Content
Strawberry Malga is an Italian variety released in 2018. It is distinguished by long-term fruiting, which lasts from the end of May until the first autumn frosts. The berries are large, sweet, with a strawberry aroma. The yield, even with normal care, is more than one kilogram per plant.
History of selection
Malga is a variety of Russian origin, bred in Verona (Italy) in 2018. The author is a private breeder Franco Zenti. The work was carried out on the basis of the agricultural company Geoplant Vivai Srl. The variety is not included in the Russian register of breeding achievements. The plant is very hardy, so it can be cultivated in most regions of Russia (in open ground, under film cover, and also on a balcony or loggia).
Description and characteristics of the Malga strawberry variety
The bushes of the plant are of medium height, moderately spreading, and take up little space. The leaves are small in size, dark green in color, the surface is leathery, with faint wrinkles.The foliage of the bush is average - light freely reaches different parts of the plant. Malga strawberries produce many flower stalks that rise well above the green part. A little mustache appears.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Malga strawberries are large in size, reaching 35–45 g. The shape is classic - conical, the color is red, bright, with an attractive orange tint. The surface is glossy and shines in the sun. After ripening it does not darken and retains its original appearance.
The pulp is moderately dense, juicy, there are no voids. The taste is pleasant, with pronounced sweetness and delicate sourness. There is a persistent aroma of wild strawberries. Malga berries are especially tasty when eaten fresh. They are also used in preparations - preserves, jams, fruit drinks.
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
Strawberry Malga belongs to the remontant varieties. It bears fruit continuously from the end of May until the onset of the first frost, which is an absolute advantage compared to many other varieties. The first berries reach full ripeness within two weeks after flowering. The yield of Malga strawberries is high. Even with standard agricultural technology, at least 1 kg of berries can be removed from each bush.
Strawberry Malga is a high-yielding variety
The fruits are dense, so they keep their shape well. They can stay in the refrigerator for several days without losing taste or hardness. They tolerate long-distance transportation well.
Growing regions, frost resistance
Despite the fact that the Malga strawberry was bred in Italy, it is suitable for cultivation in most regions of Russia, including the North-West, the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. In cold regions, it is better to cultivate under a film cover or in a greenhouse. The variety is frost-resistant, but the bushes should be covered for the winter. There is good resistance to prolonged rains - the roots and stems do not rot, fruiting proceeds normally.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The description of the Malga strawberry variety states that the bushes are characterized by good resistance to pests and diseases (Verticillium wilt, gray rot). But disease cannot be completely ruled out. There may also be an invasion of pests - weevils, aphids, leaf beetles and others.
For prevention in April (before the formation of buds), it is recommended to carry out a single treatment of Malga strawberries with any fungicide:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Horus";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Teldur";
- "Signum".
Folk remedies effectively deal with insects, for example, infusion of onion peels, garlic cloves, mustard powder, and a decoction of potato tops. For prevention, the row spacing is sprinkled with wood ash, which also serves as a source of minerals.
But in the later stages these measures are ineffective. It is necessary to use chemical insecticides, for example:
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Match";
- "Aktara";
- "Decis";
- "Confidor" and others.
Treatment of Malga strawberry bushes is carried out in cloudy weather or late evening, preferably in the absence of wind and rain.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Malga strawberries bear fruit all season and produce not only beautiful, but also tasty berries. This variety has already begun to spread in Russia and other countries, as it has some advantages.
Strawberry Malga produces delicious marketable berries
Pros:
- fruiting all summer and early autumn;
- the taste is pleasant, the aroma is pronounced;
- high productivity;
- fruits do not bake in the sun;
- resistance to waterlogging;
- frost resistance;
- immunity to major diseases;
- there are few whiskers, they do not affect the yield.
Minuses:
- if the summer is cloudy and rainy, then acidity is noticeable in the taste;
- immunity to anthracnose is weak;
- demands on feeding;
- independent propagation of the crop is ineffective.
Reproduction methods
Malga strawberries can be propagated by tendrils and by dividing the bush. The first method is inconvenient because few shoots are formed. But on 1-2 bushes you can remove a significant part of the peduncles, then there will be more mustaches. They are carefully picked before fruiting begins. The bushes are transplanted into fertile, loose soil, possibly next to the mother plant. Water periodically, making sure that the soil does not dry out. For the winter, mulch with leaves, hay, and sawdust.
It is advisable to divide mature three-year-old bushes, since the yield of Malga strawberries, like other varieties, decreases with age. You can start the procedure in May or September. To do this, dig up several bushes, place them in containers with warm water and separate the roots. If necessary, trim the tangled shoots with a knife. Planted in fertile soil and watered. In the case of autumn propagation, carefully mulch for the winter.This procedure is recommended to be repeated every 3 years.
Planting and care
Malga strawberries must be purchased from trusted suppliers. Planting seedlings in pots (roots covered) can be planned from late spring to early autumn. When propagating by mustaches, it is better to plant them in July.
The place for cultivating Malga strawberries should be well lit, without shade. Lowlands where moisture accumulates are excluded. The beds are oriented from north to south for more uniform lighting. The soil should be slightly acidic (pH from 5.5 to 6.0), loose and fertile (loam). If the soil is depleted, humus is added to it a month before planting. You will need 5 kg per 1 m2. If the soil is clayey, then be sure to cover it with sawdust or sand (500 g per 1 m2). For acidification, you can add 200 g of wood ash to the same area.
Malga strawberry bushes can be planted with minimal intervals
When placing, maintain the following distance:
- 20 cm – between holes;
- 60 cm – row spacing.
Malga strawberry bushes do not need to be buried; on the contrary, the root collar is watered a little so that the growing point is above the surface. In the first 15 days, daily watering is required. In this case, the soil is compacted, and the neck may go underground.
To grow beautiful and healthy Malga strawberries, as shown in the photo and in the description of the variety, gardeners in their reviews recommend adhering to the following rules:
- Watering with warm water 2 times a week, in drought - three times.
- During flowering, drip irrigation is used instead of traditional moistening. You can pour water carefully without getting on the flowers.
- Fertilize Malga strawberries regularly: in mid-May, urea (15 g per 10 l per 1 m2) and mullein (diluted 10 times) or litter (20 times).During the formation of peduncles, fertilizing with mullein is repeated, and at the end of August superphosphate is added (30 g per 10 liters per 1 m2) and potassium sulfate (20 g per 10 l per 1 m2). You can add wood ash (100 g per 1 m2). Nitrogen is categorically excluded at this time.
- After heavy rains, the soil should be mulched. At the same time, weeding is done.
- It is advisable to mulch Malga strawberry plantings with organic matter (peat, pine needles, leaves, sawdust). Mulch is changed every month. Instead, you can use the well-proven method of growing on a sheet of black agrofibre.
Preparing for winter
In all regions where Malga strawberries are planted, it is necessary to mulch, since temperature changes can cause the roots to freeze. Because of this, the plant will not recover next spring. At the beginning of October, remove all dried leaves. The bushes are covered with agrofibre or sprinkled with a large (10 cm) layer of straw or sawdust.
The sawdust will have time to rot, but you shouldn’t throw it away. The material is placed in a compost heap to obtain organic fertilizer.
The variety is suitable for fresh and canned consumption.
Conclusion
Malga strawberries are suitable for growing in private and private farms. This is a new variety that has only recently begun to penetrate Russia and other countries. Attractive for its stable, long-term fruiting, good immunity and resistance to adverse weather conditions. This allows you to grow Malga strawberries even in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.
Reviews from gardeners about Malga strawberries
We received the seedlings only today (11/13/2023) and transplanted them into larger pots. So no review yet