Description and characteristics of the Kupchikha strawberry variety, cultivation and care
Merchant's wife is a variety of strawberries, which is called such a strange name as a dwarf. The oblong berry resembles a strawberry, and the smell is similar to strawberries. The aromatic variety is remembered for its juicy taste and rich color.
Description and characteristics of the variety
The berry has a unique shape and individual characteristics that make it easy to distinguish it from other varieties.
Plant features
The garden strawberry has a graceful bush covered with large trifoliate dark green leaves. Lush and abundant flowers form during the flowering season. Having white petals, they look very impressive. One bush has from 10 to 15 flowers.
Berries
The first fruits are large in contrast to the subsequent ones. An elongated strawberry with a rich burgundy color with a slight purple dusting. The berries are fragrant, juicy and sweet in taste. Up to 350 g of fruits are harvested from one bush.
Endurance and resilience
The plant can withstand temperatures as low as -24 ° C. Strawberries are not sick with gray mold and powdery mildew. Weather changes do not affect yields.
Advantages and characteristics of the Merchant strawberry
The strawberry variety has a number of benefits:
- Large-fruited. The first specimens are 6 cm long.
- Easy maintenance. Novice gardeners can grow the Merchant's wife.
- Dense pulp. Due to their structure, the berries can withstand long-distance transportation.
- Stable fruiting. Even in unfavorable weather, strawberries will yield a harvest.
- Pleasant taste. When bitten, sweetness and sour notes are felt. The berries themselves have a pronounced musky aroma.
The strawberry variety is universal. Berries are eaten fresh, compotes, preserves, jam are cooked. Strawberries are suitable for freezing. Low temperatures do not destroy useful elements and substances.
Landing nuances
The adaptation of strawberries to a new location depends on proper planting.
Seat selection
As a rule, sunny areas are chosen for strawberry bushes. The merchant's wife grows well in partial shade. Berries are often planted next to fruit trees. With their branches, they protect the bushes from the scorching rays.
In partial shade, strawberry ripening is stretched, but in size it is much larger. Landing on beds with poor ventilation is contraindicated.Unsuitable conditions for bushes - land that does not dry out for a long time after precipitation.
Planting dates, soil preparation and seedlings
If a dugout forms antennae on his own plot, they are planted in a new place from spring to autumn. The main condition is that they must take root before the start of the winter cold snap. Sprouts that were purchased in the spring are kept in a cold and lighted place before planting until the outside temperature stabilizes.
Planting is carried out in nutrient soil, which is carefully prepared. The beds are fertilized with humus if it is not possible to use a mixture of charcoal, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate.
The bushes are treated with root stimulants. To do this, use "Epin" or "Kornevin".
Landing scheme and rules
Disembarkation takes place in early spring or autumn. Maintain a distance between young plants of at least 30 cm. For row spacing, 50 cm is allowed. The best option for planting is staggered.
This strawberry variety grows quickly, so it needs a lot of space.
Care features
The merchant's wife is a variety that does not require careful maintenance. In order for the bushes to grow and delight you with delicious berries, it is enough to follow simple rules.
Watering
Strawberries do not tolerate drying out of the soil, they grow better on moist soils. If there is not enough moisture in the ground, this affects the size and taste of the fruit. The berries become small and lose their sweetness. The mulching procedure keeps the soil moist.
Top dressing
Over-saturation of the soil with fertilizers has the opposite effect - it reduces the yield. Strawberries are fed during flowering and fruit formation. Fertilization is combined with abundant watering to protect the roots from burns.
Shelter for the winter
The need for shelter arises if the variety is planned to be grown in regions with cold winters. Due to the average winter hardiness in the cold season, the bushes die. But this happens if there is no snow on the street. Shelter is not needed if the snow falls before the pointer on the thermometer drops below zero.
Spruce tree is the best protection against frost. From summer, branches of aspen, maple or birch are harvested. If, after pruning fruit trees or bushes, branches remain, they are safely taken as a shelter. An alternative is agrofibre folded in several layers.
Pests, diseases and prevention
The species bred by breeders carries the attack of diseases and pests. Parasites living on strawberries:
- strawberry-raspberry weevil;
- strawberry mite.
The appearance of the plant indicates the presence of parasites. The edges of the leaves are curled, they become stained and dry out. Falling of the ovaries is observed, the berries do not have time to ripen and rot. A diseased plant lags behind in development, in contrast to a healthy one.
Prevention methods:
- Timely collection of ripe berries.
- Regular transfers to a new location.
- Planting with garden crops such as garlic and onions.
- Destruction of affected berries.
- Removal of weeds.
- Treatment with various solutions and preparations that prevent the appearance of diseases and pests.
Bushes affected by pests or diseases are mowed down, leaving a root in the ground. Branches with leaves are burned, and cut bushes are treated with special preparations. After fertilization, the strawberries sprout healthy.
Breeding features
The merchant's wife is a hybrid variety that reproduces exclusively with antennae. Planting seeds for seedlings is not recommended. Bushes grown from seed will lose the characteristics of the variety.
Harvesting and storage
The collection procedure takes place every two days after the berries are ripe. The merchant's fruits are dense, do not lose juice, do not flow. This keeps strawberries in the refrigerator for a week.
Growing difficulties and recommendations
If a person follows these recommendations, there are no difficulties in growing. Poor growth, low yield, infection with diseases and pests testify to mistakes that were made by humans. You can fix them:
- Low yield - the plant has not reached full maturity. In this case, it is recommended to wait until next season.
- Root decay - excessive deepening in the soil, poor plant growth. The problem is solved by replanting.
- Drying out, poor survival rate - non-compliance with planting rules. Gardeners bide their time, letting the strawberries come to life on their own. If possible, the bushes are transplanted to a new place.
- Thin petioles, slow development of bushes, small leaves - there are not enough nutrients in the soil. Complex mineral fertilizers are applied under the root no more than 3 times a month.
The merchant's wife is considered a variety for "lazy" gardeners. When planting bushes in fertile soil in a well-ventilated and well-lit area, care is reduced to removing the mustache and watering. It is possible to grow tasty and aromatic berries with minimal maintenance.
