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Gardeners and farmers involved in strawberries are trying to pick up varieties of early ripening. And also those that do not cause much trouble when grown, giving a stable harvest.
The strawberry variety Elvira is a prominent representative of the Dutch selection and meets all the requirements of gardeners. The article will give a description, photo of the plant, features of cultivation and care.
Description
Strawberry Elvira belongs to early varieties, intended for cultivation in almost all regions of Our Country, not only in summer cottages, but also in farms.
Bushes
The description given by Dutch breeders is confirmed by photos and reviews of gardeners. The Elvira strawberry bush is really powerful, has a spreading crown. The leaves are medium sized emerald green.
As indicated in the description, the plant throws out 2-3 strong peduncles, on which about 10 white flowers bloom with a bright yellow center. All of them eventually turn into small green berries. Fruit ripening is long, the crop is harvested as it arrives. One bush gives 600-1000 grams.
Berries
Large strawberries of the Elvira variety attract with glossy skin. By the time of ripening, rounded berries become rich red. Each berry weighs 30-60 grams. The fruits are tasty, dense, red on the cut without voids. The pulp is juicy and firm. Berries of the Elvira variety with a thick strawberry aroma are sweet, acid is not felt.
appointment
Gardeners, farmers and consumers are attracted not only by the large and tasty berries of the Elvira variety, but also by the versatility of using the fruit:
- fresh consumption;
- the possibility of making jam, jam, marmalade, candied fruits;
- freezing whole berries for the winter;
- preparation of fragrant strawberry wine and liquor.
Characterization
When there is a desire to plant something new on the site, in addition to the description, reviews and photos of the Elvira strawberry variety, I want to know the pros and cons of the plant.
Advantages
- Early ripeness. The first berries of the variety ripen in mid-June, when the fruits are just pouring on other strawberry plants.
- Unpretentiousness. Strawberries can be grown in any soil. Withstands rainy and dry weather.
- Long term fruiting. The berries do not ripen on the bushes at the same time, so you can feast on fragrant garden strawberries of the Elvira variety until autumn.
- Storage. Dense berries are stored for a long time, do not soften and do not flow, do not rot, do not lose their useful properties.
- Transportability. Elastic berries of the variety do not lose their presentation even when transported over long distances, which especially attracts farmers who grow strawberries for sale.
- Cold resistance. Strawberries Elvira can be safely grown in harsh conditions, as it hibernates without losses at a temperature of -20 degrees.
- Immunity. Plants practically do not suffer from fungal diseases, are little damaged by pests.
Disadvantages
Gardeners do not note obvious disadvantages of the variety. The disadvantages are often called the need:
- loosen the soil often;
- collect berries in several stages (although for some this is a plus!);
- cover planting strawberries Elvira for the winter, if the winter temperature is below 22 degrees.
Features of reproduction
As a rule, the Elvira variety is grown in one place for no more than 4 years. Then the landings will have to be rejuvenated. Dutch strawberries reproduce in many ways:
- seeds;
- sockets;
- division of the bush.
Methods
seed method
Growing seedlings from seeds is a laborious and not always rewarding task. It is not always possible even for experienced gardeners, since the seeds often do not germinate. The shelf life of strawberry seeds is limited.
If there is a desire to experiment, then seed (including seedlings) must be purchased from trusted suppliers, nurseries or, for example, from Gardens of Our Country, Siberian Garden, Becker and others.
By dividing the bush
In the spring, when the buds are just waking up, they choose a healthy strawberry bush, dig it up and divide it into parts. Each of them should have a well-developed heart and root system. Delenki are planted in prepared holes.
With sockets
This is the most convenient way to propagate strawberries, including the Elvira variety, since the mustache formation on strawberries is sufficient. But there are some nuances here, mistakes when choosing rosettes for planting strawberries can lead to the degeneration of the variety.
Experienced gardeners specifically leave mother bushes for further reproduction. To get high-quality rosettes, flower stalks are removed. When choosing planting material, the condition of the mother bush and rosettes is assessed. Plants should not have leaves damaged by diseases and pests.
There may be several rooted sockets on the mustache, but for planting you need those that are located in close proximity to the mother bush. In this case, one can hope for the preservation of properties corresponding to the description of the variety.
Strawberry rosettes are best rooted in separate containers. Plants will have time to develop a good root system before planting, new leaves will appear. Planting material that takes root well should have at least four leaves, as in the photo below.
Garden strawberries, first fruiting:
Site Selection
According to the description of the variety and the reviews of gardeners who have been cultivating for more than one year, Elvira’s strawberry is an unpretentious plant. It is resistant to fungal diseases and root rot, so for planting seedlings, you can use not only open sunny space, but also places with an openwork shade. Even heavily moistened areas do not cause much harm.
When preparing a ridge for strawberries of the Elvira variety, it must be borne in mind that the best crop is harvested in a well-fertilized area. Both mineral and organic substances are suitable for this.
Planting of seedlings
You can plant strawberries of the Elvira variety not only in spring and autumn, but also in summer on previously prepared areas.
You can plant strawberries in one or two lines. In this case, it is more convenient to take care of her. They plant sockets on ordinary ridges or under black covering material, depending on the preferences of gardeners. But in any case, the soil is well fertilized. In addition to humus or compost, wood ash must be added under strawberries.
When planting in protected ground, you must adhere to the following scheme: 25x30cm. In open ground, 30×30 will be optimal. Between rows leave a distance of up to 40 cm.
Before planting, prepare holes that are moistened with warm water. The socket of the Elvira variety is placed in the center of the planting pit and the roots are straightened. Seedlings should not be buried. Particular attention is paid to the heart: it should always rise above the soil surface.
After planting rosettes of the Everest variety, the soil under the strawberries is slammed to remove air pockets near the roots and watered abundantly. For work, choose a cloudy day or time in the late afternoon, when the sun stops burning. To preserve moisture and control weeds, strawberries planted on an ordinary garden bed are mulched with straw, large rotted sawdust.
Features of care
Despite the unpretentiousness, Elvira strawberries cannot do without human hands. Care measures are standard: watering and loosening, weeding and top dressing, disease prevention and pest control. Although some nuances need to be taken into account
Watering and loosening
Water the strawberries with warm water under the root, trying not to wet the foliage, especially after throwing out the inflorescences. When water is absorbed, the soil must be loosened. The depth should not be more than 8 cm, otherwise the roots may be damaged.
During loosening, weeds are simultaneously removed. It is no secret that spores of diseases and pests like to settle on them. Weed grass must be uprooted.
On bushes intended for fruiting, whiskers must be removed during the vegetative season.
Additional fertilizing
Strawberry variety Elvira, according to the description and reviews of gardeners, responds well to timely top dressing, which is combined with watering.
You can use mineral or organic fertilizers. From organic matter, an infusion of chicken manure, mullein and green grass is often used. But for the proper development of strawberries, you need to adhere to a certain scheme:
- In early spring, you need to feed the plantings with nitrogen fertilizers or ammonia. Nitrogen is necessary for building green mass.
- At the moment of throwing out peduncles and pouring berries, Elvira strawberries need phosphorus and potassium.
- The last top dressing also consists of phosphorus-containing fertilizers, it is carried out after harvesting before preparing the plants for wintering.
Experienced gardeners recommend watering strawberries of any variety with an infusion of wood ash, and dusting the plantings with dry matter.
In the conditions of the harsh land, beds with strawberries of the Elvira variety are covered. Before that, the leaves are cut, sprayed with pesticides. They are covered with non-woven material, and a layer of earth is thrown on top.