Contents
Among the remontant early-ripening varieties, strawberry Baron Solemacher stands out. It has gained wide popularity with its excellent taste, aroma of bright berries and high yield. Due to the cold resistance, the bushes bear fruit until the very frost.
The story of
The variety owes its appearance to German breeders who worked with the Alpine varietal group of strawberries. Strawberry Baron Solemacher was bred in the mid-30s of the last century and has been leading the popularity rating in terms of its characteristics for many decades.
Variety description
Poisk Company acts as the originator of the variety. She controls the preservation of the original varietal properties of the strawberry Baron Solemacher and recommends it for cultivation in all regions of Our Country – in garden plots and greenhouses, and even at home, on window sills.
Strawberry bushes are semi-spreading, squat – no higher than 20 cm, shaped, covered with small light green leaves with jagged edges. The pubescence of the leaves gives them a silvery sheen. Strawberry flowers are quite small, bisexual, located on short peduncles below the leaves.
More complete information about the features of alpine strawberry varieties can be found in the article.
Strawberry Baron Solemacher begins to bear fruit in the first year after planting. For 3-4 years, the remontant strawberry variety consistently produces high yields, more than 83 c/ha. At the end of this period, strawberry bushes should be transplanted.
Small berries with dense, juicy pulp are distinguished by:
- bright, rich red color with a glossy sheen;
- sweet taste with a slightly noticeable sourness;
- unique strawberry aroma;
- conical shape;
- average weight up to 4 g;
- excellent presentation, high tasting rating.
Strawberry Baron Solemacher blooms in May, and the first harvest of berries can be harvested in early summer. The fruiting of strawberries is continuous throughout the season, until the very frost. In the south, the season lasts until November, in the northern regions, strawberries bear fruit until mid or late September.
Advantages and disadvantages
Strawberry variety Baron Solemacher has many advantages that far outweigh the relative disadvantages. They can be found in the table below.
Advantages of the variety | Disadvantages |
Unpretentiousness to weather conditions – the bushes bloom and bear fruit even in rainy seasons | After 3-4 years, strawberries need to be transplanted |
Decorative – for the whole summer, compact, spherical strawberry bushes become a wonderful decoration of the garden | Need timely and quality food |
High yield – strawberries bear fruit abundantly until frost | Requires careful care |
Due to the absence of mustaches, strawberry bushes occupy a small area in the garden. |
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Strawberry seeds demonstrate high germination – up to 95% |
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Strawberries are characterized by good frost and drought tolerance. |
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High resistance to diseases and pests |
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Methods of reproduction
Strawberries can be propagated in several ways, each of which has its own advantages.
Division of the bush
From each strawberry bush you can get several pieces. An adult bush is cut into pieces at growth points, which are then planted in light and moist soil. Faster rooting of strawberries will contribute to:
- their regular hilling;
- removal of leaves from delenok;
- planting bushes in a greenhouse;
- maintaining high soil and air moisture;
- slight shade from the sun.
After about a month, the delenki form a fairly powerful root system, and they can be seated in a permanent place. Reproduction of strawberries by dividing the bush can be carried out all season – from spring to early autumn. But no later than September, otherwise young plants will not have time to adapt and may freeze.
Cultivation from seeds
Strawberries Baron Solemacher are easy to grow from seeds. But keep in mind that they will sprout only after a few weeks, so you need to plant early enough.
Technology for obtaining and stratifying seeds
Strawberry seeds Baron Solemacher can be bought at a specialized store or obtained independently:
- choose the largest, overripe berries from the garden;
- cut the pulp along with the seeds and lay it out in the sun to dry it;
- when the pulp dries, collect the remaining seeds, arrange in bags and place in a cool place.
It is believed that the best varietal properties of strawberries Baron Solemacher retain the seeds that are in the upper part of the berry. The shelf life of seeds is up to 4 years.
For stratification, the seeds should be placed in conditions with a temperature of 0 – +4 degrees and humidity up to 70-75%:
- put the seeds on a damp cloth;
- put it in a plastic bag;
- prepare a transparent plastic container with holes and place the seeds in it;
- put the container in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Sowing time
Strawberry seeds Baron Solemacher are sown from late February to mid-April, depending on climatic conditions. However, the later they are planted, the more the harvest time will be pushed back. Early sowing is preferable for another reason – if strawberry seeds do not sprout, there will be time for re-planting. The soil for sowing seeds should be light, loose and breathable. It is usually prepared from a mixture of garden soil and purchased substrate.
Sowing in peat tablets
The best substrate for seeds are peat tablets. Their advantages are:
- in the set of nutrients necessary for seeds to germinate;
- no need for picking seedlings;
- the possibility of obtaining healthy seedlings;
- high air and water permeability;
Seeding into the soil
You can combine the sowing of strawberry seeds in the ground with their stratification:
- a layer of snow is poured into a plastic container with holes on top of the prepared soil;
- seeds are placed on top of it;
- cover with foil and put in the refrigerator;
- the container is placed on the windowsill, closer to the light;
- every day you need to remove the cover and ventilate the crops;
- periodically moisten the soil, not allowing it to dry out;
- maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees;
Dive
Approximately 2-3 weeks after sowing, the first sprouts begin to hatch. Mass seedlings germinate by the end of the month. The sprouts are very tender, so it is risky to touch them until at least 4 true leaves appear. After that, you can carefully dive the seedlings of the Baron Solemacher variety, transplanting each into a separate pot and not deepening them at the same time.
Why seeds don’t germinate
For friendly germination of seeds, it is necessary to provide them with comfortable conditions. Tanks for sowing must be treated with an antifungal agent, the soil is disinfected. Stratification is a prerequisite for seed germination. They also will not ascend if the necessary conditions of temperature, humidity and ventilation are not created in the room. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, however, high humidity with a lack of ventilation can lead to the appearance of mold. With a lack of lighting, the sprouts will be weak and elongated.
Planting strawberries
Seedlings on the beds can be planted in early June.
Selection of seedlings
For planting the Baron Solemacher variety, healthy, strong seedlings must be selected.
Their root system:
- must be fibrous with a root collar diameter of at least 6 mm;
- without damage;
- with a light green living heart;
- the roots should be juicy, not wilted.
Planting site selection and soil preparation
Variety Baron Solemacher responds well to heat and sunlight, which must be considered when choosing a site for her. It is not recommended to plant it:
- in damp lowlands;
- in areas with a close location of groundwater;
- in beds where potatoes or tomatoes used to grow.
If the site has high humidity, then high beds with sides should be prepared for strawberry bushes.
Landing scheme
The optimal distance between the bushes should provide normal aeration, as they will grow. Usually they leave a gap of 30-35 cm, and between rows – up to 70 cm. We must remember that you can not deepen the growth point, but you should not expose the root system of strawberries either.
Care
The agrotechnics of the variety Baron Solemacher consists in timely procedures for watering, fertilizing and loosening.
Care in the spring
Spring work on strawberry beds includes:
- in loosening the soil under the bushes;
- cleaning from last year’s mulch and foliage, along with which the beds are cleared of pests that have wintered in it;
- pruning damaged shoots and leaves;
- regular watering;
- treatment of bushes from pests.
Watering and mulching
Strawberry Baron Solemacher especially needs watering and top dressing:
- before the flowering phase;
- after its completion;
- during the period of emergence of ovaries.
Drip irrigation system is considered the most effective. It is good to water strawberry bushes after picking berries to stimulate further ripening.
Extra plants in the garden:
- take nutrients from strawberry bushes;
- reduce their illumination;
- retain moisture.
Therefore, after the start of strawberry flowering, it is necessary:
- organize weeding bushes;
- clean the beds from weeds;
- loosen the soil, ensuring its aeration;
- mulch the bushes with straw or sawdust.
Feeding
Table 2 shows the types of dressings and the timing of their introduction.
Terms of additional dressing | Fertilizers |
Spring months, can be spent as early as March | The greatest preference is given to nitrogen fertilizers – potassium and ammonium nitrate, diluted manure |
The phase of the appearance of green ovaries | Make compost, slurry, potassium and phosphorus salts |
In autumn, around September, when the berry picking ends | Complex fertilizers, potassium, phosphorus, bird droppings |
Preparation for winter
After collecting the last ripe berries, you need to prepare the strawberry bushes Baron Solemacher for wintering. For this you need:
- inspect and sprinkle the bare roots with earth, without closing the outlet;
- mulch the bushes to insulate the roots;
- with the onset of frost, strawberries can be covered, but during thaws it should be aired so that the bushes do not rot;
- place spruce branches between the rows, which will hold a dense layer of snow on the bushes.
Disease control
Strawberry Baron Solemacher is resistant to most of the most common pathologies – black and gray rot, various types of spotting and others. However, it needs regular preventive spraying during the growing season.
The terms of treatments and types of drugs are visible from the table.
Processing times | Drug name |
Early spring | 3% Bordeaux liquid |
The appearance of leaves and peduncles | A mixture of 1% Bordeaux liquid and 1% colloidal sulfur |
Budding and flowering | Same drugs |
Berries ripening period | Lepidocide solution |
Autumn processing | Treatment before wintering with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture |
Protection against pests
Despite the good resistance of the Baron Solemacher variety to the action of pests, a violation of agricultural technology can cause great harm to plantings. The most dangerous pest is the strawberry mite. Against him, they are treated with drugs such as Karbofos or Keltan, according to the instructions.
Collection and storage of berries
When the time of mass ripening of Baron Solemacher strawberries begins, it is harvested every other day, early in the morning or in the evening. Usually the largest fruits are produced by the first crop of strawberries. If it is necessary to transport the berries, it is necessary to collect two days before full ripeness, when the accumulation of sugar has already reached its maximum value. Berries must be transported in the same container in which they were collected, otherwise their quality will decrease. For picking berries, baskets or flat boxes are usually used. Strawberries can be stored for up to a week, if immediately after picking they are cooled to 1-2 degrees, provide good ventilation and humidity up to 95%.
Growing in pots
Strawberries Baron Solemacher can also be grown in pots or boxes on the windowsill. Caring for them is as simple as in the beds:
- pots are filled with fertile soil mixture;
- a layer of drainage is laid out at the bottom;
- one bush is planted in each of them;
- strawberry plantings are placed on the windowsill or on the balcony on the south side, where there is better illumination;
- in winter, strawberry bushes should be provided with additional lighting;
- watering and fertilizing are carried out in the usual way.
The difference between domestic strawberry bushes is the need for artificial pollination.
Сonclusion
Strawberry Baron Solemacher is an excellent variety that does not require complex care. Due to its remarkable qualities, it has earned high popularity among gardeners.
