- Authors: Dutch selection
- Taste: sweet with a slight sourness
- The size: average
- Weight: up to 30 g
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 500-900 gr per bush
- Ripening terms: early
- Appointment: universal
- Description of the bush: developed, erect
- Berry color: bright red
Allegro is a strawberry that stands out for its high growth rate and yield. It should be noted the quality of the berries, thanks to which the variety has become in demand on the territory of our country.
Breeding history of the variety
To whom exactly modern gardeners should be grateful for the bred Allegro variety, history is silent. It is only known that this is a Dutch selection.
Description of the variety
The purpose of the berries is universal, that is, you can eat not only fresh, but also make compotes, jams.
After planting, the bushes rise to 25-30 cm. The plant turns out to be well developed, erect. The foliage has a dark, rich shade. Peduncles are usually longer than leaves, neat inflorescences are formed on them. On average, there are 6 to 9 of them.
What is characteristic of the described variety is the high arrangement of the berries. Very handy during collection.
The ability to formulate can be characterized as average.
Ripening terms
Allegro is one of the early varieties when it comes to ripening. Flowers appear in early May, fruits can be enjoyed in June.
Growing regions
It grows well in almost all regions of our country.
Yield
The yield is high, hence the popularity. From one bush per season, you can collect from 500 to 900 grams.
The berry ripens at the same time, so the harvest is done only once.
Berries and their taste
When the berries are fully ripe, they have a bright red hue with a characteristic glossy sheen. The shape can be described as conical. The pulp is very juicy but firm.
The size is average, the weight of each berry is up to 30 grams.
Those who have already tasted Allegro strawberries can say that their taste is sweet, there is a slight sourness.
The fruits are perfectly transported over long distances, while they retain their attractive presentation.
Growing features
To achieve the desired yield, the Allegro variety must be planted correctly. When planting seedlings, the distance between rows is at least 40 cm. Planting is done with ribbons.
This is an ideal option for a plot located in an area with return frost. The plant thrives in the open field, where it is usually grown.
The soil should be light to medium if we consider it in terms of texture. Acidity 5-6.5 pH.
Watering is essential for strawberries. When drought has been observed for a long time, the bushes are watered 3-4 times a week. In case of intermittent rains, watering is regulated as needed. Excess moisture only hurts, the berry becomes watery, does not have time to collect the required amount of sugar, and may begin to rot.
Drip irrigation is ideal for this variety. After that, it is imperative to loosen the soil around the strawberries in a day, otherwise the access of oxygen to the root system is blocked.
Due to the rapid growth of the whiskers, the aisles need to be cleaned regularly. Leave only those shoots that are suitable as planting material. Cut off the mustache with treated scissors or pruning shears. A distance of 5-6 centimeters must be observed from the mother bush.
Site selection and soil preparation
Experienced gardeners advise planting Allegro in early spring or fall. If it is decided to land with the onset of heat, then only when the ground is sufficiently warmed up. If planting is carried out in the fall, then no later than a month before the onset of frost.
To get a good stable harvest, the place must be absolutely sunny, without draft. It is also important to pay attention to the location of groundwater. If they lie at a depth of less than a meter from the surface of the site, then drainage is mandatory.
Strawberry beds should be prepared in advance, fertilized, and dug up the soil. Rooted weeds should be completely removed. If the pH level does not correspond to the required one, it is changed artificially, for this, slaked lime is used, dolomite flour can be used.
The soil is fertilized a month before planting. Organic options are ideal, such as manure that has already been overfilled, or wood ash.
Before immersing the seedlings in the holes, they are moistened with warm water. The strawberry root system is straightened. It is imperative to ensure that the root collar is not covered with earth. After planting, the seedlings are watered again. Young plantings are moisturized more often, since they must take root in a new place.
It is advisable to mulch the beds. For this, not only straw and sawdust are suitable, but also a special agromaterial and even just mown grass.
Pollination
When the flowers bloom, you can clearly see that they are white, there is a lot of pollen in the middle. Flowers are formed bisexual, therefore, Allegro does not need to be additionally pollinated.
Top dressing
During the entire growing season, strawberries are fed three times.
In early spring, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are applied to the soil. A 1 to 10 mullein or 1 to 25 chicken droppings are ideal. Half a liter of solution is enough for each bush.
Before flowering, you will need more support for the plants. During this period, use nitrophosphate and potassium sulfate. The first component is required for 10 liters of liquid 40 grams, the second - only 5 grams.
Strawberries are last fed in the fall. You can pour wood ash, or use ready-made complex mineral fertilizers.
One of the important techniques in strawberry care is feeding. Regular fertilization guarantees a rich harvest. There are several different ways to feed strawberries, and each of them is designed for a specific period of plant development. During flowering, fruiting and after it, feeding should be different.
Frost resistance and the need for shelter
The described variety has high winter hardiness. Shelters require landing only in the northern part of our country. Until the expected frost is expected, the old leaves are removed, and a layer of mulch several centimeters thick is laid on top. This should be done three weeks before the first frost.
As a shelter, spruce branches of any coniferous tree and even cardboard are suitable.
More and more summer residents began to use spunbond - a special covering material. Its only feature is that they do not put on the ground, but first stretch the arcs, and they are covered with material.
If we talk about the south of the country, then here the strawberries of the described variety winters well under a slight snow cover.
Diseases and pests
The Allegro variety is resistant to many insects and diseases. If the site has already been infected with diseases or fungi, then the treatment must be carried out with any of the available fungicides.
Before flowering, they are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
From the folk remedies for the prevention of fungal infections, an infusion of garlic is used.
Do not plant strawberries next to raspberries, from which they easily become infected with a tick.
Strawberries are often subject to many dangerous diseases that can seriously undermine their condition. Among the most common are powdery mildew, gray mold, brown spot, anthracnose, and verticillosis. Before buying a variety, you need to inquire about its disease resistance.
Reproduction
Propagate strawberries with tendrils. During the growing season, they are formed on the bushes enough to expand the planting zone. You can use seedlings taken from special nurseries.