- Authors: France
- Name synonyms: Gariget
- Taste: multifaceted, balanced, rich, sweetness is complemented by graceful acidity, bright strawberry aftertaste
- The size: large
- Weight: 40
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: up to 500 g per bush
- Repairability: No
- Ripening terms: mid-early
- disadvantages: Ripens unevenly, not stored
Gariguetta strawberries (also called Gariguette) are popular with gardeners around the world for good reason. It was bred in France in the last century, this is an elite variety, it is called a piece. It is not bred on a large scale, but amateurs and experts highly appreciate Gariguetta for the highest dessert taste.
Description of the variety
The bushes of this variety are quite powerful, they are strong and sturdy, spreading. The foliage is dense, and strawberries need a lot of light and warmth. As for the external characteristics, different from other varieties, there are quite a few of them:
- the leaf plate has a corrugated structure, the color is light green, the edges are carved;
- the leaf is rounded in shape, it has streaks of light color - these signs allow you to accurately determine the variety;
- the peduncles are large, bring about 20 berries each, they sink rather low, hide under the foliage;
- the mustache develops very actively - about 20 pieces for each bush, so very quickly the space is occupied by the mustache;
- roots are large, strong, strongly branched.
The taste of the berries of this variety is rich, but in order for them to be really as stated, a suitable climate is needed. Strawberries grow best in the south, the taste of southern strawberries is richer and brighter. Like any other variety, Gariguetta has its pros and cons. Advantages:
- amazing original taste, sophisticated aroma;
- high resistance, good immunity;
- excellent breeding ability.
Disadvantages:
- fruits are formed heterogeneously;
- in cold climates, the berries become smaller;
- since the berries hide under the foliage and actually lie on the ground, they can rot;
- if the weather is damp and humid, the taste of the berries deteriorates, the quality decreases;
- despite the fact that strawberries love good lighting, it is necessary to shade them to prevent baking;
- it is required to mulch the soil to prevent fruit rotting.
Ripening terms
This question is not so unambiguous, much depends on the region of growth, climatic conditions. In the southern regions, strawberries ripen early, in others they ripen mid-early. In its native land, it is classified as an early-ripening variety; in central Russia, it is more mid-early. On average, ripening occurs in the middle of the first summer month. Gariguetta bears fruit for a long time: about 30-40 days.
Yield
The average weight of one fruit is about 40 g, but the size and weight of the berries depend on the growing conditions, care, climate. Large fruits can reach 70 g. One bush brings about 0.5 kg of berries per season. With intensive care, you can get a larger yield.
Berries and their taste
The berries of this variety are distinguished by the following features:
- cone-shaped truncated type;
- the color is red, the seeds are distributed over the surface, slightly pressed into the fruit;
- the fruit pulp is juicy, white in the center;
- the quality of taste is excellent;
- fruits are stored poorly, it is not recommended to transport them;
- berries can differ not only in size, but also in shape.
As for the taste of Gariguetta, it is he who deserves the most laudatory reviews from the tasters.The multifaceted taste and strong aroma make this strawberry popular with gourmets, and desserts are created in which only this variety is used. Experts define taste in this way:
- rich, balanced;
- sweet, with a slight hint of sourness;
- strawberry aftertaste, aroma is also close to wild berries;
- the consistency of berries is soft, juicy, very pleasant, melting.
The dessert variety Gariguetta reveals best in ideal weather conditions. If the climate or care is not too good for him, the berries may not grow quite as stated in the description. If the climate is cool and humid, the berries become sour, if the climate is too hot, the fruits are baked and lose their taste and consistency. Gariguetta fruits are great for desserts, they can be thermally processed. This variety is not suitable for freezing, the pulp is too tender and softens when defrosted.
Growing features
Growing Gariguetta strawberries requires a number of activities.
- Watering. Hydration should be abundant. It is necessary to use cold water, which has settled, watering is carried out in the evening. If the planting area is rather large, it is better to use an automated drip system. The roots are large and require a lot of moisture. You can use the channels with water dug along the rows of berries, so the bushes will receive enough moisture. In any case, it is necessary to water this variety on time, which method will be chosen is not so important. Lack of moisture leads to a deterioration in the quality of the berries.
- Loosening and weeding. It is necessary to loosen the soil after moistening, every time the moisture is absorbed, the soil will dry slightly on top. It is optimal to use mulching with agrofibre, straw to prevent berry spoilage. Weeds must be removed in a timely manner.
- Pruning. The mustache must be cut off in time. It is important not to postpone this procedure, otherwise the energy required for the formation of fruits will go to the mustache. This can reduce yield levels. When a mustache is necessary for reproduction, it is sufficient to leave 1 or 2 strong and healthy mustache. In the presence of queen cells, the mustache is removed completely.
- Top dressing. The variety is fertilized three times per season: the first time with nitrogen fertilization, the second - with a complex one, and the third - with potassium and phosphorus.
- Warming. It is necessary to insulate this variety with peat, straw, agrofibre in the south. In the north, cover with spruce branches should also be used.
Site selection and soil preparation
This variety is best planted on fertile soil, loose, with little shading.This strawberry will not grow on loam, as well as on low soils with a high level of groundwater. Care should be taken that there are no strong winds, drafts on the site. The optimal time for planting is the last month of spring or summer, when the ground is warm, there are no frosts.
For those who are gardening in the northern regions, it is worth forming high ridges for this strawberry variety. You can use films and agrofibre, the soil warms up more actively. If the landing takes place in the south, be sure to provide an additional method of shading.
Planting should be done taking into account the size of the berries and the rapid active formation of the mustache. Optimal landing pattern:
- the distance between the bushes is about 40 cm;
- row spacing - at least 60 cm;
- queen cells for reproduction are best planted separately from fruiting bushes.
Pollination
This variety is classified as non-repairable, so pollination occurs naturally. The question of artificial pollination by hand, bees or with the help of special devices arises only in greenhouse cultivation.
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.
Diseases and pests
The immunity of the variety is quite high, so the typical diseases inherent in berries hardly concern them. It is enough to use preventive measures, for example, spraying with vitriol, phytosporin. Pests and infections rarely affect strawberries, but if they do, chemical treatments are not recommended during periods of flower and fruit formation.
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
Reproduction of the Gariguetta variety occurs with the help of a mustache, which is separated from the mother bush. Saplings are planted immediately in the place where they will grow constantly. This reduces the risk of disease and improves yields. Saplings are best planted in the summer, so that they become strong before the cold weather.