Content
Gardeners and strawberry farmers are trying to select early ripening varieties. And also those that do not cause much trouble when growing, giving a stable harvest.
The strawberry variety Elvira is a prominent representative 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
Strawberries Elvira belongs to the early varieties, intended for cultivation in almost all regions of Russia, not only in summer cottages, but also on farms.
Bushes
The description given by Dutch breeders is confirmed by photos and reviews of Russian gardeners. The Elvira variety strawberry bush is really powerful and has a spreading crown. The leaves are medium-sized emerald green.
As indicated in the description, the plant produces 2-3 strong peduncles, on which about 10 white flowers with a bright yellow center bloom. All of them eventually turn into small green berries. Fruit ripening is long, the harvest is harvested as it arrives.One bush gives 600-1000 grams.
Berries
Large strawberries of the Elvira variety are attractive with their glossy skin. By the time they ripen, the round berries become deep red. Each berry weighs 30-60 grams. The fruits are tasty, dense, red when cut, without voids. The pulp is juicy and elastic. The berries of the Elvira variety with a thick strawberry aroma are sweet, and there is no noticeable acidity.
Purpose
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;
- possibility of making preserves, marmalade, marmalade, candied fruits;
- freezing whole berries for the winter;
- preparing aromatic strawberry wine and liqueur.
Characteristic
When you want to plant something new on your plot, in addition to descriptions, reviews and photos of the Elvira strawberry variety, you want to know the pros and cons of the plant.
Advantages
- Early ripeness. The first berries of the variety ripen in mid-June, when other strawberry plants are just beginning to ripen.
- Unpretentiousness. Strawberries can be grown in any soil. Tolerates rainy and dry weather.
- Long-term fruiting. The berries do not ripen on the bushes at the same time, so you can enjoy the aromatic garden strawberries of the Elvira variety until autumn.
- Storage. Dense berries are stored for a long time, do not soften or leak, do not rot, and do not lose their beneficial properties.
- Transportability. The elastic berries of the variety do not lose their marketable appearance even when transported over long distances, which is especially attractive to farmers who grow strawberries for sale.
- Cold resistance. Elvira strawberries can be safely grown in harsh conditions, as they overwinter without loss at a temperature of -20 degrees.
- Immunity. Plants practically do not suffer from fungal diseases and are little damaged by pests.
Flaws
Gardeners do not note any obvious disadvantages of the variety. Disadvantages are often called the need to:
- loosen the soil frequently;
- picking berries in several stages (although for some this is a plus!);
- cover Elvira strawberry plantings 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 plantings will have to be rejuvenated. Dutch strawberries reproduce in different ways:
- seeds;
- sockets;
- dividing the bush.
Methods
Seed method
Growing seedlings from seeds is a labor-intensive and not always rewarding task. Even experienced gardeners do not always succeed, since the seeds often do not germinate. The shelf life of strawberry seed is limited.
If you want to experiment, then seeding material (including seedlings) should be purchased from trusted suppliers, nurseries or, for example, from the companies Gardens of Russia, Siberian Garden, Becker and others.
Dividing the bush
In the spring, when the buds are just waking up, 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.The divisions are planted in prepared holes.
Rosettes
This is the most convenient way to propagate strawberries, including the Elvira variety, since the growth of strawberries is sufficient. But there are some nuances here; mistakes when choosing rosettes for planting strawberries can lead to degeneration of the variety.
Experienced gardeners deliberately leave mother bushes for further propagation. To obtain high-quality rosettes, the flower stalks are removed. When choosing planting material, assess the condition of the mother bush and rosettes. Plants should not have leaves damaged by diseases and pests.
There may be several rooted rosettes on the tendrils, but for planting you need those that are located in close proximity to the mother bush. In this case, one can hope to preserve the properties corresponding to the description of the variety.
Strawberry rosettes are best rooted in separate containers. Before planting, the plants will have time to develop a good root system and 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:
Selecting a location
According to the description of the variety and reviews of gardeners who have been involved in the crop for many years, Elvira strawberries are 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 openwork shade. Even heavily moist areas do not cause much harm.
When preparing a bed for Elvira strawberries, it is necessary to take into account that the best harvest is harvested in a well-fertilized area.Both mineral and organic substances are suitable for this.
Planting seedlings
You can plant Elvira strawberries not only in spring and autumn, but also in summer in previously prepared areas.
You can plant strawberries in one or two lines. In this case, it is more convenient to care for it. Rosettes are planted on regular beds 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 to the strawberries.
When planting in protected ground, you need to adhere to the following scheme: 25x30cm. In open ground, 30x30 will be optimal. Leave a distance of up to 40 cm between rows.
Before planting, prepare holes that are moistened with warm water. A rosette of the Elvira variety is placed in the center of the planting hole 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 the Everest rosettes, the soil under the strawberries is patted down to remove air pockets near the roots and watered generously. For work, choose a cloudy day or late afternoon, when the sun stops burning. To preserve moisture and combat weeds Strawberries planted in an ordinary bed are mulched with straw and large rotted sawdust.
Features of care
Despite its unpretentiousness, Elvira strawberries cannot do without human hands. Maintenance measures are standard: watering and loosening, weeding and fertilizing, disease prevention and pest control.Although some nuances need to be taken into account
Watering and loosening
Water the strawberries with warm water at the roots, being careful not to wet the foliage, especially after throwing out the inflorescences. When the 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’s no secret that disease spores and pests like to settle on them. Weeds must be pulled out by the roots.
On bushes intended for fruiting, the mustache must be removed during the growing season.
Top dressing
The strawberry variety Elvira, according to the description and reviews of gardeners, responds well to timely fertilizing, 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 the growth of green mass.
- At the moment of throwing out the flower stalks and filling the berries, the Elvira strawberry feels the need for phosphorus and potassium.
- The last fertilizing 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 harsh soil conditions, beds with strawberries of the Elvira variety are covered. Before this, the leaves are cut off and sprayed with pest control compounds.Cover it with non-woven material, and throw a layer of earth on top.
