Strawberry Florence (Florence)

A variety called Florence was created by crossing two species: Vicoda and Vima-Tarda. The selection was carried out by specialists from the UK. Garden culture has received a universal purpose. The fruits are suitable for making desserts, preserves and natural consumption.

In comfortable conditions, tall and lush spherical bushes grow. Plants of amazing beauty will adorn any garden or local area. The leaves are large and wide, colored dark green. Peduncles rise high above the green mass, but during fruiting they tilt towards the ground. The decorative qualities of the bushes are enhanced during the period when the plant is covered with a large number of snow-white flowers.

The English variety forms many mustaches in the first year of life, then the intensity of their formation drops noticeably.

The strawberries ripen late. Bushes bear fruit from the end of June to the middle of next month. Refers to non-refurbished varieties.

The variety has a high yield. The fruits are stored for a long time and do not deteriorate during transportation. Up to one kilogram of fruit is harvested from each bush. Commercial cultivation produces approximately 300 tons of strawberries per hectare. To prevent the yield from falling, the plantation should be renewed every 3-4 years.

The weight of the berries varies from 20 to 60 grams. Size - Large, but highly dependent on watering frequency and weather conditions. Bright red berries rise above the green mass. The shape is broad-conical or round. The surface is strewn with yellow seeds, which are slightly depressed inward. Juicy and firm pulp is hidden under the bright shell.

The taste combines sweetness and gentle sourness. After eating, there is a bright aftertaste and aroma with hints of raspberries and strawberries.

The winter-hardy variety can be grown even in the harsh Russian climate. The variety will feel great in greenhouses. This horticultural crop does not require much maintenance. Planting is advised in the fall, but spring planting is also possible. When choosing the second option, seedlings are planted only after the soil warms up to 15 degrees, and the air to 18-20.

A gap of 25-30 centimeters will be enough for comfortable growth of bushes, and 40-60 centimeters are left between the rows. It is advisable to place the rows in the direction from north to south.

During planting, fertile soil mixed with wood ash or rotted manure is added to each hole. The roots are gently straightened and placed in the grooves. At the end of the work, the soil is watered, carefully rammed and covered with mulch.

Note: The planting process can be greatly simplified by choosing seedlings with a closed root system.

Florence's garden strawberry loves moisture, but only in moderation. In order not to waste time and effort on irrigation, you can organize drip irrigation. It is good in that it maintains the desired level of humidity. If rains are frequent in the region, good drainage will be needed. In the hot season, the bushes are watered 2-3 times a week, using settled and warm water.

The area where strawberries grow must be cleared of weeds and other debris (roots, plant debris, dry leaves). All this interferes with airing.Regular loosening of the upper layers of the earth will saturate the root system with oxygen. It is necessary for the full development of the plant. Experienced summer residents advise growing berries on black agrofibre, so as not to let the weeds grow and the berries to touch the ground.

The mustache is only left when it is planned to be used to renovate the plantation. Otherwise, all processes are removed so that the berries are as large and juicy as possible. You cannot pull them out, the work is done with a knife or pruning shears, so as not to damage the bush.

The location for growing garden strawberries should be flat and light. Dig up the soil so that the plant quickly takes root. If grass or other unnecessary plants grow on the site, they get rid of them. The permissible acidity of the soil is 5.2-5.5 pH. You can lower this indicator with dolomite flour, lime or ash at the rate of 400 grams per square meter. The minimum deepening of groundwater is 70 centimeters.

The variety from the UK is independent in terms of pollination due to bisexual flowers.

Florence likes regular but moderate feeding. With the arrival of spring, substances with a high nitrogen content are introduced into the earth. This component activates the development of green mass. Large leaves are forming. Before flowering, they switch to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Organic time comes in the fall. Mulching of garden strawberries with compost, which is carried out before winter, has proved high efficiency.

High frost resistance helps the bushes to survive the long winter, but in the northern regions, the plantation must be covered with peat, compost or spruce branches. Before wintering begins, the plant is cleaned of diseased and dry leaves. Shelter is optional within the southern areas.

The vagaries of the weather (increased dampness, frequent precipitation, strong winds) can shatter the immune system of plants, which makes the garden culture sick.

The Florence variety is attacked by some ailments and infections.

• Powdery mildew. To protect against this disease, treatment is performed with the help of "Horus", "Topaz" or "Kuproksat". In the presence of the first symptoms, use the drug "Karatan" or colloidal sulfur.

• The spot is white or brown. In this case, "Metaxil" or "Falcon" will help. They can only be used at the beginning of spring.

• Gray rot. Fungicides such as "Switch" or "Alirin-B" will get rid of it. A 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid will also work.

• Verticillosis. At its first manifestations, it is necessary to spray with the composition "Fitodoctor" or "Fitosporin". If the disease spreads quickly, the affected bushes should be uprooted and burned. The soil is disinfected.

Dangerous insects rarely attack this variety. Slugs can be removed mechanically. And also they will be scared away by tobacco dust, which is sprayed between the rows.

There are three breeding methods for gardeners to choose from.

• Division. This method is only suitable for perennial plants. Divide the bushes only with a sharp and clean knife. On each new bush, it is imperative to leave a growing point and a full-fledged root system.

• Mustache. For this, mother plants are chosen from which they are not harvested. The peduncles are harvested to form the maximum number of lateral shoots. A plastic container with earth is placed under each outlet for its further rooting. It is recommended to germinate outlets of the first or second order.

• Seeds. The seed is sown directly into open ground. This is a difficult process that is rarely chosen for growing strawberry bushes.