Features of planting and care of strawberries varieties Elizabeth 2
Remontant strawberry (strawberry) Elizabeth 2 today is one of the most popular crops among farmers, despite the fact that it appeared not so long ago. For what merits the plant has earned honor among gardeners, and how to cultivate it correctly, read below.
Origin history
Elizabeth 2 bred on the basis of wild strawberry varieties Queen Elizabeth. The parental copy was bred about 20 years ago by the English breeder Ken Muir. A characteristic feature of the plant was the almost complete absence of mustache and remontance (fruiting several times during the season).
Did you know? Strawberries are one of the few berries whose seeds form on the surface and not inside the fruit. On the total area of the berry 200 or more seeds can fit. In Russia, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, this variety was successfully grown and distributed among the population in the nursery. In the process of work, individual specimens were identified that differ from the parent in a large number of mustaches, which are significantly distinguished by the size of berries and vivid signs of remontance. So, in 2001, a new variety, Elizabeth 2, was selected. The variety is zoned throughout Russia.
Description and distinguishing features of the variety
In addition to positive feedback from farmers about the variety under consideration, there are also negative ones. This is due to the fact that there are a large number of cultures on the market under similar names (Super Elizabeth, first Elizabeth), which unscrupulous sellers are trying to pass off as a repair grade Elizabeth 2.
Read more about the strawberry variety Elizabeth.
Bush
Plants are powerful, sprawling, with large emerald green leaves. In diameter they reach 50-60 cm. The absorption capacity is weak. Very little is formed on the mustache bushes. Peduncles are located under the leaf blades. Buds are collected by inflorescences of 3-5 pcs. The flowers are small, in diameter reach 2 cm.
Vegetation enters the flowering phase early, since the buds are planted already in the autumn period. After the first wave of harvest (May-June), the culture again lays flowers. Fruiting may continue from July to November. For the entire season, the crop can bring crops from 2 to 5 times.
The plants of this variety are characterized by extremely high frost resistance . She suffers winters in the middle lane without shelter. In the northern latitudes it needs to be insulated. The variety is characterized by high resistance to most diseases of strawberry crops. Read also our e-magazine on strawberry cultivation.
Fetus
Elizabeth 2 forms large fruits, weighing from 40 to 100 g, depending on the quality of the rules of agricultural technology. The berries are asymmetric. Painted in red. The pulp is a lighter shade, has a dense structure, juicy. It tastes sweet, honey. According to estimates of tasters received 4.7 points out of 5 possible.
Fruits perfectly tolerate transportation, which allows them to be considered as products for commercial activities. Productivity from one bush is 1.5 kg. In terms of application, the berries are universal. Well suited for various types of processing.
Preliminary preparation before landing
Activities ensuring a high yield in the future are the selection of high-quality planting material and the terrain for planting. Do not forget that every 3-4 years you need to update the culture and change the location of its location on the site.
How to choose seedlings?
When choosing seedlings, it is better to contact specialized nurseries. Important! If the leaves are too pale, it is better to refuse to buy seedlings. This is a sign of the dying off of growth points. When buying, it is worth following the following plant parameters:
- the quality and quantity of leaf plates is about 5–7 pcs., dense, leathery, evenly painted, without spots, scratches and signs of rot;
- root - lush, at least 7 cm long;
- horns (growth points) - 1 or more, pale green color, without damage, with a thickness of 7 mm.
Site selection
Unlike other strawberry varieties, the variety in question can develop well not only in open, well-lit areas, but also in partially shaded ones. Moreover, on plants localized under the canopy of trees, the fruits are formed much larger than on those that are most of the day under scorching sunlight. The most important thing is to provide quality protection from the north winds. Based on this, it is better to place strawberry plantings on the south, southeast or southwest side of buildings, trees or fences.
Also take into account the level of occurrence of groundwater. The optimal distance to them is 1.5–2 m. If moisture lies closer, you will have to make bulk beds.
The quality of the soil is of great importance for the variety Elizabeth 2. Due to the maintainability, this strawberry needs more nutrition than varieties bearing 1 time per season. To provide food for the first 2 years of the development of the culture, six months before its landing on the site, preparatory work must be carried out, including:
- deep cultivation (30 cm);
- disinfection using a solution of copper sulfate (concentrate 3%);
- application for repeated digging a week later for every 1 m² 20 kg of manure, 10 kg of peat and sand, 70 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium nitrate.
A month before planting, under the third digging, 20 kg of compost and 400 g of dolomite flour are added to each 1 m².
Landing process
It is better to plant in July-August, then in the spring it will already be possible to get the first crop.
A couple of hours before planting, you need to prepare seedlings:
- Inspect the roots, a little trim dry tips.
- Soak the root system in a growth accelerator for 2 hours - Fitosporin is suitable, 4 drops of a liquid preparation for 200 ml of water.
During the soaking, you should prepare the holes with a depth of 15 cm, a diameter of 20 cm. You need to position the landing pits at a distance of 50 cm from each other in a row, leave a 1 m step between the rows. Mix soil from each pit with 1 tbsp. compost and 5 g of superphosphate. Did you know? Strawberries are not only raw materials for desserts. It is used to make sauces for meat, poultry and even fried in olive oil with black pepper. After soaking the roots in a growth stimulator, you can begin to plant. Previously, a mound of nutrient soil is formed in the hole. The rhizome of the plant is placed on it. Align the horn - after filling the pit, it should be flush with the ground.
Features of seasonal care
Planting and caring for the culture in question is no different from similar events for similar ones. The most important thing is to water in time, monitor the condition of the soil, and prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
Read also articles on this topic:
Soil care
Soil condition is of great importance for development and fruiting. It should be loose, well-fertilized, not overdried. After each hydration, loosening should be carried out under the bushes and in the aisles. In parallel with this manipulation, weed removal is carried out.
Immediately after weeding, the soil in the aisles and under the bushes must be mulched. Throughout the season, this is best done with freshly cut grass, hay or straw. This approach will ensure complete absence of fruit contact with moist soil. As a result, even after heavy rain, the berries will remain clean, and they can be eaten directly from the garden.
Feeding and watering
Watering plants, in the absence of rainfall, is necessary every week. Water consumption per plant is 1–1.5 liters.
Fertilizers are applied 1 liter under the bush according to the scheme:
- before spring flowering - per 10 liters of water 1 liter of liquid mullein;
- after the first harvest - per 10 liters of water, 1 liter of liquid mullein, 2 kg of nettle, 1 tbsp. l wood ash, insist a week, drain, add 10 liters of water;
- after the second harvest - 10 l of water per 1 kg of wood ash, boil, strain, add 5 l of water, bring under a bush + spray on a sheet;
- at the end of the season - add 10 g of superphosphate under each bush, the depth of incorporation into the soil is 5 cm.
Preventative treatment
The considered strawberry variety is exposed to diseases and pest attacks only on neglected beds. Timely prevention will help to forget about the presence of such problems on the site. Important! For cutting damaged and dead shoots, use a sanitized, well-sharpened garden tool. Dust off the cut sections with wood ash or activated charcoal to prevent infection from entering the wound surfaces. Preventive measures are as follows:
- timely removal of dead foliage from the bushes;
- in the rainy season, dusting on moist leaves and soil with wood ash;
- thorough harvesting of fruits not only from plants, but also from the ground during fruiting;
- treatment with copper sulfate 1% concentration at the end of the season;
- spraying with 1% solution of iron sulfate in the spring, before the start of vegetation.
Cold protection
At the end of the season, in the autumn, the peduncles remaining on the plants must be removed. Trim the stems to a height of 3 cm, leaving only the newly formed. Cover plantings with spruce branches or agrofibre.
Harvesting and storage of crops
Berries must be collected as they ripen. Manually pick fruits from the bushes, along with the stalks. Immediately lay them out in low containers, covered with paper in one layer. Store in a dark room at a temperature of +2 ... + 10 ° С and relative humidity not lower than 70%. Under such conditions, the product remains fresh for 7-10 days. To extend the terms, the fruits are sent for processing or frozen.
Strawberry variety Elizabeth 2 is attractive for its ability to produce high-quality crops throughout the season, from May-June to November. In addition to good yield indicators, the crop is highly resistant to negative environmental factors, as well as to diseases and pests, which allows it to be cultivated in risky farming.
