Kimberly strawberry

Russian gardeners have recently known the Kimberly hybrid strawberry variety, but they have already appreciated it. Gardeners note the high yield and endurance of the Dutch variety from a separate series of TM "Vima".

The Kimberly variety was obtained through the efforts of Dutch breeders, who took as a basis two parental varieties: Gorella and Chandler. The planting material was brought to Russia for variety trials in 2008. The garden culture was added to the national register in 2013 under the name Wim Kimberly strawberry.

Bushes of the plant are powerful, spreading, with a well-developed root system.

This is a mid-early variety. The beginning of berry ripening directly depends on the region, sunlight and heat (late May or early June).

On the territory of Russia, the Kimberly variety has passed selection tests, it was approved for cultivation in certain regions with mild climatic conditions. After variety trials, Kimberly began to be recommended for cultivation in cities located in the Central and Central Black Earth Region. It is there that the berries of the Kimberly hybrid show the largest size and gain the declared degree of sweetness.

The variety is distinguished by a stable yield: 1-2 kg of strawberries from one bush. The selection is not repairable, but the fruiting is long.

Cone-shaped berries are characterized by a bright red color. In shape, they are very reminiscent of a voluminous heart. The size of the strawberries is very large: each reaches almost 50 grams in weight. The taste has a caramel shade and pleasant sourness. The aroma is pronounced, strawberry. The pulp is firm and juicy. The sugar content is up to 10%.

It is advisable to plant new bushes and transplant daughter seedlings in the second half of August. Then, by winter, they will have time to take root. If you plant in the fall, you can expect a harvest only next spring.

If the seedlings were bought in early spring, when there is a likelihood of strong return frosts, it is necessary to build a greenhouse on arcs with a covering material over the garden bed. If a layer of film is pulled over agrofibre, then this measure will save from cold weather and heavy rains. In the heat, it is advisable to build a shading visor on the arcs using a covering material.

When growing strawberries in a greenhouse, it is necessary to equip additional lighting and heating. This is important for reaching the right sugar level in the berries. Prolonged rains and prolonged periods of cloudy weather lead to a decrease in the number of ovaries. At the same time, high humidity does not spoil the harvest. Kimberly can be grown both indoors and outdoors for an earlier harvest.

It is also important to remember that the most practical irrigation solution is to install a drip irrigation system. If its device is not possible, you need to water, taking into account the condition of the soil. It should be constantly damp 30 cm deep. In a rainy summer, watering is not required, but in a sultry period it is necessary to water every other day, pouring up to 3 liters of water under each bush.

Drought will not damage established plants and will not affect yields.This factor attracts the attention of summer residents to this strawberry variety. But at especially hot temperatures, without rain and watering for a week or more, you can lose your crop. It is recommended to irrigate at least once every 5 days.

Strawberries of this variety grow well in a lighted area with a fertile substrate. With clay soil, it is desirable to add a sand-peat mixture. Before starting planting, manure, ash and granular nitrogen fertilizers are applied.

Planting strawberries in holes is allowed. The garden bed is prepared in advance. For each square meter, 1 bucket of humus is introduced with the addition of 0.5 liters of wood ash. In addition, it is recommended to add ready-made fertilizers to each hole.

The planting scheme is typical for strawberries: if it is planted in two rows, then 25 cm is kept between the bushes, and if in a checkerboard pattern, then 30 cm each. The first 10 days of planting need daily watering with loosening of the soil. The appearance of a crust must not be allowed.

For pollination and the formation of ovaries, the hybrid does not need other varieties, since its flowers are bisexual.

During the first loosening in early spring, infusion of mullein (1: 10), diluted bird droppings (in a ratio of 1: 20), liquid horse extract (in the amount of 50 g per 10 l of water) or ready-made fertilizer containing a lot of nitrogen are introduced into the soil in the garden. The plant requires 0.5 liters of fertilizing per bush.

During the period when the buds are being put forward, fertilization with wood ash (1-2 tbsp. L. Under a bush) or a purchased complex with microelements works well. This top dressing should contain less nitrogen than potassium and phosphorus.

At the end of the growing season, it is recommended to make grooves 15 cm deep along the rows of strawberries and evenly pour superphosphate and potassium salt (without chlorine) into them in a 1: 1 ratio (1 tbsp of each component). After that, the grooves are watered and filled up.

The strawberry plantation tolerates the winter period without insulation, with sufficient snow cover and frosts of at least -18 degrees. Closely located groundwater and melting snow in spring are detrimental to the roots. When waterlogged in early spring, the soil freezes over, which leads to the death of the roots.

The cultivar demonstrates high resistance to powdery mildew and high tolerance to gray mold. During the rainy period, it may be necessary to treat the slug beds.

The plant is susceptible to anthracnose, and the fruits can also be damaged by pests: weevils, slugs, ants, wasps, etc. In addition, birds like to treat themselves to strawberries. Deterrent devices will help to cope with them.

The whiskers of this variety are formed with medium intensity. They can be green or red and grow in sufficient quantity to propagate the variety from daughter rosettes without problems. For the initial planting, it is best to buy seedlings from trusted manufacturers.