Strawberry Gourmet

The flavorful strawberry variety Gourmet fully lives up to its mouth-watering name. It is among the first to ripen, providing an opportunity for picking fragrant berries in early summer. The variety is characterized by minimal maintenance needs, it grows easily for a long time in one place without signs of degeneration.

The variety was bred by breeder Alexandrova G. D. in 2000. After testing, it is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.

Strawberry for universal use Gourmet forms bushes up to 20 cm high. The plant itself is powerful, but compact, abundantly covered with green leaves. The peduncles are located at the same level as the rosettes. They are quite thick, strong, and can withstand a significant berry load. Rosettes are formed in moderation, plantings do not overgrow.

Flowering begins in June, fruiting occurs in the same month. Strawberry Gourmand in terms of ripening refers to the early varieties.

During the fruiting period, Lakomka is characterized by high yields. Up to 3.4 kg of berries are collected from the ridge.

The gourmet is distinguished by an intense red tint of the skin of the berries. Their shape is round-conical, beautiful, large and medium in size. From the first harvest, berries are obtained weighing up to 34 g, throughout the fruiting season, the average indicators are 14 g. The pulp of the fruit is light red, juicy, dense, with a sweet and sour taste.

Strawberries can be grown in one place for up to 10 years. When planting, it is enough to leave a distance of about 30 cm between the bushes. Plants need moderate watering. Cultivation is possible in the greenhouse and in the open field, in rows or staggered.

Landing in the sun is a must. Soil requirements are also quite simple: neutral acidity and fertile composition. The best choice would be black soil, loam or sandy loam soil. On the sand, the berry will not be able to gain enough taste and juiciness. Gourmet grows well after greens, marigolds, the beds on which cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants were previously grown are not suitable for her.

Soil preparation is required. The soil is pre-dug to the depth of the shovel bayonet. Plant roots, eggs and insect larvae must be carefully selected. In sandy loam and loamy soils, organic matter, wood ash is laid to enrich the composition. Then a period of 3-4 weeks is expected, holes are made for planting.

The variety is not self-fertile. Needs obligatory cross-pollination, since there are no bisexual flowers.

Strawberries are winter-hardy, withstand frosts down to -30 degrees. Shelter is necessary in winters with little snow to protect plant roots from frostbite.

Strawberries are highly resistant to verticilliosis. The variety is well protected from damage by other fungal microorganisms. Insects attack gourmet bushes not too actively. But still, prophylactic treatment of bushes is shown in the spring, as well as, if necessary, during the season, if problems are noticed in the garden. Bordeaux mixture or specialized chemical insecticides can be used.

Gourmet is well suited for seed propagation, gives good germination. And also the plant can be bred by dividing the bush or rosettes, rooting them, separating them from the mother stem. Since it is not necessary to renovate the plantation often, it is sufficient to simply use the existing mustache. It is important to take into account that starting from the 3rd year old bushes form a mustache in an insignificant amount.

According to the owners, Gourmet strawberry fully justifies itself when grown as a commercial variety.She is praised for light agricultural technology, high resistance to the influence of weather and climatic factors. Early fruiting makes the variety a favorite among ordinary summer residents. Children like the juicy fresh taste of the fruit, the berries tolerate transportation well, and can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

According to the size of the fruits, it is often indicated that they are noticeably smaller than the declared ones. But in terms of the number of berries, the bushes invariably delight their owners. The leaves of the plant do not burn in the bright sun, and in cold regions, the bushes feel great in greenhouses. The disadvantages can be attributed only to the sensitivity of the variety to the type and acidity of the soil; when planting in the shade, it will also not be possible to get a rich harvest.