Strawberry Darenka

Strawberries or garden strawberries, as it is correctly called, are one of the most famous and sought-after crops among gardeners. There are many varieties of this berry, but of them, the Darenka variety can be distinguished – early, well adapted to various conditions of the country and fruitful.

Inference history

The strawberry variety Darenka was bred by the breeder I. I. Bogdanova at the Sverdlovsk horticultural breeding station. The varieties Festivalnaya and Rusanovka were chosen as parental forms for it.

Description

Darenka is an early variety of non-remontant strawberries. It has upright, medium-sized bushes, with large and wide, slightly wrinkled and densely pubescent leaves, which slightly bend and bend down. The petioles of the leaves are medium. The flowers of the Darenka strawberry variety are bisexual, simultaneously blooming, white, located on numerous compact peduncles, strong, not lodging, rising above the leaves. Whiskers are light red in color, medium in thickness, are formed in moderation.

Darenka’s berries ripen together, they are large (from 8 g), of a classic blunt-conical shape, but with a pronounced neck and smooth, shiny dark red skin. Seeds are few, submerged in the pulp slightly. The berries come off easily when picking, the cups are separated from the berries also without problems.

Darenka berries are sweet, with a slight sourness. Tasting assessment of the taste of this variety – 4,4 points out of 5 possible. The pulp of the berries is tender, fleshy, the aroma is pronounced. Despite the softness, the berries withstand transportation in specially prepared packaging. The yield of the variety is high, the periodicity in fruiting is not observed. From 1 bush you can collect 1,2-1,5 kg of tasty and juicy berries.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Like every variety of strawberry, the Darenka variety has its pros and cons.

As you can see, the Darenka variety has much more advantages than disadvantages, which suggests that this is a variety that deserves to take its place in any garden plot.

Methods of reproduction

Like other varieties of strawberries, Darenka reproduces by mustache and division of bushes; you can also grow it from seeds. The choice of method depends on the capabilities and personal preferences of the gardener.

Mustache

In order to propagate strawberries with a mustache, it is necessary to mark the most healthy and prolific young (not older than 2-3 years) bushes, and the next year, when they grow a mustache, dig them in without tearing them away from the mother plants. Take for reproduction only mustaches of the first order, and not the next orders and the largest. At the end of summer, when they take root, they need to be dug up and transplanted into new beds. You can do this in the spring too.

By dividing the bush

Young Darenka strawberry plants during transplantation can be divided into parts and each planted separately. It is necessary to divide carefully and so that a vegetative kidney must remain on each piece.

Cultivation from seeds

Another way that can be used to propagate Darenka strawberries is to grow it from seeds. It can be divided into several stages.

Preparation of seeds for sowing

Before you start planting seeds, they need to be prepared: germinate in a damp tissue and stratify at low positive temperatures. These agrotechnical measures will help the seeds germinate faster, become stronger and more hardened.

Sowing time

You can sow the seeds of Darenka already in February-March, then small plants will have time to grow from them by the time it gets completely warmer. You can sow the seeds earlier, but in this case they will have to be highlighted.

Sowing in peat tablets

You can grow strawberry seeds not only in the soil, but also in peat tablets. Before sowing, the tablets should be placed in a pan, poured with warm water, and when they swell, sow 1-3 seeds in the center of each of them.

Seeding into the soil

It is easiest to grow Darenka strawberries in containers filled with fertile soil. Sowing it is very simple – just put the seeds on a moistened surface, cover with a film and put in a warm and bright place.

Picking sprouts

When 3 leaves appear in young strawberry plants, they must be transplanted into individual containers of sufficient volume (at least 5 by 5 cm). Picking is carried out in order to seat plants sown too densely and provide them with the necessary space for growth.

Why seeds don’t germinate

Strawberry seeds generally germinate for a long time and difficult, and if they were not prepared, then this process may still be delayed. Or they will not have enough heat and light, so when growing seedlings from seeds, this must be monitored.

Landing

The seedlings of the Darenka variety obtained on your farm or purchased will need to be planted in the ground. Here’s how to do it.

How to choose seedlings

Good strawberry seedlings should be large, healthy, with a well-developed root system, with rich green leaves. Sluggish, diseased and frail seedlings are not suitable for planting.

Site selection and preparation of soil

It is better to choose a place on the plot for strawberries Darenka sunny, warm, protected from winds and drafts. As for the soil, any type of soil is suitable for this crop, but it is still better if it is fertile, loose, airy soil. Acidic soils are not suitable for strawberries.

Landing scheme

In order for strawberry plants to feel normal and bear fruit well, each of them must have a sufficient feeding area. Therefore, seedlings need to be planted at a distance at least 50 cm apart.

Care

It is necessary to take care of Darenka variety strawberries in the same way as for plants of other varieties, that is, water, fertilize, treat for diseases.

Spring period

In the spring, as soon as it gets warmer, you need to remove the mulch from the bushes that protected them in the winter. If it gets cold, strawberries can be covered with a film.

Watering and mulching

Both newly planted plants and mature bushes need to be watered so that they can show their best. To preserve moisture, the soil around them is best mulched.

Feeding by month

The timing of fertilizing strawberry plants depends on their age. Young bushes planted in autumn can only be fed with mineral fertilizers.

Preparation for winter

Although the Darenka strawberry is winter-hardy, it needs to be covered in cold regions, especially young plants. This should be done when the first frosts come.

Diseases and methods of struggle

Grown plants of this variety can be affected by diseases, so gardeners who decide to grow Darenka need to know what she is sick with and how to deal with it.

Pests and ways to deal with them

Strawberries can be affected by many pests, for example, weevils, strawberry leaf beetle and ticks, spider mites, May beetle larvae, bears, aphids, nematodes, tobacco thrips, slugs, bronzovka and whiteflies can attack it. They harm the bushes and can destroy a significant part of the crop, therefore, agrochemistry and folk remedies are used to combat them.

Features of growing in pots

In addition to the traditional cultivation in the beds, you can try to grow strawberries of this variety using new, but already quite popular technology – in pots. Growing berries by this method has its own characteristics, which must be learned by those gardeners who decide to use it.

Conclusion

Darenka is an interesting variety of early-ripening strawberries, which is distinguished by its yield and excellent taste of berries. At the same time, he is unpretentious, manages with standard care. If everything is done correctly, Darenka plants will delight the gardener with a harvest of tasty and very fragrant fruits.

Reviews of gardeners