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

Strawberry variety Polka is the result of the Dutch selection, it first acquired the main distribution in Poland. The plant was quickly recognized by the European market due to its amazing taste and yield. Despite such a long period of cultivation, the popularity of the variety has not decreased.

More about Strawberry Shelf

Each variety has its characteristic indicators. Gardeners are guided by them when choosing one or another type.

Features

The main feature of the Polka (Polka) variety is unpretentiousness and excellent productivity. The plant does well in most regions.

Characteristics of bushes

The bushes have the following features:

• do not differ in height (reach 12-15 cm) and branching;
• strong structure;
• prone to overgrowing;
• stems are thick, with edging;
• sheet plate is medium-sized, with a jagged edge, green color with a dark tint, with a wrinkled structure;
• forms many tall, strong peduncles.

Description of berries

During the ripening period, the fruits have a scarlet color. A fully ripe berry acquires a dark red hue with a gloss. The weight of the berries ranges from 45 to 65 g. The flesh is pink in color.

Taste is the main advantage of this variety. The fruits are juicy, with a caramel flavor. They are excellent for processing, drying, freezing. During processing, the berries do not lose their flavor.

Yields

The variety does not have high yields. It is 1.4 kg per bush. The plant bears fruit well in open ridges and in greenhouse conditions.

Usoformation

Forms a mustache plant very quickly. To avoid depletion of the bushes, they must be removed on time. With proper care, they give a stable harvest.

Dignity of the variety

During the cultivation process, the following advantages of this variety were revealed:

• when the weather is sunny, the harvest is maximum;
• berries are dense, which ensures good transportability;
• taste characteristics;
• appearance indicators;
• resistance to low temperatures, in mid-latitudes does not require shelter for the cold period;
• unpretentiousness, resistance to powdery mildew and gray rot;
• does not attack garden mites;
• tolerates hot weather and dry conditions.

Flaws

When choosing a variety for cultivation, it is necessary to take into account not only the advantages of the variety, but also the disadvantages:

• yield decreases in the 3rd year of cultivation;
• requires constant updating of landings;
• during the dry season, taste indicators deteriorate;
• bushes grow quickly.

Nuances of strawberry care

To get the desired result, it is recommended to follow the tips for caring for strawberries. Bushes give a small amount of tendrils, which makes it easier to care for the plant.

Irrigation

Strawberries need abundant watering, but do not overmoisten.Irrigation is carried out when the top layer of soil dries up, approximately twice a week. Drip irrigation is recognized as optimal. Water enters the root, there is no waterlogging or drying of the soil. Watering is carried out from April to autumn. After watering is reduced by half.

Feeding

During flowering, it is recommended to use the complex preparation "Ryazanochka". The tool provides protection against fungal infections, increases the amount of yield, improves taste characteristics. It is recommended to use organic top dressing in the form of mullein, bird droppings.

The first feeding is carried out in the spring. For the period of fruiting, the plant needs potash fertilizers, chicken droppings, ashes.

Mulching

This is a way to reliably protect fruits from diseases, harmful insects, weeds, dirt. First, the plant is mulched in the spring, when the ovaries appear, then the flower stalks will not come into contact with the ground.After harvesting, remove the mulch, and spread it out again towards the end of autumn to protect it from freezing. In the spring, when growth begins, the mulch is removed.

You can use the following materials:

• leaves;
• straw;
• dry grass;
• needles;
• agrofiber;
• paper;
• sawdust;
• tree bark.

But not every one of them is suitable for winter. In winter, it is better to use needles, dried grass, straw. Mulch is laid out not on the plant, but around it.

Weeding and loosening

Loosening the soil helps increase yields. Polka, like other strawberry varieties, needs light soil. After watering, loosening should be carried out to soften the crust. It is important to remove weeds, as they become the culprits for the spread of diseases.

Preparing strawberries for winter

After picking the fruit, clean the bushes from damaged and diseased leaves. Then it is important to carry out treatment from parasites and diseases, enrich the soil with organic fertilizers.

Young plantings for the winter are recommended to be covered with material or straw to avoid freezing. Productivity depends on how the plant will endure the winter. Natural protection is the mass of leaves grown over the summer. Ideally, when a lot of snow falls, it serves as a heat insulator. The soil does not freeze. In winters with little snow, strawberries need shelter. As a covering material, spruce branches are ideal. They retain heat well, the plant does not rot.

The nuances of planting strawberries

To obtain the desired result, it is important to pay great attention to planting, which is carried out in accordance with certain requirements.

Choosing a seat

A site is selected with good lighting, a slight slope, 2-3 degrees. Preference is given to beds located in the southwest, it is better to avoid the northeast side.

Planting material

Strawberry breeds:

• seeds: rosettes are grown from seeds;
• mustache: rosettes from the mother bush;
• dividing the bush.

Each gardener chooses the most convenient and optimal planting material.

Date of planting

It is necessary to plant a plant from August to September. The optimal distance between the bushes is at least 0.4 m. In autumn, seedlings take root better. It is important to pay attention to watering, because at this time it is very hot, young bushes can dry out. If strawberries are planted in the spring, fruiting occurs the following year.

Soil preparation

Soil preparation includes: digging, weed removal, fertilizer with mineral and organic means. The soil should be slightly acidic. When digging the soil, it is necessary to add 6-7 kg of manure and 50 g of mineral preparations for each m²2. Preparations are made two weeks before landing.

Strawberries are prone to fungal root damage. To prevent infection in stagnant waters, it must be planted in sandy soil.

Which landing pattern to choose

Depending on space availability and preference, the following planting patterns are selected:

1. Horizontal one or two lines. In the first option, the distance between rows should be at least 0.75 m, between bushes - 0.2 m. Two rows: row spacing is 0.3-0.35 m, bushes at a distance of 0.25 m.
2. Vertical. Ideal for small areas. The ridges are located on special structures, which, like pyramids, line up in several rows. Boards, beams are suitable for construction. Floor height - 0.2 m. The method is especially convenient when growing in a greenhouse.
3. On agrofibre. First you need to lay narrow paths from the boards. The distance between the bushes and rows as in a horizontal planting. With a sharp knife, make cruciform holes in the agrofibre, wrap the corners inward. Plant seedlings.

Step by step description of planting

After marking the beds, planting occurs according to the following scheme:

• make holes at a distance of 25 cm;
• pour a liter of water;
• shorten the roots of the seedlings a little, this will stimulate the growth of lateral roots;
• lay out seedlings;
• sprinkle with earth;
• pour water.

Strawberry propagation

Each gardener chooses a convenient and suitable method of reproduction. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Seed propagation

Hybrid species do not lend themselves to this method. Only varietal strawberries can be grown from seed material. Pros of this method:

• result - he althy bushes;
• increased yield;
• berries are large, with excellent taste.

To obtain seeds with a good, he althy berry, cut off the skin with seeds, dry. Before planting, soak for a day and sow in a prepared container, cover, send in the cold for two weeks. Then place in heat. Transplantation is carried out after the formation of two full leaves.

Planting strawberries with a mustache

Mother plants are selected that are over 2 years old, he althy, free of pests, producing consistent yields.

Scheme of action:

1. Used for planting the first outlet.
2. It must be attached to the ground, not separated from the main bush.
3. In August, cut off the tendril from the mother plant, remove the outlet with a clod of earth.
4. Plant on the prepared bed. By winter, the bush will grow the necessary number of leaves for protection in the cold period.

Other ways

For breeding, the method of dividing an adult plant is used. But there is a risk that the outlet will not take root on the new ridge. The acclimatization period is quite long. Often such a bush begins to bear fruit only in the following season.

Required:

1. Happened in spring or after harvest.
2. Take a plant at least 3 years old. With a shorter age period, plants will not take root.
3. For planting, it is recommended to use a substrate: earth mixed with humus and sand, in parts 2:2:1.
4. Dig up the bush, remove dried and damaged leaves.
5. To facilitate separation, place the bush in water.
6. The bush is divided into parts, each should contain a whole outlet.
7. Cut the lower root part and place in a manganese solution for disinfection.
8. Plant out, cover with film to speed up rooting.

Diseases and plant pests

Despite the immunity of the plant to a number of diseases, in particular, to gray rot and powdery mildew, it does not have immunity to verticillium.The attack is caused by a parasite. The root system suffers. These microorganisms suck out the juice of the plant, after which they poison the strawberries with metabolic products. The defeat eventually passes to the flower stalks. If the bush is hit hard enough, it can't be saved.

Collection and storage

Strawberry is considered a universal table variety. It has a pleasant taste, so it is a success. It has good transportability, because the berries are dense, do not let juice. If the strawberries are to be transported, they must be harvested unripe, with whitish tips. Place the container with berries in the cold, the optimum storage temperature is not higher than +5 ^oС.

Recommended