- Authors: French selection
- Taste: very sweet with a slight sourness
- The size: large
- Weight: on average 20-30 gr, but can reach 50-70 gr
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 700-900 gr per bush, up to 200 c / ha
- Repairability: No
- Ripening terms: medium
- Advantages: Fruits are placed on a rigid footboard, which allows easy and quick harvesting, tolerates high summer temperatures well
- Appointment: fresh consumption
Delicacy strawberry Darselekt of French selection is highly appreciated by culinary experts and gardeners for its exceptional taste. It is distinguished by the arrangement of fruits on a rigid stalk, which greatly facilitates harvesting. In addition, the variety is well adapted to long periods of rising summer temperatures.
Breeding history of the variety
Darselect was launched in 1998. French botanists have paid special attention to the attractive appearance of the berry, oriented to fresh consumption, in desserts, when serving in restaurants. The breeders of the Planasa center from the city of Le Barp received it by crossing the garden strawberries Elsanta and Parker, common in continental climatic zones.
The variety is not registered in the State Register of the Russian Federation. Distribution occurs through large nurseries and private gardeners.
Description of the variety
Darselect is distinguished by strong growth of bushes. Shoots and leaves are colored dark green, the root system is strong and well developed. The formed peduncles are straight, strong. The shape of the bush is compact, the whiskers are formed in moderation.
Strawberries of this variety are classified as short-day plants. Darselect is focused on commercial cultivation and is in great demand in France and Italy among agricultural holdings.
Ripening terms
The berries appear in mid-June. Flowering is activated by the 3rd decade of May, takes place once, without repetition. Fruiting lasts 15 to 30 days. In greenhouses, the first fruits are obtained by May 20.
Yield
Strawberry Darselect high-yielding, not remontant. At least 700-900 grams are collected from the bush, with industrial cultivation these indicators are up to 200 c / ha. The resulting crop is successfully transported.
Berries and their taste
Darselekt bears fruit with medium-sized berries, weighing 20-30 g, the first harvests can bear fruit up to 50-70 g. They are characterized by a pronounced strawberry aroma, taste with a slight sourness and bright, noticeable, sweet notes. The tasting score is very high, reaching 4.9 points.
The berry is characterized by a brick-red skin tone. The pulp is also brightly colored, has a high elasticity, density and juiciness, does not deform when squeezed. The shape of the fruit is conical, elongated, wide at the base.
Growing features
The variety shows the highest yield when grown in greenhouse conditions, in greenhouses, on hydroponics or substrates. Darselect can also be grown in boxes on balconies, hanging pots. Cultivation in open ground is possible only in a sufficiently warm southern climate or in the middle lane with additional shelter. A change of landing site with an update of the population is recommended every 4 years.
Site selection and soil preparation
When choosing a place in the open ground, it is worth giving preference to semi-shady areas of the soil. Here Darselect can quickly form a thick carpet without losing moisture under the influence of direct sunlight. When choosing a well-lit area, there is a higher chance of getting large berries with good flavor.
Planting is carried out in the autumn or at the end of August. So young shoots will have time to take root in a new place. Preparing the soil for planting is carried out by digging, with the introduction of 1 bucket of sand and 10 kg of humus for each square meter of the area. Additionally, mineral fertilizers can be added. The planting scheme when located in 1 row - with a distance of 35 cm between plants, in a two-row version, 40 cm recede with a dividing strip of 1 m.
Pollination
Due to the abundant production of pollen, Darselect does not have any difficulties with fertilization. Self-pollinated plants can easily do without additional neighbors in the greenhouse.
Top dressing
To increase the presentation of this strawberry variety, fertilizing with the use of potash fertilizers to increase the sugar content, as well as magnesium for shine is necessary. The lack of these substances during the fruiting period will lead to the fact that the resulting berries will be dull, sour. In the spring, after the snow melts, it is worth additionally applying nitrogen fertilizers, which contribute to an intensive recruitment of green mass.
In the fall, organic matter is introduced under the bushes - a solution of 1 liter of mullein and 1/2 of a glass of ash in a bucket of water. Additionally, you can add superphosphate to the mixture. Enough 50 g of granules.
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 medium frost-resistant strawberry variety Darselect is recommended for cultivation in a greenhouse. Outdoors, he needs shelter for the winter. At temperatures below -16 degrees, the bushes die.
Diseases and pests
Darselect is characterized by low resistance to the development of diseases, it is susceptible to attacks by insects and other parasites. The variety is prone to verticellosis and the development of brown spotting. But he is not threatened by gray rot or root damage by fungal diseases. The likelihood of such a development of events is extremely small. Preventive treatments with insecticides are shown in spring and autumn, builds on the means against weevils, spider mites.
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
The main method for obtaining new planting material is vegetative. Plants can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes or through sockets. The generative method is not used for private cultivation due to the increased labor intensity and complexity. Especially popular is the method of rooting outlets, which allows you to rejuvenate the plantings annually.
When dividing the roots, it is necessary to cut the bush into 2-3 parts while maintaining a strong root system and general bud. When planting with rosettes, 2-3 such elements are placed together in a common hole.
Review overview
According to most gardeners, Darselect stands out among other dessert varieties for its very large size and excellent taste. The resulting berries lie well, do not crumple during transportation, retain their original color and shape. It is noted that at the first harvest, the berries have a slightly deformed shape, a comb-like appearance, then they become conical. The obvious advantages include a bright aroma reminiscent of wild forest strawberries.
The disadvantages of Darselect strawberries are usually attributed to sensitivity to watering; when growing in open ground, it is recommended to immediately think over the installation of a drip irrigation system.