- Authors: Italian selection
- Taste: sweet, aromatic
- The size: large
- Size, cm: 7-15 cm
- Weight: up to 30 g
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 0.8 kg per bush
- Ripening terms: early
- Description of the bush: medium density, large
- Berry color: bright red
The early strawberries of Delhi (Dely) were presented to the world by Italian scientists. A hardy plant with high yields. It immediately became very popular among gardeners. The variety can be grown in a greenhouse or outdoors. Suitable for continental climates due to its winter hardiness.
Description of the variety
Delhi strawberries grow in large bushes of medium density. The leaves are dark green. High yield and winter hardiness distinguish the variety from the rest. Main advantages:
- large fruits and early ripening;
- prolonged fruiting;
- the crop easily transfers transportation over long distances;
- dessert and aromatic berries;
- the variety grows both in the greenhouse and in the open field.
Delhi strawberries are especially demanding on soil fertility. During the period of prolonged rains, the berries lose their sweet taste and become more neutral. During care, it is important to monitor the formation of the mustache, to remove them in time. However, the advantages of the variety usually outweigh all the disadvantages.
Ripening terms
The crop can be harvested at the beginning of June. Under favorable conditions, the fruits ripen in about 1.5 months. The early ripening of Delhi strawberries is a feature of the variety. Moreover, the fruiting period is quite long.
Yield
From one bush, you can collect about 800 g of strawberries. It is noteworthy that the crop is easy to transport. It is enough just to put the berries in boxes made of wood or cardboard in 1-2 layers. Delhi strawberries begin to bear fruit quite early, and harvesting can take a long time. This attracts many gardeners.
Berries and their taste
The variety belongs to large-fruited. The bright red heart-shaped berries weigh about 30 g. The fruits are sweet and very aromatic, the smell has a strawberry hue. The pulp is firm and colored. At the same time, the fruits are juicy and do not have pronounced fibers.
Growing features
Delhi strawberries show their positive qualities only with proper care. It is important to ensure regular watering: the soil should not dry out. Excess moisture will cause the berries to lose their sugar content. In a rainy spring, cover the bushes with foil. If there is no rainfall, then it is worth using drip irrigation 2-3 times a week.
Soil quality plays an important role. Loosening should be carried out regularly to a depth of 3-4 cm. It is no longer possible to deepen, there is a risk of damage to the root system. It is also recommended to mulch the beds with organic matter. It is convenient to grow Delhi strawberries on black agrofibre, which allows moisture and air to pass through, but does not allow weeds to grow.
Tracking the formation of the whiskers and their removal plays an important role in the care. If there is no intention to propagate Delhi strawberries, then the shoots should simply be cut off. Otherwise, the bed will quickly overgrow with a mustache. Thickened plantings give less yield, since the mother bushes give a lot of strength to the young shoots.
Site selection and soil preparation
Disembarkation takes place from late July to early September. The site must be well lit. Make sure the strawberries will not be exposed to northerly winds. It is important that the groundwater flows as deep as possible. The soil must be fertile.
Mail preparation begins 2-3 weeks before disembarkation. A site should be dug up and about 8 kg of humus and 200 g of wood ash should be added for each 1 m2. 400-500 g of lime, dolomite flour are added to the acidified soil per 1 m2. Strawberries can be planted at pH 5.2 to 5.5.
Pollination
Delhi strawberry blossoms start quite early. This produces a large amount of pollen. This is more than enough for adequate pollination. No further action is required.
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.
Diseases and pests
There is no need to use harsh chemicals for processing, because Delhi strawberries are immune to diseases of the aerial part. However, resistance can decrease if the plant is poorly cared for. It is necessary to remove weeds on time, maintain optimal soil moisture, organize drainage during precipitation. Here are some folk remedies for maintaining the health of Delhi strawberries:
- tobacco dust in the aisles will protect against slugs;
- from various parasites, garlic can be planted between bushes and beds;
- a decoction of 100 g of hot pepper per 1 liter of water will protect against aphids, ants and weevils (you can use it before flowering or after harvesting).
You can spray the beds 2-3 times a season with a solution of mustard powder. To do this, pour 100 g of the component into a bucket of water and stir thoroughly after a couple of hours. The universal composition will protect strawberries from bacterial diseases and scare away pests. With proper care, the plant is practically not attacked.
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
In the season, the most productive bushes should be highlighted. In the spring, peduncles are broken off on selected specimens. For reproduction with a mustache, it is enough to leave 2 sockets, which are located close to the mother bush. Place glasses with nutritious soil under them. At the end of summer, plants with roots can be transplanted into soil.
