Elvira is a non-repairing variety of garden strawberry. Elvira was bred by scientists from the Netherlands. The variety has taken root quite well in Russia. It is recommended to grow it in greenhouses. The variety is valued by gardeners all over the world for its large fruit, high yields and unforgettable taste.
In this publication we will present a full description of the variety, show photos of Elvira’s berries and reviews from gardeners who were lucky enough to grow this variety on their site.
Characteristics of Elvira
Elvira’s bush is quite powerful and medium-sized. Spreading is strong. The leaf blades are medium-sized, green with an emerald tint. The flower stalks are strong, but under the weight of ripe fruits they still fall to the ground.
The fruits are quite large, conical in shape, and have a neck. The color of the skin of the berries is bright red, the surface is glossy. The shell is covered with yellow achenes; they are buried shallowly in the pulp.
The flesh itself is red in color, has a fairly dense structure, but does not crunch when bitten. The pulp is juicy and exudes a pleasant strawberry aroma.
The taste is good. The fruits are very sweet and have a slight hint of acidity.
Fruits of universal use. They can be eaten fresh, processed, or frozen.
The berries tolerate transportation well over long distances, as they have a dense structure. Also, they have a long shelf life, which is why they are in great demand in commercial circles.
Elvira's fruiting period is quite extended and stable. Fruits do not tend to “pea” at the end of the growing season. The average weight of berries throughout the growing season varies between 30-40 grams. The first fruits are somewhat larger and can weigh up to 60 grams.
Elvira's productivity is excellent. From 1 bush, with normal care, you can collect from 0.5 to 1 kg.
Elvira has a fairly strong immune system. It is rarely affected by fungal diseases. In addition to good immunity, Dutch garden strawberries can boast of high frost resistance, which is a huge advantage when grown in the Russian Federation.
Top dressing
A plant such as the Elvira strawberry, described in this article, is quite responsive to the timely application of fertilizers to the soil. In order for nutrients to fully contribute to the proper development of the bushes, fertilizing is carried out exclusively during watering. This crop accepts both organic and mineral fertilizers almost equally well. As for the latter, she prefers phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, and from organic matter - mullein, herbal infusions and bird droppings.
It should be remembered that during flowering, formation and ripening of fruits, in no case should you feed the plant with nitrogenous compounds, because they are mainly aimed at actively increasing green mass. However, in early spring such fertilizers will be simply irreplaceable. The frequency of fertilizing looks like this: the first time fertilizer is applied over the next two weeks after planting the bushes, the second time during flowering, and the third time at the very beginning of fruiting.
Pros and cons of Elvira
Gardeners have identified the main advantages and disadvantages of this Dutch garden strawberry. First of all, let's talk about the advantages of Elvira. Its main advantages are:
- Easy to care for. This variety grows quite well on any type of soil. It tolerates heat and high humidity conditions well. In addition, strawberries are not afraid of low temperatures. All this makes the variety as easy to care for as possible, so even a novice gardener can grow it.
- Long fruiting period. The berries do not ripen on the bushes at the same time, which makes it possible to harvest throughout the entire growing season.
- It is stored for a long time and is well transported. Long shelf life and good transportability are some of the most important indicators that attract attention in commercial circles. Due to the good density of the berries, they can be harvested mechanically, transported over long distances and stored for a long time. The berries do not leak, do not rot, and do not lose their attractive appearance.
- As noted earlier, the variety has fairly high frost resistance. Thanks to this, strawberries can be grown even in the cold regions of our country. The plant can overwinter without problems when temperatures drop to -20 degrees Celsius.
- Thanks to good immunity, the variety is not afraid of fungal diseases.
At the same time, we should not forget about the disadvantages of this variety. The main disadvantages of Elvira strawberries are:
- Extended fruiting. This is a huge advantage when growing strawberries at home, however, in commercial circles, strawberries that bear fruit in stages are more valued, which allows less effort to be put into harvesting.
- Strawberry Elvira needs stable loosening of the soil.
Bottom line
Regardless of how much effort and attention the strawberry variety requires, the gardener needs to provide proper care for it:
- Fertilize the soil in a timely manner.
- Don't forget to mulch the beds, this will help retain moisture at the base of the roots.
- Carry out weekly weeding of the area so that weeds do not clog the crop and suck out the vitamins and nutrients vital for strawberries.
- Carefully monitor the condition of the soil.
- If you want to get the maximum number of berries or increase the size of the fruit, take additional measures.
Compliance with all rules of agricultural technology leads to a good, high-quality strawberry harvest.
Correct fit
Growing Elvira strawberries is not difficult. The planting process is standard and no different from planting any other variety of garden strawberry.
The first step before planting work is to select a site. It should be sunny, groundwater should not lie deep to the surface. Trees and tall bushes that will create shadow on the site should not grow near the site.
The variety is quite undemanding when it comes to soil quality, but it is still advisable to cultivate it on loamy soil with a neutral acidity level.
When the site has been selected, it should be prepared. The first step is to get rid of the weeds and dig up the soil. Then it is fertilized with organic matter. They begin to prepare the soil 30-40 days before planting.
When the place is prepared, planting work begins. Garden strawberries are planted according to the standard scheme:
- First, holes are dug out.
- Then they are watered with water.
- After the soil has absorbed water, the seedling can be lowered into the hole. Place it only vertically. The rhizome of the plant is carefully spread over the hole and sprinkled with soil. The soil is compacted.
- Upon completion of planting work, the bushes are watered with water at the rate of 1 liter per plant.
Reproduction methods
Strawberry Elvira can grow in one place for a maximum of 4 years, so in order to transplant it to a new place you need to know how it reproduces. In addition, the beds periodically need to be rejuvenated. There are such methods of plant propagation: seed, rosettes and dividing the bush.
By seed method
It is not profitable to grow strawberries from seeds. This is a troublesome, time-consuming and labor-intensive task. And not everyone will be able to get a good, strong plant from seeds, since the seed quickly loses its viability.
If you want to experiment, then you need to do the following. Soak the seeds for germination in a plastic container, placing them on wet disks and covering them on top. The container must be closed with a lid with holes for ventilation. In this form, the seeds should be kept in a warm place for 2 days, then another 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The discs must be kept wet at all times. While the seeds are stratified, you need to prepare the ground. A mixture of garden and forest soil with sand is suitable. The soil must be disinfected in the oven for 15–20 minutes. Afterwards the soil should lie for 2-3 weeks.
Important! If there is enough moisture, condensation will collect on the lid of the container and flow down. If there are so many drops that the seed is not visible behind them, then you need to wipe the lid and ventilate the container a little. When there is little condensate, you need to water the crops.
Sowing can be done in a container.
The container is filled with earth, compacted a little and well moistened with water from a spray bottle. Using a toothpick or sharp tweezers, the seeds are laid out on the surface of the ground and slightly deeper into it. The container is covered with a lid and sent to a warm, illuminated place, but not in direct sunlight. The lid must have holes for ventilation. It is better not to open the container until the shoots appear.
With the appearance of 3 true leaves, the seedlings are picked. It is planted in plastic or peat cups 5x5 cm. In open ground, seedlings are planted with 5 true leaves and in suitable weather in your region.
Dividing the bush
A more convenient and efficient way of reproduction. As soon as the buds appear on the plant, you need to choose the strongest, healthiest bush and dig it up. Carefully divide into parts so that each part has a developed heart and a strong root system. The resulting parts should be planted in the holes prepared in the garden bed.
Did you know? In ancient times, strawberries were a universal cure for all diseases (fever, indigestion, depression, headaches, etc.).
Rosettes
The most common method of reproduction. Elvira is actively developing a mustache, so there is no shortage of rosettes. The main thing is to choose the right rosette for replanting so that the variety does not degenerate. It is best to take those that are located closer to the mother bush. The bush itself, like the rosettes, should not show signs of damage or disease.
In order for the rosette to take root, it is advisable to plant it in a separate container for the development of the root system and the appearance of young leaves. A well-rooted rosette should have at least 4 leaves before planting.
How to care for garden strawberries
Caring for garden strawberries is quite simple, especially for such unpretentious ones as Elvira. The basis of care is timely watering and fertilizing.
Watering
Water it with warm, settled water. Irrigate the bushes at the root, early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is below the horizon. It is strictly forbidden to use water from a well. Cold water can promote the development of fungal diseases.
We also recommend reading: Description of the strawberry variety Murano
Water it once every 7-8 days. If the temperature is very high, then the number of waterings is increased to two or three per week.
Many agronomists advise carrying out the loosening procedure after watering. It will not only saturate the strawberry root system with oxygen, but will also get rid of parasites hiding in the soil and weeds.
In addition to loosening, it is necessary to periodically remove the formed mustache.
Feeding
In general, during the entire growing season, strawberries need 3-4 feedings. They are harmoniously combined with irrigation. Standard feeding scheme for this strawberry:
- Garden strawberries are fed for the first time in early spring, immediately after the frosts have ended. At this time, the plant needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which stimulate the growth of its green part.
- The second time garden strawberries are fertilized after flowering, when the berries begin to form. This time the strawberries are fertilized with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
- The last time it is fertilized is in the fall, after the end of the growing season. This time it is fertilized with organic matter. It will saturate the plant with the necessary microelements and allow it to survive the winter painlessly.
Features of cultivation
Dutch strawberries develop remarkably well in any conditions. It is not afraid of frost and is resistant to drought and heat. In one area, shrubs can be grown for 4 years or more if the yield remains at the same level. Caring for this variety is easy, so it is recommended for beginning gardeners.
You can plant seedlings almost all year round: in autumn, summer or spring. The right time is chosen taking into account the climate. The soil acidity level should be between 5.2 and 5.5 pH. If the soil is too acidic, the acidity should be reduced. This is done a couple of years before planting the strawberries. For work, dolomite flour or lime is used (400-600 grams per square meter). The first component is used more often, as it nourishes the soil with magnesium.
A common scheme for planting bushes in two lines:
- when grown in an open area - 30x30 centimeters;
- in greenhouses and greenhouses - 25x25 centimeters;
- between the rows leave a passage of 50 to 70 centimeters;
- To ensure that the rows are evenly illuminated, shrubs are planted from north to south.
Note: It is recommended to grow strawberries on black cloth. It prevents weeds from growing and protects fruits from contact with the ground. This way you won’t have to weed the soil often. Before planting, the holes must be thoroughly irrigated.
For strawberries, it is preferable to use drip irrigation. The system will independently maintain a comfortable humidity level. Shrubs most need watering during flowering and berry set. If the weather is hot and dry outside, watering is carried out every 3-4 days. To reduce the frequency of watering, the ground is covered with mulch. Humus mixed with peat is laid in a layer of 2-3 centimeters.
You also need to regularly loosen the top layer of soil so that the roots receive oxygen. Due to the shallow root system, digging must be done carefully, going 1-2 centimeters deeper.
The whiskers need to be removed regularly so that the plant does not waste energy on them. Lateral shoots are left only on those plants that are planned to be used for propagation. Flower stalks are removed from mother shrubs, since these plants are not harvested.
Reviews from gardeners
Anastasia Vladimirovna, Rostov, 51 years old.
I really like the variety. I would call it one of the best NSD varieties from Holland. The berries have an oblong shape, the flesh is dense, but for example, unlike Albion, not wooden. The taste is good, the aroma is quite pronounced. It gets sick very rarely, even without any preventive treatments. I grew it in containers, no problems, it grows well.
Nikolai Andreevich, Kyiv, 53 years old.
The strawberries are pretty good. Early ripening. The bush is quite compact, medium-sized. A small amount of whiskers is formed, but it is enough for reproduction. The yield is excellent. The berries are marketable and quickly sold out on the market. The taste is excellent. The berry is sweet and has a rather pleasant aroma. We have been growing Elvira on our plot for more than 5 years, the variety is excellent. Grows normally in damp areas and shade. There are of course some disadvantages. Elvira has a weak superficial root system, so in winter the bushes may freeze if the temperature is very low. It does not tolerate heat well, so in summer, during drought, it needs to be watered regularly.
History of appearance
There is no information in open sources about the time of Elvira’s creation and about the varieties or lines that served as the parent forms for its creation.
Moreover, on Dutch Internet resources there are almost no offers for the sale of planting material for this variety of strawberries.
According to indirect evidence, this strawberry variety was developed by the Dutch as a result of interspecific hybridization, and is intended for industrial cultivation.
But, apparently, it did not live up to the expectations placed on it, and today it is practically absent from the Western European market.
However, once in Russia, it took root in private gardens. Exactly the same story with Elvira happened in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Elvira’s precociousness played a significant role in this - its berries are among the first to ripen in our climate.
Origin of the form
Photo: the variety was bred for industrial cultivation on large plantations.
Photo: navro.org Elvira (Elvira) belongs to the large-fruited technical varieties of strawberries of early ripening. It was bred for cultivation on industrial plantations.
Elvira is a very old variety. It was bred by Dutch breeders in the 50s of the 20th century. In Russia, this variety has been popular since the 60s of the last century. Back then, Soviet summer residents boasted that it was Elvira that grew on their plots, the seedlings of which were very difficult to obtain.
It is unknown who exactly developed this variety. This often happens with old forms of garden crops - history does not preserve the names of their creators. Therefore, Elvira is considered a strawberry of national selection.
Elvira can be successfully grown in the country. Photo: greendacha.com
The variety was bred by the Dutch for industrial and farm cultivation. However, Russians also breed it in their country houses, garden plots and plots. Elvira can be grown both in open and protected ground.
Among gardeners, this strawberry is valued for its early ripening, unpretentiousness, disease resistance, high yield and frost resistance.
