Onda Strawberry: variety description and characteristics, planting and care rules

The Onda variety of Italian selection appeared in Russia not so long ago, but has already gained popularity. It is recommended to grow it in open beds, even in regions where the climate is not very conducive to the fruiting of this crop. Consider the characteristics of Onda strawberries, the disadvantages and advantages of the variety, the features of cultivation, the stages of care, and preparation for winter. How to fight diseases, propagate crops, harvest crops.

Description and brief description

Onda belongs to the mid-late varieties, the crop yields once a season. Berries begin to sing in late July, early August.Bushes have medium vigor, well leafy. The leaves are bright green, classic shape. Flowering occurs in the middle of summer, the plant produces several peduncles, the flowers are self-pollinating, strawberries do not need to stimulate pollination.

The fruits of the Onda variety are large, round, regular, can weigh up to 50 g, on average, 30 g. They have a bright red shiny skin, dense but juicy pulp. The taste of the berries is sweet, with low acidity. The yield is stable, up to 1 kg of fruits are harvested from a bush.

Pros and cons of strawberries

Onda stands out among other varieties of culture with such advantages:

resistance to cold;
strong immunity, ability to resist diseases;
stable yield;
great taste;
large-fruited;
the versatility of fruits;
undemanding to grow;
the ability of berries to transport.

Disadvantages: the tip of ripe berries may not turn red for a long time, therefore, if you wait until it ripens, the top may already begin to rot.

Subtleties of Onda cultivation

Onda variety can be planted in the garden in spring in April, in autumn in September-October, but at least a month and a half before frost. Strawberries grow well in open places where the sun illuminates them all day and where the wind does not interfere. Acid and waterlogged soils are not suitable for growing crops.

A plot for strawberries is prepared by removing the remains of vegetation, both cultural and weedy, digging up a shovel on a bayonet, bringing organic matter into the ground - 2-year-old humus and ash (1 bucket and 0.5 kg each, respectively). Everything is mixed with soil.

For plants of the variety, a planting pattern of 25-30 cm in a row and 40 cm in row spacing is suitable. Seedlings are planted in shallow holes, completely covering the roots with earth. In this case, the middle should not be covered with earth. After planting all the seedlings, they are watered and sprinkled with mulch.

Further care

Onda is a productive strawberry, but it will be problematic to get a decent harvest without care. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor its condition all season, water the plants and fertilize. Weed and loosen the soil around the bushes, prepare the plants for winter.

Irrigation

Irrigation should be regular, in arid conditions, irrigation is a must. Despite the need for moisture, strawberries do not like overflow. In a waterlogged environment, the likelihood of rot and spotting increases.The average frequency of watering in dry weather is 2 times a week. For irrigation, you need to prepare settled warm water, pour it under the root. The best way to water and feed at the same time is with a drip system, which is desirable to use in the garden.

Loosening, weed control

For normal development and fruiting, Onda strawberries need air to reach the roots. Loosening ensures that the earth is kept soft and loose; for loam and clay soil, this is a must. Loosening removes weeds in the early stages of their growth. If you use mulch made from natural plant materials or lay agrofiber on the beds, you can greatly facilitate the care of plants.

: Strawberry

Moustache removal

On all plants, if they are not planned to be propagated, mustaches are removed. They are cut with a pruner or a knife; it is not advisable to tear them off so as not to accidentally injure the bushes.

Feeding

Feeding is carried out 3-4 times per season. At the beginning of the growing season, organic matter or nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring. 2 more top dressings, this time with phosphorus-potassium mixtures, fall on the flowering-fruiting period. You can also spray with a solution of complex fertilizers.

Preparing for winter

Onda strawberries are cut after harvesting, that is, old and diseased leaves are removed, but the apical buds are left. They cover the bushes with a thick layer of mulch from sawdust, fallen leaves, straw, or cover the beds with agrofibre.

Pest and disease control

Plants of the variety may be affected by gray rot, this occurs more often in rainy years. Strawberries are resistant to anthracnose. Preventively, plants are sprayed with fungicidal preparations. After the strawberries set fruit, you can only use biofungicides.

Crop propagation

Onda breeds with mustaches, which must be taken from the best bushes. From each you can root 3-5 mustaches. Transplant in August or September.

Can also be propagated by dividing the bush in spring or autumn. Young he althy and large plants are divided into 3-4 parts with apical buds and immediately transplanted to the chosen place.

Cleaning and storage

Berry picking occurs gradually, you need to pick the fruits after they turn red, but before they overripe. Those that will be stored are placed in shallow plastic food containers, covered with a lid and put in the refrigerator, where they can last a week. Onda is suitable for freezing, berries can be consumed from the freezer for six months.

Onda variety should appeal to gardeners, lovers of large-fruited strawberries.It is resistant to cold, with good care it does not get sick, it will please the owners with a stable yield. The high productivity of the variety allows you to get so many berries from the beds that they are enough not only for quick consumption, but also for making delicious home-made preserves or freezing.