Content
Strawberry Flair is an early, early-ripening Dutch variety that has won the recognition of farmers from around the world. Despite the fact that the species is not characterized by high yield, it has many other advantages: commercial and taste qualities, keeping quality, large fruit. Fleur is most suitable for growing in greenhouses for further sale.
Bright red fruits darken as they ripen
History of selection
The berry variety Fleur was obtained in 2004 in the Netherlands thanks to the work of Dutch breeders. The author of the variety is Marcel Suiker, an employee of Flevoplant B.V. Fleur strawberries have gained particular popularity in Germany and Scandinavia; in Russia they are cultivated in areas with suitable climatic conditions.
Description of the Fleur strawberry variety and characteristics
Fleur is a non-repairing strawberry variety, characterized by high quality taste and rapid ripening. A relatively new hybrid form has powerful bushes, reaching 40-45 cm in diameter and 20-25 cm in height.The plant is an open plant, compact but multi-horned, with a small amount of medium-sized foliage, bright green in color, with serrated edges. Strawberry petioles are strong, long, peduncles are tall - up to 16 cm, powerful, located at the level of the leaves, but with time of ripening they lie to the ground. The buds are white, five-petaled, very large - up to 4 cm in diameter. Fleur has a high adaptability and strong rosettes. The berries of the variety are large, regular in shape, and one-dimensional. As they ripen, the red fruits take on a darker hue. The surface of the berries is shiny, the achenes are small, pressed to an average depth, and have a yellow tint. The strawberry pulp is red, contains a lot of juice, and as it ripens it acquires a caramel flavor. Fleur's commercial value is very high.
The variety is resistant to rain and humid climates, but does not tolerate drought and hot weather at all. Sudden changes in conditions and temperature changes negatively affect fruiting and growth of bushes.
Fleur is a self-fertile strawberry variety.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Strawberry fruits of the Fleur variety ripen uniform and large. The berries have a classic shape - in the form of an elongated cone, the average weight of the fruit is 20-30 g. At the initial stage of ripening, the crop has a rich red color, but closer to harvest it acquires a darker color. All specimens are smooth, with a shiny surface and small grains of a yellow tint. Their pulp is dense, juicy, there may be voids inside, and the aroma is strawberry. The fruits contain a high concentration of sugar, but are not without a refreshing sourness. The taste qualities of Fleur, according to experts, are very high.
Strawberries are recommended for universal use. It is consumed fresh, added to dairy products and desserts, used for freezing and canning, and dried.
Fleur berries contain a large amount of antioxidants
Ripening time, yield and keeping quality
One of the main advantages of Fleur strawberries is the rapid ripening of the fruit, the timing of which directly depends on the growing region. Under favorable conditions, full ripening occurs in 30 days, that is, a week earlier than other varieties. In the Moscow region, strawberries are harvested towards the end of June, and in the south - already in mid-May.
As for the number of fruits on a bush, this indicator is greatly influenced by agricultural technology and weather. On average, one adult plant produces up to 0.5 kg of ripe berries. If Fleur is cultivated in closed ground, then this figure increases to 0.8 - 1 kg.
The variety has high shelf life and is suitable for transportation over short distances. Harvesting is very easy, since all the berries are visible.
Growing regions, frost resistance
The variety bears fruit well both in tunnels, greenhouses and equipped greenhouses, and in open ground. Areas with a temperate climate are best suited for its cultivation.
When grown in cold zones, the variety requires obligatory shelter with the arrival of frost. In the south, the crop survives the winter safely under mulch without additional insulation.
In hot areas with severe drought, strawberries do not perform well. High temperatures contribute to the deterioration of the presentation and taste of berries, negatively affect the yield, and reduce fruiting.
The variety develops productively and forms ovaries in cool weather
Resistance to diseases and pests
According to the originator of the variety, Fleur strawberries have average resistance to major diseases and pests, although gardeners claim that in spring and autumn they must be treated with professional protective preparations. If verticillium blight or spot spreads in the area, the variety will not be able to resist them.
Also, the variety can be attacked by pests: ants, slugs, aphids. To combat them, you should use products purchased in specialized stores.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Judging by the description of the variety, photos and reviews from gardeners, Fleur strawberries are not an ideal variety and have not only advantages, but also disadvantages.
Fleur is one of the best strawberry varieties for sale.
Advantages:
- earlier flowering and fruiting;
- pleasant aroma and taste;
- amicable maturation;
- large fruit;
- moisture resistance;
- long shelf life;
- excellent presentation;
- good transportability.
Flaws:
- heat instability;
- susceptibility to disease;
- the likelihood of low productivity;
- low yield.
Reproduction methods
Strawberry Fleur can reproduce in three ways:
- Sockets. During the growing season, the variety forms a large number of tendrils, which should be dug in at the beginning of summer to obtain new bushes. With the onset of autumn, they are removed from the ground along with the roots and planted.
- By division. Fleur grows very quickly, so some gardeners divide the mother bushes.To do this, they are carefully dug up, cut into pieces so that each has a root system, and then placed in pre-prepared beds.
- Seeds. To propagate the variety by seed, large grains should be collected from the mother crop. To do this, overripe berries are dried, after which the planting material is separated from them, sown in containers with fertile soil and covered with film. After the sprouts appear, it is removed.
It is best to propagate Fleur strawberries with rosettes
Planting and care
For successful growth, Fleur strawberries require certain conditions. Plant development and yield are greatly influenced by the choice of location and adherence to agricultural technology. The variety prefers an open space without drafts with good lighting throughout the day; an excellent harvest can also be harvested when grown in greenhouse conditions. The soil can have any composition, but it is better if it is soil with a normal level of acidity. For Fleur strawberries, since its bushes are small in size, a two-line or one-line planting scheme with an interval between sprouts of 20-30 cm and rows of 40 cm is suitable.
Caring for the plant consists of periodic watering and fertilizing, and do not forget about mulching and loosening the beds. Moisten the crop with settled warm water as the soil dries, at the root. Fertilizing is carried out with complex fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and other useful elements. The soil should be loosened a few days after watering, mulched with sawdust, mown grass and spruce needles.It is recommended to cover the bushes before winter.
Preparing for winter
Strawberry Fleur has good resistance to frost, but only if the bushes are provided with good shelter. The ideal option for wintering is insulation with thick spunbond or agrofibre placed on low arches. When growing the species in open ground, there is a danger of freezing at the time of return frosts.
Growing strawberries in open ground is difficult
Conclusion
Strawberry Fleur is a very sensitive variety to the vagaries of the weather. It does not guarantee good results in all regions; it performs better in protected ground. The main advantages of the variety are considered to be excellent presentation, early ripeness, and immunity to certain diseases. Reviews about Fleur strawberries are controversial; some liked the variety, while others were very disappointed in it.
Reviews from gardeners about Fleur strawberries
