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How do you usually pick strawberries? Probably individual berries, putting them directly into the mouth, or handfuls, cups, occasionally, small buckets or saucepans. But there are varieties that are distinguished by such sizes and yields that they can be collected quite easily in boxes and barrels. For example, according to the originator, when picking Darselect strawberries, you can collect up to 25 kg of berries in one hour of work. Just imagine such a huge number of berries - truly this variety of garden strawberry, living up to its name, seems even to an experienced gardener a real gift from breeders.
But not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. To achieve such yield and productivity, you need to work hard. However, for gardeners who have been growing strawberries for many years, this fact is not news at all. Strawberries are a berry that requires constant care and considerable effort, but how nice it is to enjoy the tasty and aromatic fruits of your labors after harvesting.
History of origin
Strawberry Darselect originates from France. In 1998, plant breeders at Societe Civile Darbonne crossed the two leading European strawberry varieties, Elsanta and Parker.As a result, the Darselect strawberry variety was obtained, from the description, photos and reviews of which we can say that it not only inherited the advantages of the parent pair, but also acquired its own unique characteristics, such as a bright aroma and impressive size.
In less than 20 years since its creation, Darselect strawberries have managed to gain respect and popularity throughout Europe and are one of the main varieties of strawberries grown commercially in France.
Description of the variety
It should immediately be noted that the Darselect variety belongs to the most common group of short-day strawberries. That is, it bears fruit once a season, and fruit buds can successfully form only under daylight conditions not exceeding 12 hours. Typically this process occurs at the very end of summer - beginning of autumn, when the air becomes cooler and more humid.
Strawberry Darselect has a fairly powerful root system. The bushes themselves are large and tall, the leaves are dark green with almost no hairs. Despite its powerful bushes and roots, it does not do well without water. To get a really good harvest with large berries, watering must be plentiful and regular. With a sufficient level of watering, it copes well even with 40 degree heat. Does not fade or fall out from extreme heat.
In terms of ripening time, Darselect strawberries can be classified as early varieties, since its berries ripen around mid-June. This variety has one of the shortest time intervals between the bushes flowering and the berries ripening. It only lasts about a month. Accordingly, flowering usually occurs in the middle - in the second half of May, when night frosts are still possible in many regions of Russia.
This can adversely affect both the flowers and the subsequent harvest, so in these cases it is necessary to provide protection for flowering strawberry bushes using non-woven materials on the arches.
You can collect ripening berries from the bushes within 10-15 days, starting from the 10th of June. In terms of fruiting time, Darselect is several days ahead of its parent variety, Elsanta.
As already mentioned, the Darselect strawberry variety occupies a leading position in terms of harvesting speed, mainly due to the large size of the berries and the soft stalk. Strawberry productivity for short-day varieties also remains high - about 800 grams of berries can be harvested from one bush, even with an average level of care. If good agricultural technology is followed, the yield can be 1 kg of berries per bush or even more.
The sensitivity of Darselect strawberries to major diseases is at the level of the main European varieties. It is quite resistant to verticellosis, although it is sensitive to brown spot and oidium.
As for winter hardiness, since the Darselect variety was zoned for French conditions, without shelter it can only withstand frosts down to -16°C.Thus, in most Russian regions where there is no permanent snow cover in winter, it must be covered with straw, leaves, spruce branches or non-woven material.
Characteristics of berries
As you know, the most important thing in strawberries is the berries. And in this regard, it’s even hard to believe that Darselect strawberries are usually classified as commercial varieties - their berries are so tasty and aromatic.
- The strawberry variety Darselect can be safely classified as large-fruited. Indeed, with an average weight of one berry of 20-30 grams, specimens weighing up to 50 grams are quite often encountered. Moreover, both the mass of individual berries and the yield directly depend on the frequency and regularity of fertilizing.
- The shape of the berries during the season can change from conical-oval to round, heart-shaped at the end of fruiting. In some cases, at the end of the season, oddly shaped berries with a ridged surface may appear. These deformations may be a result of low temperatures or high humidity during flowering, which can cause poor pollination.
- The color of Darselect strawberries is red with an orange tint. When fully ripe, the skin may become shiny.
- The flesh has a lighter red tint. It is dense, elastic, without wateriness. Although it does not “crunch” like some modern commercial varieties, such as Albion.
- After picking, the berries are stored well, do not darken or leak. They tolerate transportation well even over long distances.
- Well, the taste of Darselect strawberries is distinguished by its sophistication and versatility. It has enough sugar, but at the same time there is a subtle sourness. According to tasters, it scores 5 points on a five-point scale.The berries are also characterized by the unique aroma of real wild strawberries.
Features of cultivation
Since Darselect strawberry bushes are distinguished by their enviable power, it makes no sense to plant them on 1 square meter. meter more than four bushes. It is advisable to maintain 35-40 cm between seedlings; the row spacing can reach up to 90 cm.
The main feature of the Darselect variety can be considered its high need for moisture. If there is not enough moisture, the seedlings will simply die. In dry conditions, cavities may form inside the berries. In hot regions, it makes sense to grow Darselect strawberries only under drip irrigation, especially on industrial plantations.
It can withstand the heat well, provided there is plenty of watering, but the ripening period can extend for another week.
In the southern regions, it is possible to use a shading net or plant bushes in partial shade.
Productivity may not be very high in the first year of planting until a full-fledged root system has developed.
Instead, you can use regular foliar feeding and deep watering.
Darselect strawberries do not like carbonate soils, which can cause chlorosis on the leaves. But this variety of strawberry responds very well to fertilizing and the color of the leaves can be restored after just a few sprayings.
After the 3rd year of cultivation, the yield will decrease, so it is recommended to replace the plantations in the 4th-5th year of growth. But for farmers it is quite possible to leave it for the second or third year without loss of shape, size and yield.
Reviews from gardeners and summer residents
It is understandable that a commercial strawberry variety can receive positive feedback from farmers, but what is surprising is that ordinary summer residents and gardeners are also happy to grow Darselect strawberries in their garden plots.
Conclusion
Despite some difficulties in growing, Darselect strawberries amaze not only sophisticated farmers, but also cause admiration among ordinary gardeners. Indeed, not every industrial variety can boast of a real dessert taste and the tempting aroma of homemade strawberries.
I bought two Darselect bushes at the Living Garden store in Omsk. I immediately planted it in open ground. It is now the end of August, and none of the bushes have produced tendrils. How then can it be propagated?