Strawberry Elvira

The Dutch variety Elvira has taken root remarkably in Russia and neighboring countries. The fruits have a universal purpose. They are eaten fresh and used to prepare aromatic drinks, jams, preserves and various desserts.

A characteristic feature of the variety is sprawling and powerful bushes. Diffusion is weak. The leaves attract attention with their charming emerald color. The root system is weak and shallow and must be handled with care. One bush forms 2 to 3 peduncles. There are few of them, but they are strong and strong. Each grows up to 10 buds. Mustache is formed in moderation.

Elvira strawberries are medium-ripening varieties. Bushes bear fruit from late May to mid-June. Repairability - absent (the plant bears fruit only once during the growing season).

Yields can be high or medium depending on weather conditions and care. From one bush, you can collect up to 2 kilograms of berries. The fruits are well stored, and also tolerate transportation without problems. Marketability is high.

Note: the first harvest is harvested by gardeners from the southern regions of the country. In cold regions, fruiting times are shifted by about 2-3 weeks.

Ripe strawberries turn bright red. The sizes of berries with a glossy surface can be either medium or large. At the beginning of the harvest, the weight of the berries reaches 50-60 grams, then it decreases to 25-30 grams. The pulp is dense, juicy, there are no voids. Color - light red. The shape of the berries is round.

Professional tasters gave the variety 4.5 out of 5 points. The taste is strawberry. There is no sourness. The percentage of ascorbic acid is 35%. The aroma is intense and pleasant.

Dutch strawberries thrive in all conditions. She is not afraid of frost and is resistant to drought and heat. On one site, bushes can be grown for 4 years or more, if the yield remains at the level. It is not difficult to take care of the variety, therefore it is recommended for novice gardeners.

You can plant a seedling almost all year round: in autumn, summer or spring. The appropriate time is chosen, taking into account the peculiarities of the climate. The acidity level of the soil should be between 5.2 and 5.5 pH. If the soil is too acidic, the acidity should be reduced. They do this a couple of years before planting strawberries. For work, use dolomite flour or lime (400-600 grams per square meter). The first component is used more often, since it feeds the soil with magnesium.

A common scheme for planting bushes in two lines:

• when grown in an open area - 30x30 centimeters;

• in greenhouses and a greenhouse - 25x25 centimeters;

• a passage of 50 to 70 centimeters is left between the rows;

• so that the rows are evenly lit, the bushes are planted from north to south.

Note: It is recommended to grow strawberries on black linen. It prevents weeds from growing and protects fruits from contact with the ground. This way the soil does not have to be weeded out frequently. Before planting, the holes must be thoroughly watered.

For strawberries, it is preferable to use drip irrigation. The system will independently maintain a comfortable humidity level.The bushes most need watering during flowering and berry ovary. If the weather is hot and dry outside, watering is carried out every 3-4 days. To reduce the frequency of watering, the ground is covered with mulch. Humus mixed with peat is laid in a layer of 2-3 centimeters.

And you also need to regularly loosen the top layer of the soil so that the roots receive oxygen. Due to the superficial root system, the digging must be done carefully, going deeper by 1-2 centimeters.

The mustache must be removed regularly so that the plant does not waste energy on it. The lateral shoots are left only on those plants that they plan to use for reproduction. Peduncles are removed from the mother bushes, since the crop is not harvested from these plants.

When choosing a site, you need to take into account the climate in the region. The Urals and the Moscow region are sunny and spacious territory. Krasnodar Territory is a location with a light tracery shadow. An area with high humidity will also work.

The land is prepared in advance. To get a stable and high-quality crop, the soil is fed. A glass of wood ash and 10 kilograms of manure are used per square meter of the site. Instead of ash, potassium sulfate (120 grams) or superphosphate (100 grams) are suitable.

Elvira strawberries can be pollinated on their own. It is not required to plant additional varieties next to it.

Almost all varieties of strawberries need regular fertilization, and the Dutch variety is no exception.

It is recommended to adhere to a certain scheme.

• At the beginning of spring, nitrogen compounds are used. Many gardeners use a complex feeding "Spring". 2-3 bushes consume from 25 to 30 grams of the product. At home, you can prepare such a top dressing: a kilogram of rotted manure is used for 8 liters of water. 60 grams of superphosphate and 250 grams of ash are also added there. The finished fertilizer is poured over the bushes at the rate of 1 liter per plant.

• Top dressing with potassium and phosphorus is chosen when forming flower stalks and ovary of berries.

• As soon as the last harvest in the current season has been harvested, preparations containing phosphorus are introduced into the soil.

• Strawberries react remarkably to irrigation with a solution of wood ash. And also this substance is used as additional protection against infections and insects.

The fruit culture can withstand frosts up to minus 20 degrees. Therefore, in regions with warm winters, it is not necessary to cover it. Otherwise, the plantations are protected with straw or compost. A layer of earth is also laid on top of the bushes.

Elvira strawberry has strong immunity to diseases. So that the plants and crops are not affected, you just need to regularly look after the plantation (weed removal, moderate watering, land clearing, soil loosening). Various biological agents are used for additional protection. You can buy them at any gardening store and use them according to the instructions.

Note: bushes with berries cannot be treated with chemical compounds, as the fruits absorb hazardous components.

There are several breeding options for Elvira strawberries.

• Seeds. A laborious and ineffective option. It can be difficult to achieve the desired result.

• Division. Large and healthy plants are selected and separated with a sharp knife with the arrival of spring. The resulting seedlings are immediately planted in holes at a permanent planting site. Each plant should have a developed root system and a heart.

• Mustache. A sufficient number of whiskers makes propagation with side shoots the best option. For this purpose, individual plants are selected from which peduncles are removed. Root only sockets of the first and second order. If rooting is carried out on site, it is recommended to use separate plastic containers for growing young plants.