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Among the remontant early ripening varieties, the Baron Solemacher strawberry stands out. It has gained wide popularity due to its excellent taste, aroma of bright berries and high yield. Thanks to their cold resistance, the bushes bear fruit until frost.
History of appearance
The variety owes its appearance to German breeders who worked with the alpine varietal group of strawberries. Strawberry Baron Solemacher was bred in the mid-30s of the last century and has been leading the popularity ratings for its characteristics for many decades.
Description of the variety
The Poisk Company acts as the originator of the variety. She monitors the preservation of the original varietal properties of Baron Solemacher strawberries and recommends them for cultivation in all regions of Russia - in garden plots and greenhouses and even at home, on window sills.
Strawberry bushes are semi-spreading, squat - no higher than 20 cm, shaped, covered with small light green leaves with jagged edges. The pubescence of the leaves gives them a silvery tint. Strawberry flowers are quite small, bisexual, located on short peduncles below the leaves.
More complete information about the characteristics of alpine strawberry varieties can be found in the article.
Baron Solemacher's strawberries begin to bear fruit in the first year after planting. For 3-4 years, the remontant strawberry variety consistently produces high yields, more than 83 c/ha. At the end of this period, the strawberry bushes should be replanted.
Small berries with dense, juicy pulp are distinguished by:
- bright, rich red color with a glossy sheen;
- sweet taste with slightly noticeable sourness;
- unique strawberry aroma;
- conical shape;
- average weight up to 4 g;
- excellent presentation, high tasting score.
Baron Solemacher strawberries bloom in May, and the first harvest of berries can be harvested in early summer. Strawberries bear fruit continuously throughout the season, until frost. In the south, the season lasts until November; in the northern regions, strawberries bear fruit until the middle or end of September.
Advantages and disadvantages
The strawberry variety Baron Solemacher has many advantages that far outweigh the relative disadvantages. They can be found in the table below.
Advantages of the variety | Flaws |
Unpretentiousness to weather conditions - the bushes bloom and bear fruit even in rainy seasons | After 3-4 years, strawberries need to be replanted |
Decorative – compact, spherical strawberry bushes become a wonderful garden decoration throughout the summer | Timely and high-quality nutrition is necessary |
High yield - strawberries bear fruit abundantly until frost | Requires careful care |
Due to the absence of mustaches, strawberry bushes occupy a small area in the garden bed |
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Strawberry seeds demonstrate high germination - up to 95% |
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Strawberries are characterized by good frost and drought resistance |
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Highly resistant to diseases and pests |
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Reproduction methods
Strawberries can be propagated in several ways, each of which has its own advantages.
Dividing the bush
From each strawberry bush you can get several pieces. An adult bush is cut into pieces at the growth points, which are then planted in light and moist soil. Faster rooting of strawberries will be facilitated by:
- their regular hilling;
- removing leaves from cuttings;
- planting bushes in a greenhouse;
- maintaining high soil and air humidity;
- slight shade from the sun.
After about a month, the divisions form a fairly powerful root system, and they can be planted in a permanent place. Propagation of strawberries by dividing the bush can be carried out throughout the season - from spring to early autumn. But no later than September, otherwise the young plants will not have time to adapt and may freeze.
Growing from seeds
Baron Solemacher strawberries are easy to grow with seeds. But we must take into account that they will sprout only in a few weeks, so you need to plant them early enough.
Technology for obtaining and stratifying seeds
Strawberry seeds Baron Solemacher can be bought in a specialized store or obtained independently:
- select the largest, overripe berries from the garden;
- cut off the pulp along with the seeds and place it in the sun to dry;
- When the pulp dries, collect the remaining seeds, put them in bags and place them in a cool place.
It is believed that the best varietal properties of Baron Solemacher strawberries are preserved by the seeds that are located in the upper part of the berry. The shelf life of seeds is up to 4 years.
For stratification, seeds should be placed in conditions with a temperature of 0 - +4 degrees and humidity up to 70-75%:
- place the seeds on a damp cloth;
- place it in a plastic bag;
- prepare a transparent plastic container with holes and place the seeds in it;
- Place the container in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Time for sowing seeds
Baron Solemacher strawberry seeds are sown from late February to mid-April, depending on climatic conditions. However, the later they are planted, the further the harvest date will be delayed. Early sowing is preferable for another reason - if the strawberry seeds do not sprout, there will be time for replanting. The soil for sowing seeds should be light, loose and breathable. It is usually prepared from a mixture of garden soil and purchased substrate.
Sowing in peat tablets
The best substrate for seeds are peat tablets. Their advantages are:
- in the set of nutrients necessary for seeds to germinate;
- no need to pick seedlings;
- the possibility of obtaining healthy seedlings;
- high air and water permeability;
Sowing in the soil
You can combine sowing strawberry seeds in the ground with their stratification:
- a layer of snow is poured into a plastic container with holes on top of the prepared soil;
- seeds are placed on top of it;
- cover with film and place in the refrigerator;
- The container is placed on the windowsill, closer to the light;
- every day you need to remove the lid and ventilate the crops;
- periodically moisten the soil, preventing it from drying out;
- maintain temperature 20-25 degrees;
Dive
Approximately 2-3 weeks after sowing, the first shoots begin to hatch. Mass shoots germinate by the end of the month. The sprouts are very tender, so it is risky to touch them before at least 4 true leaves appear. After this, you can carefully pick up the seedlings of the Baron Solemacher variety, replanting each one in a separate pot and without deepening them.
Why don't the seeds germinate?
For seeds to germinate smoothly, it is necessary to provide them with comfortable conditions. Containers for sowing must be treated with an antifungal agent, and the soil must be disinfected. Stratification is a prerequisite for seed germination. They also will not sprout if the necessary conditions of temperature, humidity and ventilation are not created in the room. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but high humidity with insufficient ventilation can lead to the appearance of mold. If there is insufficient lighting, the sprouts will be weak and elongated.
Planting strawberries
Seedlings can be planted in beds in early June.
Selection of seedlings
To plant the Baron Solemacher variety, you need to select healthy, strong seedlings.
Their root system:
- must be fibrous with a root collar diameter of at least 6 mm;
- without damage;
- with a light green live heart;
- The roots should be juicy and not wilted.
Choosing a planting site and preparing the soil
The Baron Solemacher variety responds well to heat and sunlight, which must be taken into account when choosing a site for it. It is not recommended to plant it:
- in damp lowlands;
- in areas with close groundwater;
- in the beds where potatoes or tomatoes used to grow.
If there is high humidity in the area, then you need to prepare high beds with sides for the strawberry bushes.
Planting scheme
The optimal distance between the bushes should ensure normal aeration, as they will grow. Usually a gap of 30-35 cm is left, and up to 70 cm between the rows. We must remember that you should not bury the growing point, but you should not expose the root system of strawberries either.
Care
The agricultural technology of the Baron Solemacher variety consists of timely procedures for watering, fertilizing and loosening.
Care in spring
Spring work on strawberry beds consists of:
- in loosening the soil under bushes;
- cleaning of last year's mulch and leaves, along with which the beds are cleared of pests that overwintered in it;
- pruning damaged shoots and leaves;
- regular watering;
- treating bushes from pests.
Watering and mulching
Strawberry Baron Solemacher especially needs watering and fertilizing:
- before the flowering phase;
- after its completion;
- during the period of appearance of ovaries.
The most effective is the drip irrigation system. It is good to water the strawberry bushes after picking the berries to stimulate further ripening.
Extra plants in the garden:
- take nutrients from strawberry bushes;
- reduce their illumination;
- retain moisture.
Therefore, after the strawberries begin to bloom, you need to:
- organize weeding of bushes;
- clear the beds of weed;
- loosen the soil, ensuring its aeration;
- mulch the bushes with straw or sawdust.
Fertilizing
Table 2 shows the types of fertilizing and the timing of their application.
Feeding time | Types of fertilizers |
Spring months can be spent as early as March | The greatest preference is given to nitrogen fertilizers - potassium and ammonium nitrate, diluted manure |
The phase of appearance of green ovaries | Add compost, slurry, potassium and phosphorus salts |
In the fall, around September, when the berry picking ends | Complex fertilizers, potassium, phosphorus, bird droppings |
Preparing for winter
After collecting the last ripe berries, you need to prepare the Baron Solemacher strawberry bushes for wintering. To do this you need:
- inspect and sprinkle the exposed roots with soil without covering the outlet;
- mulch the bushes to insulate the roots;
- with the onset of frost, you can cover the strawberries, but during thaws they should be ventilated so that the bushes do not rot;
- place spruce branches between the rows, which will retain a dense layer of snow on the bushes.
Disease Control
Baron Solemacher strawberries are resistant to most of the most common pathologies - black and gray rot, various types of spotting and others. However, it requires regular preventative spraying during the growing season.
The timing of treatments and types of drugs are visible from the table.
Processing times | Name of the drug |
Early spring | 3% Bordeaux mixture |
The appearance of leaves and flower stalks | A mixture of 1% Bordeaux mixture and 1% colloidal sulfur |
Budding and flowering | Same drugs |
Berry ripening period | Lepidocid solution |
Autumn processing | Treatment before wintering with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture |
Pest protection
Despite the good resistance of the Baron Solemacher variety to pests, violation of agricultural practices can cause enormous harm to the plantings. The most dangerous pest is the strawberry mite. It is treated against it with drugs such as Karbofos or Keltan, according to the instructions.
Collection and storage of berries
When the time for mass ripening of Baron Solemacher strawberries begins, they are harvested every other day, early in the morning or in the evening. Usually the largest fruits are produced by the first strawberry harvest. If it is necessary to transport the berries, they need to be picked two days before full ripeness, when the accumulation of sugar has already reached its maximum value. Berries must be transported in the same container in which they were collected, otherwise their quality will decrease. Baskets or flat boxes are usually used to collect berries. Strawberries can be stored for up to a week if immediately after picking they are cooled to 1-2 degrees, good ventilation and humidity up to 95% are provided.
Growing in pots
Baron Solemacher strawberries can also be grown in pots or boxes on the windowsill. Caring for them is as simple as in the garden beds:
- the pots are filled with fertile soil mixture;
- a drainage layer is laid out at the bottom;
- one bush is planted in each of them;
- strawberry plantings are placed on a windowsill or on a balcony on the south side, where there is better lighting;
- In winter, strawberry bushes should be provided with additional lighting;
- Watering and fertilizing are carried out as usual.
The difference between homemade strawberry bushes is the need for artificial pollination.
Bottom line
Strawberry Baron Solemacher is an excellent variety that does not require complex care. Thanks to its remarkable qualities, it has earned high popularity among gardeners.
In Soviet times, I ordered “Baron Solemacher” strawberry seeds from a private person. For the first time I tried to grow strawberries from seeds, everything worked out and I was very pleased with this variety of strawberries, it bore fruit until the snow. The variety is good because it does not produce tendrils. Very aromatic strawberries.