A gardener who decides to grow garden strawberries tries to choose a variety that is distinguished by an early and abundant harvest, good immunity and unpretentiousness. Of course, choosing a plant is not so easy; you need to know the description, characteristics and see a photo with strawberries. No less important are the reviews of gardeners who are seriously involved in cultivation.
The article will present Lambada strawberries in all their glory. This is an Italian variety that was discovered in 1982. Russians grow strawberries or garden strawberries not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses. Having learned the characteristics of bushes and berries, gardeners will be able to make a choice.
History, description and characteristics of Lambada strawberries
Strawberries of the Lambada variety were created by breeders from the Netherlands in 1982.
By crossing hybrid forms, a large-fruited line was obtained, which became very popular in Russia. The variety is not remontant, early ripening, and begins to bear fruit, depending on the weather, already in the first ten days of May. Productivity is average, can reach 2 kg per season from one bush.
Lambada is quite unpretentious, grows and bears fruit well in greenhouses and in open ground. The bushes are spreading and quite tall; as they grow, they produce a large number of tendrils. The leaves are large, bright green, but there are not very many of them.
The fruits grow large, weighing from 20 to 40 grams, and are easy to collect. The consistency of the berries is dense and perfect for canning. Sugar content is significantly higher than other varieties. The berries are sweet, with a pronounced strawberry aroma. But the collected fruits are poorly stored, so they need to be processed as soon as possible.
The berry bush grows in one place without damage to fruiting for 4 years. The maximum harvest can be harvested in the second year.
Strawberries of this variety are not subject to rot or verticillium wilt. But due to unfavorable weather conditions, it can be affected by powdery mildew.
The Lambada variety has a large number of advantages:
- resistant to severe frosts;
- bears fruit for a long time;
- brings a large harvest even with thickened plantings;
- resistant to a large number of diseases;
- has high taste levels;
- quite undemanding to care;
- berries of universal use.
One of the disadvantages is that the berries are not stored for a long time and do not tolerate transportation. Since strawberries have many more advantages than disadvantages, gardeners often choose this variety for an early harvest.
Reviews from gardeners about the variety
Olga, 32 years old, Novosibirsk
“This variety grows in my garden bed. I can’t name any disadvantages; it tolerates cold well, begins to bear fruit early and produces a large amount of harvest. Sometimes I collected more than a kilogram from one bush in one season.”
Nikolay, 41 years old, Rostov-on-Don
“A strawberry variety for those who don’t want to bother. Easy to care for, the most important thing is to maintain systematic watering, because Lambada does not tolerate drought.”
Author of the article
Graduated from the Kherson Economics and Law Institute. Since 2008, he has been growing berries and seedlings of raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Now he is the owner of a small nursery “Zarechye Plant”.
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Description of the variety
Strawberry Lambada is a representative of very early varieties of garden berries. Fruiting, depending on the growing region, begins in the middle or late May. The plant is easy to care for and does not require daily attention.
Garden strawberry bushes are tall and spreading. Unlike other varieties of strawberries, there are few leaves. They are bright green. Strawberry flower stalks are powerful and tall. The flowering is abundant, which often surprises gardeners who are growing the Lambada variety of garden strawberries for the first time. Just look at the photo, how large the snow-white flowers are with yellow centers. They attract bees.
The berries are large, the average weight of each is about 40 grams. The shape of the fruit is round-conical, not always the same. Ripe strawberries turn bright red.
Important! Collecting such large fruits is a real pleasure.
Exactly the same color and strawberry pulp. There are no voids or white inclusions on the cut. The berries taste sweet, almost without sourness. The aroma of the fruits of the Lambada variety is truly strawberry.
Site selection and soil preparation
Although Lambada strawberries are unpretentious, you should pay attention to the choice of planting location. Professional gardeners recommend avoiding shaded areas
The Lambada variety grows better in areas well lit by the sun and protected from the wind.
A good harvest is obtained if loamy soils with a neutral or slightly acidic composition are selected for the crop. If desired, you can grow Lambada strawberries on any soil. This is ensured if nutrients are added. Good growth is observed when choosing light, breathable soils.
It should be borne in mind that on lands that have a significant percentage of salt in their composition, a slowdown in plant growth is observed.
How to prepare the soil for planting? The soil for strawberries should be rich in organic matter. The plant grows best on light loamy or sandy loam soil. Chernozem and gray forest soil are also excellent for growing. It is not advisable to plant strawberries on clay soil. More details
Characteristic
According to the description, reviews from gardeners and photos presented in the article, the Lambada strawberry variety has many advantages.
pros
- Precocity. The fruits ripen early, they are all almost the same size, flowering and fruiting are extended.
- Versatility of use. The fruits of this variety are tasty not only when eaten fresh. Compotes, preserves, and jams are prepared from strawberries. Frozen strawberries are stored well, without losing their beneficial and flavorful properties.
- Frost resistance. Plants can withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees without complete shelter. When grown in harsher conditions, strawberries must be “wrapped.”
- Disease resistance. The garden strawberry variety with the sonorous name Lambada has good immunity. In particular, it practically does not suffer from vertelicillium wilt, heart rot, brown rot and white spot.
- Productivity. This figure is not so high, but strawberries are still valued by gardeners for their excellent taste and large fruits, which significantly reduces labor costs during harvesting.
- Reproduction. It is not difficult to obtain new strawberry bushes to fill the plantation, since a lot of runners are formed.
Warning! According to the description and reviews, strawberries of the Lambada variety should be watered sparingly, since high soil moisture can provoke the development of powdery mildew.
Minuses
There are some drawbacks, albeit minor ones, which is why gardeners are not going to give up strawberries of Italian selection over so many years of cultivation, even in defiance of newfangled varieties and hybrids.
What can be attributed to the disadvantages:
- The Lambada variety is poorly stored, and transporting the berries is difficult: the presentation is lost. That is why the berries need to be processed as quickly as possible.
- The presence of a large number of whiskers makes care a little more difficult, since they have to be constantly torn off during the growing season. Although such growth is valuable for reproduction.
Diseases and pests
Lambada strawberries have a fairly high immunity, so the bushes practically do not get sick:
- verticillium wilt;
- heart rot;
- brown rot;
- brown spotting.
However, the resistance to powdery mildew of this variety is below average. Therefore, for preventive purposes, it is necessary to treat bushes in spring and autumn with copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture.
Landing
If planting is done in the spring, the harvest will only be the next year. Therefore, it is advisable to plant a plantation at the end of summer, so that before frost the bushes have time to grow new horns and lay flower buds.
Strawberry Lambada loves sunny, flat, fertile areas, with a groundwater depth of at least 70 cm. River sand, leaf compost or peat are added to clay soil. Poor soil is enriched with organic matter (at least a bucket of rotted manure and 200 g of ash per m2). Acidic soils are neutralized with dolomite flour (400 g/m2) or lime. Optimal acidity level for strawberries: 5.2-5.5 pH.
When planning plantings, you need to take into account that strawberries of this variety quickly thicken. The distance between the bushes is left at least 40 cm. The hearts are not buried, they are left at the same level with the ground. Also make sure that the root system is located vertically and the roots do not bend upward. The rows, for more uniform illumination, are arranged from north to south.
After abundant watering, be sure to lay out mulch of peat chips, humus, and straw on the beds. It is not recommended to use fresh sawdust for these purposes; they must rot well. Manure doesn't have to be fresh either.
Advantages and disadvantages, features, differences from other varieties
Lambada has a distinct taste and many additional benefits:
- not afraid of extreme cold;
- famous for its high yield coefficient;
- the density of planting bushes does not affect the yield;
- not susceptible to many classic strawberry diseases;
- unpretentious in care;
- berries can be used in all usual industries.
Important! The main disadvantage of the variety is that strawberries quickly deteriorate when fresh, so they are not recommended for long-distance transportation and cannot withstand long-term storage. A special feature of the Lambada strawberry is the excellent taste of the berries; otherwise, it is an ordinary early-ripening variety and cannot be called outstanding. Over the years of Lambada's existence, many domestic and foreign varieties of strawberries have appeared, making it worthy competition
The advantages of this strawberry are:
Over the years of Lambada's existence, many domestic and foreign varieties of strawberries have appeared, making it worthy competition. The advantages of this strawberry are:
A special feature of the Lambada strawberry is the excellent taste of the berries; otherwise, it is an ordinary early-ripening variety and cannot be called outstanding. Over the years of Lambada's existence, many domestic and foreign varieties of strawberries have appeared, making it worthy competition. The advantages of this strawberry are:
- early ripeness, perhaps even ultra-early ripeness;
- excellent berry taste;
- uniformity of berries in size: both in one harvest and over time;
- unpretentiousness to conditions;
- good winter hardiness provided there is snow cover;
- resistance to gray rot even with compacted planting;
- ease of reproduction.
The disadvantages are:
- poor transportability;
- short shelf life;
- insufficiently high yield;
- a large number of whiskers, making grooming difficult.
Currently, it is not difficult to find a variety that has a much higher yield and is also more frost-resistant. But there are practically no varieties of strawberries whose taste would be unequivocally and unconditionally rated 5 points.
Lambada's competitor in many respects is the Corona variety; they are often compared by gardeners, especially since it also comes from the Netherlands. The Crown has its own shortcomings and its own advantages. But both varieties are united by the exceptional dessert taste of the berries, which is why both of these old varieties are still very often grown by amateur gardeners.
Outwardly, Korona and Lambada are not exactly similar, but the berries of both are perfectly tasty
Professional agronomists and ordinary gardeners who grow fruit crops in their country houses and private gardens highlight the following positive qualities of this variety:
- the berries ripen early;
- ripe strawberries are the same size;
- the fruits are ideal for making jam, jam or tasty and healthy compote, and they are also recommended for fresh consumption;
- berries are perfectly stored in the freezer, while maintaining their taste and benefits;
- shrubs are able to tolerate frosts up to 30 degrees Celsius below zero, even without full shelter; due to this characteristic, the crop can be grown within regions with a harsh climate, but in this case it is necessary to additionally protect the plants;
- the Lambada variety has strong immunity that protects it from various diseases;
- despite the fact that the yield indicator is not only the highest, experts note stable fruiting;
- excellent gastronomic qualities;
- due to the formation of many tendrils, propagating the plant is not difficult;
- Due to the large size of the berries, the fruit harvesting process occurs quickly.
After identifying the positive qualities, it is necessary to note the weaknesses of the variety. This type has the following several disadvantages.
- The berries do not tolerate transportation well. During transportation, they lose their attractive presentation. They also quickly become unusable if stored without refrigeration.
- The formation of many mustaches acts as both an advantage and a disadvantage. They significantly complicate the process of caring for the plant. During the growing season, they should be constantly disposed of.
Growing and care
Lambada garden strawberries do not require special attention. It is enough to follow standard agricultural techniques for growing berry crops.
Watering
Water the strawberries at the roots, being careful not to touch the leaf mass. In dry, hot weather, carry out at least two waterings per week. Warm, settled rainwater has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of plants. Increased sensitivity to dampness in strawberries during fruit ripening. At this time, watering is reduced to eliminate fungal diseases.
Loosening, weed control
The crust on the ground that forms after watering must be loosened in a timely manner. At the same time as loosening, weeds are removed. The root system of strawberries is located no deeper than 12-15 cm, so loosening should not be deep, 3-4 cm is quite enough.
Adding straw or other mulch around strawberry bushes saves the gardener from exhausting weeding and loosening after each watering. In recent years, the method of mulching beds with black agrofibre has become popular.
Removing a mustache
Lambada produces a lot of mustaches. It is necessary to regularly remove excess ones. Pruning is done with a sharp tool: pruning shears or a knife.
Top dressing
Lambada garden strawberries respond to fertilizing with increased productivity and good winter hardiness. It is advisable to apply fertilizers in several stages: in early spring, during the flowering period and at the end of harvesting.
The best type of fertilizer for strawberries is organic. This can be rotted cow manure, mullein diluted 1:10, fermented bird droppings at a ratio of 1:20, or compost.
Several times a year, strawberries are watered with an infusion of wood ash. It is recommended to combine root feeding with leaf feeding. For leaf feeding, complex mineral fertilizers are used, diluting them in a concentration of 10-15 g per 10 liters. water.
Pest and disease control
Strawberries Lambada are not afraid of verticillium wilt, heart rot and gray rot. But the variety is susceptible to powdery mildew. As a preventative measure, plants are treated in spring and autumn with 1% Bordeaux mixture. Among the pests that plague strawberries of this variety are slugs and birds. Tobacco dust scattered between the rows helps against slugs.
Preparing for winter
In winter, strawberries should be fed. Dry leaves are trimmed and excess tendrils are removed. The Lambada variety is resistant to low temperatures and can withstand frost down to -30C. In regions with harsher winters, strawberries are covered with a thick layer of straw, spruce branches, peat, and thick agrofibre on low arches.
Strawberries: watering and fertilizing (video)
It is very important to prevent powdery mildew at high humidity levels. You can cope with the problem by normalizing soil watering or using fungicides. Experienced gardeners recommend using a weak solution of boric acid when watering before flowering and after harvesting. Excellent results are obtained by spraying with copper-soap emulsion or colloidal sulfur. Gardeners rate the “Lambada” variety as one of the most unpretentious, so even novice gardeners do not face any particular difficulties during cultivation.
Reproduction
Lambada garden strawberries are easy to propagate by means of tendrils. In one season, the plantation can easily be increased several times. Rosettes are rooted directly into plastic pots so as not to injure the roots when transplanting to a permanent location. The strongest seedlings are obtained from rosettes of the first order, the rest are removed immediately.
An adult bush can be divided into parts with a sharp pruner or knife, leaving several young roots on each. From one three-year-old bush, 3-4 new seedlings are obtained.
If it is not possible to get planting material, but you like the berry, you can grow a seedling from seeds. It is easy to separate them after the soaked and mashed fruits have fermented. You just have to strain them through cheesecloth. Sowing is done in February in boxes with soil. For better germination, the seeds are kept in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf for about a month before sowing (stratification). Planting of seedlings in a permanent place is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. Strawberries from seeds will bear fruit only next year.
Breeding with antennae
During the growing season, the plant produces tendrils in large quantities. As a rule, excess material is removed, since its quantity is several times greater than the required amount. Experts advise leaving uterine bushes used exclusively for propagation. The formation of “children” reduces the yield rate, taking away the strength of the bush. Rosettes can take root on their own.
To help strawberries, you can cover the soil under them or transfer them to a separate nursery for the development of the root system. Planting of tendrils begins with the arrival of autumn.
How to propagate
Lambada can be propagated both by seeds and with the help of tendrils, which it produces in sufficient quantities.
Propagation by seeds
To collect the seeds, select the largest and ripest berry, crush it and place it in water for several days. As soon as the water begins to ferment, the contents of the container are strained through gauze, from which the seeds are then selected. They are placed in a warm place to dry, then stored.
When the sowing time comes, which is in February, the seeds are taken out, first placed in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, then soaked for several hours in a solution of a growth stimulator, dried again, and then sown in a special soil prepared in advance.
Growing seedlings from seeds is quite difficult, since they do not germinate well, therefore, this method of propagation is not popular.
Reproduction by rosettes
Strawberry Lambada produces a lot of whiskers. Thanks to this, there are no problems in its reproduction. In the fall, rosettes are collected. Choose those that have roots. Before the rosettes are planted in the ground for rooting, they are kept for 15 minutes in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate, then washed thoroughly.
Appearance
Strawberries Lambada bear fruit with berries of a traditional conical shape and the usual bright red color. Most berries have a well-defined neck. The size may well be considered large, in general the appearance is quite marketable. There are a lot of yellow seeds, they are small, buried in the pulp, and do not deteriorate the appearance of the berry. Deviations from shape (for example, double berries) are rare.
In appearance, Lambada berries are the most common strawberries
