Strawberry Honey

Early varieties of berry crops have always been held in high esteem by amateur gardeners. Such varieties allow you to get fruits that melt in your mouth as early as May. Such productive hybrids include Honey strawberry, which appeared in Russia not so long ago. Modern selection has presented gardeners with a unique plant with unsurpassed yield indicators.

This variety was first bred in the United States in 1979. It happened in the village of Honoai when crossing varieties such as Holiday and Vibrant. Honey strawberry has another name - Honey.

This is a low-horned variety that can form in the shortest possible time. Each bush has three horns. Bushes are vigorous and strong, with straight shoots. The leaf plates are medium in size and complex in shape. They differ in thickness and juicy green color.

Honey belongs to the early varieties. The first berries can be enjoyed in late May or early June. The fruiting period is quite long - 3 weeks. However, ripening times may vary. It depends on the climatic conditions of the region.

Among the early hybrids, Medovaya has a high marketability. In general, 0.5-0.9 kg of berries can be harvested from one bush per season. The first fruits are the largest, with the subsequent generation they become significantly smaller (the weight will be no more than 20 g).

Honey has large, dense and glossy fruits with a complex structure. The berries have a characteristic conical shape. The mass can reach 50-70 g. The core is very tender and juicy, but at the same time dense, without a cavity inside.

Ripe fruits have a pronounced strawberry aroma. Moderate juiciness. The taste is sweet, with a hint of honey and a slight sourness. The peel has a rich bright red hue, while the flesh has a pale pink color. Its main property is to enhance the aroma and taste during the subsequent ripening of the berries. The last fruits are considered the most valuable.

Small garden strawberry (forms 2-3 horns) has few whiskers, which is why the plants do not thicken. They can be grown in a continuous meadow with a small interval of replanting.

When planting in the ground, the rosette of the bush should be on the surface. Its deepening will lead to decay and death. Reddened, old and diseased leaves must be removed in the fall.

It is necessary to choose a bright area without drafts. The southwest side with a slight elevation will be preferable. The soil must be fertile (black soil, loam or sandy loam with a neutral pH). Cultivation on such soil will allow you to grow excellent quality strawberries and harvest a bountiful harvest every year.

Watering is moderate, since excess moisture is destructive. Honey plant is planted in the area where legumes, beets, corn, onions, garlic and carrots previously grew. You should be away from the places where cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, zucchini and raspberries were planted.

Before planting, the site is preliminarily cleared of weeds and dug up, while introducing organic and mineral fertilizers. Since strawberries are considered the first berry in the garden, it is better to plant in the autumn. Before the onset of cold weather, the seedlings will have time to take root and gain strength.

Additional pollinators are not required. The hybrid forms male and female inflorescences, therefore, pollination is carried out in a cross way.

Medova has high frost resistance. Provided there is abundant snow cover, the plant is not afraid of frosts down to -20 degrees. In other cases, cover with mulch is needed.

Strawberries are good against major diseases, especially fungi. However, it has weak protection against verticillium. Additional protection is required against pests such as snails and slugs.

The best breeding method is seedling. It is recommended to purchase good strawberry seedlings in specialized stores. Strawberry Honey is capricious and has a low rooting activity.The reasons for this are serious errors in the breeding of plants, as well as improper storage, leading to low rooting or the death of bushes.

When choosing seedlings, pay attention to their quality. The plant should have thick and elastic leaves (3-4 pieces) of a rich green color. The central bud must be healthy, at least 0.7 cm thick. Rot cannot be present on the roots.

For reproduction, it is better to use two-year-old specimens, divided into parts. Care should be taken when using homemade strawberries, as such seedlings can be infected with fungi and parasite larvae.

Many consumers speak positively about Honey strawberry, noting its harmonious aroma and taste. Most gardeners, having tried the variety once, then strive to propagate the plant in their garden in order to feast on wonderful berries every year.