Is there a white strawberry and how to grow it?

White strawberries are the result of crossing two species of strawberry: Virginia strawberry and Chilean strawberry. These unusual fruits are cream-colored, sometimes with a slight pink or yellow tint. Breeders have combined consistent yields, pest tolerance, drought and frost resistance, and hypoallergenicity in this berry, making it a popular choice among gardeners.

What is the difference between white strawberries and regular strawberries?

The red color of garden strawberries, which are more familiar to the eye, is due to the Fragaria allergen 1 (Fra a1) protein. This protein can also cause allergic reactions. The main difference between white strawberries is genetic: the cultivar lacks the coloring enzyme. When ripe, the green berries turn snow-white or slightly creamy. However, some varieties acquire a barely noticeable "blush" due to the low pigment content.

White strawberries produce smaller berries (up to 25 g), but they are very juicy and nutritious. They also have other distinctive characteristics:

• no contraindications for use;
• unusual aroma and taste with notes of wild strawberry, pineapple, mulberry and even linden honey;
• not attractive to birds;
• good tolerance to heat and cold
• ease of care;
• high and stable yield;
• resistance to many specialized diseases;
• remontancy of most varieties.

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Features of cultivation

To get a bountiful harvest of white fruits with a unique flavor, you should first determine the location for planting your berry bushes. Crop rotation is key: nightshades, cucumbers, and raspberries are not the best predecessors. Since strawberry plantings won't need to be replanted for five years, it's best to use fertile soil previously occupied by legumes or green manure.

Planting nuances

White strawberries should be planted in sunny areas with deep groundwater. Close proximity to groundwater can lead to water stagnation in the roots and the development of rot. The beds should receive morning and afternoon sun to prevent scorching the shoots. Strawberries thrive in neutral to slightly acidic soil. If the pH is above 6.5, lime the area. This procedure is carried out in the fall by digging the soil to a depth of one and a half spadefuls, simultaneously adding organic matter (humus and compost).

In temperate climates, bushes are planted in open ground in May-June. The following steps are recommended for planting:

1. The holes are dug 10 cm deep at a distance of 20 cm from each other with a row spacing of 40 cm.
2. Pour half a liter of water into each hole, install the bushes, and straighten the roots.
3. The strawberries are carefully covered with soil up to the root collar, and the beds are mulched to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture and to maintain the looseness of the soil in the trunk circle.

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How to care for white strawberries

The plant has a shallow, fibrous root system that requires moisture but cannot obtain it from a meter-deep layer. The optimal irrigation system is drip irrigation, which delivers a measured amount of moisture to the roots. After watering, the row spacing is loosened, while simultaneously removing weeds. This ensures loose soil and a larger feeding surface. In hot regions, where moisture evaporates quickly, the area around the tree trunks is mulched.

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To ensure abundant fruiting, strawberries need to be fed. This important agricultural practice is performed three times per season:

1. In spring, the berry bush is fed with urea or a solution of bird droppings prepared in a ratio of 1:20.
2. During the budding phase, the bushes are fed with superphosphate.
3. When preparing for winter, potassium sulfate is added to the fertilizer mixture, which strengthens the immune system and allows the plants to successfully survive the winter.

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After fruiting, strawberries are pruned, leaving only a third of each leaf's total length and removing any runners. All plant debris is raked away, as it can provide excellent cover for overwintering pests. In temperate and northern climates, white strawberries are covered to protect the plants from damage from low temperatures. Fallen garden leaves are used, and in harsh winters, spruce branches are used.

White strawberries are a subspecies created by crossing two typical varieties. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, unique berries can be grown on a plot of land that won't cause allergies in people sensitive to the red pigment.