Content
Strawberry Onda is an Italian variety that appeared in 1989. It is distinguished by large, dense berries, which are convenient to transport over long distances and can be used fresh or frozen. The pulp is juicy and sweet, with a pleasant, pronounced aroma. Another advantage is high yield. Strawberries are unpretentious in care, so even a novice gardener can cope with agricultural technology.
History of selection
Strawberry Onda was bred in Italy based on two varieties:
- Honeoye;
- Marmolada.
The variety passed successful tests, after which it began to be grown on an industrial scale. In Russia, the Onda strawberry has just begun to spread. The variety is not included in the register of breeding achievements.
Description of strawberry variety Onda and characteristics
Onda strawberry bushes are medium-sized, the leaves are rich green, moderately large, and have a typical shape. The plants are not spreading, so they can be cultivated even in small beds.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
The description of the Onda variety gives the following characteristics of the berries:
- the shape is regular, round, with a pronounced cone at the bottom;
- color bright red;
- glossy surface;
- sizes are large;
- weight on average 40–50 g (in subsequent seasons it becomes smaller to 25–30 g);
- pulp of medium density, red.
Strawberries have a good taste and pleasant aroma. There is a pronounced sweetness with moderate, balanced sourness.
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
The yield of Onda strawberries is good: over the entire season, each plant produces 1–1.2 kg of large berries. In subsequent years, the mass of fruits becomes smaller, and therefore the yield decreases. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to regularly propagate the bushes and get new plants.
The variety is mid-season: the berries are formed in the first weeks of summer. They can be collected from the end of June to the end of July. The berries are quite strong, so they can be stored fresh in the refrigerator for a long time. The fruits are transported in boxes, stacked on top of each other in 3–4 layers.
Onda strawberries can be transported over long distances
Growing regions, frost resistance
The variety has good frost resistance. This allows you to grow strawberries in open ground not only in the south, but also in the regions of Central Russia:
- middle lane;
- Chernozem region;
- Volga region.
However, in the North-West, as well as in the Urals and Siberia, shelter is required. It is in greenhouse conditions that Onda strawberries produce maximum yield. The variety is also characterized by good drought resistance. But to obtain juicy and tasty berries, you need to organize regular watering, especially during the hot season.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The description of the Onda strawberry indicates that the variety has good immunity.For example, plants do not suffer from anthracnose and root rot. There are no data on immunity from other diseases. Possible pest damage: aphids, weevils, leaf beetles, nematodes, whiteflies and many others.
Therefore, during the growing season, it is recommended to carry out several preventive treatments. To prevent fungal diseases in the spring, before flowering, Onda strawberry bushes are sprayed with a solution of any fungicide:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Teldur";
- "Maksim";
- "Horus";
- "Signum";
- "Tattu."
In summer, during the period of insect invasion, folk remedies are used:
- infusion of tobacco dust, chili pepper, onion peel;
- a solution of wood ash and laundry soap, powdered mustard;
- decoction of marigold flowers, potato tops;
- powder mustard solution.
If folk remedies do not help, Onda strawberries are treated with insecticides:
- "Biotlin";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Green Soap";
- "Confidor";
- "Fitoverm" and others.
Processing Onda strawberries can only be done in the evening or in cloudy weather, when there is no wind or rain. If chemicals are used, the crop can only be harvested after 3–7 days.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Onda variety is high-yielding and produces tasty, large berries. They can be used both fresh and for various preparations. Summer residents appreciate these strawberries for other advantages.
Onda berries are large, regular in shape and brightly colored
Pros:
- very pleasant taste;
- high productivity;
- marketable condition;
- good keeping quality and transportability;
- resistance to frost and drought;
- immunity to certain diseases;
- dense pulp, allowing the berries to be frozen.
Minuses:
- strawberries become smaller over the years;
- in some regions it needs to be grown under cover.
Reproduction methods
The Onda variety can be propagated in several ways:
- mustache;
- dividing the bush.
Shoots for propagation are used only in June (before fruiting begins). They are torn off and planted in fertile, light and moist soil. The plants manage to take root before the end of the season. In autumn, they need to be mulched or covered with agrofibre (like mother bushes).
Onda strawberries can also be propagated by dividing the bush. In late spring or early autumn, several mother specimens are dug up and placed in cups of water. After a few hours, separate the roots and use a knife if necessary. Then they are planted and grown like other plants. This method allows you to rejuvenate old Onda strawberry bushes. In this case, productivity will be maintained at a high level.
Planting and care
Onda strawberries are planted in mid-May, when the daytime temperature does not drop below +15 °C. The planting site should not be over-moistened. Lowlands are not allowed, although it is also better to exclude hills. The soil should be loose and fertile (sandy loam, loamy), the environment should be acidic (pH about 5–5.5). 2 months before planting in the ground, it is recommended to apply manure at a rate of 5–7 kg per 1 m2.
It is not advisable to make a bed with predecessors from the Solanaceae family (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes), as well as with cucumbers and cabbage.
Onda strawberries are planted according to the standard scheme, leaving a distance of 30 cm between the bushes and 40 cm between the rows. It is recommended to put a pinch of wood ash or superphosphate and potassium sulfate in each hole (at the rate of 100 g per 1 m2). Then water with warm, settled water and mulch with peat, sawdust, and hay.
Growing strawberries on spunbond allows you to get rid of weeds
To get healthy Onda strawberry bushes that match the description of the variety and photo, gardeners in their reviews recommend adhering to the following rules:
- Watering weekly (during drought, 2 times a week). Use pre-settled water at the rate of 0.5 liters per 1 seedling. There is no need to give too much moisture - the soil should dry out.
- Fertilizer for Onda strawberries is applied 3 times per season. In early April, give urea or ammonium nitrate (20 g per 1 m2). At the stage of bud formation, wood ash is added (100–200 g per 1 m2) and superphosphate with potassium salt (20 g per 1 m2 or foliar method). During active fruiting, organic matter is given. Mullein is diluted 10 times or litter 15 times. Use 0.5 liters per bush.
- Periodically weed the bed and loosen the soil. It is especially important to do this after watering and rain, so that the soil does not have time to cake and become too dense.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that the variety is quite frost-resistant, it still needs to be prepared for winter. To do this, in September and early October it is recommended:
- cut off all mustaches;
- water the plants moderately, preventing the soil from drying out;
- cut off some of the leaves (about half is possible);
- cover the plantings with spruce branches or agrofibre, stretching it over metal arches.
You can also use straw and leaves for mulch, but they may not be allowed. And mouse nests are often made in straw.
For the winter, strawberry plantings should be covered with agrofibre.
Therefore, it is better to use a herbicide or complete weeding at the end of August.
Conclusion
Strawberry Onda is a relatively new variety for Russia, which has just begun to be planted in the regions. The berries are large, care is standard, and the yield is quite high. Therefore, both summer residents and farmers can pay attention to this crop.
Reviews from gardeners about Onda strawberries
