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Strawberry Tristan is a Dutch variety that is not yet widespread in Russia. Mostly, summer residents grow it in the Central region - from the North-West to the south. It is characterized by moderate winter hardiness and long-term fruiting, which lasts until the first frost. The berries are moderately large and have a distinct sweet taste.
History of selection
Strawberry Tristan is a first generation hybrid (F1), obtained by breeders of the Dutch company ABZ Seeds. The company specializes in breeding hybrids that are resistant to drought, frost, pests and other adverse factors.
The hybrid has spread throughout Europe, the USA and partly throughout Russia. It has not yet been included in the register of selection achievements. However, many summer residents are already growing this crop on their plots. They value it for the stable harvest that the bushes produce until the end of summer.
Description of the Tristan strawberry variety and characteristics
Strawberry Tristan is an ampelous crop.It is a variety of large-fruited strawberry that produces a high yield. Berries appear throughout the season, which distinguishes the crop from other varieties.
The bushes are compact and low - they reach 30 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. They practically do not produce mustaches; they can be grown both in open beds and in pots.
Strawberry Tristan is characterized by early flowering
The inflorescences open already in the first half of May. There are a lot of them, which ensures a high yield.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Tristan strawberries are medium and large, weighing 25–30 g. The shape is symmetrical, regular, conical or biconical, elongated. The color is dark red, the surface is glossy, glistens in the sun. The taste is noticeably sweet, dessert, with a pleasant aroma. The purpose of Tristan strawberries is universal. They are consumed fresh, and also used for jam, jam, fruit juice and other preparations.
Strawberries Tristan can be grown in pots
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
The first berries ripen in mid-June. They appear throughout the summer and even in September before the first (moderate) frost. That is why Tristan strawberries are classified as remontant varieties with long and extended fruiting (the period can last four months).
The yield is high: from 700 g to 1 kg from each bush. At first glance, this is a small indicator. But if you consider that the bushes are not spreading, then per square meter you can get up to 5 kg of good quality berries.
Such high rates are achieved due to prolonged fruiting, as well as due to the fact that berries are regularly formed both on the mother bushes and on the daughter rosettes.Moreover, for this purpose they don’t even need to be shortened. Although rosettes appear in small quantities, they still contribute to the overall yield.
The fruits have fairly dense pulp and durable skin. Therefore, they have good keeping quality. You can keep fresh Tristan strawberries in the refrigerator for several days. Transportability is also good, so strawberries are grown on an industrial scale for sale.
Growing regions, frost resistance
Tristan strawberries are characterized by moderate winter hardiness, and the description of the variety from the originator states that it can be grown in zone 5, which corresponds to temperatures down to -29 degrees. Thus, Tristan strawberries can only be grown in the regions of Central Russia:
- Northwest;
- Moscow region and middle zone;
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- southern territories.
It is difficult to grow the variety in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. But since the bushes are not spreading, they can be cultivated in pots or boxes in heated rooms.
Tristan strawberries can be grown in most regions of Central Russia
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety has fairly good immunity. However, it is possible to suffer from common diseases:
- anthracnose;
- different forms of rot;
- spotting;
- late blight on roots;
- rhizoctoniasis.
The following pests pose a danger to Tristan strawberries:
- weevil;
- aphid;
- garden mite and others.
Therefore, it is necessary to carry out mandatory fungicide treatments (before flowering):
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Horus";
- "Maksim";
- "Signum" and others.
Insects can be dealt with using traditional methods.For spraying use: infusion of tobacco dust, onion peels, garlic cloves, decoction of potato tops, marigold flowers, mustard powder and others. In extreme cases, insecticides are used:
- "Aktara";
- "Confidor";
- "Fitoferm";
- "Inta-Vir" and others.
After applying chemicals, harvesting can begin in 3–5 days.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Tristan strawberries are valued by summer residents for their good yield. This is a great option for lovers of fresh strawberries throughout the summer season and even early fall. The variety also has other tangible advantages.
Strawberry Tristan produces a harvest for four months
Pros:
- high, stable yield;
- long fruiting until the first frost;
- pleasant taste and aroma;
- attractive presentation;
- low maintenance requirements;
- good keeping quality and transportability;
- resistance to some diseases.
Minuses:
- high cost of seed material;
- plants cannot be spread with tendrils;
- The culture does not take root in all regions.
Reproduction methods
Since the Tristan strawberry practically does not produce mustache, it has to be propagated by growing seedlings from seeds. They purchase them from suppliers - it is impractical to assemble them yourself. Tristan is a hybrid and therefore does not produce a fertile generation.
Seeds are sown at the end of February or at the beginning of March. For this, disposable cups are used, since strawberries of this variety do not like transplanting. The soil can be purchased at the store or made independently based on turf soil, black peat, humus and sand (2: 1: 1: 1).First, it is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate or placed in the freezer for several days.
The seeds are spread over the surface with tweezers and lightly sprinkled with soil. Then moisten it from a spray bottle, cover with a lid and place in a warm place (24–25 degrees). Ventilate and water periodically. When shoots with three leaves appear, the film is removed. All this time, Tristan strawberry seedlings need to be illuminated with phytolamps. The total daylight hours should be 14–15 hours.
It is better to grow Tristan strawberry seedlings in separate containers
Planting and care
Planting of the crop in open ground is planned for mid-May, when there will be no return frosts. The scheme is standard - you can leave a distance of 15–20 cm between the bushes, placing them in rows in a checkerboard pattern. When choosing a location, you should pay attention to good lighting (although weak shade is also allowed), protection from winds and low humidity (low areas should be excluded).
Strawberry Tristan is unpretentious in care. Agricultural cultivation technology is standard. It needs to be watered regularly, giving warm, settled water every week, twice as often during drought. After watering, the soil must be loosened. Weeding is carried out periodically. The bushes produce few tendrils and are removed as needed in May and June.
Strawberries of the Tristan variety are grown on fertile, light soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Even on rich soils, bushes need regular feeding - up to 4-5 times per season:
- In early April, use mullein (1:10) or chicken manure (1:15); you can also give urea at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters per 1 m2 area.
- After the appearance of flower stalks (mid-May), potassium nitrate is needed (10 g per 10 l per 1 m2).
- At the beginning of July, add mullein, superphosphate (50 g per 10 l per 1 m2) and wood ash (100 g per 10 l per 1 m2).
- At the beginning of September, you can add wood ash (200 g per 10 l per 1 m2).
Preparing for winter
To grow productive Tristan strawberries, as in the photo and description of the variety, gardeners in their reviews recommend paying special attention to preparing for winter. In the southern regions, it is enough to simply remove the leaves and mulch the plantings with sawdust, a low layer of straw or dry leaves.
In all other areas, bushes require mandatory shelter. The best way is to install a frame of metal or wooden pegs and cover it with agrofibre. A layer of mulch is first laid on the plantings, the height of which depends on the climatic conditions of the region.
Conclusion
Strawberry Tristan is a little-known variety in Russia that can be included in your collection. Bushes do not require special care. Even with standard agricultural technology, up to 1 kg of sweet, fairly large and beautiful berries can be collected from each plant.
Reviews from gardeners about Tristan strawberries
