Description of the variety of ampelous strawberries Tristan (Tristan) F1

Strawberry Tristan is a Dutch variety, so far not very common in Our Country. Basically, summer residents grow it on the territory of the Central region – from the North-West to the south. It is characterized by moderate winter hardiness and long fruiting, which lasts until the first frost. The berries are moderately large, have a pronounced sweet taste.

History of breeding

Strawberry Tristan (Tristan) – a hybrid of the first generation (F1), obtained by breeders of the Dutch company ABZ Seeds. The company specializes in breeding hybrids resistant to drought, frost, pests and other adverse factors.

The hybrid has spread throughout Europe, the United States and partly in Our Country. It has not yet been included in the register of selection achievements. However, many summer residents already grow this crop on their plots. They appreciate it for the stable harvest that the bushes give until the end of summer.

Description of the strawberry variety Tristan and characteristics

Strawberry Tristan – ampel culture. It is a variety of large-fruited strawberries, giving a high yield. Berries appear throughout the season, which distinguishes the culture from other varieties.

The bushes are compact and low – they reach 30 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. They practically do not give a mustache, they can be grown both in open beds and in pots.

Strawberry Tristan is characterized by early flowering

Inflorescences open in the first half of May. There are a lot of them, which ensures a high yield.

Characteristics of fruits, taste qualities

Tristan strawberries are medium and large, weight is 25–30 g. The shape is symmetrical, regular, conical or biconical, elongated. The color is dark red, the surface is glossy, glistens in the sun. The taste is noticeably sweet, dessert, with a pleasant aroma. The purpose of Tristan’s strawberries is universal. They are consumed fresh, and also used for jam, jam, fruit drink and other preparations.

Tristan strawberries can be grown in pots

Ripening time, yield and keeping quality

The first berries ripen in mid-June. They appear throughout the summer and even in September until the first (moderate) frost. That is why the Tristan strawberry belongs to remontant varieties with long and extended fruiting (the period can last four months).

Productivity is high: from 700 g to 1 kg from each bush. At first glance, this is a small figure. But given that the bushes are not spreading, then from a square meter you can get up to 5 kg of good quality berries.

Such high rates are achieved due to long-term fruiting, as well as due to the fact that berries are regularly formed both on mother bushes and on daughter rosettes. And for this they can not even be shortened. Although rosettes appear in small numbers, they still contribute to the overall yield.

The fruits have a fairly dense pulp and strong skin. Therefore, they are distinguished by good keeping quality. You can keep fresh Tristan strawberries in the refrigerator for several days. Transportability is also good, so strawberries are grown on an industrial scale for sale.

Growing regions, frost resistance

Strawberry Tristan is characterized by moderate winter hardiness, and in the description of the variety from the originator it is stated that it can be grown in zone 5, which corresponds to temperatures down to -29 degrees. Thus, Tristan strawberries can only be bred in the regions of Central Our Country:

• Northwest;
• Moscow region and the middle lane;
• the Volga region;
• Chernozem region;
• southern territories.

It is difficult to grow a variety in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. But since the bushes are not spreading, they can be cultivated in pots or in boxes in heated rooms.

Strawberries Tristan can be grown in most regions of Central Our Country

Disease and pest resistance

The variety has a fairly good immunity. However, it is not excluded the defeat of common diseases:

• anthracnose;
• different forms of rot;
• spotting;
• late blight on the roots;
• Rhizoctonia.

The following pests are dangerous for Tristan strawberries:

• weevil;
• aphid;
• garden mite and others.

Therefore, it is necessary to carry out mandatory treatments with fungicides (before flowering):

• Bordeaux liquid;
• “Horus”;
• “Maksim”;
• “Signum” and others.

Insects can be dealt with by folk methods. For spraying use: infusion of tobacco dust, onion peel, garlic cloves, decoction of potato tops, marigold flowers, mustard powder and others. In extreme cases, insecticides are used:

• “Aktara”;
• “Confidor”;
• “Fitoferm”;
• “Inta-Vir” and others.

After applying chemicals, harvesting can begin in 3-5 days.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Strawberry Tristan is valued by gardeners for its good yield. This is a great option for lovers of fresh strawberries throughout the summer season and even early autumn. The variety has other tangible advantages.

Strawberry Tristan gives a harvest for four months

Pros:

• high, stable yield;
• long fruiting until the first frost;
• pleasant taste and aroma;
• attractive presentation;
• undemanding to care;
• good keeping quality and transportability;
• resistance to certain diseases.

Cons:

• high cost of seed material;
• plants cannot be bred with a mustache;
• not in all regions the culture takes root.

Methods of reproduction

Since Tristan practically does not give mustaches, it is necessary to propagate it by growing seedlings from seeds. They are purchased from suppliers – it is not advisable to assemble them yourself. Tristan is a hybrid, so it does not produce a fertile generation.

Seeds are sown in late February or early March. For this, disposable cups are used, since strawberries of this variety do not like transplants. The soil can be purchased at the store or made independently on the basis of soddy land, black peat, humus and sand (2: 1: 1: 1). Previously, it is shed with a solution of potassium permanganate or put in the freezer for several days.

Seeds are laid out with tweezers on the surface and lightly sprinkled with earth. Then moisten from a spray bottle, cover with a lid and put in a warm place (24–25 degrees). Periodically ventilate and water. When shoots with three leaves appear, the film is removed. All this time, Tristan strawberry seedlings need to be illuminated with fitolamps. The total daylight hours should be 14-15 hours.

Tristan strawberry seedlings are best grown in separate containers

Planting and care

Planting the crop in open ground is planned for mid-May, when there will be no return frosts. The scheme is standard – you can leave a distance of 15-20 cm between the bushes, placing them in rows in a checkerboard pattern. When choosing a place, you should pay attention to good illumination (although a slight shadow is allowed), protection from winds and low humidity (lowlands should be excluded).

Strawberry Tristan is unpretentious in care. Agrotechnics of cultivation is standard. It should be watered regularly, giving warm, settled water every week, in a drought – twice as often. After watering, the soil must be loosened. Weeding is carried out periodically. Bushes produce little mustache, they are removed as needed in May and June.

Tristan strawberries are grown on fertile, light soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Even on rich soils, bushes need regular feeding – up to 4-5 times per season:

1. In early April, use mullein (1:10) or chicken manure (1:15), you can also give urea at the rate of 20 g per 10 l per 1 m² area.
2. After the appearance of peduncles (mid-May), potassium nitrate is needed (10 g per 10 l per 1 m²).
3. At the beginning of July, mullein, superphosphate (50 g per 10 l per 1 m²) and wood ash (100 g per 10 l per 1 m²).
4. In early September, you can add wood ash (200 g per 10 liters per 1 m²).

Preparation for winter

To grow a fruitful Tristan strawberry, as in the photo and in the description of the variety, gardeners in their reviews recommend paying special attention to preparing for winter. In the southern regions, it is enough to simply remove the leaves and mulch the plantings with sawdust, a low layer of straw or dry foliage.

In all other areas, bushes need mandatory shelter. The best way is to install a frame of metal or wooden pegs and cover with agrofibre. Previously, a layer of mulch is laid on the plantings, the height of which depends on the climatic conditions of the region.

Conclusion

Strawberry Tristan is a little-known variety in Our Country that you can include in your collection. Bushes do not require special care. Even with standard agricultural practices, up to 1 kg of sweet, fairly large and beautiful berries can be harvested from each plant.

Reviews of gardeners about Tristan strawberries