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

Dessert variety bred at the beginning of the 20th century, presumably in France. It is not widely used in Europe, because it is considered elite, it is not grown on an industrial scale. But many gardeners grow strawberries Garigueta in their backyards, appreciate it for its excellent tasting qualities, rich taste and aroma, high immunity.

Description and characteristics of Strawberry Gariguetta

The peculiarity of the Gariguetta variety is the elongated conical shape of the fruit. Cultivation on an industrial scale for sale in stores is not possible, since strawberries have a low degree of safety, do not tolerate transportation.

Berries

Fruit Description:

pulp soft, juicy;
surface color light red;
aroma and taste pronounced;
seeds immersed in pulp;
characterized by surface roughness;
the shape of the first fruits is ribbed, the subsequent ones become diverse;
partial ripening is possible when the end of the berry remains unripe;
weight of the first fruits - 70 g, by the end of the season the berries become smaller, do not exceed 30 g.

Leaves

Medium size, deep green color. The surface of the leaf plate is slightly rough. The shape is rounded, light green veins are expressed. The bush is medium in size, but strong. The root system is developed.

Yield per bush

With standard agrotechnical measures, the yield from one plant is about 400 g. If intensive agrotechnics is used, then a bush can produce 600 g.

Flower stalks

The flower is white, large for this type of crop, has a cup shape. The core is yellow. The flower-bearing shoot is strong, producing about 20 flowers under optimal conditions.

The formation of stepchildren is abundant, due to which up to 20 rosettes are formed on one plant.

Garigueta variety is characterized by high reproduction intensity.

Climate

The variety was created in the south of France, therefore, with proper care, it grows well in the southern regions of Ukraine, in Central Russia.

Optimal for Gariguetta strawberries is a temperate climate with no intense heat during the growing season. With prolonged hot weather and the scorching sun, the taste of the berries deteriorates. But in cold climates, sour fruits form.

Pros and cons of the variety

The problem of growing the Gariguetta variety is that the fruits are tasty and fragrant only in suitable climatic conditions. In the climate of Russia, varietal qualities are often lost.

The Benefits of Strawberry Gariguetta Grown in Optimal Conditions:

rich taste and aroma;
soft, melt-in-your-mouth pulp;
good yield;
abundant mustache formation, which allows you to independently prepare planting material;
immunity to infection and insects.

Disadvantages of the Gariguetta variety may appear when grown in the Russian climate:

dissimilarity in the size and shape of fruits;
weak mass gain, excessive stretching and narrowing of berries if the summer is cool;
necessity for plantation shading in hot and sunny weather;
high acidity fruits grown in rainy summer.

Cultivation

Garigueta strawberries are propagated by seed and vegetative methods. The second option is used more often, since whiskers with multiple rosettes provide an abundance of planting material.

Date of planting

Gariguetta strawberries are planted either in the last days of August or in the spring, after the soil warms up.

In the northern regions and the Middle lane, where the climate is cool, bushes are planted in elevated areas, mulching is used. In the southern regions, where it is constantly hot during the growing season, shade the strawberry plantation with an awning.

Selecting and preparing a landing site

Strawberry Garigueta loves loose, airy, fertile soil. Do not plant it in loam and sandstone. In the lowland, the fruits rot, so the selected area should be elevated, fenced off from strong winds.

The soil is being prepared for planting since autumn:

remove the remains of leaves and weeds;
dig to a depth of about 25 cm;
fertilize, use peat (5 kg per 1 m2²), superphosphate (50 g per 1 m2²) and potassium sulfate (30g per 1m^2).

Preparation of planting material

In vegetative propagation, sockets with a fully developed central part and well-formed roots are chosen. The bushes are carefully cut off from the mother plant, dug out, rolled over with an earthen lump to the chosen place.

When buying planting material, carefully inspect the leaves: they should not be dried. The central part must be formed, the root system must be developed. Purchased seedlings are treated with a drug against fungal infection before planting.

Boarding rules

Leave at least 40 cm between bushes. Row spacing - 50 cm. With a dense arrangement of bushes, it is difficult for mustaches to develop.

Planting strawberries on a cloudy day. The first days after planting, the beds are shaded so that the bushes feel comfortable and take root faster.

Seating algorithm:

dig shallow holes;
a bush or two is placed in each recess;
straighten the roots;
watering;
fill the hole with earth;
mulch beds.

Subtleties of strawberry care

Garigueta variety is unpretentious, but only in optimal climatic conditions. It is difficult to care for strawberries in the CIS countries.

Water and fertilize

In greenhouse conditions, watered by drip twice in 10 days. When grown outdoors, the frequency of watering is determined by the abundance of rainfall. If the season is dry, water in the same way as in a greenhouse. If the weather is rainy, no watering is needed.

Fertilization:

in spring, when the first leaves appear - urea;
after flowering - potassium, phosphorus, a mixture of organic matter and ash;
at the beginning of fruit formation - a growth stimulator.

Mulching and loosening

Mulching is a mandatory procedure for growing both in the greenhouse and in the open field. Immediately after planting, they put peat, needles, straw.

If the beds are covered with agrofiber, there is no need to loosen. If the earth is open, then loosening is carried out when a crust forms on the soil surface. Don't forget weed control.

Preparing for winter

Strawberry Gariguetta will not survive the winter if it is not protected. To protect from the cold, the bushes are tightly covered with needles and straw, and a film is placed on top. You can put arcs and stretch agrofibre.

In the southern regions, film shelter for the winter is not required. It is enough to put a dense layer of mulch.

Diseases and pests of strawberries

Strawberry Gariguetta has a high immunity. The only problem that a gardener may face is mold on fruits, but not due to infection, but due to contact with excessively moist soil.

Of the pests, slugs most often attack strawberries. They are fought with the drug Karbofos.

Technology for harvesting and storing strawberries

Fruits are harvested a few days before full ripening. Collection is carried out in the morning, after the dew has dried, or in the evening. Dry fruits keep longer. For collection, take wooden boxes or plastic containers. The bottom is covered with paper. The berries are picked carefully, the tails are not cut.

Keep the harvest in the refrigerator. The shelf life does not exceed 3 days. At room temperature, the berries lie no more than a day.

For long-term storage, strawberries will have to be frozen. But after defrosting, the berries break apart, they cannot be consumed fresh. Compotes, smoothies, desserts are prepared from them.