Strawberry "Vima Zanta": variety description and agricultural technology
Every gardener wants to pamper himself and his family with a fresh fragrant strawberry at the beginning of summer, which also strengthens the immune system thanks to the vitamin C it contains. But due to the capriciousness of the culture, this is not always possible, and there are many reasons for that. Relatively recently, foreign breeders bred a rather hardy variety, called Vima Zanta. This is a Dutch hybrid derived from the well-established Elsanta and Corona hybrids, which are related to the popular Wima Tarda variety in certain circles. Perhaps this is due to the stability of the variety.
Variety Description
Strawberries "Vima Zanta", having a rich taste and aroma of juicy, sweet berries, are rightfully considered garden strawberries. Reminiscent of strawberries and the shape of small berries resembling a cone. Moreover, in young bushes they are more round. Juiciness largely depends on watering: moderately plentiful is the key to sufficient juiciness, and due to its lack, the berry can become hollow.
If we talk about the characteristics of the variety, then first of all it is necessary to note its certain frost resistance. This culture is not afraid of the relatively low winter temperatures of the Central and North-Western regions of Russia, which eliminates the hassle associated with shelter for the winter.
And also a rather strong and lush bush is formed in it, which does not allow itself to be drowned out by weeds or broken by the winds.A characteristic and distinctive feature of the bush are the leaves twisted down, resembling a boat.
Flowers, and later berries, are formed at the level of foliage, which practically eliminates the possibility of their festering from damp soil.
It should be noted that this variety, including its root system, is resistant to rot in any of its manifestations. The exception is powdery mildew, since only it is most often capable of harming a crop.
Intensive mustache growth contributes to rapid reproduction. Which is a definite plus when transplanting, since dividing the bush is not required, which undoubtedly injures the root system.
As for the ripening time, "Vima Zanta" is a medium-early variety (end of May, beginning of June). The yield is high, which allows you to collect from 70 to 80 centners of berries from one hectare, but such maximum rates can be achieved a year after planting.
Landing
When purchasing Vima Zanta, it is necessary to study the features of planting, since a good yield depends on them. The first thing the plant needs is a lot of free space, therefore, given the rapid growth of the mustache, we leave a distance of up to half a meter between the rows in the garden, and we place the bushes 25-30 centimeters apart from each other. Otherwise, fast-growing bushes will begin to drown out each other, which will lead to a complete loss of the crop.
The bed itself must be located on the sunny side. Do not be afraid that the scorching sun will spoil the berries, on the contrary, thanks to it they will ripen faster, and the shrub will not care, as it is expected that it will be provided with daily abundant watering, which has a beneficial effect on the taste of the berries.
But the shadow negatively affects the appearance and taste of the berries.
As for the soil, it should be as fertilized as possible. Without treating it with the minerals and organics necessary for the plant, you can not count on a good harvest, since even a bush will not properly form. Top dressing is carried out, as always, in stages, not counting the traditional autumn feed.
During direct planting, mineral fertilizer is placed in the formed hole. The next enrichment, in order to strengthen the culture, must be planned before the formation of the ovary. And the third time they feed strawberries for the winter, this is done after the full harvest.
Particular attention should be paid to purchased seedlings, as they may contain various pests (for example, spider mites). For prevention, it is recommended to hold them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, which should be warm, for about half an hour before disembarking.
In addition, such prevention can prevent the occurrence of many diseases in the growing process.
Care
Care of this variety consists of three main components. A prerequisite for good growth, as noted above, is the need for proper watering. But the flowers that have appeared do not like moisture, therefore, with their appearance, we carry it out in large areas through irrigation, and it is quite possible to water small beds with a watering can without a nozzle directly under the root.
Strong bushes of a variety, in principle, cannot be destroyed by a weed, but the weed makes them scarce, absorbing useful substances from the soil. Thus, the plant needs regular weeding, during which you can not be afraid to disturb the strawberry root system, as it recovers quite quickly.
For lovers of an early harvest, it is necessary to provide the culture with proper warmth in the autumn-winter period. After autumn feeding, having endured a certain time for development, it is important to cover the strawberries before the onset of frost.
A good option would be a mulch made from dry hay or grass combined with sawdust.
If the winter turned out to be frosty and not snowy, then it is advisable to lay agrofiber or warm rags on top of the mulch (jackets, old fur coats, and so on). With the onset of heat, the plant can be opened, but to get an early harvest for the night, strawberries will still have to be hidden, that is, covered with the same mulch or rags.
If your growth has reached a certain height, and rags can break it, then experienced gardeners recommend covering it with a light film, cutting holes for each bush. This method allows the young bush to receive solar heat, and the roots to be in steamed, moist and warm soil.
As for the removal of the mustache, they are partially removed so that the bush does not weaken.
But for breeding on the strongest bushes, they still leave about two whiskers. After the appearance of the number of processes you need, it is recommended to remove the extra ones, especially if they are located close to each other. To remove, select the weakest growth.
Continuing the topic of removal, it should be noted that a year after planting, it is recommended to remove the entire ovary of a young bush. The procedure will help to get stronger strawberries that are not yet ready for fruiting, and a stronger plant will allow you to collect more than 1.5 kilograms of berries from one bush the next year.
Diseases and pests
Vima Zanta is a variety that can deal with many rot diseases on its own, as it is immune to them.The exception is powdery mildew, which usually appears when overwatered during rainy summers. The moisture received in excess does not have time to be used and evaporate, but, stagnating, becomes the cause of the appearance of powdery mildew, which manifests itself as gray spots on the leaf plates.
Everyone knows that the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.therefore it is recommended to coordinate watering with weather conditions. And to prevent the disease, you can strengthen strawberries with an aqueous solution of brilliant green, which is prepared at the rate of one drop per liter of water. In addition, Zelenka, unlike other drugs, contributes to the development of immunity in the plant.
The procedure is carried out only through irrigation, since the concentrate, hitting a large amount on the leaf, can burn it.
We irrigate in stages 3 times per season:
- in the spring to strengthen the young shoots;
- at the time of flowering, when the plant is weakened, since all energy is directed to the appearance of flowers;
- and the last time we irrigate with the advent of berries.
If you have already noticed gray spots on the culture, indicating the appearance of a disease, then for treatment we prepare a stronger concentrate of brilliant green (3-4 drops per liter of water). We spray at regular intervals 2-3 times a week until the signs of the disease disappear completely. Severely affected leaves can be removed after making sure that the disease does not spread further. So, a weakened culture with reduced immunity will still need to find energy to recover after pinching.
Since even mouth ulcers are treated with brilliant green, you should not be afraid that it will cause any harm to health through the plants it has treated.Unlike chemicals, it can rightfully be called a natural antiseptic.
In addition to diseases, it is also necessary to take care of protecting the plant from pests, especially in spring, because at this time, both in the ground and outside, various insects begin to awaken, attacking the plant from all sides in the literal sense of the word (they eat both root and tops).
From snails and caterpillars, pine mulch has proven itself well, which is necessary to wrap strawberries in the spring. Mulching will also help retain the moisture and warmth the plant needs in spring.
Getting rid of ant larvae in the spring, you can not remember them all season. To do this, we prepare a solution where a glass of sunflower oil and two glasses of 70% vinegar are taken for a ten-liter bucket of water. The resulting concentrate is poured over the culture from above through a watering can.
Do not forget the already traditional copper sulphate, the treatment of the beds with which will prevent the appearance of many insects. With pests, as with diseases: it is easier to prevent their appearance than to remove them later. But for prevention, you should not layer one remedy on another. Measures are thought out in advance, taking into account the climatic conditions of your region and the soil in your garden.
But beginners in growing strawberries can take note that in early spring, after the snow melts and with the onset of heat, it is first necessary to organize mulching (it is better if it is based on needles).
In the absence of such, you can sprinkle the bed with copper sulphate, and lay mulch on top from any available organic matter (dry grass, sawdust, and so on).
With the onset of consistently warm weather, we remove the mulch, give the soil some time to adapt (2-3 weeks) and treat the culture with an oil solution from ants.In the summer, around June, for prevention, we sprinkle the aisles with copper sulphate, combined with slaked lime.
But if, nevertheless, pests appeared, then, for example, an infusion of wormwood and tobacco will help to cope with a spider mite. Birch brooms soaked in water, laid out in the aisles, will help to remove wood lice from the garden.
In case of distrust of people's advice or in the absence of the necessary funds, the necessary preparation for a particular parasite can always be found in specialized stores. But do not forget that you are buying a chemical with which you need to be extremely careful.
The main rule is that the last treatment of the plant should be carried out 3 weeks before harvest.
Reviews of gardeners
According to gardeners, the Vima Zanta strawberry variety in care is no different from other varieties. As for the advantage over other varieties, the endurance of the culture is put in the first place. If ordinary varieties “suffer” from ordinary weeding, during which the strawberry root system is unwittingly affected, then this is nothing for the Dutch hybrid, since it has not only a powerful bush, but also a stable root system.
Many water-loving plants with careless watering, being affected by rot, begin to suffer, which can lead to both crop loss and the loss of the plant itself. But the brainchild of Dutch breeders is an exception here, since in this case it has good immunity.
The yield of the variety with small (weight ranges from 30 to 40 g), but fragrant berries is quite high. Speaking about proper care, the following “golden” rules for growing Vima Zanta should be noted:
- on poor soil, the mentioned variety will not bear fruit;
- in the northern regions, it is worth taking care of a good wrap for the winter;
- it is necessary to remove fast-growing mustaches in a timely manner, which also to some extent affects the yield.
According to gardeners, this variety has one drawback: poor transportability of berries, which is associated with their water content. They quickly release juice, becoming soft and unsightly in appearance.
Review the variety "Vima Zanta", see the following video.