Strawberry Deroyal

Bred by French breeders, the Deroyal or Deroyal strawberry, as it is also called, is considered one of the best new varieties for planting on personal backyard plots in Europe, but so far it is little known in Russia. It is distinguished by the preservation of large-fruited throughout the collection. Even in extreme heat, the berries remain large and juicy.

Deroyal forms rather strong bushes up to 30 cm high, neat but strong. The leaf blade of this variety is dark green, directed upwards, not towards the ground. Peduncles are strong, are formed in large numbers, practically do not bend under the mass of berries. The bushes are drought tolerant. Whiskers require rationing during the fruiting period, the beds can quickly overgrow.

Deroyal strawberries are characterized by medium ripening times. It bears fruit already at the beginning of June.

The yield of Deroyal strawberries is above average, up to 1-2 kg per bush.

Deroyal bears fruit with beautiful dark red berries of regular conical shape. The size of the fruit is large, the mass reaches 50 g. The dense pulp of the berry has a sweet taste, traditional strawberry aroma. Ripe strawberries darken and are well stored.

Plants are planted during the spring months, from March to May. Every 2 years it is necessary to rejuvenate the plantation by replanting strawberries. The variety is adapted for greenhouse cultivation. When planting, it is important not to deepen its "heart" too much - it should be on the ground. Violation of this rule can lead to the death of young plants.

For this variety, pruning of damaged shoots, wilted leaves is required. Excess mustache, fruiting peduncles are also removed. When growing, it is recommended to mulch the soil surface with straw, periodically changing it to dry and clean litter. The first flower stalks may require protection from the last frost.

To plant the Deroyal variety in the open field, it is necessary to prepare a bed in a well-lit place on the site. It is important that there is no high groundwater nearby. Deroyal does not like waterlogging. On marshy or too dense soils, drainage may be required so that water can be drained from the roots in time.

Soil requirements are minimal. The best yield indicators can be achieved on light and medium-dense soils. Normal acidity is 5.0-6.5 pH.

The preparation of a ridge for Deroyal strawberries consists in introducing rotted manure into it (fresh manure cannot be used) in an amount of 10-12 liters per 1 m2 and wood ash - 250 ml / m2. After that, the bed is dug up. When replacing rotted manure with fresh, it is permissible to cook a place in the fall, for a spring planting. Acidic soils are additionally fertilized with 500 g / m2 of dolomite flour to normalize the pH values.

In addition, the well can be fertilized with a complex nutrient mixture in granules (AVA). Such funds provide the bush with food for the entire period of its growth in 1 place. They are enough for 2-3 years. It is not necessary to add additional nutrients in spring, summer and autumn.

The landing pattern is standard. Deroyal strawberries are arranged in rows, from north to south. The distance between the bushes is maintained in the range of 20 cm, the row spacing is done by 30 cm.

Flowering occurs in May-June. Pollinating the plant is not required.

Deroyal is not a very demanding variety for feeding. In the spring, you can stimulate the growth of green mass with nitrogen fertilizers. With the onset of flowering and fruiting, strawberries are fed with a complex of potassium-phosphorus mixture. For the winter, including to prevent frostbite, the French variety is recommended to be mulched with a layer of humus or compost that emits heat.

Its high winter hardiness makes this variety a good choice for growing in temperate climates. The best protection against freezing is achieved by adopting snow retention measures. In the snowdrifts, the plants perfectly tolerate even severe frosts. In the climatic zones of the Caucasus, Krasnodar Territory, cultivation is carried out without shelter and pruning for the winter.

Deroyal is a variety bred with high rates of disease and pest resistance. With waterlogging or prolonged rains, it can be affected by gray mold, powdery mildew. If there are high risks of developing the disease, prophylactic fungicidal treatment of strawberry bushes is indicated. Insects do not show much interest in stems and fruits.

It is quite possible to increase the Deroyal strawberry plantation on the site on your own. This variety produces enough whiskers to provide the owner with the necessary planting material. The rooted rosettes are separated from the mother bush. Seed propagation is not practiced.

When choosing outlets, preference is given to those that are among the first or second on the bush - the strongest. They are transferred into plastic cups, immediately rooting separately from the mother plant. If you plan to rejuvenate the plantation, the mustache is sent to the aisles. After the rosettes are rooted, the mother bushes are removed.

According to the reviews of Russian gardeners who have already experienced the possibilities of Deroyal strawberries on their plots, the new European variety deserves attention. It is noted that with the correct agricultural technology, the culture, indeed, is not afraid of fungal diseases. In addition, the plants perfectly tolerate wintering in the climate of the Moscow region, give green growth well and bloom in spring.

As for the weight of berries declared by breeders, in Russian conditions it is still possible to get fruits not exceeding 25-30 g. This moment is noted by many gardeners. Otherwise, there are no complaints, strawberries, indeed, turn out large, sweet, go well for processing right from the garden, they like children and adults fresh or in desserts.