Strawberry Carmen

A multipurpose variety appeared in the Czech Republic. Strawberry Karmen (Karmen) was tested in Russia in 2001, there is documentary evidence of its characteristics. The variety can be grown in small quantities for personal use or for sale. The berries are easy to transport, do not flow or spoil.

Carmen strawberries are characterized by strong and intensive growth. The height reaches 20 cm. The bush is spreading, with straight stems and a lush cap. Strawberry leaves are carved, slightly corrugated. Main advantages:

• large fruits;

• the yield is stable and predictable;

• easy care;

• winter hardiness;

• adaptability to various weather conditions;

• seedlings take root easily.

It should be borne in mind that Carmen bushes require quite a lot of space. Already on the second wave of the harvest, the characteristics of the fruits change. In especially rainy weather, rot can appear on the berries.

Carmen strawberries bloom in mid-June. By the end of the month, fruits appear. The average ripening period allows you to successfully combine the variety with early or late ones.

During the season, up to 1 kg of fruit can be harvested from one bush. The highest yield occurs in the second year of the plant's life. The variety bears fruit in one place for about 4-5 years. The crop can be harvested later, but the berries will shrink and their number will decrease.

Carmen's strawberries produce a particularly good harvest in the first year. Then the weight of the berry reaches 38-40 g. However, then the fruits become smaller. The average weight of the total collection is 15-17 g.

The berry itself is colored dark red, has a blunt-conical shape, is slightly flattened. Dessert exquisite taste has a honey aftertaste. The fruits smell like wild berries. The inside is dense and rather juicy flesh.

The maximum strawberry yield can be obtained only with the observance of agricultural technology. The bushes must be watered daily immediately after planting. It is best to use lukewarm rainwater. On large areas, it is convenient to use a drip irrigation system.

Adult plants are watered at a moderate intensity, depending on the weather conditions. The soil under the bush should be moist, but not wet. Watering should be increased during the setting of buds and fruits.

The soil is regularly loosened to provide oxygen access. Otherwise, the ground will be covered with a crust. At the same time, the area should be cleared of weeds. When growing strawberries, you can use mulch such as straw, peat, sawdust.

The Carmen variety is distinguished by a high level of mustache formation. They must be removed regularly. Even if it is necessary to leave a mustache for reproduction, then you should still get rid of the peduncles. Otherwise, the plant will not have the strength for a good harvest.

Strawberries should never be grown in lowlands or wetlands. It is important that the groundwater runs deep. The place should be sunny, protected from winds and drafts. Soil with a high sand content should first be enriched with peat or humus. Strawberries need fertile soil.

Before planting, you should dig up the area, clean it of roots and weeds. Fertilizers are used to prepare the soil. A bucket of humus and a glass of ash per 1 m2 are enough.

Carmen strawberries are sensitive to acidity. Liming should be carried out before planting. For this, wood ash or dolomite flour can be used.

It is important to follow the planting scheme. Leave 30 cm of free space between the bushes. From row to row, you need about 50-60 cm. You cannot plant strawberries too close. Otherwise, the bushes will hurt, the crop grinds.

When grown outdoors, the plant self-pollinates. No additional action is required. If the strawberry is located in a greenhouse, then pollination is done manually with a brush. You can put a hive with bees near the plantation, so as not to think about it at all.

The strawberries should be fertilized several times throughout the season. During flowering, organics are used. You can breed mullein 1: 10 or chicken droppings 1: 20. Boric acid also gives good results. During this period, it is important to provide plenty of nitrogen for good growth.

Wood ash is a good source of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Enough 1 glass per 1 m2. It should be borne in mind that organic mulch binds nitrogen in the soil during decomposition. It is important to feed with nitrogen-containing agents on fresh mulch more often than usual.

Carmen strawberries have good natural immunity. However, the berries can easily get sick with gray rot. The disease progresses rapidly and can completely destroy not only the crop, but also the bushes themselves. The plant can get sick at high humidity, when planted in a place with poor lighting and insufficient ventilation.

Prevention of gray rot is soil mulching. Strawberries should not be watered too abundantly in order not to create favorable conditions for infection. Treatment is carried out with chemicals "Alirin-B", "Teldor" and the like. From folk remedies, an infusion of ash, a solution of iodine with manganese is suitable.

Strawberries are not immune to pests. Prevention should be carried out regularly to avoid serious injury. Here are guidelines for dealing with common pests.

1. Nematodes. Damage by worms is manifested by the deformity of the leaves, shortening and thickening of the peduncles. The bush should be dug up and burned. In the next 5 years, strawberries cannot be planted in this place. There is simple prevention using folk methods. The seedlings should be soaked in 45 ° C water for 10-15 minutes before planting in open ground.

2. Spider mite. The leaves of the bush wrinkle, turn yellow and dry out. The plant stops growing. For treatment, spraying with "Fufanon" or "Neoron" is carried out. You can also sprinkle with hot water. But it is important to keep the watering can a meter away from the leaves.

3. Weevil. The affected plant has no buds, or they are hanging from a string. Before flowering or harvesting, the bushes should be treated with Fufanon or Aktellik. There is also a traditional method of treatment. Dried leaves should be collected and burned - it is in them that beetles live. Then the bushes are treated with an infusion of ash or mustard.

4. Leaf beetle. A strawberry pest with a high number can eat all the leaves on the bushes. After the first holes appear, it is worth spraying with "Fufanon". And you can also carry out processing with a decoction of wormwood. The plant is sprayed 3 times at intervals of 5-7 days.

Carmen strawberries form a large number of strong mustaches. It is with their help that it is easiest to reproduce. The socket should be deepened into the ground, without tearing it off the mother bush. It is important to ensure regular watering. Separation from the mother bush can be carried out next spring.