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

The process of growing Kent strawberries is not difficult if you know the basics and use he althy seedlings for planting. This Canadian variety of berry crop attracts the attention of gardeners with its relative undemanding to growing conditions, resistance to adverse environmental factors and high productivity.

General characteristics and variety description

Kent Strawberry according to the description, forms a tall, upright bush. The color of its leaf mass is dark green, the number of peduncles is huge.The plant is medium-early, harvesting occurs already in the first days of June. Fruiting is characterized as long, it is possible to harvest two crops per season.

Kent strawberries ripen under low light conditions. The variety is quite suitable for growing indoors.

Kent strawberries are predominantly large, up to 40 grams. Under favorable growing conditions, more than 600 grams of fruit can be collected from one bush. The harvest is not afraid of transportation over long distances, it is stored for up to 10 days without loss of taste and commercial qualities. The berries are distinguished by their universal purpose, they are consumed both fresh and used as raw materials for winter harvesting.

Advantages and disadvantages of garden strawberries

From the positive characteristics of Kent strawberries, they distinguish:

• high productivity;
• precocity;
• large-fruited;
• excellent consumer qualities;
• sufficient keeping quality;
• tolerance to drought, temperature extremes, frost;
• increased immunity to major diseases (gray rot, powdery mildew, root system diseases).

But the Kent strawberry variety also has weaknesses, including:

• low verticillium resistance;
• presence of substandard berries in the first harvest.

Features of growing Kent strawberries

In order for the harvest to be stable and rich, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations when planting Kent strawberries.

Time and place of landing

The optimal time for the formation of a berry plantation is early spring, when the snow melts and warm weather sets in.Autumn planting of Kent strawberries is also acceptable - in September. When growing a crop in a cold region, it is better to work in the spring, otherwise the seedlings will not have time to adapt and take root well before the onset of frost.

Preparation of planting material

Preparatory activities should be done in a week. The roots of seedlings are cut to 10 centimeters, treated against fungal diseases with appropriate preparations, sprinkled with soil and placed in a dark, cool room. One hour before planting Kent strawberries in a permanent place, the bushes are moistened and kept in a solution of garlic infusion to protect against harmful insects. Clay talker helps prevent the root mass from drying out, and it also contributes to better survival.

It is possible to accelerate the rooting process through the use of a working fluid based on a biogrowth stimulator. Another important point: Kent strawberry seedlings should not have more than 4-5 leaves. So the plant accumulates its strength faster and grows.

Planting strawberries

Kent strawberries should be planted in well-lit glades, better on hills, plains. Groundwater should not lie 50 centimeters below the surface of the earth. Abundant fruiting of the variety is observed on fertile soils, it is recommended to fertilize depleted soils with organic matter (rotted manure, compost) before planting.

Planting nests for Kent strawberries are placed at a distance of 40 centimeters from each other. First, the pits are watered, and then only the prepared seedlings are planted. Young rosettes, along with the buds, are planted with an earthen clod. Sprinkle Kent strawberry bushes with fertile soil, leaving the root neck open - above ground level.

For better root formation, adaptation, seedlings are recommended to be planted in the evening, in cloudy weather. When planting, excessive soil moisture should not be allowed, otherwise root rot is likely to develop.

Subtleties of crop care

Among the main activities for the care of Kent strawberries are: removal of weeds, irrigation, loosening, preventive procedures against diseases and pests.

Shelter

When growing a berry crop under a thin film cover, it is possible to significantly increase yields. Unlike open cultivation, this method allows growers to harvest Kent strawberries twice in a season.

Cutting

Despite the weak intensity of the mustache formation process, bushes still need pruning. The procedure is recommended to be done in the fall, combining it with the removal of old leaves. It is enough to leave 1-2 tendrils on each plant, cut off excess shoots with a sharp and disinfected secateurs.

Irrigation

Kent strawberry variety responds gratefully to moderate and regular watering. It is especially needed during a period of severe drought. In order to prevent oxygen starvation of the roots, the earth after irrigation should be loosened and weeds removed. In order to avoid the development of fungal diseases, do not overdo it with watering, stagnant moisture is also dangerous by reducing the frost resistance of the bush.

It is necessary to moisten strawberries under the root or by sprinkling (in the spring).

Wintering

You can protect the bushes from the negative effects of freezing temperatures by using additional shelter. First you need to remove all old leaves, treat with drugs against diseases, parasites, and loosen the soil well between the rows.

In regions with harsh winters, it is more expedient to protect plantings with a mulch layer of fallen leaves, rotted vegetation, and straw. So that the plants do not rot in the spring, the shelter is removed as soon as the snow melts.

Mulching

Mulch is used to maintain moisture in the soil and facilitate the care of strawberry bushes. For these purposes, dried grass, straw, compost, rotted sawdust, humus are excellent. The optimal thickness of such a layer is 6-8 cm. An excellent option for mulching is the use of a black film.

Feeding

In the spring, it is recommended to feed the berry plantation with preparations with a high concentration of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate). In summer and autumn, potassium-phosphorus compounds such as superphosphate, potassium sulfate are needed.

Processing from diseases and pests of strawberries

Kent variety has a high degree of resistance to major ailments, but there is a danger of gray rot, the Colorado potato beetle. Preventive measures will help prevent the occurrence of such troubles - spraying plantings with fungicidal agents.If signs of infection with verticillium have been identified, then diseased bushes should be removed from the ground and burned. This disease is practically not amenable to treatment.

Propagation of garden strawberries

It is more efficient to grow a berry crop or rejuvenate a plantation with a mustache. It is recommended to plant them in the summer, choosing specimens of the first and second order, they are strong and hardy. Strong mustaches are sprinkled with soil and watered regularly.

Alternatively, you can put them in suitable containers, also moisten them and, when they are well rooted, separate from the mother bush. Suitable for these purposes are ordinary plastic cups, seedling pots. They should have 5-6 leaves by the time they land on a permanent place.

The best time for planting is the beginning of August, so that young plants have time to take root and recover before the onset of cold weather.

Harvest and storage of crops

The fruits are harvested in May-June. To prevent damage to the crop, it should be harvested in a timely manner, avoiding prolonged contact with the ground. Berries are laid in one layer in a plastic or wooden container with holes. It is desirable to remove the fruits with the stalk and calyx.

Kent Strawberry is a plant that, due to its unpretentiousness and high productivity, even beginner gardeners can do. When growing it, it is enough to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology and plant only high-quality seedlings. Reviews about the variety are mostly positive.

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