Strawberry variety “marshmallow”: description, characteristics of berries and conflicting reviews from gardeners ‎

It is officially unknown who developed the Zephyr variety. However, most sources say that the Danes brought him out. It has not passed state tests in the Russian Federation, therefore it is not included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. In Russia, the variety is not very popular and is grown only in dacha conditions. However, this variety is very often discussed on forums.

In today's publication we will introduce you to this amazing Danish variety. Let's present its description, show photos of the berries and reviews of gardeners who grew Zephyr on their site.

Table with characteristics of the variety

A description of the characteristics of the strawberry variety “zephyr” is presented in the table:

Agrotechnical recommendations

The bushes of this variety are low and compact, so they can be planted quite densely - at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. Experts consider mid-August to be the optimal time for planting, so the plants have time to take root well and prepare for winter, and are capable of full fruiting the following season.

The variety is propagated using daughter rosettes; alternative methods (dividing bushes and germination from seeds) are used extremely rarely

The variety is unpretentious in terms of care. Prefers open, level, sunny areas, but can also grow in partial shade. “Zephyr” is relatively drought-resistant, but cannot do without watering, especially in the initial stages of growth, flowering and fruiting. We must not forget about timely preventive treatments against pests. Plants are considered undemanding in terms of soil type, but develop better in nutritious, fairly light soil with neutral acidity. Organic fertilizers are recommended: humus and peat, slurry, chicken droppings. Before and during fruiting, it is necessary to remove tendrils from bushes that are not intended for reproduction, and in the fall it is recommended to trim off old leaves and cover the beds for the winter with coniferous spruce branches, straw or agricultural fabric.

Description of the variety

If we consider the characteristics of the variety in more detail, we can say the following.

Berries

The average weight is up to 30 g, but with good care it can reach 55–60 g, there are no internal voids. Unlike a number of large-fruited varieties, “marshmallow” berries do not become smaller at the end of the harvest - provided there is uniform illumination. In any case, the weight of the berry is never less than 18–20 g.

If conditions are favorable and agricultural practices are followed, you can collect 1 kg of berries from a bush. In a greenhouse, due to the lengthening of the fruiting period, the yield can be higher.

The shape of the berries, even in one bush, can be comb-shaped, blunt-conical, wide-rounded or ribbed. The variety yields a good harvest; when fully ripe, the berry turns dark red and the surface acquires a noticeable glossy sheen.

The berries are universally used: they can be eaten fresh, cooked into jams and compotes, made into jams and juices. When frozen, the shape of the berry is perfectly preserved; it does not turn sour or turn into puree.

Bushes

Bushes of the “zephyr” variety are small, which allows them to be planted densely in the garden bed.
The bush is small and neat. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green, erect, concave along the central vein, moderately spreading. Blooms abundantly, flowers are white.

Strong, thick peduncles are at the level of the leaves or slightly lower, hold the berries perfectly, do not bend to the ground under their weight, which means they are to some extent protected from infection with gray rot.

Resistance to diseases and adverse factors

Strawberry “zephyr” shows average resistance to low temperatures. True, with good shelter it can be grown in the conditions of Siberia and the Urals, even if there is little snow.

It tolerates dry periods well, but without watering at least 2 times a week, the yield decreases.

“Zephyr” shows high resistance to diseases, subject to 2 early preventive treatments per season. This applies to such common diseases as white and brown spot, gray rot and powdery mildew.

The variety is not resistant to pests such as spider mites and strawberry mites. Whiteflies and aphids also attack berries, but much weaker.

Reviews from gardeners about marshmallow strawberries are different. There is no consensus that would characterize the taste qualities of this variety.

Some gardeners consider the variety to be sweet, having an airy and light (like a real marshmallow) texture and a pronounced strawberry aroma. Others received berries with a rather ordinary, ordinary dessert taste. Apparently it's a matter of agricultural technology.

Without state tests, when a variety receives ideal conditions for growth and development, there is simply nothing to compare with. In different areas, unequal conditions are created for the growing season of strawberries, which is why they grow differently.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

“Marshmallow” strawberries produce large, juicy berries. Let’s look at

Advantages of marshmallow strawberries:

• Large beautiful berries.
• High transportability.
• Versatility of use.
• Possibility of industrial cultivation.

Minuses:

• Low cold resistance.
• Lots of escapes.
• High probability of spider mite infection.

Growing regions are determined by the winter hardiness of the variety. In open ground in cold regions of the Russian Federation, wintering is possible only under good shelter. The same can be said about the Moscow region with frequent return frosts until the first ten days of June. Conditions in terms of cold winter are even more difficult in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region - here, too, growing in open ground is possible only with good shelter.

The best regions where the marshmallow strawberry variety can be grown in open ground are the southern ones - Stavropol, Krasnodar Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria and others. In the Volga region and central Russia there are also recurrent frosts, so do not forget about shelter.

Reviews

Conflicting reviews about Zephyr strawberries are primarily associated with the production of berries that differ in taste.

Svetlana Ivanovna, 45 years old, Kharkov The Zephyr variety pleases primarily with the early ripening of berries. However, they are inferior in taste to other varieties, so we plant only one bed for early fresh consumption.

Lyubov, 62 years old, Engels I like the Zephyr strawberry for its taste, apparently, the growing conditions in my garden are suitable for it. I especially like to freeze berries, and in winter cook fresh compote or bake pies.

Olga, 50 years old, Nizhny Novgorod Our farming conditions are quite harsh, so we try to plant everything as early as possible. In this sense, Zephyr strawberries suit us, and we like the taste of the berries.

The best place to plant strawberries

The soil requirements of the variety are low - “zephyr” will grow poorly only on heavy clay soils. Before winter, such soil is dug up to a depth of one and a half shovels and at the same time sand is added at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 sq.m. beds. It is good if organic fertilizers are applied during the autumn digging - manure or semi-decomposed compost and superphosphate. All this is mixed with the ground and left until spring.

Then you need another light digging with the addition of about 1 tbsp of ash. per 1 sq.m. After this treatment, the quality of the soil improves and you can start growing strawberries.

The taste of a variety largely depends on the place where it is grown. An important factor is lighting throughout the day.

Shading has a negative effect on strawberries, especially in the morning. The berry may develop poorly, shed flowers and ovaries, and is attacked by pests. Therefore, garden strawberries “zephyr” are not planted near buildings and fences.

Good neighbors for strawberries: garlic (it can be planted between strawberry bushes in a row), greens, beans, peas, beans. Plants that are susceptible to the same diseases are not suitable as neighbors. Avoid planting strawberries near potatoes and nightshades.

The same requirement applies to predecessors. The best of them for the marshmallow variety are green manure beans, phacelia, parsley, beans, carrots, cabbage, spinach, and corn.

Transportability

How long can Zephyr strawberries be stored and how to transport them? Fresh berries can last in the refrigerator for a week. It is better to collect reddened but still hard fruits; there is no need to wait for them to soften.

In good packaging, Marshmallow stays fresh for a long time. It is better to place strawberries in boxes made of durable cardboard or wood with holes. Do not put a large layer of berries in the box. For long-term storage, you can place the strawberries on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

How to choose good seedlings

Choose seedlings carefully - they must have a developed root system and healthy leaves.
The crucial moment in growing the marshmallow variety is the choice of seedlings. There are two options here:

• open root system;
• closed root system (i.e. seedlings in a pot).

Good seedlings should have white roots with a pronounced fibrous texture.

Compare the height of the root system and aboveground with leaves and petioles. It is desirable that the root system be slightly larger than aboveground. This will ensure good seedling growth after planting due to developed roots.

You need to take a closer look at the leaves. The seedling must have at least 3 of them, dark green in color, without spots, holes or cobwebs. It is difficult to talk about the size of the leaves during the seedling period, and the “zephyr” variety is not distinguished by large leaves, so this indicator can be skipped. But the leaves should not be very small.

To evaluate strawberry seedlings with a closed root system, shake out a clod of soil. It should be stitched with light thread-like roots to the very bottom.

Landing

The table shows the timing of planting the marshmallow strawberry variety in different regions:

Planting in the fall for marshmallows is preferable to planting in the spring. Almost all the flowers of plants planted in spring need to be plucked off so that the seedlings can strengthen over the summer. Otherwise, the berry will grow small.

The best way to plant the marshmallow variety is to plant in compacted rows. This allows you to increase the yield collected from 1 sq.m. The compact shape of the bush and medium-sized leaves make it possible to reduce the distances between the bushes and use a planting pattern of 25 x 30 cm.

You can plant using the two-line method, leaving 50 cm between the lines. If desired, you can make another tape next to it, 60 cm away from the first. The holes must be moistened and have a depth of at least 25 cm. You should also add 2 tbsp to each. spoons of ash.

Features of caring for marshmallow strawberries

Next, we will consider in detail the features of care.

Watering

It is difficult to get a good strawberry harvest without plenty of watering. The variety is relatively drought-resistant, so you will have to work hard.

Watering in hot weather should be done every other day, in cloudy weather - 2 times a week. In August, when the “zephyr” lays flower buds, you need to water as much as possible. Drought during this period will reduce next year's harvest.

Top dressing

During the growing season, marshmallow strawberries are fed three times:

1. In spring after the first green leaves appear.
2. In summer at the beginning of flowering.
3. In the fall after pruning.

In spring, the main emphasis is on nitrogen. But with “marshmallows” you can’t overdo it, because... This variety is not distinguished by large leaves, and due to overfeeding, they will grow to the detriment of flowering.

In summer and autumn, phosphorus and potassium are needed. They will provide the berries with sweetness and the roots with extra power.

Useful video about caring for strawberries

Weeding and loosening

Zephyr strawberries do not tolerate weeds near them. They have a depressing effect on seedlings. Weeding is necessary at least once a week, especially in the spring, when weeds are simply raging in our beds.

Loosening is an equally important technique. After prolonged rains or heavy watering, the soil becomes compacted and the roots do not receive enough moisture. Loosening will make oxygen available to the lower layers of the soil.

Reproduction

During the season, a marshmallow strawberry bush can produce up to 20 shoots. Each shoot produces more than one outlet.

You only need to take the first one for propagation; it is the one that will produce well-developed seedlings in the future.

Transfer

Transplantation to a new place is done after three years of fruiting. There is no point in growing marshmallow strawberries in the same beds for longer - the yield will decrease. Transplantation is carried out in the fall.

Trimming

Pruning serves to prevent the development of diseases and thickening of bushes. For marshmallow strawberries, it is carried out twice per season:

• In the spring, when several new green leaves appear, the old ones are removed.
• In autumn, when almost all the leaves are cut off, only 2–3 are left growing from the center of the rosette.

Mulching

Mulching helps protect the berries from contamination and infection from the soil by gray rot. “Zephyr” needs to be mulched carefully, using a small layer of mulch, so that the compact bushes receive light and air in the required volumes.

Straw, spunbond, garden chips, pine needles, sawdust and shavings are suitable for mulching.

Preparing for winter

Preparation for winter includes covering the bushes with straw, spruce branches, corn stalks or covering material. Air access to the plant should not be completely blocked, otherwise the bushes may begin to rot.

Pests and diseases

Common pests that live on strawberries
Pests of strawberries are strawberry and spider mites, weevils, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, nematodes. Spider mites especially love marshmallows.

For prevention, at the beginning of spring I apply a soap-oil emulsion treatment. You need to take 100 g of laundry soap, 100 ml of any vegetable oil and dissolve in 1 liter of warm water. The leaves should be treated carefully on all sides with the resulting solution.

Zephyr strawberries are well protected by their immunity from powdery mildew, white and brown spot.

If strawberries are planted next to potatoes, they need to be treated against late blight 2-3 times a season for prevention. Suitable products for this include Gliocladin, Trichodermin, Trichocin or Planriz (use according to instructions).

Possible problems

The “marshmallow” variety sometimes receives not very flattering reviews. As a rule, the matter is due to improper care or inappropriate conditions:

• Strawberries “zephyr” do not produce fruits in the first year of cultivation or they are small and tasteless. A possible reason is planting seedlings in spring in poorly heated soil. The seedling did not receive normal root development and did not produce flowering or fruit because of this. Feeding with phosphorus fertilizers can correct the situation.
• The berries are not sweet enough. Most likely, the matter is in neglecting potassium feeding. This macroelement ensures the accumulation of sugary substances in the pulp of the fruit.
• Productivity is low. Unfortunately, there are no precisely verified characteristics of this variety. Yield is usually determined as 1 kg per bush. This is a good yield, considering the small size of the bush. Only by observing all agrotechnical measures can one hope for a large number of beautiful large berries.

Zephyr strawberries can be grown for sale on private farms or in industrial greenhouses and produce good yields, also justifying their name. It is unpretentious, produces fruits of high commercial quality, and its early ripening period makes it very profitable.

Flaws

The disadvantages of the variety include:

• intensive whisker formation (up to 20 whiskers per bush). On the one hand, it allows you to propagate the variety without problems, obtaining a large number of stepsons. On the other hand, it leads to thickening of plantings and rapid depletion of the plant’s strength. Therefore, unnecessary mustaches must be constantly trimmed, preventing the formation of the first daughter rosettes, and the plantings must be renewed at least every 3-4 years;
• susceptibility to damage by the strawberry mite.

The “Zephyr” variety is perfect for cultivation in protected soil, including on an industrial scale