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

Repairing strawberries of the Irma variety are characterized by characteristics that allow growing a crop in any region. To obtain a crop, complex care methods are not required, the crop is quickly assimilated in a new place of growth and allows you to get berries in the first year after planting in the ground.

Description of variety Irma

The variety was bred by Italian breeders, in our area it appeared relatively recently. It belongs to mid-early crops, fruiting begins in mid-June. Harvest can be harvested throughout the summer.

Fruits

Sweet tasting berries without astringency. The fruits are dessert and do not contain a large number of calories, which makes it possible to single out the berry as a dietary one. The fruit is large, reaches a weight of up to 20 grams, cone-shaped and bright red in color. The skin is dense, suitable for transportation and storage of the crop for a long time. Berry aroma is moderate.

Bushes

Strawberry remontant Irma has some distinctive features and the following description:

• bush of medium power, upright type;
• the roots of the culture are developed, the leaves are dark green;
• large strawberry leaves;
• high flower stalks;
• white flowers with a yellow center.

The plant tolerates transplant well and is immune to many diseases.

Strawberry characteristics

Repairing strawberry variety has the following characteristics:

• the plant does not produce a lot of mustache and is of an upright type, which makes the harvesting process comfortable;
• harvesting takes place throughout the summer;
• in the middle of summer, the taste of berries intensifies;
• from one bush you can get up to 1 kg of berries;
• highest yield can be obtained from a two year old plant;
• berries have all the necessary vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iodine and vitamin C;
• in mid-August you can get the largest harvest, in the next month the ripening of berries decreases.

The plant does not require complex care and bears fruit in almost any conditions.

Positive and negative aspects of culture

Culture has the following positive and negative qualities:

Disadvantages Used for preservation and drying

Advantages
Good tasting quality	May reduce yield in extremely hot weather
The berries are fleshy, juicy and do not bake in hot weather
Great crop yield	Culture prefers a lot of space, as developed roots are located on the surface and do not tolerate neighboring crops
Tolerates heat well	The bush needs to be repotted regularly
Resistant to a large number of diseases and pests
Can be stored for a long time

The crop has many advantages, so strawberries are grown in many regions.

Growing Nuances

To obtain a crop, it is very important to follow the rules for growing a crop. And also timely process the bushes from possible pests.

Planting site selection and soil optimization

The landing site should be sunny, flat, without hills, there should be enough moisture in the soil.

Strawberries cannot stand nearby trees and bushes such as raspberries and currants.

The soil must meet the following criteria:

• moderate acidity;
• part of the fertile soil layer should consist of humus;
• before planting, the soil must be dug up and fertilized with superphosphates.

When choosing a place for planting, it is necessary to give preference to the beds on which legumes, onions, and garlic previously grew.

Preparation of planting material

When choosing planting material, the following features should be considered:

• for reproduction, a mother bush is used, on which all inflorescences and fruits are eliminated;
• outlet should have 3 leaves;
• kidney must be pink and over 20 mm in size;
• the roots of the seedling should be light in color, without seals and damage.

If the crop is grown using seeds, seedling containers must be prepared in early February. Soil is placed in the container and watered abundantly. Seeds are planted in containers and covered with plastic wrap. When shoots appear, it is necessary to open the greenhouse every day for half an hour, gradually increasing the time for hardening the seedlings. After 3-5 leaves are formed, seedlings can be planted in open ground.

Plant pattern

To plant strawberries in the ground, you must follow the following algorithm of actions:

• The prepared planting site is fluffed up and all roots are removed.
• Holes are made 20 cm wide and 15 deep.
• The sapling is placed in the hole, while the roots straighten out over the entire depth. The plant is dug in with earth and lightly tamped. The top bud remains above the ground.
• The wells are plentifully watered and mulched on top with sawdust.

The first inflorescences on seedlings are removed. The distance between the bushes should be at least 30-40 cm. The distance between the rows should be 60 cm.

How to properly care for strawberries

Strawberry Irma tolerates various weather conditions well, however, like any type of crop, it requires proper care.

Soil and fertilizers

To obtain a crop in large volumes, it is necessary to take care of the timely application of fertilizers. The soil must be regularly loosened to supply the required amount of oxygen. Weeds must be removed manually to reduce the risk of root damage.

Need to use fertilizer regularly:

• Apply wood ash. The substance is mixed with water, and the beds are watered, this method of fertilization will saturate the soil with the necessary components and prevent the appearance of pests.
• Before the formation of ovaries, you can use a solution of mullein. To do this, 1 kg of the substance must be mixed in 10 liters of water.
• When the ovary appears, it is necessary to treat each bush with nitrogen fertilizer.

Superphosphate can be used, which is applied once a month during irrigation.

Water and humidity

Strawberry variety Irma requires moderate humidity. In soil that contains a large amount of moisture, the roots of the plant quickly undergo a rot process. However, in the absence of moisture, the yield will be low, and the berries themselves will decrease in size. Watering the plant must be done every 2-3 days in the evening. Before irrigation, it is recommended to loosen the soil. In hot weather, it is recommended to use drip irrigation, which will maintain the required level of soil moisture.

Important. In rainy weather, the berries often crack and lose their presentation, but this does not affect the taste, and such a berry can be used for food.

Mulching

Sawdust mixed with peat can be used for mulching. This mixture will retain moisture and reduce the formation of weeds. The mulch layer is updated every 2 weeks, this will reduce the risk of diseases and pests.Also, brown leaves and damaged shoots are removed during the mulching process.

Attitude to temperature

Strawberries tolerate low temperatures, but in areas with severe frosts and lack of snow, it is necessary to cover the plant with an additional layer of mulch from humus and sawdust.

Pests, diseases and prevention

The gardener must be aware of possible crop diseases and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

Strawberries are exposed to the following diseases:

• Powdery mildew - manifests itself in the form of white spots on leaves and shoots. The preparations "Bactofit", "Pharmaiod" are used. The plant is sprayed every 10 days.
• Rot - affects the berries, which are covered with a gray bloom. Unripe fruits become watery. For treatment, drugs "Fitosporin", "Alirin" are used. The solutions are sprayed onto the bushes immediately after the color has fallen off.
• Mold - appears in the area where the roots are placed. To eliminate, it is necessary to carefully loosen the soil and process it with Trichodermin.

Among the pests it should be noted:

• Aphids that infect leaves and young shoots and lead to the death of the plant. A soap solution is used to eliminate the pest.
• Whitefly - can be observed on the reverse side of the leaves. To eliminate the pest, you must use "Aktara" or "Aktellik". Divorced according to instructions.

To reduce the risk of diseases, it is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes for damaged leaves. Damaged sections of the bush are removed.

Reproduction

Irma variety reproduces in several ways:

• With a mustache. It is necessary to select the bushes that will act as mothers. Mustaches from bushes are fixed in the soil, after which they take root. The formed rosettes are used as planting material.
• Seeds. To obtain seeds, a ripe berry is taken and, with the help of a fork, is converted into gruel. The slurry is left to dry. After that, the mixture is washed and the resulting seeds are dried.

Whisker propagation is often used, as planting in this way allows harvest in the first year after planting.

Possible growing difficulties

Strawberries quickly adapt to a new place after planting, proper care allows you to get a harvest. However, unforeseen situations may arise, which should include:

1. When grown in one place, the berries become small. In such a situation, it is necessary to transplant the culture.
2. The bushes bloom profusely, but there are no berries. This means that there is not enough pollination. The plant must be sprayed with anise oil, this will attract bees.

With regular care and timely fertilization, there are no difficulties in growing crops.

Cleaning and storage rules for strawberries

The first harvest appears in mid-June. Berries must be harvested every 2-3 days, otherwise new ovaries will not form. The collected berries are placed in a wooden box in a thin layer. Do not store the harvested crop in bags and plastic containers. Harvested berries can be stored in a cool place for up to 5 days.

Harvesting can take place before the first frost. If there are unripe fruits, you need to cover the bushes with a film to prevent damage to the crop by low temperatures.

Strawberries are a favorite berry of many people. Proper care allows you to grow the Irma variety without difficulty and harvest throughout the summer. Berries are used for preparations for the winter, as well as fresh desserts.

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