Today there are a lot of large-fruited dessert varieties of strawberries - gardeners really have plenty to choose from. However, taking a closer look, you can see that the vast majority of these varieties have early or medium ripening periods. But I would like to enjoy the aromatic berries longer! One of the latest varieties of garden strawberries is the Italian hybrid Galya Chiv. This strawberry caused a lot of noise and caused thousands of disputes; gardeners from all over the country will not come to a common opinion: is this variety good or does it have no right to exist. The inconsistency of Gali Chiv lies in approximately the same number of advantages and disadvantages of this variety.
To figure out whether the Galya Chiv variety is worthy of the attention of domestic gardeners, below will be a full description of strawberries with photos and reviews from summer residents. All the pros and cons of this garden strawberry will be listed here, as well as an alternative way to grow the sweet berry will be proposed.
Description of berries.
The berries of the Galya Chiv strawberry variety are large, up to 40 grams, and have a regular, conical or truncated conical shape. They have an attractive red-orange glossy color, medium-hard flesh, sweet, with a very pleasant taste. The fruits are evenly colored. The berries of Galia Civ are showy and pleasant. The taste qualities of the variety are excellent - the berries contain a significant amount of sugars, they have a charming aroma of tropical fruits.
Productivity is high.
Significant resistance to transportation, safety during transportation and keeping quality make it possible to grow the Galya Chiv strawberry variety to obtain a marketable berry of excellent quality. Summer residents who love strawberries will also like this variety!
Characteristics from the copyright holder
Large producers have one opinion about the Galya Chiv strawberry, small farms think about it completely differently, and owners of homestead farms and dachas evaluate the variety using completely different criteria. To better understand the situation, you must first hear the copyright holder - what he says about his own brainchild.
The late variety has the original name Galia CIV, its originator is the Italian consortium of nurseries CIV Strawberries are positioned as a crop with mid-late or late ripening, suitable for cultivation in a continental climate (including in Eastern Europe and central Russia).
Attention! The manufacturer recommends the Galya Chiv variety for growing on small commercial plantations, since strawberries do not tolerate transportation well and are more suitable for quick sale in local markets.
Description of the strawberry variety Galya Chiv, the Italian consortium offers the following:
- a crop with late ripening and extended fruiting (the first berries will ripen in early July, the harvest can be harvested throughout the month);
- bushes are vigorous, powerful, spreading;
- peduncles are thick and long, multi-berry - up to 20 ovaries on one peduncle;
- the peduncles are located at the same level with the leaves (which can be called a plus);
- Gali Chiv's flowers are large, they contain a lot of pollen - there are no problems with pollination of strawberries;
- the whisker formation is average - the whiskers are quite sufficient for the propagation of strawberries, but there are not so many of them that this becomes a problem;
- there are few leaves on the bushes - about 7-8 pieces;
- the berries are large, colored red-orange, and have a glossy surface;
- the average weight of Gali Chiv fruits can vary from 20 to 70 grams (depending on the age of the strawberries, weather conditions, soil composition);
- the shape of the berries resembles a truncated cone with a rounded tip, there is no neck;
- it cannot be said that strawberries are homogeneous - both their shape and size can differ greatly (which garden strawberry sellers will definitely not like);
- the fruits of the first harvest are the heaviest, they may have a slightly flattened shape and a ribbed surface;
- the adhesion of the berry to the sepal is strong, so the strawberry cannot be pulled off dryly;
- the pulp is whitish, dense, very juicy;
- taste rating by tasters is 4.6 points;
- Galya Chiv strawberries are very sweet and have a pleasant strawberry aroma;
- the amount of precipitation has virtually no effect on the sugar content of berries;
- The root system of the garden crop is well developed, the roots are powerful and long, going deep underground;
- The winter hardiness of the Galya Chiv variety is good - strawberries can withstand frosts down to -30 degrees without shelter;
- deep roots allow the variety to cope well with drought;
- disease resistance, according to Italian breeders, is average;
- domestic farmers note that Galya rarely suffers from powdery mildew and gray mold, and has average immunity to fungal spots;
- the yield of Italian strawberries strongly depends on the age of the bushes and their growing conditions, therefore it ranges from 300 to 800 grams per bush;
- on an industrial scale, farmers manage to harvest about 5 tons of berries per hectare of fields in the first year after planting, about 24 tons in the second year of fruiting and 15 tons in the third season (these figures clearly demonstrate the decrease in the yield of older bushes);
- The variety is capable of fully bearing fruit only for two or three seasons, after which the berries become smaller and their number decreases;
- The fruits cannot withstand transportation and storage, since the strawberries are quite soft and come off the peduncle poorly (the harvested crop quickly “drains”).
Attention! The soil for growing the Galya Chiv strawberry variety must be fertile and have neutral acidity. This crop bears fruit well on heavy soils, as it has a deep root system.
Purpose of the variety: table: Gali Chiv berries are most suitable for fresh consumption.
Which is more: pros or cons?
It’s not for nothing that reviews of the Galya Chiv variety of strawberries are so contradictory: this crop is very ambiguous. Farmers who are thinking about buying seedlings of this strawberry can be advised to do one thing: immediately decide for what purpose this variety will be grown. As the practice and experience of gardeners shows, Italian strawberries perform best on private farms and small farm plots.
Italian strawberries have advantages, and they are hard to miss. These are qualities such as:
- good yield;
- large size and attractive appearance of the berries;
- pleasant taste of fruits;
- normal resistance to diseases;
- frost resistance sufficient for the Russian climate;
- the ability of strawberries to tolerate short-term drought;
- strong and rapid bush growth, easy propagation.
Unfortunately, the Italian strawberry Galya Chiv also has many shortcomings. Here is their list:
- tight tearing leading to damage to the berry;
- short lifespan - already in the third year of fruiting the berry becomes very small;
- the need to normalize the ovaries (too many fruits will lead to a reduction in the size of the strawberries and the appearance of unripe berries);
- severe depletion of soil by a powerful and fast-growing plant;
- fear of damp climate - during periods of prolonged rains, Galya Chiv often suffers from fungal infections;
- poor survival rate of seedlings during the hot period - a large number of attacks are possible;
- unsuitability for long-distance transportation;
- very different sizes and shapes of fruits depending on the time of collection and age of the bush.
Many farmers complain about the too simple, bland and not multifaceted taste of Gali Chiv. However, supporters of this variety refute such information and prove that the taste of Italian strawberries strongly depends on the nutritional value of the soil, climatic conditions and the gardener’s efforts on the strawberries.
If you start to find fault, you can find a couple more shortcomings. For example, Russian sellers of fresh fruits do not really like the Galya Chiv variety because the color of the berries is too light and their pulp is whitish. Domestic buyers prefer varieties with darker color and rich red flesh. Although in Europe, on the contrary, light strawberries are valued more. So, we can argue endlessly.
Advice! You should not grow the Galya Chiv variety on a production scale; for this there are more productive and transportable Dutch hybrids. But for a dacha, a small private garden, a modest farm with a local market, Galya Chiv strawberries are what you need!
Galya Chiv reviews.
I would not say that the variety is super-yielding - there are a lot of berries, but the average weight of berries is 25 - 30 grams, although sometimes they appear weighing 50 grams, but this is rare.
The taste is excellent, but there is a problem when picking the berries (first year, frigo seedlings, A+).
Among my varieties, only Syria and Galya Chiv have such good yields in young plantings; other varieties have a weaker first harvest. The only drawback is that the tear is disgusting, it comes off every time in different places.
In the 2nd year, the bushes of the Galya Chiv variety are generally gigantic, there are a lot of berries, but they are all medium-small with a few large berries. Despite the heavy rains, it was very sweet.
Landing
To plant Galya Chiv strawberries in open ground, choose a sunny area, protected from blowing winds. In the northern regions, it is better not to take risks and plant under a film cover or in a greenhouse. To obtain berries declared by breeders weighing more than 50 g each and more than 1 kg. from the bush, the preparation of the bed should be approached with particular care:
- It is preferable to replant Galya Chiv immediately after fruiting (for the Central region - August). Such seedlings will yield a harvest next season.
- The best choice of soil conditions for large-fruited Galya Chiv is fertile, well-drained loam with the addition of peat or humus. Preference should be given to areas that were “resting” under fallow or were sown with green manure.
- 2 weeks before planting strawberries, the bed should be dug deep, cleared of the roots of perennial weeds and May beetle larvae (!).
- Strawberry seedlings are planted in rows or in a checkerboard pattern. The main requirement is for 1 sq. m should accommodate no more than 6 bushes(!). When planting in a row, the bushes are planted with an interval of 40 cm in the row and row spacing of at least 60 cm.
- Young plants are planted without being buried - the central rosette should protrude slightly above the soil level.
- Plantings must be mulched to prevent leaves from contacting the soil. It is best to use straw, forest needles, sawdust or crushed hardwood chips.
Attention!
- To grow large-fruited varieties of strawberries, it is advisable to equip the beds with drip irrigation - in combination with mulching, the use of correct dosed watering prevents the appearance of rot and fungi.
- When planting strawberries, it is advisable to plant onions, parsley, and sow marigolds between the rows - with their phytoncides, fragrant plants disinfect the bed, prevent outbreaks of fungal diseases and repel insect pests and slugs.
Remontant varieties of strawberries with photos
Varieties such as remontant varieties differ from others in their high yield. If these plants are properly cared for, then in just 1 season you can get 2 harvests from them. Such varieties are hybrid, and they differ from all others in that they have the highest resistance to various adverse environmental influences.
Temptation
This hybrid plant was born thanks to English breeders. The bushes have a very impressive appearance, and all thanks to the unusual shape of the peduncles - elongated. Its root system is very powerful, and the formation of berries occurs even on the mustache. This variety is early ripening and large-fruited. It also stands out for its extraordinary productivity; for example, from one garden strawberry bush, on average, you can harvest about 3 kilograms of berries. The harvest begins at the end of the spring period and lasts until the onset of autumn frosts. These berries have excellent taste, and a very delicate musky flavor can be discerned in their taste.
Albion
This hybrid variety appeared more than 10 years ago thanks to American specialists. The berries of this plant are distinguished by their large size, attractive appearance, and also a very pleasant smell. Such bushes have large leaf plates that can protect the plant from overheating. It has a high yield, so from 1 bush you can collect about 2 kilograms of berries. Fruiting lasts from the beginning of June to the end of August.
Queen Elizabeth 2
This variety was bred by Russian breeders, and it is their pride. This plant produces 2 harvests per season. Thus, the berries collected from the first harvest do not have a completely correct shape, and they are harvested in June. The berries of the second harvest, which are harvested in July, have the correct shape. The fruits of this hybrid plant are excellent for transportation and can also be frozen and stored in the freezer.
Mara de bois
Such a hybrid plant was born quite a long time ago, or rather, in 1991, thanks to breeders from France. The shape of the bushes, as well as the berries, is quite unusual and quite impressive - round. The main positive qualities of this variety include its high frost resistance. So, after wintering, no more than 5 percent of all plantings of this variety die. The berries are very sweet and therefore are excellent for young children.
Growing and care
Using mulch in a layer of up to 5 cm not only protects plants from contact with the soil. Loose organic matter protects the plantings from weeds, preserves the bed from weathering of moisture - significantly reduces the time for caring for strawberries.
When ripe, large berries do not become dirty and retain an attractive presentation because they do not come into contact with the ground.
Galya Chiv cannot tolerate excess moisture - watering should be moderate, ideally drip. Excess water affects the taste of berries (unsaturated, watery) and provokes the development of rot. In the absence of precipitation, watering is necessary at 3 important stages of growth:
- on the eve of flowering;
- during the formation of ovaries;
- during filling and ripening of the crop.
For full fruiting, the whiskers are removed without waiting for the formation of layering. To obtain planting material, it is better to grow mother bushes separately - the flower buds are removed immediately, without waiting for flowering. All the strength of the bush goes towards the accelerated formation of layering.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to cut off old leaves after harvesting, especially in the Central region:
- old leaves trap snow in winter;
- old leaves continue to participate in photosynthesis;
- nutrient reserves from last year's foliage ensure an earlier harvest.
Care instructions
Galya Chiv can hardly tolerate excess moisture. Therefore, it needs to be watered moderately. The best option would be drip moistening of the soil. Excessive amounts of water negatively affect the taste of the berries and can cause rot.
See also
Description and characteristics of Vivaldi variety strawberries, planting and care rulesRead
In order for the bushes to bear fruit well, the mustache must be removed. It is recommended to do this before the layering appears. To obtain material for planting, bushes should be grown separately. In this case, it is recommended to remove flower buds immediately. It is not recommended to wait until flowering.
To restore the nutritional composition of the soil, it needs to be fed. In the first year of cultivation, compost or humus is added. It is also acceptable to use ash. In the second year, the need for stronger nitrogen fertilizers arises. At the same time, for 10 liters of water it is recommended to take 50 grams of urea and a glass of ash.
Starting from the third year of cultivation, bushes at the stage of active fruiting should be fed 2 times. This should be done before flowering and after harvesting. To do this, it is recommended to use a slurry solution. It is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10.
Reproduction methods
Garden strawberries of the Clery variety can be propagated in any way, but, according to gardeners with extensive experience in growing strawberries, it is better to use rooting rosettes and dividing the bush.
Propagating strawberries with a mustache
Unlike many varieties of garden strawberries, including Alba, Clery produces a sufficient number of mustaches
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the yield of the bush. Since seedlings with a closed root system take root 100%, any plastic containers are used for rooting
The method for obtaining seedlings of the Clery variety is well presented in the photo.
When 6 leaves are formed on the seedlings, the seedling is transferred to a permanent place.
Dividing the bush
The yield of the Clery variety when planted in divisions occurs faster than with seed or rosette seedlings. To do this, choose the strongest and healthiest three-year-old strawberry bush and divide it into parts.
Rules of care
It is not difficult to care for Galya Chiv - this strawberry is unpretentious and will not cause much trouble for the gardener. But growing a late large-fruited variety also has its own characteristics:
- After planting, the bushes are watered almost every day, constantly monitoring the degree of soil moisture.
- It is best to water mature strawberries by sprinkling or using a drip irrigation system for watering.
- If you mulch the soil with straw and lay agrospand on top, garden strawberries will never get fungal infections.
- Every 2-3 weeks it is recommended to feed strawberries with mineral complexes or organic matter dissolved in water (bird droppings, cow manure).
- Carry out preventive treatment of Gali Chiv against pests and infections, spraying the bushes with special preparations several times a season.
- Trim off excess ovaries and inflorescences to prevent overloading of bushes and regulate the size of the berries.
- Dig up garden strawberry tendrils to propagate the variety. Or trim the tendrils if propagation is not required, as they draw a lot of energy from the plant.
- In the fall, clear the bushes of dry leaves, diseased shoots and other debris.
Features of cultivation
It is recommended to plant “Galya Chiv” strawberries using a two-line method, choosing an open, well-lit area with fertile, slightly acidic soil - pH value - 5.5-6.0. To plant seedlings, you should dig deep holes into which the root system of the bushes should fit freely, without bends.
Advice! If the roots of strawberry bushes are too long, they can be trimmed, but under no circumstances bent.
When covering the planted bushes with soil, you should make sure that the top bud of each bush remains on the surface. The recommended planting pattern for Galya Chiv strawberries is 20x50 cm, when grown on an industrial scale - 20x90 cm. After planting, it should be well watered with warm water and mulched with organic mulch - straw, cardboard, sawdust, dry leaves. If necessary, shade for a couple of days.
Strawberries are frost-resistant, the bushes can withstand up to -30 degrees
Attention! To ensure good rooting of the bushes and prevent loss of yield in the future growing season, it is recommended to plant Galya Chiv strawberries from April to July.
Caring for strawberries of this variety is typical:
- in the first weeks, in order for the plantings to take root well, the soil moisture should be controlled by watering them daily, but without over-watering them;
- in the subsequent period, the number of waterings can be reduced, while preventing the formation of prolonged drought;
- applying organic fertilizers every 2-3 weeks;
- regular weed removal;
- pest control.
Strawberries bear fruit all June
Berry picking begins at the beginning of July and lasts almost the entire month.
As reviews show, the Galya Chiv variety is a highly productive plastic variety that grows well in regions with warm and temperate climates. Strawberries of this variety endure the winter without freezing, and demonstrate good resistance to short-term droughts and typical diseases. The value of the strawberry variety “Galya Chiv” lies in its high yield, excellent taste and commercial qualities of the berries.
How to grow Galya CHIV strawberries on your own plot
One of the methods of cultivating strawberries, which has shown itself remarkably well in the conditions of the middle zone, is growing in high beds. With this method, garden strawberries are less attacked by pests, the berries are always clean and there is less hassle with the plants. There is no need to loosen the soil, weeds practically do not grow, and there is no stagnation of water in such beds. Nutritious soil is the key to a good strawberry harvest. Therefore, the soil for planting it is prepared in advance. A few months before planting the plants, you need to sprinkle the future bed well with humus and dig it up.
Advice. It is best to plant strawberries in the fall, then they can take root well and produce a good harvest in the first season.
To build high beds, the designated area is dug up and a ridge 15 cm high is formed on it. Young bushes are planted on top of it, 20 cm apart. The same gap is maintained between the rows. Galya CHIV strawberries have long roots, so the holes for planting them should be deep and wide enough. If the roots are bent upward when planting, the plant may die.
A mandatory step when constructing raised beds is mulching. You can cover the soil with straw, but the best option is agrospan. The canvas is stretched over the planting, cross cuts are made with a sharp object and the strawberry leaves are pulled up through them. The edges of the covering are sprinkled with earth on all sides, pinned or pressed down with heavy objects.
Advice. It is best to mulch high beds with a double layer - cover the soil with straw, and lay agrospan on top of it. This technique will prevent the development of mold fungi in the soil.
Watering and feeding strawberries in such a bed is very simple - liquid is poured from a hose or watering can into the slits on the agrospam. The ideal option here would be drip irrigation under each bush.
Mulching is very beneficial for strawberries
The method of growing garden strawberries in high beds is not suitable for every climate - during hot periods the soil in them warms up very much. Therefore, this method can only be recommended for use in cool areas. In the south, on hot days, plants can simply die from overheating of the root system.
Reproduction
Strawberries of this variety can be propagated by vegetative methods:
- Air layering. To do this, it is recommended to leave 5 mustaches on the mother bush. When a rosette appears on the shoot, attach the tendril to the ground so that it takes root faster. Stepchildren should be separated from the main plant after a month.
- Dividing the bush. In this case, it is recommended to dig up the mother bush, cut it into fragments and remove the lignified rhizomes. The resulting cuttings are transplanted to a new location.