Queen Elizabeth strawberry variety: description, reviews

By the name of this berry, as well as strawberry variety "Elizabeth 2" Many believe it was bred in England, but there's currently no hard evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, breeders themselves can't say exactly where this berry originated. It's worth taking a closer look at the variety to determine whether it's worth planting in your garden and to understand the proper care for these plants.

A detailed description of the strawberry bush

According to the variety description, photos, and reviews, the Queen Elizabeth strawberry produces fairly large and beautiful fruits, which is why it has captured the attention of many gardeners and homesteaders. Each fruit is quite large, averaging around sixty grams in weight, although slightly smaller fruits, weighing approximately forty grams each, are more common. The berry color is remarkable for its vibrant color, as the strawberries acquire a rich red hue when ripe.

These fruits are often used commercially, due to their ability to withstand long-distance transportation without deteriorating their appearance due to their dense flesh. If the fruit needs to be stored, the berries can retain their freshness for a very long time; they are recommended for freezing for the winter. This variety is also often used in cooking, thanks to its very pleasant flavor.

Now it's worth discussing the taste of the Queen Elizabeth strawberry. Based on the variety description, photos, and reviews, the berries can vary significantly in taste. Some describe the excellent flavor, while others report that the ripe strawberries are too sour. The taste of this particular variety will depend greatly on how well the berries are cared for; strawberry bushes require constant watering and feeding. In rainy weather, the berries can ripen sour, so don't expect an overly sweet harvest in a rainier and wetter summer. It's essential to carry out proper fertilization. fertilizing strawberries after fruiting.

Fruiting of this variety begins when early bushes begin to produce their first fruits, and the fruit production period can last until the very first frost, which often attracts gardeners and summer residents. If the gardener can cover the bushes in time, the flower stalks will survive the winter, and with the arrival of the first warm days of spring, they will begin to prepare for the first harvest. In this case, berries can be harvested much earlier than even early varieties. However, in this case, don't expect sweet fruit, as spring is usually quite wet and rainy.

Fruiting isn't continuous, but occurs in waves. Once the initial berry production is complete, the bush may rest for about two weeks, after which it resumes fruiting. In warm southern regions, gardeners can harvest up to five waves of fruit from a single bush, while in colder climates, a bush bears fruit about three times per season. In summer, the berries are noted for their sweetness, but in autumn, don't expect to get very sweet fruits.

Planting and care rules

According to the variety description, photos, and reviews, the Queen Elizabeth strawberry requires a special approach to planting and care, as the berries on large bushes are quite large and require a lot of nutrients. Furthermore, the variety produces a harvest more than once. Of course, these plants will require regular watering and maintenance. strawberry fertilizing directly into the ground.

If strawberry bushes are just being planted in the ground, it's important to plan the holes in advance. Additional superphosphate should be added to the soil. If the soil is highly acidic, lime should be added to help neutralize the acidity. Also, strawberries should be fed throughout the fruiting period. To do this, use a mixture of ten parts water and one part cow manure. This mixture is then watered to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Other similar fertilizers can also be used. Watering should be done when the soil dries out; typically, water once a week during rainy weather, and daily moistening is necessary on hot days. If the plant doesn't get enough moisture, the berries will be small and sour. It's also best to choose a sunny, wind-protected location for planting.