Strawberry Tuscany: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care, reproduction

Strawberries are named after the exotic region of Italy - Tuscany. It is popular among gardeners not only because of the taste of berries, but also for the decorative effect of flowering. The strawberry variety is a real salvation for those people who love strawberries, but do not have a plot to grow them. Tuscany plays the role of an ampelous plant, combining utility and beauty.

Description and characteristics of the variety Tuscany

A variety of strawberries became known to the world in 2011. The variety is a hybrid and belongs to the garden strawberry group. It was bred by the Italian company ABZ seeds. During its existence, it managed to receive numerous positive reviews.

Short bushes have shoots reaching a length of 1 m. Strawberries have a horizontal growth. The shoots are covered with dark green leaves, which are characterized by high density and covered with brilliance.

In the summer season, the bush is covered with many flowers. In Tuscany, the flowers are painted in a bright ruby \u200b\u200bcolor. Ripe berries are cone-shaped, sweet in taste. A pronounced aroma emanates from them.

One berry in weight reaches from 30 to 40 g. Strawberries have a dense texture. Up to 1 kg of berries are harvested per season from 1 bush.

Variety pros and cons

Strawberry has the following strengths:

• easy care;
• high yield;
• fast growth;
• compact bush size;
• strawberry fruit flavor;
• high level of decoration;
• resistance to sudden changes in temperature;
• tolerates drought easily;
• strong immune system;
• extended fruiting period.

In a short period of existence, strawberries have not received a single negative review. Therefore, the shortcomings are still unknown.

Growing details

Tuscany is suitable for cultivation in the southern and central regions. Likes warm or temperate climates. It grows poorly in the northern regions, as it does not like prolonged cold.

Date of planting

Planting a hybrid is done in spring or autumn. For March, the seed method is used, for May and June - seedlings. After planting the crop, you can enjoy the view already in the current season.

Choosing a seat

Tuscany strawberries are grown in the ground in beds in the garden, in the yard, in baskets that are hung or left on the ground. Tuscany can grow anywhere. A sunny place is chosen for her.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting strawberries, the sprouts are inspected for spoilage. Dry and rotten branches are removed. The first peduncles are cut off so that the bushes can direct all their forces to growth.

Boarding rules

If this is open ground, there should be enough distance between the bushes, as they tend to grow strongly to the sides. This is affected by the rapid formation of mustaches. Close planting leads to layering of branches on top of each other of neighboring bushes. In turn, this will deprive all the bushes of the necessary light.

As a result, the berries become small, the shoots intertwine with each other, which prevents the normal harvest. There should be at least 70 cm of free space between the planted bushes. The ideal option is to leave 1.5 m between the strawberries.

People who grow various plants plant Tuscany along the paths in the garden. They are also hung in baskets. This is a good space saver, an option especially relevant for gardeners with limited space.

Recommendations for crop care

Tuscany, like most other strawberry varieties, needs watering, feeding, warmth and light.

Irrigation

The berry loves moisture, but does not tolerate abundantly moistened soil. Watering is carried out regularly during the active growing season, as well as during the formation of ovaries. In hot weather, the soil is saturated with moisture twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Water should never fall on the green part of the culture. Bushes are watered only under the root. This will save the culture from frequent fungal diseases.

Feeding

This item directly affects the result of the harvest. The secret of a large number of berries depends on quality dressings. In order to achieve abundant fruiting, strawberries are provided with a nutrient medium.

Tuscany is saturated with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The proportions of substances are as follows - 1:3:6. Potassium acts on the formation of flowers, under its influence they are painted in a bright color and become very beautiful. Improves the taste of strawberries, it becomes big.

Feeding every two weeks.

Heat and light

Tuscany cannot flourish without enough light and warmth. The quality and quantity of the crop depends on the temperature regime:

• during the growing season during the day should be within +7-+10 degrees, at night - +5 degrees;
• at the time of fruiting during the day +25 degrees, at night - +18 degrees.

Duration of daylight hours within 12-14 hours.

Preparing for winter

If Tuscany is grown in southern and temperate latitudes, there is no need for shelter. In the northern regions, the bushes must be insulated for the winter. Hybrid freezing starts below -10 degrees.

Any material serves as a heater. The culture is mulched with spruce needles, sawdust or humus. Even a film is suitable for shelter. Strawberries grown in containers are brought indoors and stored at -2 to +2 degrees.

Disease and pest control measures

Strawberries, like other crops, are not completely protected from attack by insects and various diseases. Pests affect not only plant bushes, but also berries:

1. Spider mites and plant aphids. Insects are disposed of with solutions based on karbofos. Medicines are diluted, after which the plants are sprayed.
2. Strawberry mite. Colloidal sulfur is suitable for spring processing. In summer, the bushes are sprayed with Neoron.
3. Strawberry nematode. Grooves are made around the bushes in the beds, which are filled with lime.

In the fight against plant parasites, methods of traditional medicine are used. Bushes are treated with tinctures based on garlic and laundry soap. Tuscany is protected from white and brown spotting, powdery mildew, late blight and Fusarium wilt.

Breeding methods

If the seeds for propagation were collected at home, the sprouts that will be obtained from them will not have the characteristics of the mother plant.Therefore, Tuscany most often breeds with a mustache. To grow Tuscany from seeds, the material is bought at a specialized store.

Collecting and storing strawberries

The processes of flowering and ripening of berries in a culture are characterized by continuity. Thanks to this, strawberries give a high stable yield. Fruiting occurs in two stages. The first lasts a month, the second comes 7-10 days after the start of the first.

Berries are harvested when they are firm and have an even pink color. Strawberries should not remain on the shoots for a long time, as they quickly overripe. One bush gives from 1 to 1.5 kg of berries per season.

Despite the long fruiting, it can be extended. To do this, gardeners use a little trick. Containers in which Tuscany grows are brought into the room. The man will pick strawberries until autumn.

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