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New varieties of strawberries are developed by breeders every year. Dutch companies have long been the leading suppliers of promising varieties that invariably attract the attention of gardeners. Strawberry Florentina is one of the interesting varieties created in the Netherlands. The taste and appearance of the berries are definitely beyond praise. But this variety also has significant disadvantages.
History of selection
Florentina is a strawberry variety bred in the Netherlands by breeders from Goossens Flevoplants’s. It became part of the “Flevo Berry” program, the goal of which is to obtain varieties of remontant strawberries that can become analogues and “competitors” of Elsanta, well known to Russian gardeners.
The variety, characterized by its creators as a “repairer for all occasions,” was bred in 2011. All procedures necessary for certification in Russia were completed in 2018. Florentina strawberries are not included in the domestic State Register of Breeding Achievements.
Description and characteristics of the strawberry variety Florentina
Before planting strawberries of the Florentina variety, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. It has undeniable advantages, but at the same time it is not without serious disadvantages.
Appearance and taste of berries
Ripe Florentina strawberries are quite dark, red-burgundy in color. The berry is rough to the touch due to the “bulging” seeds. The skin is glossy, thin, but dense. Strawberries do not wrinkle when picked. After the berry is picked, it dries a little more, which ensures good transportability.
The average weight of berries in the first “wave” of the harvest is about 30 g. In the second, it increases to 40-50 g. By the beginning of autumn, the berries become smaller again and become different sizes (15-30 g).
The shape does not change throughout the season - the berries resemble a “swollen” cone, large specimens may be slightly corrugated
The flesh of the Florentina strawberry is bright red, very dense, and not particularly juicy. The berries are extremely sweet, with a subtle refreshing sourness and a characteristic aroma, something between wild strawberries and pineapple. This balanced taste was rated 4.5 out of five by professional tasters.
Flowering period, ripening period and yield
Strawberry Florentina belongs to the category of early remontant varieties. Its flowering in temperate climates begins in the last ten days of May. Next, generative buds are laid at intervals of 5-6 weeks, and this process is not affected by temperature fluctuations and daylight hours. It takes approximately 15 days for the berries to ripen.
The first harvest is harvested in mid-June. Further, Florentina strawberries bear fruit until the end of September. And in the conditions in the south of Russia - generally until the first frost.
There are practically no barren flowers on the plants.Therefore, under ideal conditions, according to breeders, an adult Florentina strawberry bush produces 4-5 kg of berries per season. But for amateur gardeners these are absolutely fantastic indicators. You can rather count on 1.5-2.5 kg.
Strawberry Florentina is a day-neutral variety. This means that, provided the proper conditions are provided, the plants are able to bear fruit throughout the year.
Strawberry Florentina is well suited for growing on an industrial scale
Frost resistance
Strawberry Florentina feels good at temperatures in the range of 2-30 ºС. But cold resistance within -10 ºС does not allow it to winter in Russia without careful shelter. Even in southern subtropical regions, it is recommended to play it safe and protect your plantings from frost.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety cannot boast of at least average immunity. Florentina strawberries are extremely susceptible to fungal diseases, especially to various types of spots and rots. Even regular preventive treatments with special preparations do not always help to avoid infection, especially if cool, rainy weather favorable for the development of diseases persists for a long time.
Florentina also enjoys special “love” from garden pests. If there are several varieties of strawberries in a garden bed, it is the strawberry bushes that are the first to be attacked.
For unknown reasons, the larvae of cockchafers have a strong weakness for Florentina.
Pros and cons of the variety
The significant disadvantages of the Florentina strawberry in the eyes of many gardeners “outweigh” its undoubted advantages.
pros | Minuses |
A powerful root system, thanks to which the seedlings quickly adapt to a new place and actively begin to grow | Tendency to be affected by diseases and pests |
Slight foliage, facilitating the harvesting process | Susceptibility of berries and root systems to rot in rainy weather
|
High yields under optimal conditions | Frost resistance is not high enough for Russia |
Possibility of year-round cultivation of berries | Relatively small number of whiskers formed |
Keeping quality (up to 5-7 days) and transportability of strawberries | Demanding on the quality of the substrate |
Attractive appearance and excellent taste of fruits, not lost during heat treatment and freezing | The need to carefully follow recommendations regarding agricultural technology |
The versatility of berries |
|
Planting and caring for Florentina strawberries
A flat, open place, well warmed by the sun, is suitable for planting. But during the period of its maximum activity, the strawberries should be covered by light partial shade. It is also necessary to have protection from the north. Florentina does not tolerate cold drafts or sharp gusts of wind.
The soil needs to be nutritious, but relatively light, air- and water-permeable. Stagnation of moisture at the roots provokes the development of rot. Loam or sandy loam is best. Acid-base balance – neutral, 5.5-6.0.
This variety forms mustaches reluctantly; strawberries reproduce mainly by dividing the bush. You need to choose an adult (2-3 years old), completely healthy plant, dig it out of the soil, carefully untangle the roots and divide it into parts so that at least one generative bud remains on each.
When dividing a bush, it is important not to damage the “solid” roots.
Florentina's susceptibility to fungal diseases requires regular preventive treatments. The first is carried out even before planting, treating the roots of the seedlings in a solution of any fungicide for 15-20 minutes. Next, treatment with copper-containing preparations is repeated at intervals of 1.5-2 weeks. Since strawberries have a long fruiting period, it is necessary to choose products of biological origin so that the berries and the health of those who eat them are not damaged.
To repel insects, the bed with Florentina is surrounded by plantings of garlic, herbs, marigolds, and other plants with a pronounced aroma. The bushes are regularly inspected for pests. Having noticed characteristic symptoms, apply a suitable insecticide.
They feed Florentina with store-bought fertilizers designed specifically for strawberries. Only they, with such a high yield, are able to provide the plants with the necessary amount of nutrients.
Four feedings are carried out during the season:
- at the very beginning of the active growing season;
- when the first buds appear;
- after the first “wave” of the harvest;
- in the second ten days of September.
Strawberry Florentina does not like either overdrying or waterlogging of the soil. Therefore, the frequency of watering varies depending on the weather. On average, once every 4-5 days is enough, the norm for an adult plant is about 3 liters. In hot weather, the intervals are reduced to 2-3 days. Any method in which drops of water do not fall on the leaves, buds and berries.
Florentina strawberries are ideal for drip irrigation
In preparation for winter, the Florentina strawberry bed is cleared of plant and other debris. Peat or humus is added to the roots of each bush, building “mounds” about 15 cm high. The entire bed is covered with spruce branches, dry grass, and fallen leaves. Low arcs are installed on top, and any covering material is pulled over them in 2-3 layers. In winter, as soon as enough snow has fallen, the bed is covered from above.
Conclusion
Strawberry Florentina is a variety that is extremely demanding in terms of agricultural technology, cultivation conditions, and is susceptible to diseases. Therefore, it can be recommended exclusively to those gardeners who are willing to devote a lot of time and effort to caring for plants. This variety produces stable and abundant harvests only in optimal or close to optimal conditions. Berries are the main advantage of Florentina strawberries.
