Strawberry variety "Elizabeth 2": description, reviews

Anyone who has planted the "Elizabeth-2" strawberry (a description of the variety and reviews are provided in this article) will immediately recognize that it meets all the basic requirements. And upon seeing the fruits of this variety, you are amazed by their beautiful, regular shape, rich color, and impressive size—they almost seem like fakes. The glossy finish of the fruit enhances this impression of unreality. This variety was developed by Don breeders quite some time ago and has been gaining popularity among gardeners since 2003. Caring for strawberries This variety is not at all complicated.

Description of the variety

We've already provided some information above, describing the strikingly beautiful fruits themselves. It's worth noting that they weigh 40-60 grams, a fairly impressive size for strawberries. We'll also note that the fruit's flavor is literally honey-like, with a slight piquant sourness that only enriches the flavor bouquet and accentuates the sweetness. Due to the dense flesh of ripened fruits, gardeners call this variety "fleshy" and emphasize its excellent transportability, which is important when growing it for commercial use.

The "Elizabeth-2" strawberry (variety description, reviews, and photos are available here) is a remontant variety that produces fruit throughout the summer thanks to double and triple flowering. However, we'll explain later that it's best to discard the first harvest by cutting off all flower stalks.

This delicious berry can be harvested from May until late autumn. Ideally, this period lasts from late June to early July until October, which is also a good length of fruiting period. Of course, everyone is interested in how productive this variety is, and with proper farming practices, up to 1.5 kg of fruit can be harvested from a single bush. Considering that 4-6 strawberry bushes of this variety can be planted per square meter, the harvested yield can reach 12 kg.

When describing this strawberry variety, it is important to note such important characteristics as drought resistance and significantly reduced susceptibility to diseases.

Landing rules

The planting guidelines for the "Elizabeth-2" strawberry (variety description, photos, reviews) are essentially the same as for other similar varieties. Here, careful adherence to the recommendations of experienced gardeners is more important than the specifics. Only then will you get the high-quality fruits described above in sufficient quantities. It's worth noting that this strawberry variety can be propagated in three ways.

Rosettes from the mustache

When choosing this propagation method, which is by the way the most popular, it's important to carefully select the planting material to ensure its high quality and not compromise the expected large harvest. If you don't specifically select certain bushes for propagation and cultivate full runners with well-developed rosettes on them, and regularly trim the runners on other bushes, the number and size of berries will not meet your expectations. Timing of strawberry plantingtendrils, with this method, are determined by gardeners at the end of July - August, with proper care they take root well and after 4 weeks the first flower stalks appear.

Seeds

Of course, this method of propagating the "Elizabeth-2" strawberry (variety description, reviews, photos) is more labor-intensive and time-consuming; it takes 5-6 months from planting the seeds to the appearance of the first flower stalks. However, it is a perfectly acceptable alternative if you lack planting material from runners and have to buy "who knows what" at the market or even a specialty store.

Small seeds are sown on a slightly compacted soil surface in boxes in early spring, covered and after the seedlings appear, the usual care of the seedlings is carried out until they are planted in open ground when they have three full leaves.

By division

This is also a very common method for propagating strawberries, provided you have two-year-old bushes with a strong root system. There's nothing complicated or labor-intensive about it, and planting is similar to planting rosettes from runners. So, having learned the propagation methods, we pay special attention to both the selection of the soil itself and improving its fertility before planting.

About a month before planting using the rosette method, prepare the area by clearing it of weeds. This can be as simple as digging or using specialized chemicals. After clearing the area for planting "Elizabeth-2" strawberries (variety description, reviews, and videos are readily available) with loamy soil and a neutral pH, fill it with the prepared substrate. In practice, it's best to prepare the soil yourself using proven recipes, although store-bought soil is also an option.

You can choose a recipe from the following recommendations:

• peat, turf soil, humus in a ratio of 1:1:1;
• peat, turf soil, sand in a ratio of 6:3:1;
• peat, sawdust in a ratio of 1:2.

Additionally, it's necessary to apply mineral fertilizers, such as Kemira, at a rate of 80 g per m². For those who want to enjoy environmentally friendly, chemical-free strawberries, adding humus is recommended. A month before planting, it's recommended to apply organic fertilizers: mullein (1:10), chicken manure (1:20), and wood ash.

We recommend:Caring for strawberries after harvesting

When planting, place the rosettes in a prepared furrow 10-15 cm deep, carefully distribute the roots, and cover with soil so that the center is above the surface. The planting pattern for this strawberry variety is 60-70 cm between rows and 35-50 cm between plants within a row. However, some gardeners reduce the distance between plants to 26 cm.

In addition to the traditional method of growing the "Elizabeth-2" strawberry (variety description, reviews, video), you can also use the increasingly popular hanging method.

Caring for strawberries

Any strawberry variety requires adequate light and water, so pay particular attention to this when planting in a bed with 24-hour sun exposure. Water strawberries every two to three days, depending on weather conditions, ensuring the soil at a depth of 5 cm is constantly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid using a hose to avoid damaging young roots and exposing them. It's best to use a sprinkler or a nozzle.

Immediately after planting, it's recommended to apply a popular and internationally recognized agricultural technique called mulching, covering the root area of ​​each bush with a well-ventilated material. Straw, dry grass, wood shavings, etc. can be used for this purpose. This simple step will pay off in higher yields and time savings on watering and tilling. The obligatory soil loosening after each watering and rain can be completely eliminated when applying a mulch layer.

Given the fact that this strawberry variety is quite productive with a long, extended fruiting period, regular fertilization is essential. If you want to maximize the yield of this variety's berries and increase their size, you should definitely apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. Most of the fertilizer should be applied before and during flowering, then weekly fertilization is essential once fruiting begins.

Experienced gardeners advise to cut off the first flower stalks, which will effectively neutralize the peculiarity of the “Elizabeth-2” strawberry (description of the variety(Reviews) — the appearance of the first harvest with small berries. Therefore, by planting strawberries in July-August and cutting off all flower stalks, you will ensure a bountiful harvest of large berries throughout the following summer.

Although this strawberry variety is disease-resistant, during rainy, unfavorable weather, the planting should still be treated against gray mold, powdery mildew, and brown spot using products such as Fitosporin and Integral. Preventative treatment against pests, including weevils, should also be carried out.