Strawberry Elizabeth 2: selection, region of growth, description, pros and cons of the variety + care for garden strawberries

Selection history and region of growth

Variety Elizabeth 2 was bred on the basis of the variety Queen Elizabeth. This discovery was made by breeders on the basis of the research and production company Donskoy Nursery. A couple of years after the breeding, strawberries were sent for testing to different regions, where they took root perfectly. Most of all, the variety is acclimatized to the conditions of a changeable climate, which is observed in the cities of central Our Country.

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Description of garden strawberries Elizabeth 2

The appearance of Elizabeth 2, of course, is similar to other varieties, but still has individual characteristics.

Bushes

The appearance of strawberry bushes looks powerful. The plant has dense leaves of a rich green hue and many tendrils. The texture of the leaves is ribbed. Berry bushes, as a rule, bear fruit abundantly.

If the peduncles are not cut off, 4-6 antennae with 2-4 rosettes are formed on the bush. This is due to the expenditure of a large amount of energy on fruiting. Peduncles are located under the leaves, which is explained by the weight of large fruits.

Flowers and berries

The flowers are white with a bright yellow center. The fruits are quite large. The weight of one berry is about 50 g, although there are also record berries weighing 130 g. The size of strawberries directly depends on the care, namely, the control of the fruiting wave and the use of certain agricultural practices.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The opinions of gardeners regarding this variety of strawberries are rather contradictory. Some call it one of the best in terms of productivity, others consider it too whimsical and fragile. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Elizabeth 2?

Methods for obtaining planting material

Given the fact that strawberries need regular replacement for abundant fruiting, gardeners are often interested in how to get high-quality planting material.

seed method

This method is considered the most difficult in terms of labor intensity. This is due to the need to prepare seeds approximately six months before planting. Also, the process is complicated by the fact that seedlings need to be regularly looked after.

It is important to understand that with the seed method for obtaining planting material, varietal characteristics may not be preserved.

Starting sowing seeds, one should take into account their small size. That is why the seeds should not be deepened into the soil too much. Before sowing, the soil must be abundantly moistened and compacted. Seeds are sown on the prepared soil, which, in order to insulate and create a greenhouse effect, are covered with glass or film and placed in a warm, lit place.

The first shoots, as a rule, appear after a couple of weeks. Young bushes are planted in open soil when the warm weather finally stabilizes. By that time, the bush should have 4-5 strong leaves.

With sockets

Remontant strawberries are successfully propagated by tendrils. To do this, you need to choose the most fruitful and strong of them, bend to the ground and lightly sprinkle with soil. After a while they will take root. In the middle of summer, they can be transplanted to a permanent bed in the garden.

The division of bush sockets

Bushes aged 2-3 years are excellent for replacing planting material. The main selection criterion is the powerful root system of strawberries. Separate the bushes should be very careful, because there is a risk of injuring the delicate roots with a sharp knife.

Garden strawberry care

Given the numerous reviews of gardeners who have been growing this variety of strawberries for several years, we can conclude that it is relatively unpretentious. Bushes feel great not only in spacious beds, but also in flower pots. However, some moments of departure are still considered fundamentally important for Elizabeth 2.

Watering

This type of berry needs regular and plentiful watering. In case of insufficient moisture, the fruits will be small and dry. However, sprinkling should also not be used in the case of Elizabeth 2. This is due to the fact that large berries ripening on twigs can simply rot from excess liquid.

A drip irrigation system will be an excellent way out for regular watering. Although many water the berry bushes by hand. The volume of water for each bush is strictly individual.

Ideally, the soil should be moistened at a depth of 30 cm.

Additional fertilizing

The main elements for the successful cultivation of strawberries of this variety are potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. It is recommended to feed the plant with one of the listed compositions every 2 weeks. For foliar top dressing, you can use the means “Ovary” and “Epin”.

Diseases and pests

The description of this variety of strawberries characterizes the culture as quite resistant to various fungal diseases and insects. Elizabeth 2 is resistant to several types of rot, powdery mildew. But as a preventive measure, berry bushes are still recommended to be treated with special solutions from time to time. “Integral” and “Fitosporin” will protect the plant from decay, and tobacco ash will prevent the appearance of small bugs.

Other nuances of growing

Elizabeth 2 has several nuances, taking into account which will help grow healthy and strong bushes:

1. Strawberries, as a rule, produce smaller fruits in 4–5 years. This is due to the fact that useful minerals gradually disappear from the soil. In order for the crop to receive a sufficient amount of trace elements, it is important to apply nitrogen and mineral fertilizers.
2. During flowering, tendrils and shoots should be cut off so that the plant does not waste its vitality on them. In this case, the berries will be larger and sweeter.
3. Elizabeth 2 is very fond of sunlight. Having transplanted a plant from a shady zone to an open area, the gardener will soon notice an improvement in the general condition of the berry crop.

Obviously, there are no difficult moments in caring for this type of strawberry. The main condition for abundant fruiting and high-quality harvest is timely watering, regular feeding and the presence of the required amount of sunlight.