- Taste: sweet and sour
- The size: medium, large
- Weight: 30-40 g
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: more than 600 g per bush
- Ripening terms: medium
- Appointment: universal
- Description of the bush: compact
- Berry color: deep red with shine
- Winter hardiness: high
Strawberry Amulet is one of the few varieties suitable for beginners. It grows and bears fruit well with minimal maintenance, and can also be grown in cold climates.
Description of the variety
The amulet belongs to the group of medium-sized semi-renovated varieties. Her bushes are compact, they will not take up much space on the site. The plant gives a little mustache, but this is both a plus and a minus. The plus is that leaving is greatly facilitated, since you do not need to constantly cut off an actively growing mustache. On the other hand, reproduction by this method will be problematic.
The foliage of the Amulet is very bright, juicy green. The plates are rather large, the ribbing is pronounced. Strawberries bloom profusely, there are a lot of flowers.
Ripening terms
In terms of ripening, strawberry Amulet is average. It can begin to bear fruit both in July and in August; here it is necessary to focus on the climatic conditions of the region. Since this is a half remontant variety, the second fruiting can take place in the fall. True, this will not be so every season.
Growing regions
Strawberry Amulet perfectly resists frost and drought. It was originally bred for the harsh frosty climate. Therefore, the priority here will be the Urals and Siberia. However, the described variety, if desired, can be cultivated in any other territory.
Yield
The amulet gives good harvests. At least 600 grams of berries are harvested from one bush. And with enhanced agricultural technology, the indicators will only increase.
Berries and their taste
Strawberries have a regular, slightly elongated shape, which is classic for most varieties. The berries are deep red, shine effectively in the sun and after rain. The surface is covered with a large number of small yellow seeds. Berries of different sizes often grow on the same bush. There are medium specimens, and there are also larger ones. The weight of the fruit is 30-40 grams, but the very first ripe berries can weigh 60 grams.
The dense pulp is colored in an appetizing red shade, and it is also very juicy. Sweet and sour fruits emit a pronounced strawberry aroma that can be heard even in the garden. Despite the fact that there is sourness in the taste, the Amulet variety belongs to the dessert strawberry subspecies. The harvested berries are well transported. They are not subject to crushing, do not flow during transportation. If we talk about home use, then jam, strawberry lemonade, compote are made from the fruits. Berries are very often frozen in order to feast on them all winter.
Growing features
Strawberry Amulet can be planted in spring or summer. If it is spring, then the end of April is chosen for planting, and if it is summer, the end of August. The planting can be quite dense, since the bushes do not need a lot of space. The distance between the holes is 30 cm, for the row spacing it is necessary to leave 50 cm. The rows should be located from north to south. The planted bushes must be mulched with grass.
Irrigation will be the main point of growing the Amulet. It should be done often as soon as the soil is dry. The bushes are watered by sprinkling. After irrigation, the substrate must be loosened. It should be noted that weeds always grow in abundance near strawberries. They must be cleaned regularly.
Site selection and soil preparation
The amulet needs a lot of sun in order for the berries to gain the necessary sweetness. The plant is planted on level soil, hills or slopes are contraindicated for it. It is better to take medium loamy or sandy loam soil. The medium should be slightly acidic, almost neutral.
Soil preparation is carried out even before planting, in the autumn. The land is plowed and leveled. The quality of the substrate is increased with humus or compost. During planting, the soil is fertilized with superphosphate and potassium salt.
Pollination
Strawberries, which are grown outdoors, are pollinated by wind and bees. A couple of beehives can be placed in large areas. If the culture grows in a greenhouse, then it must be pollinated independently - with the help of a fan or a soft brush.
Top dressing
Fertilizing the crop begins in April. In the spring, she needs a lot of nitrogen, so it is recommended to add organic matter to the soil. In the May period, plants are fertilized with compounds based on phosphorus and potassium. In addition, strawberries of this variety respond well to feeding with yeast, fermented milk products, ash.
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
If the air temperature in winter does not drop below -25, then the Amulet bushes can not be covered, it is enough just to mulch them. In the case of severe winters, arches are placed on the plantations, which are then covered with covering material.
Diseases and pests
The amulet has a very strong immunity. With good care and lack of thickening, the bushes do not get sick and are not affected by pests, including strawberry mites.
Strawberries are often subject to many dangerous diseases that can seriously undermine its 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
The quickest way to propagate strawberries is with a mustache. However, the Amulet has few of them, so there is no need to expect an abundance of new bushes. Most often, plants of this variety are propagated by dividing the bush. To do this, take bushes from 2 to 4 years old, only healthy ones. On the correct shoot there will be a rosette, as well as strong roots. The division procedure is carried out in August. Sometimes the Amulet is propagated by seeds, but the process is long and laborious.