- Authors: I.I.Bogdanova on СССС
- Name synonyms: Fragaria Darenka
- Taste: sweet and sour, tender
- The size: large
- Weight: 14 g
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 1.2-1.5 kg per bush
- Ripening terms: early
- Appointment: universal
- Description of the bush: erect, spreading
The strawberry variety Darenka is considered the most suitable crop for cultivation in central Russia, as well as in such difficult conditions as the Urals and Siberia.
Breeding history of the variety
A new variety was obtained on the basis of the CCCC (Sverdlovsk Horticultural Selection Station) by a group of specialists with the participation of I. Bogdanova. At the heart were good and well-known strawberry varieties: Festivalnaya plus Rusanovka. Name synonym: Fragaria Darenka.
Description of the variety
Daryonka is a sample of an early maturing non-renovated strawberry variety with a universal purpose. The culture was appreciated primarily due to its outstanding winter hardiness, unpretentiousness, high stable yields. Daryonka is immune to many diseases, which is also valued no less.
Ripening terms
Darenka - refers to varieties with an early ripening period. The flowering culture occurs in April-May.
Growing regions
The variety is zoned for several Russian territories, such as:
- Central;
- East Siberian;
- West Siberian;
- Volgo-Vyatka regions.
Culture is also cultivated in many other regions of Russia.
Yield
The crop has a fairly high yield level. The bush brings from 1.2 to 1.5 kilograms of berries. On an industrial scale, the crop yield is 108 centners per hectare, and this will be a pretty good result. It can even be assumed that Daryonka is capable of higher yields. True, it is believed that such an indicator is no longer called high, but it cannot be called low for sure.
Berries and their taste
Daryonka strawberries have a dark red hue. The fruits of the variety are considered quite large, because the weight of one is 14 grams. Heart-shaped, with a neck. Strawberry taste and aroma, delicate, sweet, with a slight sourness. The tasters rated the product on a 5-point scale at 4.4.
Growing features
The agricultural technology of the variety is simple and understandable, the strawberry in question does not require any special attention, and the creation of unique conditions does not. Nevertheless, any culture always responds to the efforts of the gardener. Although Darenka can be safely called a berry for the lazy and can be recommended even to a completely inexperienced beginner in this business.
Despite the fact that Daryonka's strawberries will tolerate a drought period, it can still negatively affect yield indicators. For this reason, it is worth watering the plant regularly. However, one must not forget that the variety is not a moisture-loving crop; you should not be too zealous with watering.
It is also important to fertilize strawberries on time - in return, they will only delight with good harvests. And it is also necessary to periodically update the plantation as needed. After all, each subsequent year of growth, the potential for yield decreases, and the immunity of plants worsens.
Site selection and soil preparation
Before starting the planting procedure, it will be necessary to prepare the ground, treat it with fungicidal preparations. This will prevent damage to the plant by gray mold. And soil preparation will reduce the likelihood of damage to the crop by insect pests. To do this, check the beds for the presence of the Colorado potato beetle. It is also important to warm the upper part of the soil well under the sun. It should still be loosened qualitatively, then watered. It is necessary that the beds are perfectly illuminated by the rays of the sun, and trees with high crowns should not be near the plantings.
The absence of strong drafts is highly desirable. The plot chosen for cultivation of strawberries should have a loose type of fertile soil. It is impossible for moisture to accumulate in it - after all, culture is not particularly resistant to all kinds of rot.
When planting between plants in any bed, at least 30 centimeters should be maintained, while the distance between the rows themselves is about 35 centimeters.
Pollination
The Daryonka variety pollinates itself, as it has bisexual flowers.
One of the important techniques in strawberry care is feeding. Regular fertilization guarantees a rich harvest. There are several different ways to feed strawberries, and each of them is designed for a specific period of plant development. During flowering, fruiting and after it, feeding should be different.
Frost resistance and the need for shelter
The main advantage of the Darenka strawberry variety is its excellent indicators of frost resistance. It is not for nothing that it is classified as a species that will be suitable for cultivation in the most difficult territorial climatic and weather conditions.
Daryonka's strawberries can endure very cold winters, including snowless ones, and will feel quite comfortable. However, many gardeners believe that it does not interfere with hedging at all, so you still need to take care of sheltering the strawberry bushes in the winter cold.
Diseases and pests
The strawberry variety Darenka is distinguished by a rather high immunity, which he inherited from his parents. This is definitely one of the benefits of culture. The variety will rarely be affected by fungal infections, but it is especially resistant to white spot. The culture is rather weakly damaged by the strawberry mite.
Strawberries are often subject to many dangerous diseases that can seriously undermine their condition. Among the most common are powdery mildew, gray mold, brown spot, anthracnose, and verticillosis. Before buying a variety, you need to inquire about its disease resistance.
Reproduction
The strawberry variety in question forms quite a lot of whiskers, the presence of planting material should not cause any particular problems.
A variant of reproduction is also possible by dividing the bush.
Finally, with some experience, it is worth trying to grow a strawberry bush from seeds. But this method takes time and a certain desire, since it is quite laborious.
