- Authors: America, Honeoye
- Taste: sweet
- The size: medium to large
- Weight: up to 30 g
- Yield rate: high
- Yield: 500 g per bush
- Repairability: No
- Ripening terms: early
- Advantages: lasts at least 3 days
- disadvantages: At the end of fruiting, the berries decrease in size
The American variety is the result of crossing Holiday and Vibrant strawberries. The purpose is universal. This means that the berries are suitable for making aromatic treats and eating them in their natural form.
Description of the variety
Tall bushes grow up to 30 centimeters. Spreading shoots. The aerial part is dense, dark green, consisting of ribbed and wrinkled leaves. Powerful root system. Peduncles are large, but located below the foliage level. During the season, the plant forms them in the amount of 5-8 pieces. At the end of the fruiting period, Honey releases a large number of whiskers. When fruit sets and during fruiting, the bushes spend all their strength on the harvest. The growth process peaks in April.
Ripening terms
The Honey variety blooms in April, and bears fruit from mid to late May. The crop is harvested only once a season. Ripening period is early. Up to 15 flowers are formed on one plant. All fruits ripen almost simultaneously.
Yield
The American variety attracted the attention of gardeners with its high yields. Up to 0.5 kilograms of berries are obtained from the bush. The crop is stored for a long time, does not deteriorate during transportation, but at the end of the fruiting period, the berries become smaller.
Berries and their taste
Ripe fruits gain in weight up to 30 grams, their sizes can be both large and medium. Shiny berries turn bright red. In some regions, the fruits acquire a dark color, almost burgundy. The flesh is juicy and firm, and the color ranges from slightly pink to pale scarlet. The taste is sweet, but not cloying, with light wine notes. The aroma is pronounced, strawberry.
Growing features
The place chosen for planting does not need to be shaded. Whiskers are formed in large numbers. With their help, you can quickly propagate a berry plantation. The variety is self-fertile. Saplings are planted in spring, autumn or summer. Some summer residents grow strawberries in greenhouses. Honey perfectly takes root in areas with cold and warm climates, the main thing is to take proper care of the plants.
It is recommended to plant in autumn so that the bushes adapt before the arrival of winter and please with a rich harvest for the next season. At the end of summer, fruit points are laid. It is important to have time to plant young plants about a month before the first frost, otherwise they will not take root.
When choosing a planting material, pay attention to the following characteristics:
root collar thickness - up to one centimeter;
the presence of 4-5 healthy leaves;
dense roots;
lack of symptoms of the disease.
Planting work is carried out in the evening. The roots are carefully placed in the holes so as not to damage them. Plants need to be buried at the level of the root collar. At the end of planting, the land is watered and covered with mulch. Closed-root planting material makes planting easier. The land lump is left intact.
When irrigating, it is very important to avoid excessive moisture, leading to root rot. Young seedlings are watered daily for better adaptation. After that, irrigation is carried out only once every 7-10 days. When laying a large plantation, a drip irrigation system is installed. It moisturizes the earth moderately.
Throughout the growing season, the site is dug up and cleaned of weeds. These plants take nutrients from the ground.Loosening is necessary to enrich the root system with oxygen. When mulching, constant loosening is not necessary.
Mustaches that will not be used for breeding are removed. The work is carried out gradually, as they appear. The shoots are cut off so as not to injure the bush. This procedure helps the plant retain the vitality necessary for stable fruiting for the next year.
Site selection and soil preparation
For cultivation, sandy loam or loamy soil is suitable, but fertile black soil is best. Slight acidity is acceptable. The plot is fed with organic matter. Fertilizers are applied both for each bush and for the entire plantation. Rotted manure, which is laid on top of the soil, can be used as mulch. It will nourish the earth and keep it from drying out.
Garden strawberries are planted on a flat area, evenly lit by the sun. A suitable hole depth is 10 to 12 centimeters.
Pollination
The variety is pollinated independently due to large and bisexual flowers.
Top dressing
Honey prefers regular feeding.
When growing this variety, they adhere to the traditional scheme.
Urea (one tablespoon per bucket of water) or mullein infusion (1: 10) is used in the spring. Thanks to these components, the plant will quickly become covered with large and bright leaves.
As soon as the bush begins to bear fruit, mineral complex compounds are introduced into the soil. When using them, you should strictly follow the instructions so as not to harm the plant.
In the fall, the plantation is fertilized for a successful wintering. You will need a mixture based on phosphorus and potassium.
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 plant can withstand frosts up to 25 degrees Celsius. If in the area the thermometers do not fall below this mark, it is not necessary to cover the strawberries. In other cases, the bushes need protection. Before the arrival of cold weather, they are cleaned of old and dry branches, leaving only 5-6 young shoots. And also remove the mustache, check the integrity of the central point of growth. Spruce branches or non-woven fabric are laid on top.
Diseases and pests
Most diseases and infections do not pose any threat to strawberries, however, it often suffers from verticillary root wilt. This fungal disease can run secretly, slowing down the growth of the plant and negatively affecting the quality of the crop. The infection spreads in the soil, attacking healthy bushes.
If the weather is damp and warm for a long time outside, infection with gray rot is possible. The disease affects the berries, covering them with a fluffy bloom of gray. The Honeydew strawberry demonstrates high resistance to powdery mildew.
Follow the recommendations of experts to protect strawberries from diseases and pests.
Don't let the berries touch the ground. Many summer residents grow fruit crops on black agrofibre.
The site must be clean, free of weeds. They interfere with ventilation and undermine the immunity of plants.
Conduct a close inspection of the plantation.
Treat plants with protective agents. They can be found at any gardening store.
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
For propagation of the variety, choose any of the methods.
With the help of seeds, renewal is rarely carried out, because it takes a long time and does not guarantee an excellent result. If there is an alternative, make a choice in favor of other options.
In order for the whiskers on the mother bushes to be strong, peduncles are removed from the selected plants. Summer residents are advised to use a mustache of the first order, since they are the most viable.
Plants that have reached 3-4 years of age are renewed by separating lateral daughter bushes. The central part is removed.