Strawberry Queen Elizabeth 2

Elizabeth 2 is a domestic breeding "clone" of the popular English variety of garden strawberries, Queen Elizabeth II. It can be safely called the champion in yield and the timing of the beginning of fruiting. The variety is appreciated for its remontability, the ability to grow in a vertical culture - on trellises or in flower pots.

Strawberry Elizabeth 2 was obtained in 2001 by the research and production company "Donskoy nursery". The breeder was M.V. Kachalkin. The original plant cultivar is British bred Queen Elizabeth II. In the domestic version, it was given improved characteristics: the size of the berries was increased, the formation of whiskers was increased, and the period of fruiting was extended. The variety was registered in the State Register in 2004.

The plant is characterized by a large size of a bush with a spreading leaf rosette of an emerald green hue. Shoots are dense. Large leaves act as a natural protective barrier against contamination or damage to fruits by precipitation. Flowers with white petals, yellow center, bright. Mustaches are formed in 3-5 pieces per bush, with 2-3 rosettes.

The plant is characterized by early ripening, bears fruit from late May to October, with repeated re-formation of peduncles. According to this indicator, Elizabeth 2 surpasses most of its counterparts. It ripens earlier than other remontant and common garden strawberry varieties. Repeated fruiting occurs in the 2nd decade of July, the third in mid-August.

Strawberry Elizabeth 2 is common in all regions of Russia. Has no restrictions on the choice of climatic zone for cultivation. The tests were carried out in the Urals, Siberia, in the Moscow region. Initially, selection was carried out in the southern latitudes, in Rostov-on-Don.

Elizabeth 2 is a strawberry with a very high yield. Up to 1.7 kg of berries are removed from the bush during the season. For 1 m2 at a planting density of up to 6 plants, 4 kg of fruits are harvested. These indicators increase under the film in greenhouses. Up to 10 kg of berries are harvested from 1 m2 here, which makes the variety very attractive for commercial cultivation.

The shape of the fruit is oval, regular, sometimes lumpy-cone-shaped, the size is very large (up to 50 g). In the second wave of the harvest, you can get an increase in the mass of individual specimens. The shade of the skin is close to scarlet, has a varnish sheen. The variety is characterized by a high density of pulp, a pleasant dessert flavor. The tasting score he received reaches 4.7 points out of 5.

The variety does not differ in wateriness. Designed for use for deep freezing with subsequent use for culinary and confectionery purposes. Fresh berry tolerates transportation well. It is used as a dessert variety, with a noticeable sweetness on the palate and honey notes of aroma.

Bushes are planted in mid-summer, from July to August. Planting in rows is recommended, while maintaining a distance of 30x60 cm and row spacing up to 60-70 cm. The soil should be fertile, abundantly moist. A transplant is required every 3 years.

The timing of plant transfer to open ground is broadly indicated - from spring to autumn.Closed-root bushes can be planted at any time. For others, mid-spring or late summer is best. During this time, the open root system will have time to adapt to new conditions.

When choosing a landing site, it is recommended to give preference to flat, wind-protected areas, with light shading or in the light. If the soil is highly acidic, it is pretreated with lime or ash for 3 years, gradually alkalinizing it. It is imperative to carry out preliminary cultivation, soil preparation. It is necessary to remove the roots of weeds, dig up the ridge 30-60 days before planting strawberries, while simultaneously adding a mixture of 1 bucket of peat, 10 kg of humus, 40 g of superphosphate and potassium fertilizers to it - 20 g is enough.

When the bushes are placed in open ground, holes of small depth (up to 80 mm) are formed in it, spilled with water. Then a mound is formed inside, a seedling is placed on it. The roots are straightened, sprinkled in such a way as to keep the root bud open. Then repeated watering is carried out, mulch is added.

Flowering lasts from late May to mid-October. The variety belongs to remontant. The flowers are formed according to the male and female pattern. No additional pollination effort is needed.

The repairing strawberry Elizabeth 2 requires a more abundant, regular supply of nutrients. Top dressing is done every 14 days with alternating agrophoska, calcium nitrate, superphosphate, compost or humus, wood ash. Foliar intake of nutrients is equally important. You can mix 1 g of boric acid in 1 liter of water, 2 g of manganese and potassium nitrate each, and then spray the shoots.

Elizabeth 2 belongs to the medium-hardy strawberry varieties. Shelter during the colder months of the year is recommended. The bushes can withstand frosts down to -23 degrees, at lower temperatures they can die even under a layer of sawdust and film.

The bushes are highly resistant to common diseases such as gray mold, powdery mildew, and brown spot.

For the subsequent cultivation of strawberries of the Elizaveta 2 variety, several methods of obtaining planting material are used. The easiest way to do this is with a mustache or layering - they are just lightly sprinkled with soil in the places where the rosettes are formed. As soon as an independent bush gives 5-6 leaves, it is separated from the mother, transplanted.

Seed material can be germinated in containers. It is pre-soaked, then placed in the soil, buried. They are kept under glass, regularly airing, spraying the soil from a spray bottle. The shoots that gave the first leaves dive, distribute in separate containers. Planting in open ground is carried out 4 months after sowing.

An adult bush 2-3 years old can be propagated by division. It is better to carry out the procedure in the spring and summer. The resulting seedlings are placed in the shade until they take root.