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

When cultivating Kimberley strawberries, you can enjoy he althy tasty berries quite early, since the variety is classified as early ripe. The plant is unpretentious, resistant to powdery mildew. To obtain a high-quality crop, it is necessary to observe a number of nuances and requirements during propagation and planting. Due to the dense fruits, the berry can be stored for several days, it tolerates transportation well.

Description and characteristics of the popular variety

Vima Kimberly - strawberry hybrid. The bushes of the plant are strong, squat, powerful. Leaf plates are rounded with a pleasant oily color.Inflorescences are located at the level of leaf plates or below. Whiskers grow slowly, for high-quality fruiting, they are removed as they grow.

Berries

Berries are quite large, up to 50 g, cone-shaped. They have a bright red tint and a characteristic luster. Berry with a rich bright taste reminiscent of caramel, with a pleasant aroma. The fruits have a large amount of sugars, but the taste is not cloying. Easy enough to transport, the berries do not become soft, do not crack, do not have voids inside.

Yields

The yield from a bush with proper care is up to 2 kg. Strawberries will give a good harvest if the bed is hidden from the north wind.

Sustainability

The plant is resistant to common diseases, tolerates temperature drops and mild frost. Subject to brown spotting.

Origin and growing region

This variety of Dutch selection is recognized as early. Obtained by crossing varieties Gorella and Chandler. This plant will be ideal for cultivation in continental latitudes. It is worth considering that the plant can freeze in a frosty winter, respectively, in the northern regions it needs to be covered.

Pros and cons

The positive features of this strawberry include:

• drought resistant;
• frost resistance;
• early ripeness;
• increased yield;
• large fruits;
• immunity to powdery mildew;
• despite the excessive moisture of the soil, the berries do not become watery.

Cons:

• bush needs sufficient lighting;
• harvest quantity and size of berries are declining due to adverse weather factors;
• the plant is affected by brown spot, harmful insects;
• only the first fruits of the season are large, after they gradually become smaller;
• when cultivating bushes in a greenhouse, the taste indicators fall.

The nuances of planting and propagating Kimberley strawberries

Each variety of plant has its own characteristics of cultivation. Kimberly has the following nuances:

1. Planting of bushes is carried out in the first days of spring or at the beginning of the autumn period. When planted in the spring, strawberries take root well, but you should not expect a harvest. Landing before winter should not be delayed, the optimal time is September, the plant should take root.
2. You need to plant bushes on a flat area. It is not recommended to plant in the lowlands, the roots will be affected by rot.
3. If it is planted on the southern slopes, it may die. The water drains quickly, the plant will be deprived of a sufficient amount of moisture. Kimberly needs moist soil.
4. The plant requires regular watering, especially in dry climates.
5. The first 7-10 days after planting strawberries need daily watering.
6. The soil must be cleared of weeds before planting.
7. The bushes are not large, the optimal distance between them is 0.25-0.3 m.
8. Suitable sandy and loamy substrate.
9. The bed must be prepared a week before planting strawberries: dig, remove weeds, fertilize (humus, urea, sand).

How to plant seeds

Seed material for sprouting strawberries must be purchased from a trusted manufacturer in special stores or prepared on your own.

To get good seed material:

1. Pick up a large he althy berry.
2. Cut off a thin layer of the skin with a sharp knife, put on a paper sheet, let dry.
3. Before sowing, soak overnight in warm water.
4. Prepare loose soil from earth, peat and sand. Fill them with a planting container.
5. For germination, it is important to do stratification - imitate winter conditions. To do this, sprinkle the ground with snow, then lay out the seeds. Do not cover with a layer of soil, the snow will melt and pull the seeds into the soil.
6. Cover the container with a transparent lid, refrigerate.
7. After 2 weeks, put the container in heat.
8. Moisten the soil as it dries.
9. When the plant has two true leaves, remove the lid.
10. Pick plants.
11. Plant young bushes in the ground when there is no fear of repeated frosts.

How to plant a mustache

This breeding method is considered the most efficient:

1. A well-developed rosette, first to the mother bush, attach to the soil. Remove the rest of the mustache. It is recommended to use only the first outlet.
2. By the end of summer, sockets will take root and get stronger. They must be separated from the main bush, cut off the tendril with scissors if it has not rotted away.
3. Remove sockets with a clod of earth. Replant to a new location.

How to propagate through the division of the bush?

Suitable for all varieties, especially for those that do not form whiskers or produce them in small quantities.

Required:

• dig up a four year old bush;
• remove dying and dry leaves;
• shake off the soil;
• put in a container of water;
• carefully divide the bush;
• if the horn is double (two on the same root), it must be cut in half;
• cut the old, dry roots of the plant;
• remove peduncles;
• plant in pots and keep in greenhouse conditions for 3 to 6 weeks;
• plant in prepared soil.

Rules for the care of strawberries

To increase the yield of strawberries will help compliance with the rules of care, watering, fertilizing, removing tendrils.

Water, weed and loosen the soil

The variety is quite resistant to drought. But this does not mean that he does not need constant and plentiful watering. The plant will tolerate the lack of moisture for 2-3 days. Watering is carried out in dry weather every two days, the bush needs from 3 to 5 liters.

After watering, it is important to loosen the soil, remove weeds. It is recommended to mulch the soil. Drip irrigation is considered an effective way of moisturizing.

Fertilization

The plant needs a large amount of nitrogen in the initial stages of growth and organic components during fruiting. During the season, the plant must be provided with three dressings. Use an infusion of mullein or chicken manure. Mineral supplements are important:

1. Spring: urea and ash.
2. Before flowering: in addition to organic nourishment, Agricola or Ovary are used.
3. After fruiting: superphosphate or nitrophoska. Distribute the preparation among the ridges, loosen.

The role of mulch

A method of agricultural technology that facilitates work and prevents the development of diseases. It consists in covering the soil surface under the bushes with organic and inorganic materials.This will protect the soil from the adverse effects of the environment, increase the reproduction of beneficial organisms, worms, which, in tandem with organic acids, create fertile soil. Mulch prevents the development of weeds, protects the roots from drying out, frost, overheating.

Pruning wild strawberries

Hubs left unpruned grow quickly, creating favorable conditions for insects and disease development. At the same time, the berries become smaller, their number decreases. Antennae pull most of the nutritional components onto themselves. It is necessary to leave them only for seedlings, the rest should be removed.

Rules for pruning bushes:

• held in dry weather;
• morning or evening;
• do not tear off the shoots, but cut them off so as not to injure the bush;
• cut not under the place of growth, but at a distance of 5-10 cm from it.

Preparing for winter

After harvesting, plants are prepared for wintering. Leaves and whiskers must be removed. Before the onset of frost, clean the bushes, leaving only the stems. Treat the cuts on the plant with a fungicide.

When cold weather sets in, the bushes must be covered. Spruce branches are ideal. This will keep the snow out.

How to protect the berry from diseases and pests?

This variety has good resistance to powdery mildew. But he is affected by brown spotting. Bushes can be overcome by: weevils, spider mites, nematodes.

To prevent disease or damage by harmful insects, it is recommended to treat plants with a solution of garlic infusion as a preventive measure.

Recommended for disease or insect infestation:

1. Brown spot: before the formation of buds and after removing the fruits, treat the bushes with Topaz or Bordeaux liquid.
2. Strawberry mite: spray bush and soil with "Fitoverm" or "Actophyt" before the fruits appear and after they are harvested.
3. Weevil: treat with a decoction of tobacco dust, red pepper, mixed with a solution of soap.
4. Strawberry nematode: impossible to destroy. Remove bushes with roots, burn. Do not plant strawberries in this place for about 5-7 years.

Collecting and storing strawberries

Since the pulp of the fruit is dense, they can be transported over long distances. When strawberries are being prepared for transport, the berries should be picked slightly underripe, with a light finish. The collection is carried out together with part of the peduncle. This will keep a beautiful view for several days.It is recommended to store at a temperature not higher than +5 ^оС.

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