If strawberries are already growing on the plot, and they quite suit the owner in terms of their parameters, then you still want to try new varieties. Among the line of Czech selection, the strawberry variety “Maryshka” stands out, see photo. Gardeners note the excellent qualities of large-fruited berries and the reliability of the main characteristics of the variety. To help summer residents learn the strengths and weaknesses of the “Maryshka” strawberry, the article will touch upon the main issues of agricultural technology for growing a popular species. The main characteristics from the description of the variety will also be listed, photos of the “Maryshka” strawberries and reviews from gardeners will be provided.
Description of the variety and characteristics
For gardeners, the most important characteristics of the “Maryshka” strawberry variety are those that allow them to get a decent harvest. These include:
- Productivity. Typically this parameter is calculated based on indicators per 1 sq. m of planting area. But the description of the “Maryshka” strawberry indicates the fertility from one bush, which is about 0.5 kg. If we translate this figure into the usual calculation, then from 1 sq. m, gardeners collect 2.5 kg of tasty and juicy berries.
- Maturing period. "Maryshka" - This is a variety of strawberries with a medium ripening period. The harvest ripens in mid-June, but fruiting is not extended, the berries ripen almost simultaneously. When grown in the southern regions, the variety should be classified as early ripening, because the timing shifts to an earlier period.
- Large fruit. A very beneficial option for gardeners. According to reviews, the “Maryshka” strawberry also has a distinctive feature that attracts gardeners. During the entire fruiting period, the berries do not become smaller, maintaining their nominal size. The weight of one strawberry is about 60 g, the shape may be different, but the taste does not depend on this.
- Berries. In their reviews, gardeners note that the strawberry variety “Maryshka” has very juicy, aromatic and sweet pulp. Due to their great juiciness, it is not recommended to freeze the berries; after defrosting, they do not hold their shape due to the large amount of liquid. At the same time, the pulp has good density, which allows “Maryshka” to be transported quite far without spoiling the berries. The taste of the fruit is sweet. The berries are bright red with prominent yellow seeds. The largest number of seeds is located at the tip of the strawberry, so even ripe berries can be mistaken for unripe.
- The bushes are low-growing and compact. The peduncles of the “Maryshka” variety are located in clusters above the leaves, so the berries do not touch the ground and are little affected by rot. It is the arrangement of the fruits in clusters that leads to the fact that they have a different shape. Being located close to each other, the berries have a mutual influence on the development of each of them. Ripe Marishka fruits resemble an elongated or flat cone.
- Secondary formation of rosettes and mustaches. This quality allows the variety to be propagated independently. At the same time, it does not require regular removal of the tendrils and reduces the time burden of gardeners when growing the variety.
- Disease resistance is high. This is facilitated by a powerful root system that supplies the plant with enough nutrients.
- Frost resistance and winter hardiness are at a sufficient level. Strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety grow well in the regions of the middle zone.
The description of the “Maryshka” strawberry variety also contains other advantages, so summer residents need to learn all the nuances of growing healthy berries.
Advantages and disadvantages
Based on reviews from gardeners and descriptions of the “Maryshka” strawberry variety, we will group the main characteristics.
Advantages of strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety:
- dessert taste and strawberry aroma of berries;
- constancy of fruit size during the fruiting period;
- the power of the bushes, allowing for sparse planting;
- high arrangement of peduncles;
- transportability, frost resistance and good winter hardiness;
- resistance to diseases and pest attacks.
Among the disadvantages of strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety the following are noted:
- instability to damage by red root rot;
- low frost resistance for the Urals and Siberia.
The detailed description sufficiently familiarized gardeners with the characteristics of strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety. Now you should move on to the landing features.
Landing
The culture is not too fancy. But still, for the “Maryshka” variety you will have to adhere to some rules, the main one of which is the choice of location for the beds. What are the requirements for the site?
The first is compliance with crop rotation. You should not plant strawberries in a place where nightshades, eggplants or peppers grew. These crops can provoke the spread of verticillium, a dangerous disease for strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety. It is advisable that these plants should not be planted next to strawberries. Excellent predecessors will be onions and grains.
The second is good lighting and soil acidity. Loam with a pH of 5.5 - 6 is suitable.Additionally, the moisture permeability of the soil is taken into account. In areas with a risk of flooding, a drainage layer is made or ridges are placed on bulk hills. This should also be done in regions with rainy summers. Lack of lighting will lead to a loss of sugar content in the fruits of the “Maryshka” variety. Therefore, gardeners need to make sure that there are no tall trees or shrubs near the strawberries that shade the beds.
The next stage is determining the planting date. It depends on the planting method. If you plan to plant strawberries “Maryshka” with the help of mustaches, then you should plant the plants at the end of summer (August - September). With the seedling method of cultivation, the deadline is postponed to spring or early June.
Seedlings of the variety can be purchased at a nursery or grown independently if there are already several bushes on the site. When purchasing seedlings, you need to choose strong, healthy specimens. The root collar of the seedling must be at least 6 cm thick and 7 cm high. When propagating by whiskers, the process begins at the end of summer. In strong parent strawberry bushes, the ends of the grown mustache are cut off, leaving 2 “babies” on them. When they grow, they are separated from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place.
Before planting the “Maryshka” strawberry bushes, the soil is dug up and fertilized. For spring planting, organic and mineral components are added. For 1 sq. m of area you will need:
- 0.5 buckets of humus or compost of good quality;
- 20 g potash fertilizer;
- 60 g superphosphate.
When planting in autumn, no mineral components are added, limiting only organic matter.
According to the description of the strawberry variety “Maryshka”, plants can be planted in several ways (see photo):
- Separate bushes. At the same time, maintain a distance of 0.5 m between the holes, and 2-3 plants are planted in one hole. The advantage of this method is ease of maintenance, the disadvantage is the need to regularly loosen, weed and mulch the beds.
- In rows. Here they maintain a distance of 20 cm between bushes and 40 cm between rows. The most popular method.
- Nests or compact planting method. 7 plants are planted in one hole. A distance of 30 cm is maintained between nests, and 40 cm between rows.
- Carpet. It is used by summer residents who do not have the opportunity to constantly care for plants. With this option, planting is carried out chaotically in order to end up with a continuous carpet of strawberries. The disadvantage is a decrease in yield due to dense plantings.
More information about planting strawberries:
After planting, “Maryshka” seedlings are watered and mulched.
Plant care
During the growing season, strawberries cannot be left without attention. Only in this case can you count on a decent result. To enjoy the large fruits of “Maryshka”, you need to provide the plants with:
- High-quality watering. Gardeners note that the variety responds well to weekly sprinkling. But you need to water strawberries without fanaticism. “Maryshka” bushes do not tolerate flooding and immediately react by deteriorating disease resistance. But after harvesting, it is recommended to fill the large-fruited bushes well with water. This technique helps the roots recover.
- Feeding. For strawberries of the “Maryshka” variety, you can use both organic and mineral compounds. When feeding strawberries, strictly adhere to the dosage so as not to harm the fruit. Particular attention should be paid to nitrogen fertilizers, but carefully.If the plants are overfed, then the strong growth of greenery will deprive the gardener of the harvest. If there is a deficiency, the berries will become smaller, lose their taste, and the leaves will change color. In the first year, “Maryshka” strawberries are not fed, provided that the soil is fertilized before planting. Then, in the second year of plant life, from the flowering period, the bushes are watered with an infusion of bird droppings, ash, or complex mineral fertilizers are applied for strawberries. It is also important not to skip autumn feeding. During this period, strawberries need to recover from fruiting. It’s good to feed the area with humus in the fall (3 kg per 1 sq. m).
- Prevention of diseases. First of all, the plants are regularly inspected so as not to miss the emergence of a problem. Most often, “Maryshka” suffers from red root rot. The disease affects plantings with excess moisture and lack of sunlight. To avoid this, before planting, seedlings are soaked in a fungicide solution. If alarming symptoms still appear, the plant is removed.
- Shelter for the winter. Plantings need to be covered with a protective film, especially in the northern regions.
If agricultural practices are followed, the “Maryshka” strawberry harvest fully corresponds to the description of the variety and photo, which is confirmed by numerous reviews from gardeners.
