- Authors: Italian selection
- Taste: sweet
- The size: large
- Weight: 30-50
- Yield rate: very high
- Yield: 0.8-1 kg per bush
- Ripening terms: early
- Description of the bush: tall, compact
- Berry color: bright red
- Winter hardiness: good
The summer season is just around the corner. Many of us plant strawberries in our plots. Everyone wants to plant such a variety so that it is fruitful, but at the same time unpretentious. Italian breeders have introduced a new strawberry variety Aprica.
Breeding history of the variety
This variety has appeared recently. Several nurseries worked on the breeding of the variety. The result exceeded all expectations: it can be cultivated in greenhouse conditions, outdoors, in hydroponics, under different weather and climatic conditions. The purchase of planting material is possible through Mazzoni or Salvi vivai.
Description of the variety
A new variety from among the early ones, which is able to show high yields even on poor soil.
The bushes are spherical in shape, the leaves are dark green. Stems are straight, whiskers are limited. Leaves are upright, medium in size. Peduncles are small, grow below the level of the leaves. Abundant foliage shelters the stalks from the sun and wind. The peduncles contain a large amount of pollen, so pollination is active.
Ripening terms
The first rich harvest in the southern Russian regions can be obtained in the second half of May. Up to about 1 kg of berries are obtained from one bush. But the berry fully gives a good harvest only in the second season after transplanting to a stationary place. The yield will be high regardless of weather conditions.
Growing regions
Aprica is planted in all regions of Russia. But good performance can be obtained in the southern Russian regions. There it can be planted even at the end of November.
Yield
Aprica strawberry belongs to the self-pollinated variety. In the first year of planting, by the end of spring, you can get large ripe berries. Stable productivity can be obtained in the second year.
Berries and their taste
The berries of the new variety are firm and fleshy to the touch. It does not emit a lot of water during transportation. Fruits are in the form of an even cone, huge bifurcated berries are rare. The color scheme is bright red with a characteristic shine. By weight - an average of 25-30 grams. Throughout the collection of berries, the weight is kept at a stable level.
The fruits have excellent taste: the berry is sweet, aromatic. Does not lose sweetness when weather conditions change. This is an excellent variety for canning, freezing, and for consumption directly from the bush.
Growing features
Gardeners who began to grow this variety note its unpretentiousness. Aprica will not require special skills in leaving. When planting, summer residents perform all those activities that are needed for the cultivation of another berry.
But there are certain mistakes in cultivation: it is necessary to water it after harvesting, as well as at the time of the appearance of greenery. The amount of watering depends on the weather. For example, if it's hot, then the berry is watered every three days. It is best to conduct an irrigation system to the beds.
There should be no weeds in the berry: they shade the garden bed, interfere with ventilation, and even deplete the soil composition. If this is the middle zone of Russia, then loosening begins after the snow melts, in the southern regions - when the first young leaves appear.Loosening is considered a periodic activity. The main thing is to avoid crusting. But if there is no time to work with a tool, then agrofibre is used as an alternative or mulching is carried out.
There is also one more feature when growing - the permanent removal of the mustache. Whiskers are capable of picking up nutrients that are needed for fruiting. Difficulties should not arise, because Aprica gives few antennae.
Site selection and soil preparation
Planting is recommended for the spring or summer period. Until autumn, the rosettes will develop, and next year they will bear fruit. If this is the southern region, then the rosettes will take root in summer and even autumn.
For planting, it is worth choosing a sunny side without drafts, the soil should be well drained. The soil composition should approach the acidity values of 5.5. You can add humus yourself - a bucket of stale manure - 250 grams, ash - 200 grams. These proportions are suitable for an area of 2 square meters of berries.
If there is a bush planting, then 4 plants will be enough per square meter with a distance of 30 centimeters. When planting in a tape manner, 30 centimeters remain between the plants, and 50 centimeters between the tapes. When planting, the root collar does not need to be deepened into the ground. After planting 10 days, the bushes should be watered abundantly.
Pollination
The variety is self-pollinated, it does not need pollinating neighbors.
Top dressing
Top dressing is carried out 3-4 times per season. For example, in early spring - with live or dry yeast in the aisles. During the ovary - the second feeding. The third feeding is carried out after fruiting.
Any yeast is taken. The consistency is as follows: for a bucket of warm water - one tablespoon of the product and a couple of tablespoons of sugar. After 2 hours, dilute the composition with water (1: 10). Water half a liter under a bush or between rows.
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 middle zone of Russia, the Urals, Belarus are unpredictable in terms of the weather. Therefore, when frost approaches, it is better to cover the bushes with mulch up to 5 centimeters. If desired, it can be leaves, straw, sawdust. Shelters are not produced in the southern regions.
Diseases and pests
The variety shows resistance to many root and leaf pests. If a sunny place is allotted to the berry field, and there are no weeds, then no diseases are terrible to the culture. But for preventive purposes, you can plant marigolds, mint, fennel next to the berry bed.
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
Most often, Aprica is propagated by a mustache. Well, if such shoots are a couple of years old, they are closer to the mother branch. To grow material for propagation, a container with high-quality soil is placed under the outlet. It turns out good material with a closed root system.
Review overview
Many gardeners note unpretentiousness in growing, resistance to weather conditions. Summer residents like that the berry is very large, it can be eaten raw, compotes and jam from the whole fruit can be cooked.
Such a capricious, large berry is suitable both for personal cultivation and for harvesting for commercial purposes. This variety, despite its novelty, claims to be a pet.