- Authors: All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Breeding of Fruit Plants named after I.V. Michurin
- Taste: sour sweet
- The size: large
- Weight: 15 g
- Yield rate: high
- Ripening terms: medium
- Appointment: universal
- Description of the bush: powerful, upright growing
- Berry color: bright crimson
- Winter hardiness: winter hardy
The diet of each person must necessarily consist of a large number of fruits and vegetables, especially if they are grown with their own hands. Most often, people breed fruit plants that are the least picky, so as not to leave all their strength with them. These can be apples, pears, cherries or strawberries.
Among the best strawberry species, not in last place is the Fireworks strawberry.
Breeding history of the variety
Fireworks is one of the "descendants" of the famous Zenga Zengana, which was crossed with the Redcoat variety to obtain the newly invented strawberry species. Over the years, since 1990, the new variety has undergone many studies and tests in various scientific organizations in Russia. Already in 2000, it became possible to grow it outdoors in certain regions of the Russian Federation.
Description of the variety
The plant is distinguished by dark green leaves with a slight sheen. Spherical bushes, large white flowers, the petals of which do not curl. They are located below the leaves, so the fruits, having no support, will sink to the ground. Hanging in bunches, they resemble fireworks. Berries that are fully ripe and ready to harvest are characterized by a conical shape and a short neck. Ripe fruit is colored with a dark red color, which looks slightly glossy, pale yellow achenes are clearly visible on it, slightly immersed in the pulp.
Fireworks tolerate cold weather well.
Ripening terms
Fruiting depends on the region and climatic conditions where the strawberry grows. On the southern edges, the plant ripens many times faster than in the north. Fireworks are classified as a mid-season variety, respectively, flowering begins around the end of May, and the berries appear in mid-July. However, the dates may not be accurate, as they change in accordance with the weather conditions.
Growing regions
This strawberry variety is recommended to be cultivated in such regions as Volgo-Vyatka, North Caucasian, East Siberian, Central Chernozem.
Yield
This species bears fruit very abundantly and steadily due to the special structure of the flowers. One bush, which has ripened on a private plot, can bring about a kilogram of berries, and grown in industry - a little less (600-700 g). The first fruits harvested will be very large (up to 35 g), and in the subsequent harvest - about 15 g.
Berries and their taste
Fruits have the best pallet of taste only when fully ripe, but if they are harvested ahead of time, they seem completely tasteless or too sour. Ripe berries are very aromatic and have a sour-sweet aftertaste. They are also characterized by good density and meatiness. In addition, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, so eating them is not only tasty, but also healthy.
Growing features
It is recommended to plant Fireworks in early September or late August, or in early spring, preferably when the weather is cloudy. You also need to remember that only the largest shoots with a good root system should be planted.
In order for the yield to be high and of high quality, it is required to regularly water the soil, avoiding drying, but it is also not necessary to moisturize too much.
Site selection and soil preparation
First of all, it is important to remember that plants should be placed in places protected from the wind. Also, no blackouts should fall on the site. The best terrain for planting Fireworks is a flat bed that will be well lit in the morning. Loose soil is preferred. It is not necessary to plant a crop on slopes and in soil with a high groundwater table, since in this case the root system can quickly be washed out by runoff.
Almost any type of fertile soil is suitable for planting strawberries, with the exception of peat soil. With the goal of getting a good harvest, when preparing the land, it is recommended to use the addition of humus or wood ash to the planting site.
They also highlight the fact that if strawberries are covered with snow during winter, then it is much easier for it to survive the frosts. Therefore, it is advisable to plant plants in small recesses so that in the cold season they are under a thin layer of snow.
Pollination
Since the flowers of the plant are bisexual, they do not need any additional pollination.
Top dressing
In order for the result of growing a crop to be as positive as possible, one should not forget to feed the plants. This process must be carried out at least three times a season. True, the first year after planting can do without this, since the fertilizers applied during planting are quite enough.
It is recommended to use organic elements or various harvested mineral complexes. During early spring, mixtures with a high nitrogen content should be used - this way the green mass of the plant will grow faster. Later, in September, you need to add phosphorus and potassium to the soil in order to accelerate the ripening of the fruit itself. Before flowering, it is required to combine watering and application of mullein solution with wood ash several times.
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
Strawberry Fireworks is a unique variety that is quite resistant to cold and frost. This species has the ability to survive the winter without any shelter, if the temperature does not drop below -25 degrees. In other cases, it is preferable to use straw or spruce branches as protection.
Diseases and pests
Fireworks are resistant to the development of various fungal diseases.
The uniqueness of this culture also lies in the fact that it practically does not succumb to any diseases of strawberries, especially in the first 3-4 years after planting. Without transplanting, there is a risk of developing gray rot, late blight. If you follow all the rules for caring for the plant, then young bushes rarely get sick. Also, strawberries are "immune" to spider mites. With large temperature drops, there is the possibility of white or brown spotting on the leaves.
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
Strawberry cultivation is carried out in three ways.
- The simplest of these is with mustache rosettes. At the end of August, a considerable amount of material for planting can be collected from the garden. After that, it should be rooted in a pre-prepared soil, most often it is peat or coconut substrate.
- You can also propagate the crop by dividing the bushes. To do this, you need to choose a healthy three-year-old plant and divide it with a sharp object, leaving several leaves on each part and a well-developed root.
- The most difficult and longest way is to breed with seeds. Seedlings are planted at the end of winter, after which the box is covered with glass or foil. When the seeds germinate and several leaves appear, the plant needs to dive. And planting in the open ground is carried out not earlier than April.