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Among the many varieties of strawberries or garden strawberries, there are both domestically produced varieties and those that have foreign roots. Since the 90s of the last century, numerous imported varieties, mainly from Holland, Spain and Italy, have filled the berry market and have gained such popularity that often under their guise you can only find fakes that have nothing to do with the true varieties. But even many true varieties from Southern Europe and America are poorly adapted in terms of their growing conditions to the Russian climate. At best, the harvest obtained from them does not correspond to the declared characteristics. In the worst case, the plants simply freeze out or disappear for other reasons.
Strawberry seedlings from Japan behave somewhat differently, a country that, in many climatic characteristics, is much closer to Russia. All over the world, Japanese strawberries are considered the most large-fruited, and, most importantly, have outstanding taste characteristics. After all, large-sized berries are rarely truly sweet, and Japanese varieties have a truly dessert-like taste.
Tsunaki strawberries, a description of the variety and a photo of which you can find in the article, leave mostly rave reviews about themselves. However, there are still not very many people who grew it, since this variety appeared in the vastness of Russia relatively recently.Many even believe that such a variety does not exist at all, as well as the similar varieties Chamora Turusi, Kipcha, Kiss Nellis and others, presumably of Japanese selection.
Description of the variety and history
Indeed, the roots of the Tsunaki strawberry variety are lost in the fog. Moreover, on Japanese and English-language sites, not even the slightest mention of a strawberry variety with that name was found. Unlike, for example, varieties called: Aiberi, Amao, Princess Yayoi and others.
However, a strawberry variety called Tsunaki with giant sweet berries continues to exist and is grown in various parts of Russia by both ordinary summer residents and professional farmers. Another thing is that many large-fruited varieties are really similar to each other in their characteristics and differ mainly in ripening time and, possibly, the taste of the berries. But, before moving on to specific reviews of people who grow Tsunaki strawberries on their plots, we should still dwell in more detail on the description of the variety and its characteristics.
It is generally accepted that in the entire history of world breeding, Tsunaki strawberries serve as an example of one of the largest-fruited and most productive varieties.
The appearance of the bush is truly admirable and can serve as a standard for many varieties of strawberries. The bushes have a powerful growth force - in height and width, as a rule, they are twice as large as traditional and even remontant strawberry varieties.
Having planted such a giant on your plot, you will involuntarily expect both giant berries and a good harvest from it. Both peduncles and tendrils are distinguished by their considerable thickness, from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter.As many gardeners say, “the thickness of a pencil.”
The Tsunaki strawberry bushes have many leaves that are also quite large in size. It is enough just to note the fact that their quantity is enough to reliably cover the bushes for the winter and protect them from frost in the winter, and the berries from sunburn in the summer.
Plants of this variety also develop a very powerful and strong root system, which allows them to tolerate short-term drought and develop significant resistance to frost.
According to reviews, the Tsunaki strawberry variety overwinters well without any shelter in central Russia, Belarus, the Urals, and the Far East.
Tsunaki strawberries belong to medium-late varieties in terms of ripening - the berries ripen around mid-summer. What’s interesting is that even if the berries have not yet fully colored and the pulp is light pink or even white in places, its taste is still sweet, dessert, and not watery.
The yield of the variety is promising - on average 1.5-1.8 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. This strawberry, although it belongs to short-day varieties, that is, bears fruit only once a year, can also be grown in greenhouse conditions. In such conditions, with appropriate intensive care, the yield from one bush can reach three kilograms.
The Tsunaki strawberry, being large in size, develops and grows rather slowly and is not at all a fast-growing variety. In the first year after planting, it makes no sense to expect a large harvest from it.
But these strawberries can grow in one place quietly for five to six years, then it is advisable to rejuvenate the plantation. In the first years after planting, the variety produces a large number of tendrils, which take root, although well, for quite a long time. They should be used to propagate Tsunaki strawberries. Because with age, the formation of mustaches slows down and their number decreases.
This variety has average resistance to major strawberry diseases. Gray mold is mainly affected when plantings are dense and when grown without mulching.
Characteristics of berries
Strawberries are undoubtedly grown for their luxurious berries, and Tsunaki is no exception. The fruits of this variety have the following characteristics:
- The berries are gigantic in size - up to 120-130 grams. The very first berries on the bushes grow the largest. The berries can reach 7-8 cm in diameter.
- By the end of fruiting, they, of course, become somewhat smaller in size, but they still cannot be called small - on average, the weight of one berry is 50-70 grams.
- The color of the berries is bright red, with a shiny surface; inside they are even darker red.
- The shape of the fruits may not be the most beautiful and even - they are rather flattened and have characteristic ridges on the tops. Later berries may be more rounded, but irregularities are still present.
- However, for some, the unsightly shape of the berries does not in any way affect their taste - the pulp is dense and juicy at the same time. Unlike many other large-fruited varieties, the taste contains a nutmeg flavor along with a pronounced strawberry tint.
- The berries can stick well to the bushes and not fall off, despite their significant weight and size.
- Despite their large size, the berries are quite hard and dense, so they are well stored and transported.
- The purpose is more than universal. Tsunaki strawberries are great for freezing, because after defrosting they completely retain not only their shape, but also their unique taste and aroma.
- Of course, Tsunaki strawberries are very good for fresh consumption, and they make very tasty preparations for the winter: compotes, jams, marshmallows, marmalades and other delicious things.
Reviews from gardeners and summer residents
The Tsunaki strawberry variety has become widespread in the Far East, possibly due to its proximity to the Japanese Islands. But it is also grown in the Krasnodar region and in Belarus and is in great demand everywhere due to the excellent characteristics of the berries.
Conclusion
Tsunaki strawberries belong to the super-large-fruited varieties, without losing any taste, yield, or frost resistance. Therefore, it will be of interest to a large number of summer residents and gardeners.Moreover, unlike many remontant varieties, its plantation can be planted for many years.
