Strawberry Olympia

There are more than 2,000 varieties of strawberries in total, and it will take a long time to grow all of them. Therefore, there are always more popular types of berries. These include the Italian strawberry Olympia. In this article, we will consider the features of strawberries, positive qualities, harvest timing, as well as methods of reproduction and pest control.

This type of culture is classified as non-repair, that is, it bears fruit only once a season. Ripens early.

The bushes are medium-high, 35-40 cm, grow compact, the rosette does not spread out in different directions. The leaves are large, deep green. A large number of peduncles, which are strewn with flowers and ovaries. Due to the abundance of fruits, the peduncles can sink under the weight. Therefore, it is worth mulching the bushes so that the berries remain dry and do not spread on the ground.

This variety has good indicators of transportability and storage.

The disadvantages include the fact that the garden bed, if planted incorrectly, quickly overgrows with tendrils and strawberry bushes. By the end of the season, the berries can ripen small.

Strawberries are early ripening. Flowering begins in early May in the southern regions, in the northern - by the end of May. The first fruits ripen in June, the full fruiting period lasts from June to July.

Fruit ripening in strawberries is uniform. Much depends on the growing conditions and the region. On average, from one bush you can collect from 0.5 to 1.2 kg. The first wave of the harvest is always distinguished by large berries.

The berries are stored in a cool dry place for up to 5 days.

The fruits of the first wave are large, weighing 35-40 g. The next ones can weigh 20-30 g. The berry is distinguished by a bright red hue, conical in shape, slightly elongated. The skin is uniform, the seeds are small, depressed. The pulp is juicy, firm, fleshy, light. The core of the berry has small voids. The strawberry tastes sweet and pleasant.

This crop can grow on any soil, but it is worth remembering that the size and taste of the crop depend on the soil. Seedlings can be planted in the ground in spring, summer, and also in autumn.

Strawberries do not tolerate weeds, so if the beds are not mulched or covered with foil, they will need to be weeded every two weeks. Then it will be necessary to loosen the soil around the bush, this will allow the soil to be saturated with oxygen and retain moisture for a little longer.

It is worth remembering that the root system of this strawberry does not go deep into the ground, so it is necessary to loosen around the bush no more than 3 cm.

Strawberry Olympia is famous for its antennae, or rather, the amount that it throws out per season. Therefore, it is necessary to thin them out periodically. Leave only the amount that will be necessary for further reproduction.

Severe drought, or, conversely, strong soil moisture, can adversely affect the fruits. Therefore, if there is no rain, it is worth watering the strawberries once every 3 days, in the morning or in the evening, with warm water, preferably settled.

The place is chosen from the sunny side, far from the hills that cast a shadow. The soil should be loose, sandy, with a low level of acidity. Do not plant next to tomatoes and potatoes. These crops have the same pest - a nematode.

The soil must be dug up and fertilized before planting. The holes are dug at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other, and the distance between the rows is 35-40 cm. The seedlings are carefully lowered into the prepared holes, lightly sprinkled with earth, at the same time tamping the site. The root collar should not be covered. The seedlings must be spilled with water within two weeks.

Flowers in this culture of both sexes, so the plant self-pollinates. Additional pollination is not required.

Strawberries love feeding, especially during the ripening period. It is best to select fertilizers that contain potassium, this can be wood ash or potassium nitrate. After the last harvest, it is necessary to replenish the reserves of minerals, therefore, it is necessary to feed the bushes with minerals that do not contain nitrogen. Such fertilizers are most often sold marked “for autumn”.

The Olympia strawberry is resistant to a wide range of diseases. However, preventative measures should not be avoided. It is recommended to spray the bushes with a solution of wood ash, iodine and manganese. This will not only help to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases, but will increase the growth of the bushes.

With pests in the form of birds, it is worth fighting with frightening traps (scarecrow, tinsel, ribbons) and pulling the mesh fabric.

Strawberry Olympia reproduces well with antennae. For this, healthy large bushes are selected, from which all peduncles were removed during the flowering period. Such bushes are processed, loosened. The bushes are carefully dug up and divided into several parts. Then they are transplanted into a prepared place.