Content
Strawberry Aprica (Aprica) is a wonderful variety of crop, bred by foreign breeders. The variety has a lot of advantages with minor drawbacks, and has proven itself both abroad and in Russia. The plant is hardy, tolerates winter well, practically does not get sick, and can withstand heat and precipitation. In recent years, the variety has become very popular among gardeners.
Aprica is considered one of the hardiest strawberry varieties.
History of selection
A variety of culture was introduced to the world relatively recently. She was bred in Italy by a consortium of nurseries (C.I.V.). According to the originators, Aprica strawberries are suitable for cultivation in continental climates, they can be cultivated in greenhouses, greenhouses, open ground, they are suitable for hydroponics and small volumes. You can purchase seedlings through Mazzoni or Salvi vivai.
Description of the Aprica strawberry variety and characteristics
A promising non-remontant garden strawberry variety, Aprica, has a medium-early ripening period. The fruits are universally used; the berries are suitable for fresh consumption, canning and freezing. The plant is loved by gardeners and farmers for its generous harvest and ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, diseases and pests. Strawberries are not picky about soil composition and can tolerate both frost and drought. The harvest does not bake in the sun and can easily withstand the heat. The variety is not sensitive to cold weather and rainy weather; excess moisture does not cause rotting and does not spoil the taste.
Aprica strawberry bushes are small in size, medium spreading, spherical in shape, with upright large leaves of dark green color. The peduncles are not very large, but powerful; the flowers are small, with an average amount of pollen, located below the level of the leaves. The pollination ability of the variety is excellent; a lot of fruits are always set. The number of whiskers is moderate, which greatly facilitates the procedure for caring for the beds. The berries of the variety are smooth and beautiful, large, have a sweet taste, but without a “zest”, nothing special.
Aprica strawberries do not need excessive attention, constant feeding and processing. More suitable for growing in open ground. When cultivated in a greenhouse, the potential of the variety is noticeably reduced.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Aprica strawberries bear large, one-dimensional berries. Their shape is standard - conical, sometimes there are double, very large specimens. The color of the fruit is bright red, with a glossy shine, and does not fade during storage. The achenes are small, do not lie deep, and their color is yellow.The weight of each berry is above average, about 30 g, and remains throughout the entire harvest period. The pulp of the fruit has a dense structure, not hard, juicy, has a delicate aroma and sweet taste with subtle notes of acid. The taste qualities of strawberries, according to experts, range from 4.3 to 5 points out of nine, and do not deteriorate even with excessive humidity and lack of light. Aprica strawberries have an excellent presentation, the berries are very beautiful. The fruits are not only good fresh, but also suitable for processing, tolerate freezing well and do not lose their shape when defrosted; they are used for making preserves, jam and compote.
Aprica strawberries can be eaten fresh and used for preparations.
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
Aprica is a self-pollinating variety. The ripening period directly depends on climatic conditions and the region of cultivation, but approximately the berries begin to ripen by the end of May. Sources classify strawberries as mid-early varieties, although early harvests are several days ahead of some early varieties. The harvest period lasts from late spring to mid-summer. Aprica shows good yield, approximately 1200 kg per adult bush. Productivity is stable, independent of weather conditions. The keeping quality of the berries is good, the suitability for storage is 7 points out of nine possible. The harvest can be freely transported over long distances; the fruits do not flow or wrinkle during transportation, maintaining a wonderful appearance.
The variety is ideal for growing for sale
Growing regions, frost resistance
Aprica is suitable for cities with a continental climate; it can be cultivated in the Moscow region, the Middle Volga region, the Urals and the south of the country. At low temperatures, it requires 700 hours of rest. The variety tolerates winter well. In the southern regions it does not require shelter. In areas where temperatures can drop below -10 degrees, bushes should be mulched in the fall; dry leaves or sawdust are ideal for this.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The strawberry variety Aprica shows high immunity to the development of diseases in the above-ground parts of the bushes and their root system. With proper care and choosing a place for planting, the plant is not afraid of such popular ailments as powdery mildew, rot or spotting. It is also not often damaged by pests, but for preventive purposes you can plant garlic, lemon balm or marigolds around the bushes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Due to its large number of advantages, Aprica strawberries claim to be leaders among all similar crop varieties. No variety can compare with its characteristics.
The variety is at the testing stage and has not yet had time to show negative qualities
Advantages:
- high taste characteristics;
- large fruit;
- good transportability;
- productivity;
- one-dimensional fruit shape;
- resistance to high humidity;
- productivity;
- drought resistance;
- self-pollinating;
- high immunity;
- frost resistance;
- moderate wart formation;
- unpretentiousness to the soil.
Flaws:
- high price for seedlings;
- shortage in stores.
Reproduction methods
The most accessible way that will help you grow Aprica strawberries on your plot in the shortest possible time is considered to be propagation by mustache.The greatest effect is achieved by two-year-old shoots. The strongest are the rosettes that are located closer to the mother bush. Experienced gardeners advise placing containers with nutritious soil under each of them in order to obtain the highest quality seedlings with a closed root system.
Seedlings with covered roots can be planted all year round
Planting and care
Judging by the description, photos and reviews of gardeners, the Aprica strawberry variety is not particularly demanding in care, but if the recommended rules of agricultural technology are followed, the bushes show the best results. In order for the harvest to be good and the plant strong, simple requirements must be met:
- The crop is planted in spring or summer so that by autumn the plants are stronger and can safely survive the winter. The ideal place for strawberries would be a sunny, well-drained area with soil of neutral acidity, rich in humus. The groundwater table must be at least 1 m. Planting is carried out using a strip or bush method, maintaining an interval between shoots of about 30 cm.Attention! The root collar of the plant should not be deeply buried in the soil.
- Strawberries are watered daily in the first six months after planting, then the frequency of watering is reduced. The procedure is performed every 3-4 days from the beginning of the growing season until the moment of sheltering. It is better if watering is carried out with a drip irrigation system.
- The beds must be loosened and freed from weeds or mulched with agrofibre and straw.
- Aprica is fed three to four times a year. In the spring, diluted mullein or chicken droppings are suitable for this, during the formation of ovaries - nitrophoska or potassium salt, at the time of fruiting - wood ash.
Preparing for winter
Aprica showed good frost resistance with little shelter. Judging by the reviews of experienced gardeners, this variety of strawberry is able to safely survive the winter not only in the Volga region, but also in the Urals. It is enough just to insulate the bushes with a five-centimeter layer of mulch: straw, leaves, sawdust. In the conditions of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the North Caucasus, the need for shelter disappears.
In the southern regions, Aprica does not need to be prepared for winter
Conclusion
Aprica strawberries are considered a bright addition to the assortment of early ripening varieties of the crop. The variety is excellent for both amateur gardeners and farmers. The variety has virtually no drawbacks, except for problems in acquisition. Planting material is difficult to buy, and its cost is still very high. Otherwise, the variety is wonderful: it ripens early, produces an excellent harvest, has a beautiful presentation and excellent taste.
Reviews from gardeners about Aprica strawberries
Svitich Konstantin, 50 years old, Shatsk
A couple of years ago, a friend from Italy brought me Aprica strawberries for seedlings. The first year the bushes were sick, there were practically no berries, but the next season the result was much better. The fruits were smooth, beautiful, and tasted good; about two buckets were collected from a dozen bushes. I will see how the variety behaves next year. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
