- Authors: Italy, selection CIV (Consortium of Italian nurseries)
- Taste: sweet
- The size: large
- Weight: 30-40
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 2.2 t / ha
- Ripening terms: medium
- Appointment: fresh consumption, processing (juice, jam, jam, etc.), deep freezing
- Description of the bush: compact
- Berry color: orange red
Arosa strawberries are perfect for making drinks, preserves and jams. They are also eaten fresh or used for various desserts. This variety was highly appreciated by Russian summer residents. The plant can be grown in any climatic zone.
Breeding history of the variety
Fruit crops came to us from Italy. To obtain it, experts crossed two popular varieties - Chandler and Marmolada. The breeding works were carried out within the framework of the CIV program.
Description of the variety
The maximum height of the bushes is 30 centimeters. The leaves are neat, small and erect. Despite the spreading foliage, the plant is compact. This is a vigorous garden culture. The leaves are light green and have a slight glossy shine. Small wrinkles are visible on the surface. During the growing season, the bush forms a small number of whiskers.
Ripening terms
This variety has an average fruit ripening period. The ripening period falls around mid-June. The exact timing depends on the characteristics of the climate of a particular region. The ripening process is slow, which is why the berries are harvested about once a week.
Yield
The garden strawberry Arosa boasts a high yield. Up to 2.2 tons of crops are harvested from one hectare of plantations. The marketability of fruits is high. Ripe berries retain their taste and attractive appearance during long-term transportation.
Berries and their taste
The berries attract attention with their unusual orange-red color. The fruits are large, the weight ranges from 30 to 40 grams. The berries have a regular conical shape. With proper care of the fruit crop, the strawberry turns out to be even and smooth. The first berries can be comb and slightly flattened. Even ripe berries have a light top. Inside there are small seeds that are not felt when eating fresh strawberries. The juicy pulp is colored light red. Her density is average.
Professional tasters gave this variety 4.5 points out of 5 possible. Sweet berries with a pleasant sourness have a delicate strawberry aroma. After eating, there is a slight wine aftertaste. The delicious and delicate aroma should be noted separately.
Growing features
This variety can be grown both outdoors and in greenhouse conditions. This is a vigorous culture, so you need to carefully monitor the condition of the shoots and periodically remove dry and damaged leaves. Planting work is preferably carried out in early May. It is important to organize a distance of 30 centimeters between the bushes, and 40 centimeters between the rows.
Strawberries prefer sandy loam and loamy soil with a neutral acidity. The plant can bear fruit even on worn out and poor soils, but in this case it will be necessary to use top dressing. Irrigation frequency should be medium.
Another feature of the variety is its resistance to dry weather, however, a lack of water will negatively affect the size and taste of the berries. They are less aromatic and juicy. Regular watering is especially necessary in southern latitudes.
Site selection and soil preparation
The site chosen for growing garden strawberries should be well lit by the sun. Also, there should be no drafts on it. Severe darkening negatively affects the quality of the crop. If there is groundwater on the site, then it must flow at a depth of at least one meter. In one place, the bushes can stably bear fruit for 3-5 years. The main thing is to periodically fertilize them and carry out preventive treatment for infections.
Before planting, the top layer of soil is loosened. The amount of fertilizer applied depends on the composition of the soil. It is recommended to use organic formulations. Experienced gardeners advise planting bushes in autumn or spring. It all depends on the characteristics of the climatic zone. For spring planting, flowers formed in a given season must be removed. This is necessary for the plant to develop a massive root system.
Note: if the acidity of the soil is increased, dolomite flour or lime is added to the soil. Garlic, carrots, as well as cereals and legumes are considered wonderful predecessors for strawberries.
Pollination
One bush can have 10 peduncles. The variety has both male and female flowers, due to which the plant is self-pollinated. The inflorescences are large, with an even corolla shape. They are slightly raised above the main green mass. The petals are white. Each flower contains a lot of pollen. This indicates high rates of tying.
Top dressing
Arosa garden strawberries are fertilized according to the standard scheme:
- with the arrival of spring, organic and mineral compounds are used, nitrogen-based substances are also suitable;
- in summer and autumn, they switch to phosphorus and potash fertilizers: they are necessary for high-quality fruits;
- organic matter and ash are used during the growing season.
Fertilizers are applied 3 to 5 times. If you adhere to the above scheme, the bushes will delight you with a stable harvest.
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 variety has an innate frost resistance, however, in some regions of Russia, the bushes may freeze slightly. These are areas with a harsh and harsh climate. There, the bushes are recommended to be protected with a shelter. Most gardeners use non-woven fabric. You can also choose straw or special black agrotex.
Diseases and pests
Despite the resistance of Arosa strawberries to infections, some pests and diseases can affect it. For prophylaxis, the treatment is carried out with a Bordeaux mixture or a solution of "Fitosporin" is used. This is a common drug that is easy to find. If traces of pests were found on the foliage or fruits, insecticides or fungicides are used.
Chemical compositions can be used only before flowering and after fruit ovary. Otherwise, hazardous substances will get into the berries. The fruits of this variety quickly absorb toxic components. Folk remedies also show good results. They are used if the disease or infection has spread to the entire plantation or the use of chemicals is not possible.
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
There are several ways to propagate a plant. The first option is dividing the bush. In this case, only healthy and large plants should be selected. When dividing from one copy, several strawberry bushes are obtained.
The second way is to use antennae. This variety produces a moderate amount of whiskers that can be used to grow the plantation. This is a convenient and simple method, but this breeding option is very depleting for the plant.
Also, Arosa garden strawberries can be propagated using seeds. Many gardeners consider this procedure to be quite acceptable, despite the fact that it is a long and laborious process. When choosing this method, you need to follow agricultural techniques exactly.