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Pandora is considered a new variety of strawberry, but has already managed to win the hearts of domestic gardeners. Summer residents paid attention to culture. The bushes take root in regions with low temperatures, providing owners with a high yield. To get to know each other better, let's take a closer look at the Molling Pandora strawberry, description of the variety, photos, reviews from gardeners.
Main features of the variety
To begin the review of Pandora strawberries, descriptions of the variety, photos, it’s worth starting with the origin of the crop. Strawberries were bred by UK breeders. For crossing, we took the popular varieties “Fragaria” and “Ananassa”. The result is late strawberries that begin to bear fruit at the end of July. Pandora is characterized by small bushes, abundantly strewn with large berries.
Pandora's late harvest allows you to enjoy sweet strawberries when other varieties have already produced fruit. The culture has one drawback - it needs pollinators. Next to the Pandora variety, another strawberry is planted, similar in terms of ripening.
Productivity and description of berries
When considering Pandora strawberries: description of the variety, photos, reviews, it is worth paying attention to the main advantage of the crop - the berries. The fruits grow large, round in shape without an elongated spout. The weight of one berry varies from 30 to 60 g, which depends on the growing conditions of the strawberries. The yield from one bush per season reaches 400 g.
Ripe Pandora strawberries have very dense pulp. Even the saturation of juice does not prevent the berries from maintaining their shape during transportation and storage. The pulp of the fruit attracts with its rich red color. The berries taste sweet with a characteristic acid present. The seeds are small, located in small depressions on the skin of the fruit. In terms of use, strawberries are considered universal. The harvest is used for processing and decoration of confectionery products. Delicious fresh strawberries.
The video provides an overview of Pandora garden strawberries:
Features of growing and caring for the variety
Novice gardeners are often interested in the question of Pandora strawberries, how to plant and care for the crop. An unpretentious variety can be grown by a person with little experience in gardening. It is important to follow the usual rules of care: watering, fertilizing, pest control. However, first you need to plant the seedlings correctly.
Preparing seedlings
In order for Molling Pandora strawberries to produce a good harvest, you must initially select productive seedlings. During the purchase, the appearance of each plant is examined. The root system should look like a large clump of light brown color. It is better not to take seedlings with mechanical damage to the foliage or roots.
A seedling with three leaves is considered high-quality planting material. A smaller amount of foliage confirms the weakness of the plant, and a lot of excess green mass will draw nutrients, which will affect the slow growth of the bush.
To be sure that it is Pandora strawberries that you purchased, you should contact a nursery or trusted sellers for seedlings. It is optimal to use the first option. In nurseries, strawberry seedlings are treated for pests. This is a guarantee that the purchased seedlings will not introduce disease into the garden.
Site selection and soil preparation
Continuing the review of Moling Pandora strawberries, descriptions of the variety, photos, reviews, we will dwell on the rules for choosing a planting site. The bed is laid out in a sunny open area, preferably on the southwest side. It is good if the area is ventilated, but without drafts. The maximum permissible location of groundwater to the surface of the earth is 1 m. Otherwise, frequent flooding will cause rotting of the roots of Pandora strawberries.
Before planting seedlings of any variety of strawberry, soil fertilizer is required. For the Pandora variety, this is requirement No. 1. The bed is prepared at least three weeks before planting the seedlings. The earth is dug up to a depth of 30 cm with the addition of manure, humus or compost.
Feeding
The Pandora variety likes clean without weed beds, moderately moist soil with admixtures of clay and sand. The optimal acidity ranges from 6.5 to 7.0. Additionally, annual feeding is required. Fruiting exhausts the plant, the berries draw out many useful substances. Organic and mineral fertilizers help restore strength.
From organic matter, bird droppings, manure or compost are usually used, but not in their pure form.The mass is infused in water, then a solution is prepared from the resulting slurry. Add 1 part organic matter to 20 parts water. The resulting liquid is poured over Pandora strawberries at the root. Dry organic matter is usually added in the spring or when planting seedlings in a new place.
From mineral fertilizers, at the initial stage in the spring, Pandora is fed with nitrogen. After harvesting, potassium and phosphorus are added. During this period, strawberries are in great need of minerals, as they are depleted of berries. When pouring fruits, mineral complexes are in demand. At the beginning of fruiting, nitrogen is excluded from Pandora’s diet, otherwise the bushes will become fatty and the yield will decrease.
Watering plants
The Pandora strawberry variety does not always tolerate sprinkling well. For watering, it is better to use a drip system, especially during flowering. Sprinkling is also necessary, but in early spring and during the ovary period.
The root system of Pandora strawberries grows in the upper layers of the soil. There is no need to flood the bed too much. Enough for the soil to get wet without puddles accumulating in the holes. You cannot create streams of water on the rows so that the roots are not washed out.
During drought, water the Pandora strawberry variety every 2-3 days. In cloudy weather, the number of waterings is reduced to once a week.
It is better to water the strawberry plantation early in the morning. Before sunrise, the plants will have time to absorb moisture. In the evening, watering is carried out at sunset, when the foliage moves away a little from the heat.
Preparing for winter
The Pandora variety is heat-loving and easier to grow in the southern regions.However, heat has a bad effect on the development of bushes. The shoots form slowly, the berries bake under the sun, losing their taste and presentation.
The variety develops to its full potential in cool climates with moderate humidity. However, harsh winters are detrimental to the plant. Early cold weather is especially terrible. The long process of bud formation delays the onset of the resting phase. To prevent the bushes from freezing, strawberries are covered with straw mats or other insulation.
Reproduction methods
To plant the Pandora strawberry variety on your plot, buy seedlings or seeds. If the crop is already growing in the garden, it is propagated by means of a mustache or by dividing the bush.
The seed propagation method involves growing seedlings. Boxes, glasses or flower pots are prepared for sowing. A drainage layer of stones is poured onto the bottom, and fertile soil mixed with sand and humus is placed on top.
Pandora strawberry seeds are simply scattered on top, lightly pressing into the soil with your finger. The crops are covered with film until shoots emerge. After the sprouts peck, the cover is removed. The seedlings are germinated until two full leaves appear, after which they are planted in separate cups. Before planting in the garden, seedlings are hardened off outdoors.
When the Pandora variety is already growing on the site, you don’t need to go anywhere to get seedlings. Whiskers are used for reproduction. After releasing the side shoot, the area near the formation of the foliage bush is covered with moist soil and watered frequently. Over time, the mustache will take root. The finished seedling is dug up for transplantation, cutting off the shoot from the mother bush.
The third method of propagation is dividing the bush into parts. The method is aggressive. The bushes take a long time to take root, but if divided incorrectly they can die. An adult plant is used for propagation. The bush is divided into two or three parts with a sharp knife. The process occurs in the fall after fruiting. After dividing, each seedling should have at least three leaves and one long root. The cut seedlings are immediately planted in a new place, pouring plenty of water.
Reviews
Reviews from gardeners always contain a lot of useful information. Let's find out what they say about the Malling Pandora variety.
Last year, in early autumn, I planted Pandora bushes on the site.In the spring I found clusters of flowers on them. Is it possible for this variety to bloom early?
Good afternoon
For the strawberry variety Molling Pandora, flowering so early is an anomaly. It should bloom no earlier than the end of May - beginning of June (depending on the region and climatic conditions). At the moment, if there is a threat of frost, it is advisable to cover the bushes, since the variety is not frost-resistant.