Contents
Strawberry Cabrillo is a variety of American selection. It has a record yield – up to 3,7 kg per bush. In temperate climates, you can remove 1,5-2 kg per plant. Requires regular watering, fertilizing and other care measures.
History of breeding
Strawberry Cabrillo (eng. Cabrillo) bred by breeders of the University of California (University of California, USA). The authors are renowned scientists Kirk D. Larson and Douglas W. Shaw. This variety is considered the most productive in the remontant category.
Work on the Cabrillo variety began in 2008. 2 lines were taken as a basis, designated in the nomenclature Cal 5.206-5 and Cal 3.149-8. Already in the next 2009, the new Cabrillo variety began to undergo field trials.
Scientists have repeatedly propagated bushes in different ways to make sure that high yields and other valuable qualities are preserved in offspring. In 2010, large-scale studies of several groups of Cabrillo strawberries were carried out to study different indicators. And already in 2016, the variety passed the official registration procedure and received a patent (the copyright holder is the University of California). The document notes that this is one of the best varieties of remontant strawberries with a record yield of up to 3 kg per plant.
In the very first years, culture spread in different countries of the world, it also appeared in Our Country. The variety has not yet been included in the register of breeding achievements of the Federation. Nevertheless, many summer residents have already managed to get the first harvests and even wrote reviews about this crop.
Description and characteristics of the remontant strawberry variety Cabrillo
In appearance, the bushes of this strawberry resemble fairly well-known representatives – San Andreas and Albion. But Cabrillo has more leaves, and the shoots are almost straight. The leaf plates are smaller in size, they have a concave shape, and are quite dense to the touch. The color is bright green, with a glossy “fat” sheen. The edges are pointed, teeth are present.
Ripe strawberries Cabrillo have an attractive presentation
The flowers of the variety are small in size, typical white in color, bisexual (the plant belongs to monoecious, that is, there are male and female inflorescences on each bush). Peduncles are quite high, powerful, rise above the plant, tend to the ground during fruiting.
Characteristics of fruits, taste qualities
Cabrillo strawberries produce very beautiful berries that look more attractive than the San Andreas and Albion varieties. The shape is symmetrical, conical, slightly flattened (expanded on the sides). Coloring classic bright red. Achenes are yellow, shallowly sunk. Surface with a pleasant gloss, shines in the sun. The sizes are medium and large, the weight is about 30 g. The berries are uniform, approximately the same in weight.
The pulp is juicy, moderately dense, while not hard, of a pleasant texture, does not crunch on the tongue. The berries are very fragrant, the taste is excellent. The pronounced sweetness and harmonious tones of classic strawberries with delicate sourness are noticeable. The taste of Cabrillo strawberries is multifaceted, according to many gardeners, richer than Albion or San Andreas.
You need to remove the berries and try them after they are fully ripe. The taste of unripe berries will be mediocre.
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
Strawberry Cabrillo belongs to mid-early remontant varieties. Flowering occurs in the second half of May – early June, the first fruits are removed in July. The variety is remontant, the fruiting is stretched and stable, it goes throughout the summer (until August inclusive). In the south, the harvest is harvested until September.
The first Cabrillo strawberries ripen in early July
The description of the Cabrila strawberry variety indicates that the maximum yield reaches 3–3,7 kg, which is a record figure compared to the vast majority of other varieties. In the climatic conditions of the temperate zone, you can get 1,5–2 kg. If grown in a greenhouse and carefully looked after, then you can collect up to 2,5–3 kg from a bush (provided that summer and early autumn are warm).
The skin of the fruit and the consistency are quite dense. Therefore, they lie well in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark room. Transportability is also normal. The crop can be transported over long distances, especially if it is harvested at the stage of technical ripeness.
Growing regions, frost resistance
The variety has been recently grown in Our Country, so there is no reliable information about winter hardiness. It is recommended to cultivate the crop in open ground and in greenhouses, especially in regions with a short summer (Siberia, the Far East). For the winter, a mandatory shelter is needed, better reinforced (framework with agrofibre and mulch).
Disease and pest resistance
The description states that Cabrillo strawberries have good resistance to common pests and diseases. But you should not neglect preventive treatments (especially since there is evidence that the variety is vulnerable to late blight). In the spring, before flowering (April), it is recommended to spray the bushes with fungicides:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- “Teldur”;
- “Fitosporin”;
- “Horus”;
- “Signum”.
A similar treatment can be carried out in the fall, after harvesting the last crop. It is also recommended to remove all fallen leaves and burn them, as pests can overwinter in them. From aphids, weevil, strawberry mites and other insects, Cabrillo strawberry bushes are sprayed with folk remedies:
- infusion of garlic cloves, mustard powder;
- solution of tobacco dust, wood ash with soap;
- decoction of marigold flowers.
If these measures do not help, insecticides are used – Aktara, Inta-Vir, Decis, Vertimek, Fitoverm and others.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Cabrillo variety has advantages, the main of which is high yield. Even if you remove 1,5 kg from the bush (the minimum figure), this is a very good result compared to many other varieties.
Cabrillo strawberries are suitable for commercial cultivation
Pros:
- very high yield up to 3,7 kg;
- berries are medium and large, with excellent taste and attractive appearance;
- good transportability, keeping quality;
- resistance to most diseases.
Cons:
- demanding care;
- no data on winter hardiness;
- may not take root in some regions;
- Cabrillo strawberries are vulnerable to late blight.
Methods of reproduction
There are two ways to propagate Cabrillo strawberries:
- mustache;
- division of the bush.
In the first case, the shoots are separated at the beginning of summer and planted in fertile soil to a depth of 4 cm, following watering. For division, adult Cabrillo strawberry bushes at the age of four years are used. They are dug up in August, placed in water and separated by hand or with a knife. They are planted in fertile soil, and in October or early November they are carefully covered for the winter.
Planting and care
You can grow Cabrillo strawberries in a greenhouse and in open beds. The variety is demanding on the composition and structure of the soil. The best option is a fertile, loose loam with a slightly acidic reaction (pH about 6). The requirements for the place are standard – no shade, dryness (without stagnant moisture in the lowlands), protection from strong drafts, good air circulation.
Even if the soil is fertile, it needs to be prepared. Most often, planting Cabrillo strawberries is planned for May, and digging for October. The place must be cleaned and a bucket of compost or humus added, as well as 200–300 g of wood ash per square meter. If the soil is heavy, contains a lot of clay, 500–800 g of sawdust or sand are added to it for the same area.
Landing pattern is standard:
- Cabrillo strawberries are best placed on the southern slopes of the garden;
- beds are oriented in the direction “north – south”;
- bushes are placed in a checkerboard pattern;
- between the holes leave an interval of 30 cm;
- rows should be spaced 60 cm apart.
Cabrillo strawberries can be grown under agrofibre
Care of culture is especially thorough. Watering is planned at least once a week, and in a drought – twice. Use only distilled water. Top dressing for Cabrillo strawberries is applied four times per season (the amount is indicated for processing 1 m2 landing):
- April – urea (15–20 g);
- the beginning of flowering – potassium nitrate (10 g);
- the first half of July – mullein (1:10), superphosphate (50 g), potassium salt (40 g);
- after harvesting – wood ash (250 g).
Planting strawberries Cabrillo is desirable to mulch with straw or agrofibre. This will prevent the emergence of weeds and make maintenance much easier.
Preparation for winter
In order to achieve a high yield of Cabrillo strawberries, as in the description of the variety, and to get large berries, as in the photo, gardeners in the reviews recommend carefully covering the bushes for the winter. After the onset of the first frost (slightly below 0), it is necessary to mulch the plantings with a high layer of straw, spruce branches, and sawdust. It is recommended to install the frame and stretch the agrofibre.
Conclusion
Strawberry Cabrillo is quite demanding on care and ambient temperature. But on the other hand, it gives a lot of berries that appear throughout the season. The fruits are quite large, attractive in appearance. They have a rich taste and pleasant aroma. You can learn about the basic rules for growing Cabrillo strawberries in the climate from the video.
Reviews of gardeners about remontant strawberries of the Cabrillo variety
