Dukat Strawberry: variety description and characteristics, cultivation and care with photo

Although Dukat strawberries were grown abroad in 1980, in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the berry has taken root, and is still a success. Polish breeders tried to create the best characteristics: winter hardiness, unpretentiousness, productivity, large-fruitedness. The fruits taste of excellent quality. The dense structure of strawberries makes it possible to transport products over long distances.

Description and characteristics of the Dukat variety

The early variety Dukat was created by Polish breeders. Bushes vigorous, with large leaves. Flowers male and female, on numerous peduncles. Strawberries can be grown in the northern regions. The variety is resistant to frost. Gardeners love the dukat for its unpretentiousness.

With the right agronomic approach, up to 2 kilograms of berries are harvested from one bush. Large fruit size. The mass of the berry is 40-50 grams. The pulp is red, dense, juicy.

Pros and cons of strawberries

From the description of Dukat garden strawberries, its positive characteristics are already visible:

• strawberries are resistant to gray mold disease;
• frost resistance;
• unpretentious care;
• high yield;
• large-fruited;
• early ripening;
• excellent taste;
• grows on any soil;
• multiplies rapidly due to the large number of whiskers.

Among the shortcomings are the resistance to powdery mildew.

The nuances of growing garden strawberries

Following certain measures when growing strawberries will give good results in the end. To do this, you need to choose the right time and place of planting, purchase good seedlings.

Time and place

The Ducat variety is grown on any soil, but you should not plant the crop on waterlogged and dry soils. The landing site is chosen sunny, without access to cold winds, drafts. Strawberries are planted in spring and autumn.

Planting material

When buying planting material, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• he althy seedlings. It is removed from mother plants in special laboratories;
• verified manufacturer;
• certified cattery;
• on the bush, in addition to last year's leaves, there are 3 new ones;
• he althy leaf color;
• light green horns, more than 7 millimeters thick;
• the length of the roots of an open system is at least 7 centimeters;
• roots of the closed root system are visible through the cup.

Fit features

Before any planting, the ground is prepared. The only difference is that in spring the soil is not prepared in advance, in autumn the procedure begins 2-3 weeks in advance.

Autumn

The soil for autumn planting is prepared in a few weeks. They dig up the earth on a shovel bayonet, remove weeds, and apply fertilizer. If humus, compost is used, then one kilogram of fertilizer should fall on each square meter.

Spring

It is impossible to name the exact dates of planting in the spring. The main thing is to fulfill the requirement: to wait for settled weather, when the threat of night frosts has passed.

The site is being prepared for planting: garbage is removed, dug up, loosened. Dry soil is moistened, waterlogged soil is dried. To do this, they dig grooves where water goes.

Plant pattern

There are several ways to plant berries. It is preferable to plant dukat strawberries in rows. The distance between the bushes is kept 70 centimeters, in rows - 30. This scheme makes it possible to freely care for each bush.

The root neck is not deepened during planting - this will provoke rotting of the culture. The roots sticking out from above also do not leave - the strawberries will dry out. The planting depth is maintained at 15 centimeters. The root system is covered carefully, leaving no air gaps. Then produce abundant watering, mulching.

Rules for crop care

Strawberries respond well to watering and top dressing. After irrigation, the crop is loosened, weeds are removed. Mulching facilitates maintenance: weeds do not grow, watering is less frequent, and it protects against freezing in winter.

Water and fertilize

In the first time after planting seedlings, watering is given special attention. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as the root system is close to the surface. In autumn, 1 watering per week is enough, in summer - 2-3 times. During fruiting, watering is replaced by sprinkling. Warm water is used for irrigation.

Dukat garden strawberries need bait throughout the season. During autumn planting, the ground is fertilized with organic matter.

In the spring, during growth, it is useful to give mineral fertilizers containing more nitrogen than other components. During the formation of the ovaries, the berries need complex, phosphorus-potassium supplements.

Loosening and weeding

After watering, when the earth becomes wet, it is loosened. The procedure helps to improve breathability. Bushes are systematically freed from the weed, as it provokes the ingress of parasites to the crop and the development of diseases.

Mulching strawberries

To facilitate the care of strawberries, mulching is carried out. The protective layer retains moisture, prevents weeds from appearing, and prevents diseases. Berries are harvested without dirt. In the spring, the mulch is laid at the time of the formation of berries. After harvesting, it is harvested. In the autumn they pour again. Bushes are being prepared for wintering.

Straw and hay are used as mulch. Hay is beaten well, shaken. Get rid of the remnants of the seeds. Then soaked and laid out in the sun to dry. The beds are weeded, loosened and mulch is laid, 15 centimeters thick. Film, agrofibre can be used as mulch.

Protection against diseases

Dukat variety resists gray rot, but other diseases are inherent in it, for example, powdery mildew. The berries are covered with bloom. Bushes are treated with soda ash. For 5 liters of water - 25 grams of the component.

Pest control

Among the strawberry pests Dukat are attacked by nematodes. They resemble worms. They infect the soil. At the first stage, it is difficult to notice them. In severe disease, symptoms appear on the leaves. They are covered with red spots, folded into a tube. The bushes are uprooted and burned.

For preventive purposes, they change the planting site of the crop after a year. The roots are dipped in hot water (45 degrees) for 15 minutes before planting. Then for half an hour in the cold. Marigolds are planted around strawberries to repel worms.

Propagation of Dukat strawberries

Strawberries are grown in two ways: seeds, mustaches. The seed method is used to grow new varieties. Mainly used by breeders.

Variety Dukat is propagated by gardeners with a mustache. Choose he althy bushes, 1-2 years old. Use the first two tendrils from the mother plant. Spread them on the aisles, the rest are removed. By autumn, the rooted outlet is separated from the uterus, transplanted to a permanent place.

Collecting and storing strawberries

Dukat strawberries ripen together. Gives a crop in a short time - 2 weeks. Berries are harvested every other day, immediately in a storage container. A maximum of three layers are poured into the boxes. The stem is not cut off. So the berry keeps the aroma longer. Strawberries are not intended for long-term fresh storage.

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