Description and characteristics of the Zenith strawberry variety, planting and care
Among the variety of varieties of garden strawberries, you should pay attention to Zenith strawberries. According to its characteristics, it is ahead of many hybrids. Its cultivation has some nuances that you need to familiarize yourself with before starting to grow a berry crop.
Description and characteristics of the Zenith garden strawberry variety
Strawberry variety Zenith of the middle ripening period is obtained by crossing Zenga Zengana and Redcoat varieties. A short, herbaceous shrub of medium size with compressed, wrinkled leaves, painted dark green, with a light waxy bloom.
Peduncles are short, medium in thickness, placed below the level of the leaves. Inflorescences are compact, few-flowered. The Zenith variety is prized for its rounded berries, rich red. The average weight of one fruit varies from 16 to 30 g. The juicy pulp is dense, aromatic with a dessert taste.
You can enjoy the taste of aromatic Zenith fruits from mid-July.
Main positive and negative aspects
The advantages of the Zenith strawberry variety, for which it is valued by gardeners, include:
- high and stable yield;
- excellent taste characteristics;
- resistance to diseases inherent in the culture;
- resistance to winter frosts and adaptation to sharp temperature fluctuations;
- transportability without loss of commercial qualities;
- versatility in use, which allows you to use berries not only fresh, but also used when harvesting for the winter;
- ideal for both hobby gardening and commercial cultivation.
The disadvantage of Zenith strawberries is susceptibility to fruit rot and exactingness in regular watering.
The specifics of growing strawberries
Planting Zenith strawberries should be carried out according to certain rules, and the planting material should be selected with great care. A good harvest is guaranteed only if these conditions are met.
Planting material
When choosing planting material, you need to pay attention to the number of real young leaves, of which there should be at least 3, having a healthy green color without dark and white dots. The root system of the seedlings must be branched, at least 7 cm long. Before planting, the roots of the seedlings must be processed. To do this, place the bushes in a weak saline solution for 20-25 minutes. Then rinse them under running water and shorten them to 5-8 cm.
Dates and place
It is necessary to plant seedlings in the spring, as soon as the snow melts, or closer to autumn, in late August, early September in cloudy weather or in the evening hours. The landing site should be level, sunny and protected from the wind. The plant prefers loamy soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. It is better to choose an area with a light, moisture-absorbing and breathable soil.
The plant does not tolerate stagnant water, so if there is a likelihood of flooding the bushes, you need to build high-quality drainage.
Landing
The Zenith strawberry planting technology includes several stages:
- Make holes, keeping the distance between the bushes 20 cm, and between the rows - 40 cm.
- Place the seedlings so that the root collar is flush with the surface.
- The soil is compacted, well watered and mulched.
Important! In the first days after planting, the plants need to be shaded so that they can take root faster.
Tips for caring for garden strawberries
Productivity largely depends on well-done care, so Zenith strawberries need to be surrounded with attention and care.
Watering and feeding
Maintaining the soil in a moist state is considered an important agricultural technique. It is recommended to water according to the following schedule:
- after disembarkation every day for 2 weeks;
- then reduce watering to 1 time in 2 days;
- when the plants take root and get stronger, as needed, preventing the soil from drying out.
It is better to water Zenith strawberries in the morning or evening, using a small amount of water. In the spring, before the start of fruit formation, a universal or organic fertilizer should be applied. During the flowering period, feed the mullein infusion.
Loosening and mulching
The plant is responsive to soil loosening. This helps to preserve moisture in the soil, improve oxygen access to the roots, and remove perennial weeds. Loosen the soil between the rows to a depth of 10 cm, and shallow near the bushes, so as not to harm the root system, which is superficial. When loosening row spacings, pay attention to bare roots. They need soil filling or hilling.
Zenith strawberries love moist, well-drained soil, and the mulch layer will retain valuable moisture for it, create a favorable water-air regime for the roots. Straw, sawdust, pine needles, grass cuttings are suitable as mulch.
Wintering
During the cold season, it is important to prevent plants from freezing. To do this, you need to cover the strawberry bushes with a special material, which can be a layer of straw or dry foliage.
Treatment against diseases and pests
Zenith strawberries are not immune to powdery mildew, gray rot, brown spot and attacks of nematodes, strawberry mites, aphids. There are simple guidelines to help prevent diseases and pests:
- compliance with crop rotation and not growing strawberries in one place for more than 4 years;
- processing of purchased seedlings before and immediately after planting;
- purchase of planting material only in proven places;
- timely destruction of infected plants and weeds and spraying the bushes with special protective equipment;
- planting between rows of plants that repel harmful insects.
Preventive measures take less time and energy than the subsequent fight against diseases and insects.
Strawberry propagation method
The culture can be cultivated using methods such as dividing the bush, seeds and mustache. To divide the bush, use 2-3-year-old plants with a developed root system. In autumn or spring, dig up a fruitful bush and divide it so that each horn has roots and a leaf rosette.Then place the received parts in the designated place.
When propagating a crop with seeds, you need to buy or independently collect seed material, which is planted in small boxes with soil mixture. Then send the containers to a cool place before the first shoots appear. Then transfer the seedlings to a warm, well-lit room for 10 days. After the expiration of the time, plant the seedlings in open ground.
For the propagation of Zenith strawberries with the help of a mustache, it is necessary to outline developed bushes with large berries during fruiting. Choose large outlets and root them. As 4-6 leaves are formed on the rosettes, cut off the mustache and transplant to a permanent place, without shaking off the soil from the roots, and then water.
Harvesting and storage
Experienced gardeners advise harvesting Zenith strawberries in the morning, while plucking the berries with the stalk. When taking off, try not to touch the pulp. After picking the berries, put in a cold place for 2 hours, the temperature of which is 2 degrees.
Store strawberries in a well-ventilated container, such as a plastic container, cardboard or wooden basket.Growing and breeding Zenith strawberries in a garden is not a difficult task, as it might seem at first glance. It is important to plant correctly, take into account all the care recommendations and enjoy the delicious berry.
