Strawberries are used for preparing a variety of desserts, making jam, jam and compote for the winter, as well as for fresh consumption. Therefore, many gardeners plant such a healthy and tasty crop in their summer cottages. To get a good harvest, you need to choose the right variety so that it matches the climatic conditions of the growing area, and also know all the rules and nuances for caring for it. Having chosen the Vityaz variety of strawberries, you should definitely familiarize yourself with its features and immediately begin growing.
History of variety development
The non-repairing strawberry variety Vityaz was bred by breeders from the Kokinsky stronghold of the All-Russian Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Growing at the end of the last century.
The variety was obtained by crossing the Festival Chamomile and Surprise Olympics strawberries. The Vityaz strawberry was introduced for registration in the State Register of Russia in 1997, and a new variety was tested for a couple of years.
Festival Chamomile
Surprise at the Olympics
As a result, in 1999 it was included in the Russian State Register and recommended for cultivation in the following regions:
- Central;
- Srednevolzhsky;
- Volgo-Vyatka;
- North-West.
Main characteristics
This strawberry variety is distinguished by its average harvest ripening time - ripe strawberries begin to be harvested at the end of June. The size of the bushes is medium, they are semi-spreading, with an average amount of foliage. The bushes are quite compact, round in shape.
The number of tendrils formed is in medium quantities. The foliage is slightly concave inward, slightly bubbly, the base is blunt, the ends are sharp, and there are large jagged edges. The color of the leaf blades is bright emerald.
Peduncles are medium in size, grow to the level of foliage, each can form up to 6-9 buds. The flowers are medium in size, the inflorescences are compact in size, the color of the petals is white. Each bush can produce up to 8-10 flower stalks.
The first berries of this strawberry are large (up to 30 g), subsequent fruits become smaller and can weigh 20 g or less. Their shape is conical, almost oval. The color of the skin is bright red, there are many achenes, they are colored yellow, slightly pressed into the skin. The pulp is rich red in color with an orange tint, compacted, and has a characteristic strawberry smell.
Rating of the best varieties of garden strawberries: by region and ripening time
We will not be mistaken if we say that every gardener wants to plant only the best varieties of strawberries on his plot. But how can you understand that this particular species in a particular climate will bring a high yield of delicious sweet berries? It is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the variety or hybrid, the recommendations of breeders, and reviews of gardeners.
Criteria for choosing a variety
They say that there is no arguing about taste preferences; the choice is too individual. A variety that is sweet and highly valued by one gardener may disappoint another gardener, since much depends on care, correct agricultural technology, and climatic conditions.
The criteria for choosing a Victoria among ordinary summer residents and farmers are different. The following characteristics are important for amateurs:
- taste;
- duration of harvest;
- disease resistance;
- large-fruited.
Therefore, they will choose varieties for planting based on these requirements. In industrial gardening, other properties come to the fore:
- yield indicators;
- suitability for transportation (pulp density);
- attractive presentation.
Do not forget about agricultural technology, since even the most productive varieties will not show their potential if not properly cared for.
Breeders are working to develop new hybrid and varietal forms, trying to present strawberries that best meet the requirements of the industrial market or amateur gardening. You need to decide which criteria are your priority, and only then choose varieties for planting.
Choosing strawberries is a delicate matter
The review presents garden strawberries in sections (photos and descriptions) to make it easier to navigate. Regions, harvest time, duration are the main criteria by which varieties are distributed.
According to ripening time
An important characteristic that allows you to determine the time of harvest. Summer residents prefer early berries (especially in temperate climates), although many mid-season and late varieties are also popular.
Early
The approximate fruiting time is from mid-May to mid-June. Popular varieties:
- “Clery” – strawberries from sunny Italy. Valued by farmers, grown for sale. Among the top strawberries for commercial cultivation. Feature: a large number of thick, strong peduncles are formed on the bush, it seems that the plant is strewn with flowers. The fruits are carmine-colored, dense, sweet. Weight – 45-50 g (average figures – 23-32 g). From a bush in open ground they get up to 1.5 -1.7 kg, in greenhouses - up to 2 kg;
- “Olvia” is the result of the work of Ukrainian breeders. Early, with large berries, belongs to the dessert group. 60-80 fruits are collected from the bush. On the tasting scale – 4.5 points (out of five). The berries look impressive: regular, blunt-conical shape, bright red, with a glossy skin. Weight – 35-40 g. Small specimens – 11-15 g;
- “Octave” – is characterized by abundant fruiting. Powerful bushes with tall peduncles are covered with numerous flowers. The neck of the strawberry is clearly visible, the shape is cone-shaped, and the color is dark red. A dessert variety, resistant to diseases and pest attacks. Fruit weight – 35-40 g. Taste – sweetish, with a pleasant aroma.
Mid-season
The harvest begins from June 10-12 to mid-July.
- “marmalade” - bred in Italy, characterized by high yields. Attracts with strawberry appearance and taste. The pulp is dense, juicy, but during transportation the berry does not leak and retains its taste and shape. Up to 15-16 tons are collected per hectare;
- Another high-yielding Italian variety “Roxana” has been bred into agriculture. Characteristics: moderate formation of whiskers, powerful bushes, elongated, ruby red berries. In large fruits, slight tuberosity and the presence of ridges are noticeable. They weigh 30-50 grams, ripen smoothly;
- "Florence" is a garden strawberry popular in European countries. Bred in Great Britain, it is characterized by large fruit, excellent commercial properties, and excellent taste. The berries are red with golden achenes pressed into the pulp. According to reviews, even in dry seasons the taste of the fruit does not deteriorate.
Late
The berries ripen in the second half of July. They are not suitable for all regions of the Russian Federation, since in a temperate climate they may be frozen and not ripen.
- “Pegasus” is a species resistant to diseases and pests (strawberry mite, weevil). Developed in England, it is resistant to temperature changes. Balanced taste: sweetness with a slight pleasant sourness. The berries weigh 18-20 g;
- “Zenith” is a hybrid characterized by keeping quality and transportability. The bushes are covered with bright green leaves with a waxy coating, the berries weigh 25-30 g. Purpose - dessert;
- “Lord” - of unknown selection (according to some sources - Russia, according to others - England). Valued for large fruits, yield (1.8 -2.5 kg per bush), and drought resistance. There may be voids in the pulp. Plants are cultivated in one place for 6-7 years;
- “Great Britain” is still a little-known, but very promising varietal form. 1.8-2 kg of fruits are collected from the plant. The berries themselves are attractive: round, dark cherry color with shine.
On a note! The "Great Britain" variety is included in the rating of large-fruited strawberries. The weight of individual specimens is 100-110 g.
According to the duration of fruiting
There are traditional varieties of short daylight hours, fruiting once, as well as remontant varieties. The latter produce a harvest over a long period.
Remontant garden strawberries:
- “Albion” is a popular hybrid in Europe and now in Russia. It is famous for its harvests; 2.5 kg are collected from a bush. The color of the fruit is red, pinkish, the flesh is dense. Remontant garden strawberries attract with long-term fruiting, from June to late autumn;
- “Elan” - garden strawberry from Dutch breeders, has shown excellent results in temperate latitudes. It is grown in open ground, in an apartment - as a hanging crop. It is distinguished by powerful spreading bushes, the presence of long mustaches, fruiting on the mother bush and unrooted rosettes. Heart-shaped berries reach a weight of 30-45 g. Valued for their excellent taste and uniformity of fruit;
- “yellow wonder” is a foreign selection; it has been grown in Russia for a long time. The conical berries look similar to wild strawberries, but the color is creamy yellow. They weigh approximately 2.5-3 g, the taste is pleasant, with a delicate aroma. It is necessary to replant the bushes every three years;
- “diamond” is a garden strawberry for amateur cultivation. USA selection, stands out for its long fruit production (until cold weather). Requiring care, resistant to powdery mildew and verticillium. Feature: the color of the skin of the fruit combines red and orange tints, so they are not used for processing (dessert variety);
- “San Andreas” - released in the USA in 2001 (University of California). This plant has powerful shoots, peduncles, and mustaches. The fruits taste similar to Albion, but the flesh is juicier and more tender in structure. In the first collections the weight is 45-60 g, later – 25-30 g. There are no voids inside, the core is orange-pink;
- “Queen Elizabeth 2” is a day-neutral (NDN) plant that yields in peaks. The weight of the berries is 60-100 g, the taste is bright, refreshing, with a characteristic strawberry aroma. Used for desserts, freezing, and all types of processing.
Common varieties (short daylight hours):
- “alba” is a descendant of “albion”, Italian selection. One of the best traditional (non-remontant) varieties, with aromatic berries and excellent yields. Valued by farmers, but gardeners love the taste of the fruit;
- “Honey” is a strawberry from the parent pair “Holiday” and “Vibrant”. Erect bushes produce thick, low peduncles, dense, dark red berries at the stage of biological ripeness. The purpose is universal, grown by amateurs, as well as on an industrial scale;
On a note! When harvesting unripe fruits, a bitterness is felt in the pulp.
By region
It is difficult to get a harvest without taking into account the climatic features of the area and the adaptation of a certain variety of strawberries to them. The State Register indicates the region of admission, and feedback from gardeners can also help with the selection.
Varieties for the middle zone
In the areas of this region, a wide variety of garden strawberries of domestic and foreign selection are planted. Popular are “festival”, “temptation”, “beauty of Zagorye”.
- “Shelf” is a variety of Polish selection beloved by summer residents. Strengths: excellent taste, drought resistance, unpretentiousness. The leaves have 4-5 lobes, the peduncles are tall, but under the weight of the fruit they bend to the ground. Berries with caramel flavor, sweet;
- “Garland” - bred in agriculture, included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2012. Powerful, beardless bushes with long peduncles stand out among other strawberry varieties. It produces many ovaries; the flower stalks bend to the ground under the weight of the fruit. Berries of regular shape, dessert taste with a creamy aroma;
- “Darselect” is a French short-day strawberry. Belongs to the commercial species, the fruits are bright red, with shine, pressed golden achenes. The pulp is juicy, with a characteristic strawberry aroma.
Garden strawberries for the North-West
In this region, mid-season varieties are planted, which, when flowering, do not suffer from possible return colds and manage to ripen during the cool northern summer.
- "Chezan" - grows well at home (as a hanging crop on a balcony, loggia), on open ground ridges. The fruits are dense, beautiful dark cherry color, up to 3 cm in diameter. Taste characteristics – “excellent”;
- “Maryshka” - Czech garden strawberry is famous for its undemanding care and good yields. It is not suitable for industrial cultivation, but summer residents are delighted, as the strawberries are tasty and aromatic. The fruits are rectangular-conical, burgundy in color. In some cases, fasciation is observed - the fusion of flowers, which is why giant berries are formed (in the first batches);
- “torpedo” - semi-spreading plants throw out up to 10 flower stalks. The weight of the berries is from 20 to 40 g, dark red in color. The peculiarity is the elongated shape of the fruit, similar to torpedoes (hence the name).
Strawberries for the South of the country
Drought-resistant varieties are in demand, although with proper care, any variety will show results.
Popular list:
- “Crimean remontant” - bears fruit in waves, twice a season. There are few whiskers, the foliage is wide and dark green. The berries are conical, scarlet-red. Demanding on watering;
- “Bogota” is a mid-late strawberry, with comb-shaped fruits weighing 80-100 g. When cultivated on ridges in open ground, it yields up to 800 g per bush. It is distinguished by keeping quality and transportability. “Minus” is the heterogeneity of the berries in size.
Description of the variety
The taste of ripe berries is reminiscent of strawberries - sweet and sour, and the acid content in the fruit is slightly increased - up to 1.2%, which is higher than that of other strawberry varieties. Therefore, not everyone likes the harvest from Vityaz strawberries. As a result, this strawberry variety is gradually losing its popularity among gardeners.
Strawberries tolerate transportation well over short distances, but do not withstand long trips and long-term storage; juice is released, the presentation is lost and the taste deteriorates. Ripe fruits can be eaten fresh, used for making desserts, made into jam or preserves, and also stored in the freezer for the winter.
The marketability of ripe berries is not bad, so many summer residents grow Vityaz strawberries for further sale. But for industrial purposes, it is recommended to plant more promising varieties, since in comparison with them the fruits of Vityaz look modest, and the yield of the variety is not the highest.
But this variety is valuable for its following qualities: high resistance to most diseases, attacks by insect pests, perfectly adapts to any growing conditions, is winter-hardy, tolerates cold well, as well as periods of drought. These latter qualities make it possible to grow Vityaz strawberries throughout almost the entire territory of Russia.
Features of cultivation
First of all, you need to choose the most suitable site. The description of the location for the Vityaz strawberry variety includes a flat surface that is protected from the winds by buildings or trees. It is important that they do not block the sun, since this factor has a direct impact on fruitfulness. The crop bears fruit worse in the shade.
Strawberries can grow in any cultivated soil, but loamy soil with a neutral reaction is best suited. The soil should not be too dry; it is desirable that it be sufficiently breathable. An increased concentration of salts in the soil has an extremely negative effect on strawberries, so it is better to avoid direct application of approvals. It is better to use them for predecessors (what is grown in this area before strawberries), for example, onions, carrots, parsley, tulips.
You can prepare fertilizers some time before planting the bushes (the best option is 2 months). No fertilizer is added to the crop during planting. For work, it is recommended to choose a cloudy day or do it in the evening. If the seedlings are purchased, then they require preliminary preparation for placement, which consists of soaking them in a solution of potassium permanganate for at least 5 minutes (but no more than 10), then rinsing thoroughly with water.
During the planting process, you also need to take into account the fact that the bud, which is located at the top, should be placed at ground level. Loosening should be carried out no more than 8 times a season, and the depth should not exceed 2 cm.
Removing strawberry Vityaz mustaches should be carried out several times a season. They need to be cut in sectors every 12 days. Increasing the frequency of this procedure can lead to the formation of new mustaches. After winter, you need to remove some of the old leaves; this is also recommended after fruiting. The Vityaz variety, like most others, loves moisture. The main part of the roots is located approximately 25 cm deep from the soil surface. This is an important condition to prevent this layer from drying out, because this has a negative impact on the development of the plant, as well as its productivity.
During drought in the spring, the fertility of strawberries significantly deteriorates, and even half the harvest can be lost.
In the absence of sufficient moisture in autumn and summer, there is a risk of losing next year's harvest, since it is in autumn that fruit buds are laid.
To avoid such troubles, you need to water. This procedure is recommended to be carried out using 500 ml of water per bush. However, care must be taken, since waterlogging has an extremely negative effect on the plant.
Productivity
Unfortunately, ripening strawberries of this variety have different sizes: the first fruits are large, but subsequent berries become smaller up to 10-15 g. Although during testing, up to 110-125 centners of ripe products were collected from each hectare of this strawberry plantation, but this yield is considered average for strawberry varieties.
From each square in personal farmsteads you can collect about 2.4-2.9 kg of ripe berries, and from one bush you can collect no more than 0.4 kg of products. Compared to some other strawberry varieties, when more than 1 kg of ripe fruit is harvested from one plant, Vityaz’s yield looks more than modest.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of this variety of strawberries include:
- good presentation and taste of ripe strawberries;
- high resistance to diseases and pests;
- good drought and frost resistance;
- remarkable adaptation to any growing conditions;
- versatility of purpose of the harvested crop.
However, the variety also has obvious disadvantages:
- fruits do not tolerate transportation over long distances and are not stored for long;
- instability of fruiting;
- not everyone likes the sour taste of berries;
- the yield is not too high.
a brief description of
Advantages of the variety
The Vityaz strawberry has a list of advantages for which the variety is valued by gardeners in many regions of Russia:
- good taste characteristics;
- immunity to verticillium and powdery mildew;
- weakly affected by strawberry mite;
- high levels of winter hardiness;
- dense berries can be transported over long distances;
- The harvest can be frozen and compotes can be made while preserving the shape of the berry.
Disadvantages of the variety
Some gardeners abandon the variety due to difficulties in propagation, since strawberries produce very few runners. There is also the opposite opinion - it is easier to care for, you do not need to constantly cut off shoots.
Landing
Since the variety is undemanding to growing conditions and does not require special care, it is therefore often called “strawberry for lazy people.” But still, certain conditions exist for choosing a place to plant Vityaz strawberries. The site should not be even in light partial shade, and should be protected from drafts and cold winds. The soil should be fairly loose and fertile, with a slightly acidic or neutral pH.
It is better to prepare the beds in the fall by adding humus, compost or rotted mullein to the soil. During autumn digging, lime is added to acidified soils, and peat and river sand are added to highly alkaline soils.
The main thing when choosing a site is to ensure that moisture does not stagnate in the soil, so you should not make beds for strawberries in lowlands or in places where groundwater comes too close to the soil surface.
When planting, the distance between the bushes should be at least 0.35-0.4 m, and the row spacing should be up to 0.6 m. Typically, strawberries are planted in 2 rows on the beds - this makes it easier to care for them in the future and easier to harvest.
Varieties propagation methods
You can propagate Vityaz strawberries using tendrils, seeds, and also by dividing the bush.
The most common method is to use a mustache. After harvesting, the mustache needs to be straightened, and the rosette should be slightly deeper into the ground and sprinkled with soil so that the hearts are free. In September, transplant to a designated area.
The method of dividing the bush is used less frequently. To do this, select strong bushes that have more than one top with a rosette and dig them up. Then separate the sockets from each other. By correctly dividing the bush, you can get full-fledged plants that can please you with fruits in the first year.
When propagating from seeds, there is a possibility of getting bushes that will have small and tasteless fruits.
Care
Although Vityaz strawberries are highly resistant to drought, regular watering has a beneficial effect on the taste of ripening berries. You will also have to loosen the soil and remove weeds. But, in general, this strawberry variety belongs to the category of “plant and forget” plants.
It is also recommended to renew this strawberry plantation every 4-5 seasons, since by this time the Vityaz strawberry begins to reduce its yield, so the plants need to be replaced.
Reproduction
Vityaz produces little mustache, but it is quite possible to propagate the variety this way. To obtain a larger amount of planting material, a separate bed is allocated. Peduncles are plucked from the bushes during the season. During the rooting process, the rosettes are watered more often, preventing them from drying out. In order for young plants to take root better, they are slightly “sunk” into the ground and secured with a hairpin.
You can use the method of dividing the bush. Choose powerful plants consisting of several rosettes. They are dug up and divided into parts with a sharp knife. If you perform this procedure in early spring, you can get the first harvest already in the current season.
Feeding
Many gardeners recommend fertilizing these strawberries several times a season:
- in spring - nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
- during flowering and fruit ripening - fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium;
- in autumn - complex mineral fertilizers containing superphosphate and potassium salts.
Growing and care
Growing the variety is not difficult, but it has features that you need to know.
Watering
The strawberry variety Vityaz requires regular watering. Taking into account that the roots go deep into the soil up to 25 cm, each plant should have at least 0.5 liters. water. If strawberries dry out, they will produce a very meager harvest.
A reasonable compromise should be found when watering. Prolonged stagnation of moisture, like drought, are harmful
Loosening, weed control
About once a week it is necessary to loosen the soil crust to a depth of 2 cm. In this way you can get rid of weeds, provide air flow to the roots, and retain moisture. Pests that like to settle under bushes of cultivated plants will leave such beds.
Removing a mustache
Strawberries that are not planned to be left for propagation must be plucked off. Considering that there are few of them, this will not be difficult.
Top dressing
Strawberries must be fed with organic and mineral fertilizers. During the growing season, this is done at least twice, using root and foliar feeding.
In early spring, Vityaz strawberries are fed with preparations containing nitrogen. When using organics, you need to follow the dosage and prevent the solution from getting on the foliage. During the period of flowering and fruit set, spray the leaves with complex microfertilizers, which include potassium. This will not only increase the yield, but also have a positive effect on the taste characteristics of the fruit. In the fall, complex mineral fertilizers with a high phosphorus content are used, which will have a beneficial effect on the root system, and the plants will survive the winter well.
Pest and disease control
Strawberry Vityaz resists the main set of diseases characteristic of the crop. However, if the rules of care are not followed, immunity may decrease.
The plant is sometimes attacked by slugs and birds. It is necessary to regularly inspect the beds. When identifying problems, resort to various methods of combating. Spraying strawberry bushes with mustard solution twice a month gives a good effect. 1 teaspoon is diluted in 1 liter. water. Pests will avoid the plant.
The beds should not be over-moistened and thickened; it is necessary to remove ripe fruits in a timely manner. If there is a danger of fungal epidemics in the garden, before flowering or after harvesting, strawberries are treated with any copper-containing preparation.
A good protective barrier for strawberries are neighbors such as calendula, garlic, marigolds
Preparing for winter
In autumn, all old, withered foliage is removed. There is no need to mow the bushes. The leaf cap will still serve a good purpose and protect the roots from freezing.
Strawberry Vityaz without shelter will survive frosts down to -8℃, and under snow up to -35℃. If you are not sure of a snowy winter, it is better to cover the beds with any mulching material. This can be straw, foliage, pine needles, agrofibre on low arches. In the southern regions there is no need to cover strawberries.
Reviews
Olga, 46 years old, Moscow region : planted Vityaz strawberries several seasons ago. I can say that this strawberry took root well, grew well, did not freeze in winter, and did not get sick during the summer (unlike other varieties of strawberries). Although the ripening berries of this strawberry are of uneven size, the harvested harvest is enough for my family to eat fresh, for jam, and for storing in the freezer.
Natalya, 55 years old, Pskov region : Vityaz planted strawberries for testing three seasons ago. I can say that the main advantage of the variety is its unpretentiousness and low maintenance requirements. You don’t have to water the bushes of this variety for a long time and forget about fertilizing, but the plants will still produce a harvest. Of course, if you regularly apply fertilizers and water strawberries, the yield will be higher, and the size of the berries will be larger. I can say that during all this time the bushes of this variety have never been affected by fungal diseases, so there was no need to carry out preventive treatments.
Reproduction methods
Strawberries Vityaz are propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, and daughter rosettes.
Seeds
Sowing of seeds is carried out in January, subject to the availability of additional lighting. If there is no lighting, the seeds are planted in March. Surface sowing. After planting the seeds, the bowl must be covered with film to create a mini-greenhouse. The first shoots appear within 2 weeks. It is necessary to constantly monitor soil moisture, since even slight drying out leads to the death of seedlings. Picking is carried out when 4 leaves develop on the plant. In June, seedlings are planted in open ground.
Dividing the bush
Plantings grow over time and yields decrease. In this case, rejuvenation is necessary. The mother bush at the age of 4 years should be divided into several parts, each of which should have a well-developed root system. New plants are transplanted into a prepared bed and watered abundantly. Care is the same as for adult plants.
Rosettes
The development of strawberries of the Vityaz variety is weak, so it is almost impossible to get a large plantation in the shortest possible time. However, many gardeners resort to tricks and select several mother bushes on their site, which are not allowed to bear fruit. Such mother plants produce rosettes, which are separated and transplanted to a new site. Transplantation is carried out when the root system is well developed.
