Strawberry "Pineberry": variety description, planting and care
Even the most careful gardeners sooner or later try to master the cultivation of unusual plants. One such option would be the Pineberry Strawberry. It is only necessary to carefully study its features, and then a positive result will not keep you waiting.
Peculiarities
"Pineberry" is a remontant variety developed in the past few years, obtained by hybridizing the Chilean and Virginian varieties. The authorship of strawberries belongs to Dutch breeders. The appearance of a garden crop is almost the same as that of the usual strawberry beds, the difference concerns only the color of the berries. But one has only to try them, as it becomes clear - these are fruits with the taste of pineapple. This property is embodied even in the name, which combines the English words "berry" and "pineapple".
By the way, such strawberries can be offered by sellers under other names:
- "White pineapple";
- "Anastasia";
- "White Dream"
The berries are relatively small, their diameter is only 1.5-2.5 cm. When the crop ripens, instead of green, they most often become white in color, and red seeds will create an unusual contrast. As soon as such a transformation is completed, the fruits can already be harvested.
The tonality of the pulp has a wide spread, there are white, orange colors and intermediate shades. "Pineberry" is one of the dessert varieties, so such berries are usually eaten immediately after breaking away from the bush. Although some farmers have already appreciated the merits of the fruits of the original strawberries in obtaining:
- ice cream;
- jams and jams;
- various drinks;
- baking.
cultivation
Finding such a berry is quite difficult, even in European countries its production is small. The size of the fruits is small, their popularity among consumers is limited. The agrotechnical approach is approximately the same as when working with classic varieties. The plant loves warmth, which is quite typical for strawberries. Therefore, the culture gives the best results in a greenhouse. The earth is selected carefully so that it is dry and thoroughly warmed up. White strawberries, which will be planted in an open garden, can also develop well, then its fruits will acquire a pinkish tint.
The list of requirements for soil quality is small, but they must be strictly observed. Optimal conditions are created in areas where the acidity is at least 5 and not more than 6.5 units of the universal scale. First you need to feed the earth. For this, 5 kg of any organic matter and 0.04 kg of minerals per 1 m2 are used. Please note that Pineberry Garden Strawberries cannot be grown from purchased berries. Whiskers are the only way to reproduce, and therefore farmers will need to look for seedlings.
For planting strawberries, holes should be used, the depth of which is 70-100 mm. The reference point is the length of the root complex. Each recess is saturated with 0.5 kg of water, after which a division is inserted there. The roots are supposed to be thoroughly straightened and lightly covered with earth. A common mistake novice farmers make is an excessively dense planting, since even small bushes feel better in the open.
Fruit maturity occurs in May, June and July.In greenhouses, you can collect up to 1 kg per 1 sq. m. The growth of the bush ranges from 0.2 to 0.3 m. In winter, strawberries will endure cooling to -25 degrees. The plant does not attract the attention of birds, so the crop is guaranteed to remain intact. Without changing the location, you can grow "Pineberry" for over 5 years. Division is less practical than whisker propagation. There are a lot of branches at the bush, so there will be no shortage of them.
However, they sell seed for a high price, because the variety is rare. It is recommended to loosen the soil between the rows after removing the berries. The layers are carefully straightened by digging the lower shares of the rosettes, but at the same time the apical bud should be above the ground.
When autumn comes, the roots will already be sufficiently developed. The cut of the mustache from the bushes is made when the plants are transplanted to the ridges. The depth of the holes at the time of planting should be up to 100 mm. When purchased seedlings are used in a cup, planting is done with a clod of soil. It cannot be destroyed.
Seedlings must be chosen very carefully. Good planting material should have bright green leaves. They evaluate their juiciness and look for spots, mechanical defects. It is recommended to take seedlings with horns at least 70 mm thick. The requirements for selection are also made to the roots - the minimum length is the same 70 mm. Open roots should look like fluffy clumps. Seedlings sold in cups must be pulled out and inspected. In high-quality planting material, the roots braid the entire volume of the coma. If the plant will be planted not in greenhouses, but on open land, sunny places located from the south should be preferred.
Positive and negative sides
A logical question arises: if there is not much difference in agricultural technology, is it worth experimenting with Pineberry or is it better to prefer proven varieties. To understand this, each farmer will have to make an individual decision. So, white strawberries are quite resistant to a number of diseases that often fall on plantings of other varieties. Another advantage of the plant is self-pollination and the absence of the need for other auxiliary bushes. But if they are, mutual cross-pollination and the loss of valuable qualities will be impossible.
But there are a number of weaknesses that everyone who decides to cultivate Pineberry should be aware of. All berries will be very tender and vulnerable, so they are not suitable for transportation. Even picking and storing fruits will have to be done with caution. It is also necessary to take into account the relatively low yield of the variety. It will be possible to collect a decent amount of fruit only in a large area. If prolonged rains begin, the danger of planting rot is great.
How to care
Pineberry strawberries are relatively easy to care for. Pruning is done annually. It is possible both in the autumn and in the spring months. But in any case, you need to get rid of worn leaves and whiskers. If the climate is very harsh, pruning should be carried out in the fall, then the bush should lose the lower tier of foliage and whiskers. This technique eliminates infection and minimizes the risk of pest invasion.
Primary feeding is carried out at the time of planting. When the peduncles exit, re-feeding is carried out using organic matter and ash. The third time, additional substances are introduced as soon as the laying of fresh buds begins. Mulching is very important to prevent weed aggression. After mulching, the risk of rotting berries is significantly reduced. It is recommended to tie strawberry brushes to special stakes. This further reduces the risk of being eaten by pests.
It is necessary to remove and pack strawberries with great care, but in capable hands this is not a problem.
The loosening of the earth between the rows is carried out by 30-50 mm, otherwise the roots will be broken. After that, it is recommended to water the strawberries with warm water. Only not pure, but with the addition of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. Both reagents are administered in an amount of 1 g per 10 liters of liquid. As soon as the ovaries are formed, boric acid is treated (5 g per 10 l).
The best top dressings are a solution of cow or bird manure. Flowering is accompanied by feeding with a combined composition, where there is both potassium and phosphorus. An alternative to this treatment is watering with diluted wood ash. The recommended proportion for dilution is 0.4 kg of ash per 10 liters of clean water. Watering activity is selected individually, taking into account the weather, strawberries need the most liquid when laying buds, and also when the berries ripen.
In the last 48 hours before harvest, watering is undesirable. This is important to prevent watery fruits. Peat, sawdust and chopped straw are used for mulching strawberries. Such substances, in addition to saving moisture in the ground, allow the berries to get less dirty. Before the start of winter, it is worth feeding the Pineberry strawberries, and with the onset of cold weather, it is advisable to cover it with straw mats or spruce paws.
Opinions of summer residents
Despite some difficulties, gardeners' reviews of Pineberry strawberries are certainly positive. It grows well next to any other varieties.Even if the summer turns out to be dry, this does not pose a danger to plantings. Against the background of poor watering, the harvest will delight summer residents.
Since there is no red pigment, the likelihood of an allergic reaction to such fruits is almost reduced to zero.
In the next video - Pineberry strawberries.