Strawberry Diamond

California is considered to be the birthplace of remontant strawberries Diamant. It was there that the variety was bred by university specialists. On the territory of Our Country, strawberries have spread among many gardeners from different regions. Strawberry Diamant became famous for its taste, high yield, as well as rapid adaptation to climatic conditions.

Main characteristics of the variety

An overview of the strawberry Diamant, a description of the variety, photos, reviews of gardeners, let’s start with the characteristics of the culture. Remontant strawberries belong to the group of large-fruited crops. The berries grow in a cone-shaped elongated shape. The skin is shiny, bright red. In technical maturity it has an orange tint. The mass of the berry is about 32 g, but it all depends on the growing conditions. Ripe diamond fruit is dense. The pulp of light red color accumulates a large amount of sugar, but does not differ in juice saturation. Thanks to these indicators, the crop can be transported over long distances.

Strawberry variety Diamond has three main advantages:

• high yield;
• trade dress of berries;
• good taste qualities.

Continuing to consider garden strawberries Diamant, description of the variety, photos, reviews, it is worth paying attention to the plant itself. Strawberry bushes grow sprawling, tall with large leaves. The inflorescences are firmly held on the pedicel and protrude above the level of the foliage. With the beginning of the active ovary of fruits, the formation of a mustache occurs. Grow strawberries Diamant in open and closed ground. Strawberries are able to bear fruit well in flower pots suspended with flowerpots.

Features of care

To grow a variety of remontant strawberries Diamant, you need to know the features of crop care. Strawberries are resistant to diseases and pests, but not as resistant as ordinary garden strawberries. In addition, the culture is very sensitive to the composition of the soil and the regularity of watering. Because of these features, gardeners have to follow the following rules of care:

• Regular watering of strawberries Diamant is carried out only with warm water. To do this, a large storage capacity is placed on the site. Watering is best early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Loosening the soil is mandatory after rain or each watering. With visible exposure of the roots, strawberries are hilled.
• Weed grass should not grow between the bushes and between the rows. Regular weeding will help to get rid of diseases and get a good harvest.
• Strawberry Diamant responds well to soil mulching. A layer of sawdust, peat, pine needles or straw will prevent the evaporation of moisture in a drought, and also free the gardener from unnecessary weeding.
• Strawberries varieties Diamant loves root dressing and leaf. Strawberries respond well to manure and a solution of bird droppings. For spraying on the leaf, infusions of herbs, such as nettles, are prepared.
• Strawberry plantations Diamant must be subjected to preventive spraying. Usually gardeners use copper oxychloride or fungicides.
• In autumn, after harvesting, strawberries are cut off the leaves. Sick, as well as weak bushes are dug up and thrown away. Bare roots are spudded, a thick layer of mulch is scattered. For the winter they cover with spruce branches or non-woven fabric.

If you look closely, there is nothing complicated and new in caring for Diamant strawberries. You need to follow the standard requirements, as for most other strawberry varieties.

Planting and breeding features

In continuation of the review of the strawberry Diamant, descriptions of the variety, photos, reviews, we will consider the methods of propagation of the culture. Gardeners are accustomed to growing strawberries from mustaches. If the Diamond variety does not grow at home and there is nowhere to buy seedlings, the only option to start a crop in your garden is to purchase seeds.

Strawberry Diamant will grow on any soil, but the amount of the crop, the size and taste of the berries depend on its composition. The variety loves light soil. The optimal acidity index is from 5,0 to 6,5.

Growing strawberries from seeds occurs in the following order:

• For sowing strawberry seeds, containers about 8 cm high are prepared. Any boxes, glasses, flower pots will do. When grown in a common container, seedlings will have to dive before planting.
• The substrate for sowing seeds of strawberries is better to buy in the store. The soil mixture is disinfected from harmful microorganisms and has all the nutritional supplements. With self-preparation of the substrate, 3 parts of sand and 5 parts of humus are taken. You can use compost, peat, or in the worst case, ordinary land from the garden.

  

• Containers prepared for sowing are disinfected with a cool solution of manganese. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom. Any small stones will do. Strawberry soil mixture is poured onto the drainage and slightly moistened from the sprayer.
• In each cup, 1-2 pieces of strawberry seeds Diamant are placed on the surface of the soil. Grooves for grains are not made. Seeds are simply pressed into the ground with a finger. It is also not necessary to crush the earth from above. If sowing strawberries of the Diamant variety is carried out in a common container, then the seeds are thrown in bulk.
• After sowing, the soil from above is moistened again from the sprayer. Crops are covered with a film or transparent glass. Airing is done daily, lifting the shelter for a short time. When the soil dries, a sprayer is used to moisten.

If high-quality strawberry seeds of the Diamond variety are caught, then at an ambient temperature of +20^оSeedlings will appear in 1-2 weeks. After spitting the sprouts, the film is removed from the crops. If necessary, picks begin the procedure after the appearance of two full-fledged sheets.

Gardeners determine the sowing time for strawberry seeds individually according to the weather conditions of the region. However, strawberry seedlings do not outgrow as some garden crops, so you can sow from January to March.

At the time of planting seedlings, strawberries should form at least two strong leaves. With the onset of heat, the seedlings of Diamant are planted in the garden. A distance of about 30–50 cm is maintained between seedlings. After planting and watering all the strawberries, the surface of the soil in the garden is covered with mulch.

Additional fertilizing

Any strawberry, especially large-fruited varieties, needs to be fed. The procedure should be regular and dosed. The best fertilizer is a solution of bird droppings or manure. The most useful is chicken droppings, and cow manure.

A good top dressing for strawberries is watering infusion of freshly cut grass. Organic top dressing must alternate with the introduction of minerals. Saltpeter or special complexes for berry crops are usually used. In small quantities, ash is poured under the bushes. In addition to top dressing, organic matter prevents the reproduction of pests.

Control of diseases and pests

Concluding the review of the description of the Diamant strawberry variety, it is necessary to dwell on the problem of diseases and pests. More often, strawberries are destroyed by leaf beetles, strawberry mites or nematodes. Pests and pathogens can spread with purchased seedlings. Before planting, seedlings are doused with hot water. Good onion or garlic repel pests from strawberries. Marigolds can be planted next to the garden.

Gray rot is very dangerous for remontant strawberries. The disease is more often observed in beds with a dense planting of bushes. Weed grass is also a spreader of rot. The bed with strawberries should be clean and well ventilated. Between the bushes arrange a free passage. In the spring, darkened and frozen leaves are removed. Preventive treatment with fungicides helps well against gray rot.

The video talks about garden strawberries:

Reviews

Despite the slight difficulties in growing and caring for strawberries, gardeners’ reviews about Diamant strawberries tend to be more positive.