Strawberry Selva

Among foreign varieties that have proven themselves in cultivation by Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian gardeners, the strawberry Selva stands out favorably, or, as it is commonly called, Selva.

The remontant early variety Selva is the result of a selection carried out by American specialists from the University of California in the 70s. XX century. For its appearance, the Brighton variety was crossed with the Tufts and Pajero varieties. Selva's tests gave good performance in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. Selva has been tested in Southern California and parts of Northern Europe. Since 1984, the right to distribute this variety has been protected by the patent of the producing country.

A vigorous, spreading shrub with large leaves and similar peduncles. Young plants form shoots very actively.

Selva is repaired. The berries ripen early. The fruiting period begins in June and lasts until the first frost.

The yield is high, from 1 kg per bush. Under control, in protected ground conditions, the American cultivar can bear fruit almost continuously. In an open area, the fruits ripen in waves (3-5 harvests per season), the main yield peak falls in mid-summer and lasts until September or October (by autumn frosts).

The bushes give abundant fruiting in the 1st and 2nd years of the growing season.

Juicy Selva strawberries look attractive. Large, shiny, dark red, round-conical fruits. The mass of one berry is about 30-60 g. The aroma is intense, strawberry.

The taste of the firm pulp is dessert-like, moderately sweet. Inside, golden yellow, slightly reddish seeds, located almost on the very surface.

The pulp is red, but lighter towards the core. It is much denser than many other strawberry varieties.

Selva is considered to be a rather unpretentious culture. However, the level of intensity of the used agricultural technology affects the indicators of productivity, size and taste.

The American variety Selva is preferably planted in areas with fertile, moderately loose soil (loam), neutral or slightly acidic. But even under these conditions, plants need regular (at least three times per season) feeding with organic matter and a mixture of mineral fertilizers. It is important that the plantation does not thicken. For this, it is necessary to control the illumination and provide ventilation.

When planting between strawberry bushes, it is recommended to leave a distance of 40-50 cm so that there is enough space for daughter outlets, giving the next portion of the crop.

Planting needs intensive watering for 10 days. After that, they are watered less often. To maintain the required moisture level, the soil must be mulched (covered with a dark-colored non-woven cloth).

In the dry season, the bushes stop growing and fruiting, the fruits are dehydrated and baked. According to the recommendations of experienced gardeners, in the southern regions, this plant should grow in partial shade, and not in the open sun.

It will be most beneficial to use seedlings with a closed root system. It is advisable to root the mustache using plastic cups.

Because this cultivar has long and plentiful whiskers, some gardeners cultivate American strawberries as a climbing plant. A trellis is installed near the bush so that Selva's mustache braids it, forming a unique natural green corner on the site.

When growing the strawberry variety Selva in the open field with pollination, gardeners have no problems. All you need is wind and bees. To get high-quality pollination in a greenhouse, you should artificially create a draft using a fan with a cold air flow. During the flowering period of strawberries, it should be turned on for 3 hours a day.

During the entire growing season, it is necessary to apply special mineral fertilizers and organic matter under the bushes. Top dressing is carried out in parallel with watering.

According to the degree of freezing in winter without snow, the variety was classified as low-hardy. In many domestic regions, in a climate typical of the middle zone, in Belarus and Ukraine, strawberry bushes can overwinter uncovered (under a dense snow cover) and withstand temperatures down to -16 degrees.

In regions with a mild climate, it is enough to cover them with spruce branches or non-woven fabric. In frosty winters, another shelter is used. The bed is covered with a dense layer of peat (humus), mulching the soil in advance.

In order for the bushes to better endure the cold, they are pre-hardened. Leaves do not need to be removed, as they will naturally warm the plant.

They are not affected by gray rot, as well as white and brown spots. Spider mites and strawberry mites rarely affect a strawberry plant.

Gray rot can appear as a result of waterlogging of the soil, when planting in a shaded area, when berries come into contact with the soil.

If, nevertheless, the disease attacked, you should get rid of the infected parts of the plant, and treat the plant with fungicides.

It is important to propagate strawberry bushes every year using one of several methods.

• Division of the uterine bush

Getting several shoots from a seedling. This method is one of the best, since in this way it is possible to preserve all the characteristics of the variety declared by the authors.

• Seed propagation

Quite a laborious task, since first they have to be removed from the berry, and then germinated in a warm and humid place, only then transplanted into pots. You can transfer it to open ground when the seedlings give the first full leaves.

• Mustache reproduction

The easiest way. To do this, sprinkle one of the overgrown mustaches of American garden strawberries with a layer of earth. After a while, a seedling is formed from it. It will have to be separated from the main bush and transplanted.

Under favorable conditions, the hybrid culture Selva begins to bear fruit already 3 months after planting.

The density of the berries gives rise to mixed reviews. On the one hand, it provides excellent indicators of the preservation of qualities during transportability and storage, and on the other hand, it causes dissatisfaction among consumers who characterize Selva strawberries as too hard, not too juicy and low-aromatic berries.

The variety attracts the attention of fruit growers for sale. When transported over long distances, the strawberry retains its natural shape, the berries remain appetizing and do not flow.

These berries are highly appreciated by culinary experts. Delicious strawberries are eagerly consumed fresh, fragrant compotes and sweet jam are cooked from them. Strawberries are also good for freezing for future use. After thawing, it retains its aroma and firmness. Doesn't get watery and tasteless.