Content
The Dukat variety gained popularity due to the early ripening of berries, high yield and excellent taste of the fruit. Strawberries are characterized by rapid adaptation to sudden climate changes, bad weather conditions, and different soil compositions. Dukat strawberries grow in all garden plots without requiring special care.
Characteristics of the variety
Review of Dukat strawberries, description of the variety, photo, it’s worth starting with finding out the origin of the crop. The birthplace of strawberries is Poland. Breeders managed to develop a frost-resistant variety that produces a large harvest and does not require special care.
The berries ripen early. In cold regions, the fruits ripen later, which justifies that Dukat strawberries belong to the mid-early varieties. Harvesting usually occurs in June-July.
The strawberry bush bears a large number of berries. The yield especially increases with frequent watering. About 2 kg of strawberries are harvested from one bush. The shape of the Dukat strawberry resembles a cone with smooth walls and a blunt tip. The berries are very large. The weight of one fruit reaches 50 g.
Considering the description of Dukat strawberries, reviews, size, taste of the berries, it is worth noting the juiciness of the pulp. The fruits are dense, covered with glossy bright red skin. The flesh is pink-red with almost no visible white center.The skin is covered with an elastic film that protects the fruit from damage. The berries are easily separated from the stalk, which simplifies the harvesting process.
Strawberry bushes of the Dukat variety grow spreading, powerful, but low. There is rapid growth of whiskers, which simplifies the reproduction process. The leaves are large and bright green. The peduncle is thick. Dukat produces bisexual strawberry flowers. The location of the inflorescences is below the level of the leaves.
The Dukat strawberry variety tolerates any soil, but the crop grows better on light and medium-light soil. Strawberry bushes tolerate winter well. The root system can withstand frost in the soil down to -8OC. However, you should not risk severe hypothermia. Winter cover of the beds is guaranteed to protect Dukat strawberry bushes from freezing.
Choosing a landing site
The strawberry variety adapts well to climatic conditions, which significantly expands the possibility of choosing a planting site. Dukat will take root even in the northern Caucasus. A special feature of the strawberry variety is the increase in yield due to a long stay in cool soil. The main thing is that the soil is moist.
When choosing a planting site for Dukat strawberries, you need to pay better attention to the composition of the soil. The variety is not picky, but elevations are not held in high esteem. On the hills in the hot summer the ground dries out quickly, and Dukat does not tolerate drought well. A small harvest of berries will be obtained in an area with a predominance of sand or clay.The taste of the fruit will suffer if the crop grows on salt marshes, limestone or soil with high acidity. The poor strawberry variety Dukat grows in a completely open area, blown by the winds.
Rules for autumn and spring planting
Continuing the review of Dukat strawberries, descriptions of the variety, photos, reviews, we will consider the rules for planting seedlings. This can be done in spring or autumn. The time of year does not play a special role.
Autumn
Strawberry seedlings of the Dukat variety begin to be planted at the end of August. It is advisable to complete planting by mid-September so that the plant has time to take root before the onset of frost. Over the summer, the soil is depleted. It is necessary to begin the autumn planting of Dukat strawberries with abundant fertilization of the site. At 1 m2 add 1 kg of any organic matter. Compost, rotted manure, and humus are suitable.
The bed is dug to a depth of a maximum of 30 cm. The root system of the Dukat strawberry is spread in the upper layers of the soil, and this will be enough for it. It is not recommended to turn the soil deeper, as infertile soil will rise to the top. The bed for autumn planting of strawberries is prepared three weeks before the start of work.
Spring
Planting of strawberry seedlings of the Dukat variety in the spring begins in late April. It is advisable to complete the planting by mid-May, but it all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The bed is fertilized with organic matter and dug up in the fall. In the spring, the area is weeded to remove weeds, the soil is loosened and slightly moistened before planting strawberry seedlings.
If in the spring the area is very wet, it rains often or the groundwater has not yet had time to go to depth, then drainage grooves are dug along the perimeter of the bed.
The video demonstrates the correct planting of strawberries:
The process of planting seedlings
Planting strawberries of the Dukat variety in the garden is usually done in rows. If there is free space, it is optimal to organize row spacing with a width of 70 cm. As the Dukat strawberry grows, it will grow mustaches. At such row spacings it is easier to separate them and also to carry out weeding weed. If there are several beds, then maintain a distance of about 20 cm between them.
After dividing the rows, a hole is dug for each strawberry seedling. Backfilling is done with loose soil to the level of the apical bud. It is important to ensure that there are no exposed roots.
Its development depends on the correct depth of immersion of a strawberry seedling. If the plant is planted too shallowly, the root system will quickly dry out under the scorching rays of the sun. Strong deepening threatens the death of the seedling, especially in a damp area. The root system of Dukat strawberries will begin to intensively absorb moisture and rot.
After planting all the strawberry seedlings and watering, the soil in the garden bed is covered with mulch made from peat, sawdust or pine needles.
Rules for caring for crops
Dukat is considered an unpretentious variety and will not cause the gardener much trouble. Watering strawberries is the least hassle in the fall. The beds are moistened once a week. In summer, Dukat strawberries are watered every three days. The intensity of watering depends on weather conditions. The plant responds well to sprinkling, but not during flowering. It is better to water with warm water from a storage tank.
Fertilizing is important for strawberries of the Dukat variety in the initial period of the growing season. From organic matter, solutions of bird droppings or manure are well suited. If strawberries grow on poor soil, then organic matter alone is not enough. The soil is enriched with mineral complexes:
- Ammonium nitrate helps to give a quick start to growth. At 10 m2 beds are scattered with 135 g of granules. Nitrogen-containing fertilizer stimulates active foliage growth. At the beginning of summer, fertilizing with saltpeter can no longer be done. All useful substances will be used for mass development. The bushes will become fatty, and the berries will grow small or stop setting.
- With the beginning of fruiting, Dukat strawberries are fed with complex fertilizers. The plant needs nutrients during this period. Ignoring fertilizing will lead to a decrease in yield. Additionally, mineral complexes strengthen the immunity of strawberries, which protects against diseases.
Among minerals, the crop accepts phosphorus-potassium fertilizers well. They are applied in August after harvesting.
In order not to get confused in the purpose of fertilizing, they learn one rule: a young plant is fertilized for the growth of green mass, and an adult plant is fertilized for the formation of berries.
Diseases and pests
Dukat has good immunity. If the cultivation technology is followed, strawberry diseases are practically not observed, but if visible damage to the crop is detected, urgent measures must be taken.
The manifestation of black rot is observed on berries. The fruits lose their sugar content.The pulp tastes sour and watery. The ripening of the berry is accompanied by its darkening with further rotting.
There is only one method of struggle. The affected bushes are removed, and the area is disinfected with copper oxychloride.
Powdery mildew appears on the leaves as a white coating. Spots may appear on leaf blades and also on berries. Strawberries can be saved from illness with a solution consisting of 10 liters of water and 50 g of soda. A solution of potassium permanganate or colloidal sulfur cures the disease quite well.
The nematode can be seen by deformed foliage. Over time, the leaf blade darkens and becomes stained. Warm water heated to a temperature of 45 is used as a treatment.OS. Strawberry is given a warm shower from a watering can. If necessary, two procedures are performed.
Reviews
Reviews from most gardeners about Dukat strawberries are positive.
