Monterey strawberries, variety description, photo
Characteristics of Monterey strawberries:
- The variety is neutral, mid-early. The first harvest occurs in mid-May, the beginning of June, and the fruiting period ends in October.
- The berries are red, the flesh is sweet and juicy. The berry is hard on the outside, so it can be transported without damage. The shape of the fruit is biconic. Berry weight is from 30 to 35 grams.
- The bush produces a minimum of seven and a maximum of fourteen flower stalks, each of them fertile.
- The bushes are deciduous and powerful.
- The leaves are green with a beautiful shine.
- With proper agricultural technology, the fertility from one bush is two kilograms.
In one season, the crop can be harvested four times. Maturation occurs quickly. The second harvest is superior in taste to the first, the berries are sweeter and have a delicate texture.
It is unacceptable to thicken the greenery, since all the energy will be spent on the growth of the bush, and not on the formation of fruits.
The variety does not require special agrotechnical skills, but with proper care it will give a positive result, delighting the owner with a large harvest.
Reviews
Arina, 38 years old, Bendery
I've heard a lot of praise about Albion strawberries before, and recently I found out that there is an improved version - Monterey. Although this is a variety of Californian origin, where a subtropical climate prevails, it is not too capricious. It has proven itself to be quite winter-hardy and has calmly withstood frosts in spring and autumn. In summer, it responded to drought less than other remontant varieties and practically did not slow down its fruiting. We started picking berries from the first days of summer, and finished in late autumn. Of course, the early and late ones are not as sweet and aromatic as at the height of summer, but they are still very pleasant to taste. The consistency is moderately dense and juicy, and does not fall apart during cooking. It makes excellent jam and compotes. I was pleased with the yield - almost a kilogram of berries was harvested from each bush during the season. It was enough to eat and do all the winter preparations.
Semyon, 57 years old, Oryol region.
I was not impressed with American strawberry varieties. Of course, they win in terms of productivity and appearance of berries, but it only makes sense to grow them for sale. For example, “Monterey” has berries just like in the picture, neat, clean, even, almost all of the same large size. But the taste is very mediocre, and the aroma is not special. Constantly bearing bushes also require regular care. Plants use up their strength in 2-3 years, then it is better to renew the plantings. In general, such varieties are not very suitable for beginners or “lazy” gardeners like me.
Features of the variety, pros and cons
The Monterey variety differs from other types of strawberries in its cultivation method. A larger area is allocated than in other cases, since the bushes quickly grow and become strong and powerful. By making large distances between bushes in advance, you can avoid crowding.
This strawberry has many positive qualities, here are some of them:
- high yield;
- tender, sweet berries, which at the same time have a hard shell;
- fruits retain a presentable appearance for a long period and are suitable for long-term transportation;
- the shape of the berries is preserved when frozen, after defrosting the fruits are just as elastic and juicy;
- taste qualities do not depend on the amount of moisture;
- there is no excessive amount of whiskers, so there is no need to remove them;
- berries are used at home and in industrial conditions
The list of shortcomings is short:
- if the bushes are allowed to become dense, the plant dies;
- In hot climates, the berry turns red ahead of time and does not have time to gain the required weight.
- poor frost resistance.
- Rejuvenation of plantings is required annually; every two to three years it is advisable to replant the strawberries to a new area.
If you read consumer reviews, you can often hear positive statements.
We invite you to watch an interesting video about Monterey strawberries:
Protection from pests and diseases
As noted, the Monterey variety has strong immunity and is able to perfectly resist such ailments as late blight, verticillium wilt, and brown spot. However, under unfavorable climate conditions, it is quite often affected by powdery mildew, which, in the absence of proper therapeutic measures, can provoke the death of the entire strawberry plantation.
Powdery mildew on strawberries usually appears in the first ten days of May. To eliminate the disease, special chemicals are used, which are sprayed on the bushes after the infected areas are completely destroyed. Among the pests, the plant is most often affected by the nematode. Treatment of crops with broad-spectrum insecticidal preparations is considered effective methods of pest control.
To prevent the appearance of the parasite, folk remedies are used:
- Before planting seedlings, I spray the soil with a concentrated salt solution - 5 tbsp per 5 liters of water. l. salt;
- In spring, the bushes are sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Did you know? The world's largest strawberry was grown in 1983 in the city of Rolkestone, USA. The weight of the berry was 231 g, but its taste was far from ideal: it was watery and very sour.
Effective preventive measures against parasites and diseases are:
- regular loosening and mulching of the soil;
- destruction of weeds and vegetation in the garden;
- compliance with crop rotation;
- preventive spraying of bushes.
Where to buy Monterey strawberry seedlings
You can purchase high-quality seedlings at a specialized gardening store. The main thing is to make sure when purchasing that the plant is healthy, the roots should be at least six centimeters long, and the leaves should not be deformed.
You can also buy seedlings online, collaborating with organizations that have certificates. The consultant is obliged to provide all the information of interest and answer all questions. You should not pay for the goods until they are delivered. as a buyer, do not make sure of its integrity.
Planting and growing
Obviously, for a good harvest you need, firstly, to plant strawberries correctly, and secondly, to properly care for them.
Tips for planting remontant strawberries
When choosing a site for strawberries, it is important to remember:
- the plant needs good lighting;
- Strawberries do not tolerate stagnation of moisture - groundwater should be no higher than 1 m from the soil surface. If conditions do not allow you to choose a suitable site, you need to prepare beds 25–30 cm high and 70–80 cm wide for planting;
- It is preferable to plant the variety on cultivated sandy or loamy soils rich in nutrients and moisture. In general, strawberries can grow on clay and sandy soils - with proper watering;
- the soil reaction should be neutral or slightly acidic. If the pH is too low, you can use dolomite (0.4–0.6 kg/m2) or crushed limestone (0.55–0.65 kg/m2). The area for planting remontant strawberries must be level;
- The area planned for planting must first be cleared of weeds, add 9–10 kg of humus, 100–120 g of potassium salts, 70–80 g of superphosphate, and then dig up to the depth of a spade bayonet. All soil preparation work must be completed 1–1.5 months before planting.
It is better to grow Monterey not in bushes, but in rows, so that a new row can be formed from the mustache
Seedlings should be selected with healthy, undeformed leaves and well-developed roots at least 6–7 cm long. If seedlings with an open root system are purchased, you need to dig them into moist soil, then plant them in open ground - no later than 2 days after purchase.
The distance between plants should be at least 35–40 cm, and between rows - at least 50 cm.
The length of the roots of seedlings should be at least 6–7 cm
- Inspect the plants, separate weak and poorly developed ones. Trim roots that are too long to 8–10 cm.
- Prepare holes large enough to accommodate the roots; pour 250–300 ml of warm water into each hole.
- Place the plants in the holes, straighten the roots, cover with soil and compact with your hands. When planting strawberries, you cannot cover the growing point (the heart) with soil, otherwise the plant will die.
- Water the plantings and mulch the soil with sawdust or straw.
It is better to choose a cloudy day for planting, and if forced to plant in the heat, shade the plant for several days with straw or non-woven covering material.
Monterey Strawberry Care
If remontant strawberries begin to bloom in the year of planting, it is better to remove all flower stalks so that the plants take root better.
In the first year, it is advisable to feed Monterey with mullein solution along pre-cut grooves at the rate of 1 bucket per 5 meters. Then the furrows are closed and watered. Fertilizer is applied in June.
Before the ovary or before flowering, apply foliar feeding with Master, Kedall, and Rostconcentrate.
You can choose any covering material for a garden bed with strawberries, for example, spunbond, which will protect the plant from weeds in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
From the second year after planting, remontant strawberries are fertilized several times during the season:
- in the spring, when the leaves begin to grow, apply nitrophoska, nitroammofoska or other complex fertilizer (50–60 g/m2);
- in the second ten days of June, fertilizing with liquid organic matter is carried out (as in the first year);
- the third feeding is carried out before the start of the second wave of fruiting, at the end of July: 10 g of ammonium nitrate, 10–15 g of double superphosphate and 60–70 g of wood ash per 1 m2.
The soil needs to be regularly weeded and loosened to a depth of 8–10 cm in rows and 2–3 cm near bushes.
It is best to water Monterey strawberries using a drip system, and introduce fertilizing through it.
Every spring, as soon as the snow melts, you should remove debris and old mulch from the bushes, free the hearts covered with soil, remove old leaves with a sharp knife (secateurs), and sprinkle the exposed roots with soil.
The variety bred in California needs shelter for the winter - this can be mulch, spandbond or a greenhouse made of arcs.
How to plant correctly, soil preparation, fertilizers
The growing process should be approached with all responsibility; further fruiting depends on the chosen area and soil.
Operating principle:
- The area should be well lit.
- Landing on site is not allowed if there is groundwater close to the surface. The root system will die from stagnation of moisture.
- The height of the bed is at least 25 cm, and the width ranges from 70 to 80 cm.
- As a soil, it is preferable to choose loamy and sandy soil, saturated with moisture and nutrients. If it is not possible to plant on such soil, sandy and clayey soils are acceptable. However, in this case, the soil must have high acidity levels and be properly watered.
- To increase acidity, crushed limestone and dolomite are added to the soil.
- The soil is cleared of weeds, then one hundred and twenty grams of potassium salts, ten kilograms of humus, seventy to eighty grams of superphosphate are introduced, and everything is dug up. It is advisable to complete the preparations one and a half months before the landing.
- During planting, it is necessary to inspect the seedlings and discard those that are weak or have a poor root system. Trim long roots to 8 cm.
- Make shallow holes and pour three hundred milligrams of warm water into each of them. The depth of the hole should correspond to the length of the root.
- The roots are straightened and covered, lightly compacted with your hands. The main thing is not to fill the core of the bush, this will lead to the death of the seedling.
- The distance should be at least forty centimeters, the distance between rows should be from fifty centimeters.
The soil is watered and mulched with straw or sawdust.
The planting is complete, now it's all about maintenance.
Features of cultivation
Monterey strawberries can be grown in a variety of climates, from the far north to the southern regions. You can grow a culture quite quickly. Monterey is propagated by seeds, tendrils and division of the bush. If you use seeds, fruiting will occur only after a year. Other options contribute to harvesting already in the current season. The easiest way to propagate Monterey is by dividing the bush. However, many gardeners prefer to receive new seedlings through creeping shoots - tendrils, of which Monterey does not have many, but they are distinguished by their strength and good survival rate. Rosettes quickly appear on the mustache and take root easily—they are used for planting.
Only the healthiest, strongest, tallest and cleanest bushes are suitable for propagation. You can purchase mother plants from a nursery, which can guarantee the purity of the seedlings. Monterey strawberries produce a good harvest for 2-3 years, then the planting material needs to be renewed.
Strawberries are planted in early spring or autumn. For the middle zone, the optimal time is from August 15 to September 15. Strawberry seedlings are taken only from healthy bushes that are no more than three years old. Only one-year-old seedlings (obtained from mustaches) with a well-developed rhizome are suitable for planting.
If you decide to purchase seedlings from a nursery rather than grow them yourself, then it is preferable to buy seedlings with a closed root system. Roots that are constantly exposed to the open air may dry out - this is unproductive planting material. After purchase, the bushes are immediately placed in moist soil (peat) before planting, so that the roots do not have time to dry out. Plants must be carefully protected from direct sunlight. It is better for it to settle in a shaded, warm place and receive plenty of moisture. Wilted seedlings do not take root well.
Site preparation and planting
Strawberries in home gardens are grown, as a rule, without beds, on level ground. If groundwater flows close to the surface, the crop is planted on ridges. Strawberry bushes penetrate their roots deep into the soil and develop well and bear fruit only on loose and deeply cultivated podzolic soils.
The soil is processed and fertilized in advance, 2-3 weeks before planting, so that the nutrients have time to be evenly distributed in the soil. When digging a site deeply, organic and mineral compounds are added to the soil. Per one square meter, add 4-6 kilograms of manure or compost, 60 grams of superphosphate and 30 grams of potassium salt. After digging, the soil surface is leveled with a rake so that there are no lumps or grass debris left.
For ridgeless cultivation, the two-line planting method is common. The distance between the ribbons is 60 centimeters, and between the lines in the ribbon is 30 centimeters. Leave 50-60 centimeters between rows. Plant along a cord, pulling it parallel to the long side of the plot. Seedlings are planted using a shovel - they dig a hole with it, lower the roots into it, straighten them so that they do not curl or bend upward
It is important to plant the plant at the correct depth. Planting too deeply leads to disease and death of the bush. When planted high, when the roots are exposed, the plants suffer from drying out and freeze in winter
The soil should be pressed well and firmly at the base of the stem - this will contribute to better survival of the plant
When planted high, when the roots are exposed, the plants suffer from drying out and freeze in winter. The soil should be pressed well and tightly at the base of the stem - this will contribute to better survival of the plant.
Attention: when planting strawberry plants, you need to make sure that the heart is not covered with soil, but is at the level of the soil surface. After planting, the bushes are watered abundantly, spending 1-2 liters of water per plant.
In dry weather, water the beds several times until the seedlings take root.
After planting, the bushes are watered abundantly, spending 1-2 liters of water per plant. In dry weather, water the beds several times until the seedlings take root.
Basic care recommendations: watering, fertilizing
Care includes the following manipulations.
Loosening the soil | This manipulation helps the penetration of air into the soil to the root system. Loosening promotes proper plant growth. |
Watering | Monterey strawberries like regular watering, especially if the temperature outside is high. Thanks to the large amount of liquid, the strawberries become juicy. |
Introduction of fertilizers | Organic and mineral substances are used as fertilizing. Feeding and soil enrichment are also carried out regularly. Substances that are necessary for the growth of the berry are introduced monthly. |
Getting rid of weeds | Weeding is carried out regularly after watering. If you do not weed and remove weeds, the soil becomes depleted, resulting in small fruits. |
Protecting bushes from the sun | You can cover the plants with agrofibre on top or use straw as mulching. |
Eliminate pests and diseases | Although the variety is not susceptible to insect attacks, it is still recommended to regularly inspect the foliage in order to promptly eliminate parasites or detect the first signs of disease |
If you do not follow these recommendations, this will negatively affect the yield and taste of the product.
Agrotechnical recommendations
"Monterey" is called a promising commercial variety that requires care. Its potential is manifested with stable watering, complete fertilizing with organic and complex mineral fertilizers, and preventive treatments against diseases and pests.
Planting material for this variety is offered by many domestic and foreign manufacturers.
The variety is propagated mainly using daughter rosettes. The resulting seedlings take root well and quickly. When planting them, it is important to leave sufficient distance between plants (35-40 cm in rows and 50-60 cm between rows), given the large size of the bushes. "Monterey" does not respond well to thickened plantings and shading. Despite the increased (compared to other American varieties) frost resistance of this strawberry, experts advise making winter shelter for the bushes from spruce branches or other organic mulch, spunbond. If the spring turns out to be cold, then to speed up fruiting, arcs are installed over the beds, on which film or agro-fabric is stretched.
Productivity
With proper care and good climatic conditions, Monterey strawberries produce a high-quality and high yield.
The great advantage of this variety is that it bears fruit 4 times per season. The second wave is particularly productive. Approximately five hundred grams of ripe berries are collected from the bush. Up to ten berries ripen simultaneously on each bush.
If you grow plants in a greenhouse, then it is possible to obtain a harvest throughout the year.
The main thing in this matter is to maintain the same temperature and lighting conditions. If the temperature is above normal, the strawberries will ripen, but will not gain much weight.
Let's watch an interesting video:
Harvest and storage
Monterey berries are harvested up to four times a season, starting in May and ending in October. The fruiting time of the crop is 10–14 days. Strawberries are removed as they ripen by hand, tearing them off along with the stalks. It is better to harvest in the morning or evening, since in sunny weather the berries lose their strength and become lethargic.
The collected berries are sorted, rotten, wrinkled and damaged ones are discarded. Dense ripe fruits are placed in wooden containers in several rows. Since strawberries have a fairly dense structure, they do not lose their presentation, do not leak juice or become deformed. Store the harvest at a temperature of 0...+5°C in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Monterey strawberries, despite some capriciousness in care, are great for both experienced gardeners and beginners. The variety consistently bears fruit even in poor climatic conditions, is characterized by strong immunity, and with proper implementation of basic agrotechnical techniques, it can please you with a decent harvest of juicy, healthy and aesthetically attractive berries.
Reproduction methods
Strawberries reproduce in several ways:
- dividing the bush;
- seeds;
- daughter sockets.
Of these methods, the most common is propagation by seeds. The only drawback of this method is that a seedling grown from a seed does not produce a harvest in the first year of life.
Reproduction by antennae or daughter rosettes gives good results. The bushes turn out healthy and strong, fruiting occurs in the same year. This method is not as popular as the first one, because the strawberries form a small amount of whiskers.
To ensure that the seedlings take root well, they are covered with cassettes or plastic cups. The survival rate is one hundred percent.
Positive and negative aspects of garden strawberries
Monterey is a proven variety of remontant garden strawberry, suitable for commercial cultivation. The variety tolerates the mistakes of novice gardeners, but requires care and adherence to agricultural technology.
The main benefits of strawberries include:
- Winter hardiness: the berries do not require additional shelter during the cold season (if the air temperature does not drop below -25 C); it is enough to sprinkle the bushes with organic mulch.
- It is undemanding to watering; even with sudden changes in humidity levels, the fruits remain juicy.
- Can set flower buds at a temperature of +2 C.
- Forms a moderate number of stepsons.
- Excellent transportability of ripe harvest.
- The seedlings quickly take root and do not get sick.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- Plant requirements for soil: Monterey does not tolerate sandy soils or loam.
- A light-loving plant that does not tolerate shade or partial shade.
- The bushes grow quickly; it is necessary to maintain rows when planting seedlings and the distance between the bushes.
- In order not to reduce the yield, it is necessary to frequently renew the plantings.
Monterey is genetically resistant to major strawberry diseases. The plant responds well to fertilizing. With regular fertilization, it reaches its full potential.
See also
The nuances of propagating strawberries by dividing the bush, the rules for transplanting in AugustRead
Reviews from gardeners about Monterey strawberries on forums
Anyuta reports: I have been growing the Monterey variety in my garden for several years. The strawberry is very tasty and sweet, the flesh is tender and aromatic. There was a lot of rain this season, so there was a slight sourness, but this did not spoil the taste. Gives a bountiful harvest.
Katya shares her impressions on the forum for summer residents: Monterey strawberries are attractive in appearance and pleasant in taste. The fruits are sweet and large when well watered. I followed all the care recommendations, there were no shortcomings. I will point out two advantages: good yield and transportability.
So, Monterey strawberries are a unique variety; thanks to good care, the plant is able to bear fruit all summer long, and in greenhouses all year round.
An important condition when growing is to avoid crowding and plant seedlings at a large distance from each other.
Origin and official registration
The Monterey variety was bred in 2001–2002 by specialists from the University of California (USA), officially registered as a trademark, and has an American patent (PP19767, 2009). It is called an improved version of “Albion” (obtained as a result of crossing with the subspecies Cal 97.85-6), superior to its popular “parent” in terms of yield (the gross yield is 35% higher) and the commercial qualities of the berries.
Compared to "Albion", the berries of the "Monterey" variety are larger in size and have a delicate (not crunchy) pulp texture
There is no information about the variety in the State Register of the Russian Federation yet, but in 2014 it was included in the Belarusian register as approved for cultivation throughout the country. “Monterey” is undemanding to soil types, successfully adapts to the continental climate: winter-hardy, relatively resistant to drought, spring and autumn frosts, and therefore provides high marketable yields in open ground. The variety shows excellent results when cultivated in greenhouses and even at home, where it can bear fruit all year round.
Characteristics of the variety
Monterey strawberry is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by great vigor. Strawberry bushes are powerful, bloom profusely, with large, wavy edges, bright green leaves. During the growing season, each plant is capable of producing up to 14 peduncles, which in turn will produce up to several dozen fruits. Due to their bulk, plants require a lot of personal space, so Monterey bushes must be planted at a considerable distance from each other.
The variety has an average fruit ripening period. The bushes begin to bloom from the end of May and continue to form a harvest until mid-September. The plants bloom with large white inflorescences. Monterey is a remontant variety, that is, capable of producing several waves of harvest per season.
The Monterey variety is recognized all over the world thanks to its fruits. The resulting berries have excellent characteristics - they are large (up to 30 grams), have seductive shapes, with a rich dark red color, and glossy. Of particular note is the elastic, dense skin, which does not wrinkle when pressed and is not damaged during transportation. But Monterey strawberries are most famous for the taste of the berries, which are rated “5”. This dietary product has a balanced taste. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, aromatic. A sweet aftertaste remains in the mouth after consumption.
With proper care, Monterey plants bear fruit abundantly and for a long time. Each bush bears 20-30 berries, the total weight of which can reach 0.5 kilograms. The peculiarity of the variety is that in just one summer you can harvest up to four harvests of delicious strawberries. It is noted that the sweetest berry is formed during the second wave of fruiting. The fruiting period lasts 10-12 days. The collection of ripe berries is carried out every three days. If you cultivate this crop in a greenhouse, you can enjoy delicious berries almost all year round.
The maternal varietal pair awarded Monterey with special vitality. Plants are able to take root well in any climate zone and endure troubles associated with bad weather. They rarely get sick or are affected by pests. Only powdery mildew can be a serious obstacle to a bountiful harvest, but this disease can be resisted by applying preventive measures. The first two years the bushes have the highest productivity. Then the number of fruits decreases sharply. Their sizes are also becoming smaller.
The Monterey variety is chosen, first of all, for its many advantages, which are incomparable with other similar varieties.
Advantages of the variety
- large berries;
- excellent sweet juicy taste of fruits;
- the ability to harvest several times per season;
- the dense structure of the skin prevents the fruit from deteriorating for a long time;
- the variety practically does not suffer from diseases;
- resilient plants can tolerate unfavorable climatic conditions;
- bushes are not demanding to care for;
- berries can be eaten fresh, frozen, processed, used as a filling for pies - in any case, their taste will remain unchanged;
- Fruiting can be extended by growing strawberries in a greenhouse or at home.
Monterey has virtually no disadvantages. There are just a few recommendations that will help in growing this variety:
- The variety has average winter hardiness, so plantings must be carefully covered during the winter. If the seedlings were grown in the fall, then it is better to keep them at home until spring planting;
- As was said, strawberries at elevated temperatures ripen faster than they gain weight. Therefore, on too hot days it is recommended to shade it with a stretched awning;
- For Monterey strawberry crops, you should select a large, well-lit area. Living in close proximity, strawberry bushes are quickly affected by diseases and set fruit worse.
Care
Caring for strawberries involves loosening the soil around the bushes, fertilizing the soil, watering and removing weeds. Insufficient loosening of the soil reduces crop yield, size and quality of berries. In the spring, during the first treatment of the site, deep loosening of row spacing is carried out to a depth of 8 centimeters. Under the bushes they loosen to a depth of 5-6 centimeters. During the summer period, loosening is carried out on average 4-5 times, but without deepening the hoe too much. Simultaneously with loosening, the exposed roots of strawberry bushes are also hilled up with soil.
In dry summers, regular watering is carried out. Frequent water procedures are not necessary. But you also shouldn’t let plants stand in dry soil. If there is a lack of moisture in the soil, the fruits are small and not as juicy and sweet as they should be. It is enough to water the strawberry plantings once every 10 days. Drip irrigation is best suited for the crop - this way the water will not affect the leaves and fruits, which means that the bushes will not be affected by fungal and rotten diseases. It is recommended to irrigate along furrows made in the middle of the rows. The most important periods of watering are the beginning of flowering, the period of ripening of berries and after harvesting.
The emerging tendrils quickly take root and greatly thicken the plantings. If there are no plans for further propagation of strawberries, then the mustache should be removed annually. This procedure is usually performed several times in a row after harvesting. Well, for propagation they leave mustaches only on highly productive mother bushes.
You may be interested in: Favorable days for planting strawberries in August and September 2022 according to the lunar calendar. Dates for planting strawberry seeds for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2022. After what crops are strawberries planted in spring and autumn
Monterey plants respond well to various fertilizers. There are favorable periods for applying fertilizer, which give the most productive results. This is the application of fertilizers in the fall or early spring when cultivating the site, and in addition, feeding the bushes immediately after harvesting. Feeding fertilized plants has an important mission in the life of strawberries, since it is during this period that the plants form flower buds and prepare for wintering.
Old manure (humus) or compost is applied when digging the ground deeply every year. It is good to use liquid fertilizer from a solution of bird droppings. It is recommended to apply fertilizers into shallow grooves between planting rows, and then, after absorption, cover them with soil. In addition to organic fertilizers, plants need to receive a complex of minerals. Mineral supplements consist of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt. Fertilizers are applied to a depth of 15-20 centimeters between the lines of the tape.
After flowering, it will significantly reduce the risk of berries being damaged by various diseases and the mulching of the ground under the bushes being contaminated with straw. In addition, mulch perfectly protects the soil from overheating, as it retains moisture for a long time and prevents weeds from multiplying.
Even in the southern regions, not to mention regions with harsh winters, strawberry plantings should be securely covered for the winter. The best protection against freezing of bushes is straw, tree leaves, and peat. The top of the mulch can be covered with spunbond.
Tip: In northern regions, Monterey strawberries are best grown in a greenhouse.
Monterey does not like direct light. When exposed to intense ultraviolet light, the leaves curl and dry out. It is better for the bushes to be in light partial shade. For these purposes, white fiber awnings are used.
Consumer qualities of berries
The berries are large in size, weighing on average about 30 g, very even in size and shape - cone-shaped, short (options: biconical, slightly flattened symmetrical, sometimes double). The fruits are bright red outside and inside; when fully ripe, they acquire a dark shade (burgundy or cherry), with a slight shine. The seeds are yellow (sometimes dark red), located on the surface or slightly embedded in the pulp.
In appearance, Monterey strawberries (pictured) are similar to Albion, but their flesh is noticeably darker in color and more aromatic
Most gardeners rate the taste as excellent: balanced, richly sweet with little noticeable sourness, pronounced aroma. According to the originator, the taste is good – 3.4 points (out of 5).
Despite the delicate and juicy texture of the pulp, the berries are quite dense, so they are not damaged during harvesting (tear type - dry) and transportation, and retain their shape well during processing and freezing. They are considered universal for culinary purposes. The yield of a variety depends on many parameters, but on average 0.5-1 kg is obtained from a bush per season, and the maximum is about 2 kg.
With a high level of agricultural technology, the harvest can reach 2-2.5 kg of berries per bush per season
Pest Control
This is a dangerous disease and, if measures are not taken in a timely manner, can destroy the entire plot of strawberries. To prevent the spread of powdery mildew, it is necessary to pick off all affected berries, stems or leaves. The disease can infect the soil, so it is recommended to remove the top layer. To eliminate the disease, chemicals are used - the plantings are sprayed.
To prevent the entire strawberry plot from dying, it is imperative to get rid of powdery mildew.
The nematode is considered an equally dangerous pest. It can also be eliminated by spraying with chemicals. For preventive purposes, disinfect the soil before planting. To do this, take five tablespoons of table salt and dissolve it in five liters of water.
Disinfect seedlings too - apply Bordeaux mixture to small leaves. Do not plan to plant near a potato field.