Content
Dutch selection demonstrates steady progress in the formation of new offers on the berry crops market. The strawberry variety Rumba is a clear example of this.
Short description
The strawberry variety Rumba is a single-fruiting type of garden strawberry. Positioned as a worthy alternative to the variety Honey when cultivated in northern zones. In recent years, Rumba strawberries have been confidently competing with it for positions in the industrial cultivation of this agricultural crop.
The table provides a description of the Rumba variety strawberries:
| Fruiting | Start | Duration | Productivity of the Rumba variety |
| It occurs in the first or second ten days of June (depending on the cultivation area). | About 3 weeks. | 200-250 grams per bush in the first year. Subsequent seasons 450-1000 grams. Depends on the age of the plant, the agricultural technology used, and natural and climatic conditions. | |
| Plant | Type | Leaf apparatus | Root part |
| Mixed. Rumba responds well to agricultural technology, the result of which can be a generative or vegetative direction. | Widely branched, large. The leaves have a rich dark green color and jagged edges. | Abundant fibrous root structure. Allows you to withstand moderate frosts with little snow cover. | |
| Berry | Shape and color | Size and weight | Aroma and taste indicators |
| Uniform shape, with a minimum percentage of rejection to the total mass. Rumba forms the first fruits of a regular conical shape, all subsequent ones are round-conical. The color of the ripened berry is dark red, rich, even cherry. With a lasting glossy shine. | A larger percentage of the entire harvest is occupied by large berries, a smaller percentage by medium ones. When weighing one Rumba berry, the dial shows 25-30 grams. | Sweet taste with slight sourness, long strawberry aftertaste. The seeds are small and cannot be felt when eating. Strawberry Rumba has a persistent pleasant smell. |
The described external characteristics of the Rumba variety are demonstrated in the photo; strawberry lovers evaluate the taste and aroma only on their own plot.
The description includes the following advantages of strawberries, discovered in practice at Rumba by both gardeners and large farmers:
- The fruits are resistant to crushing during the growing season.
- The berries have a dense structure.
- The harvest is formed by the “bouquet” type.
- The berries are uniform in shape and weight.
- Large leaf apparatus.
- The variety has a powerful branched root system.
Negative characteristics:
- The level of sugar content of a variety noticeably responds to external factors.
- Average values of Rumba strawberry tolerance indicators to the main pathogens.
Cultivation on large farms
Seedlings are used over large areas. Professional farmers use the genetic predisposition of the Rumba variety to uniform fruit formation to obtain high-quality products.
The round shape reduces the area of contact between the berries. This has a positive effect on appearance. The dense structure of the fruit of the variety allows strawberries to be transported for 2-3 days without reducing their commercial quality.
The dense consistency, and therefore the heavy berry, is an important characteristic of the Rumba strawberry. Thanks to this, the farmer generates additional profit when he sells the same volume of products for more money. And the “accuracy” of fruiting reduces labor costs and loss of time for harvesting.
Agricultural practices used
Rumba strawberry bushes are not compact. Therefore, experts plant seedlings at the rate of 4 bushes per 1 m2. Violation of this recommendation leads to thickening, lack of sunlight, and poor air circulation. The result is disastrous: strawberries experience a nutritional deficiency due to internal cross-competition, stagnant locations are formed in the root zone, and a pathogenic environment accumulates.
The soil for Rumba is neutral or slightly acidic. Strawberries do not respond well to alkalization. If necessary, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and rotted organic matter are added. When considering soil according to mechanical parameters, emphasis is placed on light soils, chernozem. Avoid planting the variety in heavy loamy areas.
Farmers use various types of fertilizers for strawberries such as the Rumba variety - root, leaf. Especially during the fruiting period. The Rumba strawberry variety responds strongly to nutrient availability.At the slightest deficiency, the berry loses its taste and the plant becomes susceptible to diseases.
The Rumba variety responds to increased boron content in the soil. The first signs are found on old strawberry leaves - brown spots cover their surface, the leaves die. Agronomists take this factor into account when drawing up a mineral fertilizing plan.
Farmers determine the cause by eliminating diseases that have similar manifestations.
In order to receive early products and have time to sell them at the highest possible price, farmers use greenhouse complexes and covering materials. Thanks to this, the period of fruiting of Rumba comes 2 weeks earlier.
Growing in the garden
Owners of private household plots and gardeners also allocate plots for this variety, or replace old strawberry plants with Rumba. The desired end result is somewhat different than that of industrialists. But the main parameters they achieve remain the same - high-quality fruit with excellent taste.
Based on reviews, the Rumba strawberry variety has all the makings required for this. The main thing is to help the plant express them.
Recommendations for those who are planting this berry for the first time
Description of the method of planting the Rumba variety for a novice gardener:
- First, determine an area in which plants with pests and pathogens common to strawberries were not grown.
- Choose a place that is sufficiently lit and protected from gusts of wind.
- Select flat areas, without depressions or slopes.
- Planting of Rumba seedlings is planned for both autumn and spring.
- In the first year, the variety's tendrils and part of the inflorescences are torn off for better survival.
- The adjacent territory is cleared of weed.
- To keep the berries clean, the ground around the strawberries is covered with chopped grass and straw. Mulch also prevents the soil from drying out.
- The perimeter of the cultivated area is planted with onions or garlic - the essential oils they release into the air confuse strawberry pests.
Although this strawberry variety tolerates continental climate conditions relatively well, reviews from gardeners growing Rumba in damp and cool spring conditions indicate that the plant loses its taste when there is a lack of heat. Residents of the northern zones should take this into account.
The video gives a visual representation of the Rumba strawberry variety:
Fertilizer application
The Rumba variety responds well to fertilizing. This positive quality plays a bad joke when the gardener adds excess nitrogen. Increased doses of the microelement provoke thickening of the stems and leaves of Rumba strawberries, to the detriment of fruit formation.
Preference is given to organic matter. Its action is extended over time. It helps improve soil structure. To do this, take last year's manure and lay the soil around each strawberry bush in the spring, before the inflorescences begin to lay.
Fresh manure cannot be used - it is a source of pathogenic microorganisms. It also contains nitrogen compounds in such a concentration that leads to burns of the root system.
It is permissible to use mineral fertilizers to adjust the content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil.
Use of berries
The correct approach to strawberry cultivation guarantees a bountiful harvest.Large farms use Rumba's good transportability to supply strawberries to wholesale markets and canneries.
Small households consume the berries raw, as well as in various types of culinary processing.
Freezing
Strawberries are picked in the morning, but only after the dew has subsided. Only the one that was lying on the mulching layer or covering material is selected. The density of Rumba berries allows them to be placed in layers directly into the freezer. But the best effect is achieved in the following way:
- The berry is collected together with the stalk, which is separated immediately before storage.
- Easy to clean and lay out on paper towels to allow the strawberries to dry quickly.
- Rumba is placed in one layer on a tray or wide flat plate, and then placed in the freezer.
- After 6 hours, the strawberries are taken back and poured into a cling film bag.
- Put back in until winter.
Thanks to the recommendations, you get separate berries, which are convenient to take in the required quantity directly from the refrigerator, without taking out the entire package.
Preparing dessert
Rumba delights not only with its taste and aroma, but also looks impressive in the form of jelly with whole strawberries.
Taken:
- Spoon of gelatin.
- 350 ml hot water.
- 125 ml of cooled boiled water.
- 150 grams of sugar.
- 500 grams of strawberries.
Rumba fruits are separated from the stalk, most of them are ground in a blender, and the smaller part is placed in containers. The strawberry mass is transferred to a saucepan, mixed with water, brought to a boil and cooled.
Gelatin is softened in cold water. Add to the boiled mixture in a saucepan and heat until (not reaching 100°C) the gelatin is completely dissolved.Pour into molds with strawberries, cool, and put in the refrigerator. The dessert is served to the table frozen.
Reviews
Conclusion
Rumba, like any other strawberry variety, has its pros and cons. Taking into account the strengths and weaknesses will help in practice to identify the full potential that this culture has.
