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Favorite garden berry, strawberry, is characterized by a variety of varieties. In the 90s, Sonata strawberry was bred in Holland, a vivid example of industrial use. Beautifully shaped berries have a rich taste and aroma, withstand transportation, and are suitable for growing in open ground and greenhouses.
Characterization
The strawberry variety Sonata has a famous family: Elsanta and Polka. Having inherited large-fruitedness and productivity, the variety has a good ability to adapt to different weather conditions and resistance to a group of diseases. Abundant fruiting is also noted in dry times, along with plant resistance in winter in a continental climate. The flowers are not afraid of return frosts, low flower stalks are hidden among the foliage. Mid-early strawberries of the Sonata variety are chosen for cultivation because of the long harvest period, which starts from mid-June, and the yield is up to 1,0-1,5 kg per bush.
Abundant fruiting of the plant is due to friendly flowering. A large amount of pollen is created, and many ovaries are formed. The berries of the strawberry variety Sonata, according to reviews, are uniform, look attractive, which ensures their success with buyers. Commercial suitability is inherent in 70% of the crop. The good quality of the berries is preserved even in the rain. Dense, dry fruits are a little susceptible to cracking. The most abundant collection of berries of this variety is in the second half of June, but the formed ovaries are also ripe in July. On average, berries ripen for 40-50 days.
Strawberry Sonata, according to the description of the variety and reviews, is popular in large farms and on the plots of amateur gardeners. Excellent results of growing early products are obtained in closed ground conditions. The variety is planted in beds and in regions with a short cool summer, covering the plants for the winter. Bushes of the Sonata variety grow in one area for 5 years, maintaining the volume of the crop. Due to their bright tasting qualities, Sonata strawberries are best consumed fresh. Excess berries are frozen or boiled compotes, jams.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Judging by the description of the variety, photos and reviews of gardeners, Sonata’s popularity with strawberries is deserved by obvious advantages.
- Excellent taste properties and abundant long-term fruiting;
- High commercial performance;
- Adaptation of the plant in different climatic conditions;
- Strawberry resistance to gray mold and powdery mildew.
Among the negative characteristics of the Sonata variety are the following:
- Slow separation of berries from sepals due to lack of a neck;
- A small number of mustaches on the bush;
- Susceptibility to verticillium;
- The possibility of damage to the roots with high humidity;
- The need for a long period of winter dormancy;
- Mandatory feeding.
Comparing the points, we can conclude that Sonata strawberries are quite worthy to occupy their niche in the beds and in greenhouses. Most of the shortcomings are filled with caring care and fade before a bountiful harvest.
Description
Sonata strawberry bushes are compact, slightly leafy, form a little mustache. Peduncles are strong, withstand large berries, but low, covered with dark green wrinkled leaves or protrude somewhat above the bush. Flowering is friendly. The anthers are large and spread a lot of pollen, which provides abundant ovaries.
The Sonata strawberry variety is known for its dessert sweet taste of berries with a slight pleasant sourness and captivating aroma. Berries of the correct wide-conical shape, saturated red color, evenly colored when ripe. The surface of the fruit is shiny, the pulp is dense, but tender, juicy. The mass of berries is 30-50 g, the diameter of the fruit is 3,5 cm. The seeds are not on the surface,
Cultivation
Sonata strawberries should be planted on fertile soil prepared for six months. The soil is enriched with humus or compost, potash fertilizers and superphosphate are applied, according to the instructions. Much attention should be paid to strawberry seedlings of the Sonata variety.
- Seedlings of high quality strawberries have a strong horn, up to 8 mm thick;
- The plant has at least 4-5 leaves of a healthy appearance: elastic, evenly colored, without spots and plaque;
- Lobe of roots is thick, 7-10 cm long;
- The leaves and roots of the seedling are fresh, not wilted.
Seedling
In trade, there is Sonata strawberry seedlings that have been processed by freezing. Frigo seedlings of high quality, technological operations of selection and sorting are carried out automatically and manually. Plants with generative buds are selected that meet the specified requirements for the variety. They are dug out already formed, in late autumn. Treated with broad-spectrum fungicides, stored at -1,8 0From up to 9 months.
- Purchased frigo seedlings are slowly thawed;
- Cut off the tips of the roots and put in water for 6-10 hours;
- Before planting, the roots can be treated with a fungicide. The drug is dissolved in water and mixed with clay mash. Clay helps to preserve the product near the roots.
- Planted strawberry plants are watered abundantly. They take root quickly, because the seedlings do not have leaves;
- After a week, the leaves grow back, and after 10-12 days, the first feeding is carried out.
Rules of landing
For a good quality crop, Sonata strawberries should be planted in a plot that meets the requirements in the variety description.
- For the Sonata variety, the best soil is fertile, slightly acidic. It grows well in sandy areas, where it is carefully fertilized;
- Choose a sunny area, without drafts;
- Hills are more suitable for planting Sonata strawberries. Low-lying areas are dangerous for the plant with a close level of groundwater, which can lead to rotting of the roots;
- Avoid planting the Sonata variety on heavy, clay soils. In extreme cases, be sure to provide good drainage and dilute the soil with coarse sand or arrange ridges;
- The site is thoroughly cleaned of weeds and their long roots.
Sonata strawberries are planted in spring or July. Planting in August is contraindicated, because the plants do not adapt and will enter the winter weakened.
- The holes are made 25-30 cm apart, the depth corresponds to the length of the strawberry roots;
- The roots are carefully kept on weight while sprinkled with soil;
- The socket necessarily protrudes above the ground;
- After planting, the soil is watered abundantly.
Care
For the good development of Sonata strawberry bushes, several basic requirements must be met.
- Carefully weed weeds to avoid the reproduction of pests and fungal diseases;
- After planting, the plants are watered abundantly. If strawberries were planted in autumn, watering is stopped only in October;
- During the dry period, for each Sonata strawberry bush, at least 1 liter of water will be consumed;
- If there is no rain, watering is required during flowering and the formation of ovaries;
- They leave mustaches for seedlings only from three-year-old Sonata bushes;
- At the end of September, the beds are covered with straw for the winter, and dense agrotex is pulled over dry branches.
Feeding
Strawberries of the Sonata variety must be fertilized periodically, correctly maintaining the balance of trace elements. Under each bush pour 1 liter of nutrient solution.
- The composition of dressings should include magnesium, manganese, iron;
- Apply nitrogen fertilizers in spring. Before flowering, 50 g of azofoska are dissolved in 10 liters of chilled boiled water;
- Use soil and foliar top dressing with special means: “Sudarushka”, “Ryazanochka” according to the instructions.
Plant protection
An effective prevention of fungal diseases is the cleaning of autumn mulch from the beds in spring, the removal of weeds, and moderate planting density. In August, Sonata strawberry bushes need to cut the leaves.
- In case of infection with verticillium, the bushes are sprayed with Fundazol, Benorado;
- Bayleton, Teldor, Fundazol and other fungicides help fight gray rot.
High-yielding berry picking is possible subject to agricultural practices. The gardener should take care to get full fruiting.
