Description, planting and care of Onda strawberries (Onda)

Strawberry Onda is an Italian variety that appeared in 1989. It features large, dense berries that are convenient to transport over long distances and use fresh or frozen. The pulp is juicy and sweet, with a pleasant, pronounced aroma. Another advantage is high productivity. In care, strawberries are unpretentious, so even a novice gardener can cope with agricultural technology.

History of breeding

Strawberry Onda (Onda) is bred in Italy on the basis of two varieties:

• Honeoye;
• Marmolada.

The variety was successfully tested, after which it began to be grown on an industrial scale. In Our Country, Onda strawberries have just begun to spread. The variety is not included in the register of selection achievements.

Description of the Onda strawberry variety and characteristics

Onda strawberry bushes are medium-sized, the leaves are saturated green, moderately large, of a typical shape. Plants are not sprawling, so you can cultivate even in small beds.

Characteristics of fruits, taste qualities

In the description of the Onda variety, the following characteristics of the berries are given:

• the shape is correct, rounded, with a pronounced cone at the bottom;
• bright red color;
• glossy surface;
• sizes are large;
• weight on average 40–50 g (in subsequent seasons it shrinks to 25–30 g);
• pulp of average density, red.

Strawberries have a good taste and pleasant aroma. There is a pronounced sweetness with a moderate, balanced acidity.

Ripening time, yield and keeping quality

Onda strawberry yield is good: for the whole season, each plant produces 1–1,2 kg of large berries. In subsequent years, the mass of fruits becomes smaller, and therefore the yield decreases. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to regularly propagate the bushes and get new plants.

The variety belongs to mid-season: berries are formed in the first weeks of summer. You can collect them from the end of June to the end of July. The berries are quite strong, so they can be stored fresh for a long time in the refrigerator. The fruits are transported in boxes, stacked on top of each other in 3-4 layers.

Onda strawberries can be transported over long distances

Growing regions, frost resistance

The variety has good frost resistance. This allows you to grow strawberries in open ground not only in the south, but also in the regions of Central Our Country:

• middle lane;
• Chernozem region;
• Volga region.

However, in the Northwest, as well as in the Urals and Siberia, shelter is mandatory. It is in greenhouse conditions that Onda strawberries give the maximum yield. The variety also has good drought tolerance. But to get juicy and tasty berries, you need to organize regular watering, especially during the hot period.

Disease and pest resistance

The description of Onda strawberries indicates that the variety has good immunity. For example, plants do not suffer from anthracnose and root rot. Data on immunity from other diseases are not available. Possible damage by pests: aphids, weevils, leaf beetles, nematodes, whiteflies and many others.

Therefore, during the growing season, it is recommended to carry out several preventive treatments. To prevent fungal diseases in the spring, before flowering, Onda strawberry bushes are sprayed with a solution of any fungicide:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• “Teldur”;
• “Maksim”;
• “Horus”;
• “Signum”;
• “Tatu”.

In summer, during the period of insect invasion, folk remedies are used:

• infusion of tobacco dust, chili pepper, onion peel;
• a solution of wood ash and laundry soap, mustard powder;
• decoction of marigold flowers, potato tops;
• mustard powder solution.

If folk remedies did not help, Onda strawberries are treated with insecticides:

• “Biotlin”;
• “Inta-Vir”;
• “Green soap”;
• “Confidor”;
• “Fitoverm” and others.

Onda strawberries can be processed only in the evening or in cloudy weather, when there is no wind and rain. In the case of the use of chemicals, the crop can only be harvested after 3-7 days.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Onda variety is high-yielding and produces tasty, large berries. They can be used both fresh and for various preparations. Summer residents appreciate this strawberry for other advantages.

Onda berries are large, regular in shape and brightly colored.

Pros:

• very pleasant taste;
• high yield;
• marketable condition;
• good keeping quality and transportability;
• resistance to frost and drought;
• immunity to certain diseases;
• dense pulp, allowing you to freeze the berries.

Cons:

• over the years, strawberries become smaller;
• in a number of regions it is necessary to grow under cover.

Methods of reproduction

The Onda variety can be propagated in several ways:

• mustache;
• division of the bush.

Shoots for reproduction are used only in June (before fruiting). They are torn off and planted in fertile, light and moist soil. Plants have time to take root before the end of the season. In autumn, they need to be mulched or covered with agrofiber (like mother bushes).

Onda strawberries can also be propagated by dividing the bush. In late spring or early autumn, several maternal specimens are dug up and placed in cups of water. After a few hours, the roots are separated, if necessary, a knife is used. Then planted and grown, like the rest of the plants. This method allows you to rejuvenate old Onda strawberry bushes. In this case, the yield will be maintained at a high level.

Planting and care

Onda strawberries are planted in mid-May, when the daytime temperature does not drop below +15 °C. The landing site should not be waterlogged. Lowlands are not allowed, although it is also better to exclude hills. The soil should be loose and fertile (sandy, loamy), acidic (pH about 5–5,5). 2 months before planting in the ground, it is recommended to close up manure at a rate of 5–7 kg per 1 m².

It is undesirable to make a bed with predecessors from the Solanaceae family (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes), as well as with cucumbers and cabbage.

Onda strawberries are planted according to the standard scheme, leaving a distance between bushes of 30 cm and between rows of 40 cm. It is recommended to put a pinch of wood ash or superphosphate and potassium sulfate in each hole (at the rate of 100 g per 1 m²). Then watered with warm, settled water and mulched with peat, sawdust, hay.

Growing strawberries on spunbond allows you to get rid of weeds

To get healthy Onda strawberry bushes that match the description of the variety and photo, gardeners in their reviews recommend adhering to the following rules:

1. Watering weekly (in drought 2 times a week). Use pre-settled water at the rate of 0,5 liters per 1 seedling. It is not necessary to give too much moisture – the soil should dry out.
2. Fertilizer for Onda strawberries is applied 3 times per season. In early April, give urea or ammonium nitrate (20 g per 1 m²). At the stage of bud formation, wood ash is added (100–200 g per 1 m²) and superphosphate with potassium salt (20 g per 1 m² or in a non-root way). During active fruiting, they give organic matter. Mullein is diluted 10 times or litter 15 times. Use 0,5 liters per bush.
3. Periodically weed the bed and loosen the soil. It is especially important to do this after watering and rains, so that the earth does not have time to cake and does not become too dense.

Preparation for winter

Despite the fact that the variety is quite frost-resistant, it still needs to be prepared for the winter. For this, in September and early October, it is recommended:

• cut off all mustaches;
• moderately water the plants, preventing the soil from drying out;
• cut off part of the leaves (about half can be);
• cover the landings with spruce branches or agrofibre, pulling it over metal arcs.

Straw and leaves can also be used for mulch, but they can be banned. And in the straw they often make mouse nests.

For the winter, planting strawberries should be covered with agrofiber

Therefore, it is better to use an herbicide or complete weeding at the end of August.

Conclusion

Strawberry Onda is a relatively new variety for Our Country, which has just begun to be planted in the regions. The berries are large, the care is standard, and the yield is quite high. Therefore, both summer residents and farmers can pay attention to this culture.

Reviews of gardeners about Onda strawberries