Strawberry Sonata: variety description and characteristics, cultivation and reproduction with photo

Holland breeders gave the world not only many types of tulips, but also elite berry varieties. New hybrids have been developed to produce varieties with good taste characteristics, high density structure and transportability properties. The above characteristics have the strawberry variety Sonata.

Description and characteristics of the variety Sonata

The variety was bred in 1990. The bushes are small, there are few tendrils. Peduncles strong, anthers large. Sonata is a dessert variety, distinguished by a sweet taste with a slight sourness. Berries have the shape of a wide cone, evenly red.

Pros and cons of strawberries

The variety is notable for the following advantages:

• compact bushes;
• multi-disease resistant;
• frost resistant;
• unpretentious, adapts quickly;
• fruits for a long time (from mid-summer to early autumn);
• the structure has a high density, which allows you to collect and transport berries without compromising the presentation;
• suitable for industrial and dessert growing;
• brings a big harvest.

However, the variety has certain disadvantages:

• mustache is weak;
• poorly resistant to verticillosis;
• with high humidity, the heart and roots begin to rot;
• shrubs need to be heavily fertilized, and balanced microelements introduced into the soil.

Rules for growing a plant

If a gardener plans to grow Sonata strawberries, he needs to figure out when and where it is better to plant this berry, how to choose seedlings and plant them. Subject to all the rules of cultivation, it will be possible to harvest a good harvest.

Date of planting

It is desirable to plant seedlings in the middle of summer or in March. Seedlings planted in summer adapt to a new place, they form buds, which will bring a harvest in the next season. Planting seedlings in March is also considered a good option, providing favorable conditions for the growing season.

The worst months to plant are August and September. The bushes will barely have time to adapt, but will not accumulate strength for the winter season.

Selection of seedlings

By choosing the right seedlings, the gardener guarantees himself that he will harvest in the first, maximum second season. Each seedling should have four to five leaves. They should not have spots, plaque. The color is uniform, and the skin is elastic. A sign of a good seedling is a horn of great thickness (from 7 to 8 millimeters).

Sluggish sprouts do not need to be taken. It is better to choose fresh sprouts, the rhizomes of which have a fibrous shape, more than 70 millimeters long. Experienced gardeners say that seedlings grown using the freego technology perform well.

Drop-off location

The beds should be done in a sunlit area. It is desirable that the landing site be protected from wind gusts in the form of trees or bushes that grow nearby. An elevated groundwater level or a garden in a lowland area can cause rotting of rhizomes and fungal infections. Therefore, it is better to plant bushes on a hill.

Fitting technology

Landing is required considering the following guidelines:

1. The rhizomes of the seedling must be carefully distributed in the recess, make sure that they do not curl into a ball.
2. The growth point (heart) should protrude slightly above the earth's surface.
3. The bushes do not tend to grow, so they need to be planted at a distance of 250-300 millimeters from one another.
4. After planting is completed, the land is well watered, mulched.

Nuances of culture care

According to the description of the Sonata strawberry variety, getting a good harvest is possible only if the rules of care are followed. Understanding them is not so difficult, even a novice gardener can do it.

Water, weeding and loosening

After planting, the bushes need to be watered abundantly. When they adapt, the volume of water can be reduced. It is necessary to water the soil until the end of September, so that the bushes gain strength for wintering.

Irrigation in the spring should be intensive during flowering and reduced during fruit ripening (minimum - 7 liters per square). Monitor the condition of the soil, do not allow excessive moisture.

Watering should be done twice a week. It is recommended to water the bushes with a rain or drip method.

Weeding is a must when it comes to growing Sonata strawberries. If the beds are clean, pests will not accumulate on them. In addition, strawberry bushes will receive more essential micronutrients.

Loosening the soil is required after each irrigation or past rain. Loosen the ground, remove weeds. Weed removal is recommended at least three times during the season.

Fertilizer and mulching

Strawberries are very demanding on top dressing. The applied fertilizers should include magnesium, manganese components, iron, and other elements. In the spring season, it is recommended to apply top dressing containing nitrogen, which will accelerate growth.

Before the bushes begin to bloom, treat the soil with azophos, dilute 2 tablespoons of this substance in a bucket of water. To increase the yield, spray the bushes with a solution consisting of a bucket of water and the compositions Ryazanochka and Sudarushka (5 milliliters each).

Mulching the soil is required with compost or rotted manure. Mulching must be done 6 months or 14 days before planting. To disinfect the soil, use green manure.

Providing frost protection

At the end of summer, strawberries need to be cut, clean the ground from weeds, debris. In early autumn, the soil must be fertilized with manure that has rotted, or with mineral top dressing. In October, the soil is covered with straw or agrofibre (layer thickness - 50 millimeters).

Diseases, pests and methods of prevention from them

The variety is not as susceptible to powdery mildew as other types of strawberries. However, Sonata strawberry bushes often rot heart, rhizomes. In addition, this variety is very susceptible to verticillium.

To prevent illness, follow these guidelines:

• plant seedlings at the distance indicated above, do not allow the beds to be thickened;
• clean plants from leaves and branches that are damaged;
• rejuvenate;
• refuse to use fresh manure;
• treat seedling rhizomes before planting with weak manganese solution;
• don't let the soil get dry or waterlogged.

Having found verticillium, treat the plants with special means. You can use Benorado, Fundazol. You can prevent the spread of gray rot by spraying the bushes with Teldor, Byleton.

Sonata Breeding Rules

Reproduction of strawberries Sonata is carried out:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush into parts;
• mustache.

When bushes grow, little tendrils form on them, which is why the appropriate method of reproduction is not often used. The most commonly used method of dividing the bush into parts. It is implemented according to the following algorithm:

1. Digging up an adult plant.
2. Neat separation of rhizomes.
3. Putting the rhizomes of each part into the rooter.
4. Planting strawberries.

Harvesting and storage of crops

The variety is considered quite productive. It is possible to get 1.5-2 kilograms of fruits per season from one plant. If strawberries grew in closed ground conditions, then from one square it is possible to get up to 14 kilograms of fruit.

The harvested fruits are placed in plastic/wood boxes lined with soft paper or fabric. Berries are placed in one layer. Enumeration of fruits before laying for storage is not worth it. It can be done later, before the berries are eaten. The slightest movement of the fruits in the container can cause damage to them, due to which they will quickly darken or rot.

Berries need to be cooled to zero or two degrees as soon as possible after picking. Chilled berries can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Unrefrigerated fruits are only fresh for 1 day.

Use glass jars or containers with lids for storage. It is not necessary to wash the fruits before laying, they will produce juice.

Growing berries is an interesting and rewarding activity, especially if you get a big harvest. Strawberry Sonata is considered fruitful, the main thing is to try and ensure proper care for the bushes of this plant.

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