Pineapple Strawberry: variety description and characteristics, planting and care with photo

Garden strawberries are grown in summer cottages and home gardens throughout the summer. Among the many varieties of garden berries, there are unusual varieties. A hybrid with a memorable taste and distinctive external characteristics is named Pineapple Strawberry.

Description and characteristics of the variety Pineapple

This variety became a cultigen after crossing wild varieties of Chilean and Virginian strawberries. In the wild, there are no analogues to these berries. The author of selection selection is the Dutchman Hans de Jong. Cultivation of the variety began in the 18th century. Botanical description of the species:

• refers to the type of remontant and large-fruited;
• the height of the bushes reaches 20 centimeters;
• average berry diameter reaches 2.5 centimeters;
• large dark green leaves form a wide rosette;
• inflorescences are collected at the tops;
• fruit color can vary from cream to pink;
• when ripe, the grains on the surface of the fruit turn red.

The taste of berries can be sweet, sweet-sour or moderately sweet. The variety has a pronounced aroma. For long-term storage, shock freezing is used to preserve the shape and useful properties of the culture.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The virtues of a variety are the ability to resist infections that often affect other varieties.

Pineapple Strawberry's speci alty lies in its shade, which does not attract the attention of birds or small insects.

Pineapple strawberry bushes grow in one place for 4 or 5 years. At the same time, the stability of fruiting is maintained. The flowers of the culture retain the feminine, so other varieties with male flowers are planted nearby to grow.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• impossibility of propagation by seeds;
• does not tolerate long-term storage, transportation;
• prone to rot with plenty of watering.

Rules for growing crops

Garden strawberries are among the most whimsical crops. Gardeners have to make a lot of efforts to collect the planned harvest at the end of the fruiting period. Berry care includes the implementation of agrotechnical steps in strict sequence.

How to choose the right seedlings

Before planning planting, you need to choose seedlings that quickly adapt and allow you to get a harvest of berries. The main criterion for choosing a he althy seedling is the appearance:

• developed root system, up to 7 centimeters long;
• presence of green leaf plates (3 or 4 pieces);
• no damage, spots, rashes on the stem and leaves.

The roots of the seedling should be visible in the drainage holes if they are placed in peat cups or other containers for sale.

Information! Elongated stems of seedlings are evidence of a lack of light; such a seedling will not take root well after planting.

When and where to plant berries

Seedlings are planted in autumn or spring. Autumn planting will allow harvesting in the summer, and after spring planting, the fruits are harvested the next year.For planting, periods are suitable when the soil is warmed up to +18 or +20 degrees. Seedlings are planted in the early morning or late evening; a cloudy day without precipitation is suitable for the procedure.

The place for strawberries is chosen taking into account the sun's rays on the soil. Pineapple strawberries love the sun, so planting on the southern sides of the plots is fully justified. The place must be level. Fog often accumulates in the lowlands in the morning - this is not suitable for culture. In addition, it should be borne in mind that stagnant water is detrimental to strawberries.

Soil acidity should be between 5 and 6.5 ph. Different types of soil are acceptable for the variety, but black soil with wood ash content is most suitable.

Open ground planting pattern

Before planting, the soil is prepared in advance. It is dug up, fertilized with nitrogen-containing complexes. Experienced gardeners advise digging up the soil, scattering ammonium nitrate granules on the surface. After that, the earth is covered with a film, this helps to normalize the level of acidity.

Dig holes before planting. Their depth should not exceed twice the size of the root system. The roots are straightened and gently sprinkled with soil. The duration of the adaptation period depends on the integrity of the root system:

• deep planting can cause root rot;
• Surface landing may cause freezing.

An important condition is the placement of the apical bud above the ground. The root collar is placed at ground level.

The planting scheme depends on the space allocated for strawberries. Main options:

• in one line: between rows - 90 centimeters, between rosettes - 20 centimeters;
• two-line: between rows - 70 centimeters, between bushes - 20 centimeters;
• in three lines: rows of strawberries are planted on 1 ridge, the distance between rosettes is 30 centimeters.

Nuances of caring for garden strawberries

After planting, an important stage in the care of strawberries begins. It includes the application of agricultural practices, the correct implementation of which depends on the future harvest.

Water, weed and loosen the soil

Pineapple Strawberry needs frequent and regular watering, although waterlogging of the soil leads to the development of fungal diseases. That is why gardeners recommend following the basic rules for watering:

1. Before flowering bushes use the sprinkling method.
2. After flowering and the formation of fruits, only root watering is used, without touching the leaves and fruits.
3. Settled warm water is suitable for irrigation (cold water can damage the root system).
4. During dry periods, use the mulching method (it helps retain moisture).

Loosening is necessary for strawberries after each heavy watering or rainfall. This contributes to additional saturation of the root system with oxygen and prevents the growth of weeds. The earth is loosened between the rows, as well as at a distance of at least 5 centimeters from the mother bush. At the same time, the depth of loosening is controlled so as not to damage the overgrown strawberry root system.

Weeding is planned depending on the condition of the soil. To avoid the reproduction of parasites, weeds are removed in a timely manner.

Fertilization

Top dressing is necessary for Pineapple strawberries during flowering and berry formation. For this, potassium-phosphorus mixtures are used. Carry out exclusively root dressing, without touching the leaves or flowers.

Before planting, the soil is fertilized with organic mixtures. Use mullein, humus or compost. Together with planting, a small amount of wood ash is added to the wells. After harvesting, the bushes are fed with nitrogen-containing complexes.

Mulching

Mulching, as an agrotechnical method, is of great importance for the culture. Benefits of using it:

• weed control;
• protect soil from insects;
• moisture retention on dry days;
• protection from excessive exposure to sunlight during hot periods.

For mulching use straw, coniferous branches, cut grass. The choice of material depends on the weather and temperature conditions of the region.

Trimming mustaches and leaves

With excessive growth of strawberries, yields decrease. The main pruning is carried out after harvest, in the fall. Mustaches and leaves are cut with a garden tool. Select damaged and dried parts.The mustache is cut at a distance of at least 10 centimeters from the base of the outlet. The leaves are not cut to the very root, so as not to violate the integrity of the stem.

From what and who needs to be protected?

The main danger for the Pineapple Strawberry variety is a fungal infection called gray rot. It develops in the soil due to an excess of watering or rainfall. First, the root system is affected, and then the rot spreads to the stem and fruits. The fruits are covered with wet spots, which are especially noticeable on red varieties.

Measures to combat gray rot include adjusting irrigation, proper mulching and crop rotation. Strawberries should not be planted after fruit and berry trees, tomatoes, and gourds.

Strawberry variety often attracts strawberry-raspberry weevil. This is a small black bug that is easy to spot on the plant.It appears on strawberries during the flowering period, its purpose is to destroy the buds. Before flowering in regions where this parasite is most often found, preventive treatments are carried out. For this, chemicals are used. The folk method of processing leaves and buds with tobacco infusion helps to get rid of the beetle for several seasons.

Types of breeding varieties

The variety cannot be propagated by seeds. Division is also not always suitable for this variety. The main method chosen by gardeners is reproduction by mustache.

For this, large and dense shoots are added dropwise at a distance of 30 centimeters from the mother plant. During the summer, they take root and leave for the winter as independent bushes.

Cleaning and storage of strawberries

After harvesting, the berries are prepared for wintering. In autumn, pre-winter watering is carried out. Moist soil cools more slowly, this gives the bushes time to adapt to the conditions of lower day and night temperatures.Bushes are covered with special material if there is a possibility of frost. In the southern regions, for wintering, it is enough to mulch the soil around the bushes with a layer of coniferous branches or sawdust.

Strawberries of this variety are not prone to long-term storage. It becomes watery and begins to rot on the side where it comes into contact with the container, so gardeners recommend processing or freezing it.

Recommended