain strength for wintering.
Irrigation in spring should be intensive during flowering and reduced during fruit ripening (minimum 7 liters per square meter). Monitor the condition of the soil, do not allow excessive moisture.
Watering should be done twice a week. It is recommended to water the bushes with a rain or drip method.
Weeding is a mandatory procedure when it comes to growing Sonata strawberries. If the beds are clean, pests will not accumulate on them. In addition, strawberry bushes will receive more essential trace elements.
It is required to loosen the soil after each irrigation or rain. When loosening the soil, remove the weeds. It is recommended to remove weeds at least three times during the season.
Fertilization and mulching
Strawberries are very demanding to feed. The fertilizers used should include magnesium, manganese components, iron, and other elements. In the spring season, it is recommended to use nitrogen-containing top dressing, which accelerates growth.
Before the bushes begin to bloom, treat the soil with Azophos, dilute 2 tablespoons of this substance in a bucket of water. To increase the yield, spray the bushes with a solution consisting of a bucket of water and Ryazanochka and Sudarushka compositions (5 milliliters each).
Mulching the soil is required with compost or rotted manure. Mulching must be carried out 6 months or 14 days before planting. Use green manure to disinfect the soil.
Providing frost protection
At the end of summer, strawberries need to be cut, cleaned from weeds, debris. In early autumn, the soil must be fertilized with manure, which has rotted, or with mineral fertilizing. In October, the soil is covered with straw or agrofibre (layer thickness - 50 millimeters).
Diseases, pests and methods of prevention from them
The variety is not as susceptible to powdery mildew as other types of strawberries. However, in the Sonata strawberry bushes, the heart and rhizomes often rot. It is also very susceptible to verticillium.
To prevent illness, follow these guidelines:
- plant seedlings at the distance indicated above, do not allow the beds to thicken;
- clean plants from leaves and branches that are damaged;
- perform rejuvenation;
- refuse to use fresh manure;
- process the rhizomes of the seedlings before planting with a weak manganese solution;
- do not allow the soil to be dry or waterlogged.
Having found verticillosis, treat the plants with special means. You can use Benorado, Fundazol. You can prevent the spread of gray mold by spraying the bushes with Teldor, Bayleton.
Sonata breeding rules
The propagation of the Sonata strawberry is carried out:
- seeds;
- dividing the bush into parts;
- antennae.
When the bushes grow, few tendrils form on them, which is why the corresponding breeding method is rarely used. The most commonly used method is to divide the bush into parts. It is implemented according to the following algorithm:
- Digging up an adult plant.
- Neat separation of rhizomes.
- Placement of the rhizomes of each part into a rooting machine.
- Planting strawberries.
Harvesting and storage of crops
The variety is considered to be quite fruitful. For a season, one plant can get 1.5-2 kilograms of fruit. If strawberries grew in greenhouses, then from one square it is possible to get up to 14 kilograms of fruit.
The collected fruits are placed in plastic / wood boxes, which are lined with soft paper or fabric material. The berries are placed in one layer. It is not worth going through the fruits before laying them for storage. It can be done later, before the berries are eaten. The slightest movement of fruits in the container can provoke their damage, because of which they quickly darken or rot.
The berries need to be cooled to zero or two degrees as soon as possible after picking. Chilled berries can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Uncooled fruits retain their freshness for only 1 day.
For storage, use glass jars or containers with lids. It is not necessary to rinse the fruits before laying, they will produce juice.
Growing berries is an interesting and rewarding activity, especially if you get a large harvest. The Sonata strawberry is considered fruitful, the main thing is to try and provide proper care for the bushes of this plant.
