- Authors: Italy
- Taste: good
- The size: large
- Weight: 28,8
- Yield rate: high
- Ripening terms: mid-late
- Berry color: bright red-orange color
- Winter hardiness: increased
- Berry shape: conical
- Appeared when crossing: by selecting seedlings of the Marmalade variety
Onda is an unpretentious and very tasty strawberry variety with a high yield, which has appeared quite recently. But this did not affect its popularity among gardeners and summer residents. It is possible that Onda will soon become a worthy competitor for other promising strawberry varieties.
Breeding history of the variety
Onda was bred in Italy by selecting seedlings of the Marmalade variety. To obtain a new variety of strawberries, scientists have carefully selected the best specimens of Marmalade.
Description of the variety
The characteristic features of the new variety are pleasant taste and rich aroma, as well as high yield. Onda strawberry bushes are medium-sized, not sprawling, with bright green leaves. Due to its density, the berry retains well during transport, which is a significant plus for commercial cultivation.
Ripening terms
Onda strawberry is a mid-late non-renovated variety that blooms in early July with small white inflorescences. The crop can be harvested once a season, at the end of July or in the first half of August.
Growing regions
The scale of Onda cultivation is quite wide. The range of suitable lands starts in the southern latitudes and ends in the northern regions. But the most favorable conditions for the plant are the continental climate, close to native Italy.
Yield
The yield of this strawberry variety is quite high. In good conditions of a mild climate, from one bush you can collect from 1 to 1.2 kg of berries.
Berries and their taste
Onda berries are rather large with a conical shape. At the first harvest, the largest fruits, weighing 45-50 g, can have a comb-like shape. With subsequent ripening, the weight of the berries will reach an average of 28.8 g. The skin has a pronounced red color and glossy shine. A feature of the first harvest is the green tip of the fruit, you should not wait for its reddening, otherwise the berry may overripe and turn sour.
The pulp of Onda is very dense and juicy at the same time. The balanced taste combines sweetness, pleasant aroma and unobtrusive sourness.
Growing features
Onda strawberry is an undemanding and unpretentious variety. The plant is resistant to various natural phenomena, productive both on hot days and in cool seasons. But in order to get the most bountiful harvest, the culture will need special and timely care.
Watering
Regular moistening of the soil allows the plant to thrive. Watering should be moderate, otherwise stagnant water will form. And also in hot weather, in order to avoid burns, it is not allowed to get water on the leaves. The optimal and not laborious method of irrigation is drip, but the method of sprinkling can also be used.
Removing weeds and loosening the soil
Constant loosening (especially after watering) and air permeability of the soil is one of the important factors for plant development. Weeds can provoke pests. But such events should not be carried out during the ripening period of the berries, so as not to damage them.In order not to waste time weeding and loosening, you can resort to using organic mulch - sawdust, straw, peat or agrofibre.
Mustache removal
To prevent the plant from spending its energy on the growth of new shoots, and this can affect the yield and size of the fruits, it is necessary to regularly remove the mustache. They should be trimmed with pruning shears or scissors. But if in the future vegetative propagation of strawberries is planned, part of the mustache can be left.
Site selection and soil preparation
Onda can be planted both in autumn and spring. If this is done in the autumn, then in the next season it will already give the first harvest. Strawberries can grow on various types of soil, the main thing is to choose and prepare the place correctly. The site should be on a level or elevated place and well-lit by the sun. Undesirable close occurrence of groundwater. Soil preparation includes the following steps:
cleaning of weeds and grass;
digging soil up to 30 cm deep;
fertilization of the soil - about 7 kg of humus or a glass of wood ash per square meter.
Seedlings are planted in shallow holes at a distance of 25-30 cm. For the most uniform illumination, the rows should be arranged from north to south.
Pollination
Another distinguishing feature of Onda is good pollination. The flowers of the plant are bisexual, and this does not require additional planting of pollinating varieties. Peduncles are of moderate length and thickness with a large number of flowers.
Top dressing
During the growth period, Onda depletes all minerals from the soil. Therefore, to obtain a good harvest, it is recommended to feed 3 times per season. These activities are the same as for other varieties.
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
Despite the fact that Onda was bred in warm Italy, it tolerates winter cold well and is considered a frost-resistant variety. In the central and southern lane, it is not necessary to cover it for the winter. But in the northern regions, it should be well hidden from frost. Before covering, the beds should be cleaned of excess vegetation, all diseased and dry leaves should be removed from the bushes, and the mustache should be cut off. Pre-hilled strawberry bushes can be covered with sawdust, spruce branches or special material.
Diseases and pests
Onda's immunity is very strong, it protects the plant from diseases of the root system and anthracnose. In rare cases, the fruit may be affected by gray rot.
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 Onda is no different from other types of strawberries. It is also propagated in three ways: by seeds, by a mustache, by dividing the bushes.
Review overview
On the Internet, you can find numerous reviews about Onda strawberries. Gardeners really like the large-fruited variety, the unusual taste and rich aroma. And also many are very happy with the minimum amount of attention that strawberries need. After all, she is unpretentious and practically does not get sick.