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Gardeners in many regions of Russia grow different varieties of garden strawberries, calling them strawberries. Today, thanks to the hard work of breeders around the world, there are a huge number of varieties. But it is precisely this diversity that sometimes confuses gardeners. I don’t just want something new on the site, the main thing is that there is a result.
Varieties from Danish breeders are becoming increasingly popular. One of these plants is strawberry Zephyr. Believe me, we do not advertise garden strawberries, but simply state the facts: based on reviews and photographs sent by gardeners. This is indeed a large-fruited and productive variety of delicious, aromatic berries.
Description and characteristics
Strawberries of the Zephyr variety are grown not only on private plots, but also on large farm plantations. Moreover, these very early garden strawberries produce a rich harvest not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses.
Botanical properties
- The bush is compact with pubescent emerald green leaves. They are large, with slight corrugation. Petioles up to 10 cm long, erect. Strawberries produce many powerful flower stalks that can hold a large number of berries. As stated in the description of the variety (this can be seen in the photo), on one shoot there are at least 20 snow-white flowers, each of which, when set, turns into a berry. Why not marshmallows!
- The berries are crimson, shiny, and are held on a strong stalk, so they never “drip.” The fruits may be blunt-tipped, scalloped, or ridged. The inner part has no voids, soft pink with slight white streaks. The berries are sweet with a pronounced aroma.
- Strawberry Zephyr, according to the description of the variety, photos and reviews from gardeners, has fruits of the same size throughout the entire season - from 20 to 35 grams. Some gardeners in reviews indicate that strawberries of the Zephyr variety have their own record holders, reaching 60 grams.
- Seed propagation of this variety is difficult. In reviews, gardeners indicate that the maternal qualities of the variety are rarely preserved. Therefore, to obtain seedlings, they use dividing the bush and rooting the tendrils, which are sufficient in strawberries of this variety. Select the first rosettes on the tendrils of the most prolific plant.
Advantages
Let's look at what attracts gardeners to this plant:
- Zephyr is not a remontant variety, but with proper agricultural technology it can bear fruit for a long time.
- Despite their juiciness, the fruits are highly transportable, do not wrinkle or flow.
- Fruiting begins already in the year of planting; as a rule, the first berries can be picked at the end of May. If marshmallow strawberries are grown in a greenhouse, then ripening begins in early May. The yield is high; almost a kilogram of fragrant, sweet berries can be harvested from one bush.
- The variety is universal, suitable for fresh consumption, canning, making compotes and freezing. Feedback from gardeners regarding strawberries of the Zephyr variety is only positive.
Judging by the characteristics, Zephyr strawberries can be grown in regions of Russia where in winter the thermometer drops below 35 degrees if the winter is snowy. To prevent the roots from freezing in the absence of snow, the beds with Zephyr strawberries need to be well covered.
Features of cultivation
Growing Zephyr strawberries is not difficult because they do not require special care. The main thing is to follow agrotechnical rules.
Conditions
- Priming. Garden strawberries of the Zephyr variety yield well on neutral soils. It is best to plant it after beets, onions, and cabbage. The soil needs to be fertilized. You can use mineral fertilizers or organic matter. It depends on the gardener's preferences. The soil should be loose and breathable.
- When to plant. Seedlings of the Zephyr variety are planted in open ground in the second half of August, so that the strawberries gain strength before wintering and give them a rich harvest in the spring.
- When planting garden strawberries, you need to maintain a distance of 45 cm. Row spacing for two-line planting is up to 60 cm. Holes for seedlings should be at least 25 cm deep. If you are using planting material with a closed system, shake off the soil and trim long roots. When planting, position the roots so that they face down. To prevent the soil from drying out (it can withstand a short drought), immediately after planting, strawberries of the Zephyr variety must be mulched with straw or hay.
Care
Despite their drought resistance, strawberries need to be watered regularly, once a week is enough. When Zephyr begins to form buds and ovaries, the need for water increases.With insufficient watering, you can not only lose part of the harvest, but also get dry, small fruits.
If you water Zephyr strawberries in the usual way, you should avoid getting water on the leaves and fruits. This is harmful for them, and illnesses may appear. The best method of watering is to install a drip system. In this case, the plants will receive water in a timely manner and in the right quantity. Look at the photo below to see what it looks like in practice.
Since fruiting is abundant, strawberries draw all nutrients and microelements from the soil. If you do not fertilize in a timely manner, the plant will become depleted, which will negatively affect the yield. Strawberry variety Zephyr is fed twice a month. You can use ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium salt, taking fertilizers in equal quantities.
Weeding and loosening are labor-intensive processes, but they can be avoided if you mulch the soil with hay, straw or cover the beds with black film.
Strawberry Zephyr is resistant to strawberry diseases, prevention will not hurt. In the spring, it is advisable to spray the garden bed with a one percent solution of copper sulfate. This will save you from diseases and some pests.
I bought strawberries Zephyr in a specialized store. The seller praised me, even talked me out of the variety I chose. Planted in 2017 in the fall. Last year she didn’t have a single flower stalk, but she was tired of removing her mustache. The leaves are large and powerful. Maybe they only sold me male flowers? It can’t be that out of the 18 that survived the winter, not one of them had flower stalks? Maybe it will bloom this year?
Nina, Strawberry is a bisexual plant.
Zephyr was planted last year from seeds, and this year we got berries.The buds are large, the berry is cherry-colored, round with a small ridge, prickly (seeds outward). The variety is sweet without sourness.