Strawberries are one of the first to ripen in the spring. An organism tormented by a lack of vitamins cannot resist even an acidic unripe berry. But gradually, we begin to be more demanding of purchased products. I want to buy strawberries sweet, juicy, fragrant. It is desirable that the berries are large. It is very important that they do not rot. Strawberry “Asia”, bred by Italian breeders, meets these requirements.
Grade description
Asia strawberry bushes are tall. The leaves are large, but not numerous. The variety is very productive.
Strawberry Asia has a weight of about 27 g. Description of the variety (photo) says that it has the shape of an elongated cone. The berry is bright, shiny.
The flesh of medium density, aromatic, juicy and sweet has strawberry "Asia". The description of the variety indicates that there are many berries on the fruiting, they are large and sweet. Sugar content is estimated at 7.3 brix.
It belongs to mid-early grades. In the south, the Asia strawberry begins to ripen in mid-May, and later in the north. It bears fruit for a month.
"Asia" is a strawberry that does not freeze in winter. But a light shelter does not hurt her.
Productivity
Strawberry "Asia" grows well in the continental climate. Reviews say that the berries of this variety are large, the yield is high. About 600 grams of sweet berries are collected from one bush. Even without the use of advanced technologies, about 15 tons per hectare can be collected from one hectare.
Breeding
Strawberry "Asia" (photo) propagated by seeds, rosettes and separation of rhizomes.
Reproduction by seeds is possible, but it is a very troublesome process. First you need to make the seeds germinate. This can be done using the so-called Moscow method of growing seedlings. It consists in the fact that the seeds are laid on the edge of the toilet paper, rolled up with a roll and placed in water so that it does not reach the seeds. Then cover the glass with a bag and wait for the seeds to sprout. Then seedlings are planted and waiting for several years of harvest.
This method is applicable if there is no other way to breed the desired variety. If we propagate strawberries at home, then you can get seedlings with antennae or dividing the bush. Antennae grow in most varieties. Has them and strawberries "Asia". Description, reviews say that they themselves take root, if there is the slightest opportunity to touch the ground. Sometimes you need to help her do this, pointing in the right direction, and fluff the ground for better rooting. It must be borne in mind that in order to obtain high-quality seedlings and a good harvest in the future, you need to take only the first of the available outlets. The second and subsequent will be weaker. Therefore, they are removed. The mother bush can be a two to three year old plant.
Sockets can be nailed with wooden hooks.
The outlet, which is well rooted, should be transplanted to a permanent place in Asia-August in August-September. Description of the variety, photos say that its roots should be at least five centimeters. They are trimmed just before landing. The plant must have at least three leaves. It takes root 25 days. All this time they make sure that the soil under the bushes does not dry out.
The new bush will bear fruit next year.
The strawberry growing area should be well lit. Partial shading is possible. But still, it should be covered for more than half a day. It is good if trees or bushes protect the site from cold winds and frosts. Then strawberries do not freeze in winter and early spring. The variety "Asia" should not be planted in hollows. In such areas, groundwater can occur at a depth of less than 70 cm. It is desirable that the soil there be loamy or sandy loam, fertilized. The pH level is in the range of 5.5-6.5.
The disadvantage of the location near the site of trees is that May bugs usually breed under them. They can “mow” any section of strawberries, gnawing the roots of plants. On the other hand, in the shade, strawberries do not dry out so much. The alkaloid (blue) lupine will help get rid of beetle larvae. Larvae perish by eating their beans.
A slope of only 2 degrees to the south-west improves the laying and formation of berries. Bushes grow faster, fruits ripen earlier.
The best precursor for Asia strawberries will be legumes or vegetables. Strawberries should not grow there for 4 years.
The plot is fertilized with organic matter (manure or compost) and mineral fertilizers. Dig up, removing weeds.
Young plants are planted so that the growth point (heart) is not covered with earth. The roots before planting are leveled in the hole.
After planting, young bushes are watered and mulched with humus or sawdust. They protect the soil from drying out.
Landing pattern
Aisles have a width of 70 to 80 cm, the distance between plants in a row is not more than 30 cm. A hole is dug with a depth of about 20 cm.
A method for producing strawberry seedlings by dividing bushes is not very well known. In this case, a two-three-year-old bush is dug up, divided into several rhizomes. And they are planted separately. This method makes it possible to get a crop this year.
How does a strawberry planted in spring (grade "Asia") feel? Testimonials indicate that you need to do this as soon as possible. If the spring is rainy, then you can get a small crop in the same year. But there is always the danger that drought will destroy the plants completely.
Shelter Growing
Increasingly, gardeners use various shelters to accelerate the development and ripening of strawberries. It can be greenhouses or greenhouses. For shelter, a film or white agrofiber is used. They will help to taste the first strawberries a week or two earlier than usual.
Black agrofibre is used to cover the ground between strawberry bushes. To do this, mark the area on which strawberries will be planted, given the size of the film. The soil is well loosened. During planting, the site is covered with a film, leaving the aisles free. The film is fixed, sprinkling with earth its edges. Cross-shaped holes are cut through it, into which young strawberry rosettes are planted. The corners of the slots are first turned outward, and after landing they are turned inward. The film will protect the berries from dirt, will not allow it to come into contact with the soil and rot in wet weather. Watering seedlings under the film should be less common. In addition, weeds will not germinate through the film. Strawberry "Asia" will be protected from them all summer. Reviews say that in the area covered by agrofiber, ants, bears, slugs will not live.
A strawberry covered in this way tolerates frosts better.
First, each bush is watered separately. Then install watering. You can lay a drip irrigation system before planting seedlings, attach it to a water tap. Then the maintenance of the site becomes very simple and easy.
But not all gardeners like this method of growing strawberries. Firstly, it is labor intensive. Secondly, the growing mustache has nowhere to go to grow. They cannot do this through film. But if you do not plan to use plants from this site for seedlings, then this method will facilitate your work at the stage of cutting the antennae. Outlets will not grow, it will be easier to lift them from the film and remove.
Care
Strawberries love moisture and respond well to watering. If they are regular, then there will be no small berries.
"Asia" - strawberries are pretty hardy. Does not require any special personal care techniques. Reviews say that the seedlings of "Asia" take root worse than other varieties of Italian selection.
Like all “mustachioed” strawberry varieties, Asia needs a mustache pruning. They are removed completely or left one at a time for further reproduction.
During the season, planting is weeded several times from germinating weeds, loosening the soil. Bushes after harvesting spud so that the roots are not exposed.
Gently remove unwanted plants, mustaches and old leaves in the fall. Leave a couple of leaves.
Neighbors
Strawberries are not friends with all plants. Variety "Asia" feels good surrounded by firs or pines. And the proximity to the birch is not good for her. Onions, garlic, cucumbers, beans, sorrel, parsley have a positive effect on strawberries. Of the flowers, astilba, jasmine, clematis, nasturtium, iris, grapes will be good neighbors.
Mustache fight
Usually, after harvesting, the strawberry patch is covered with a large number of mustaches, through which no less weeds come through. Owners at best mow leaves along with weeds.
One of the important aspects of agricultural technology is the use of the site for planting before the first commercial harvest. As soon as it is collected, the territory is plowed up. Do not forget to grow a new plot of young plants by this time, which will give the maximum yield for next year. Plowing the old site, you simultaneously get rid of weeds, pests and diseases, which by this time have already settled on the site. There is no need to use pesticides. So your products will be environmentally friendly.
Next year, plow the next section and so on. After a few years, return to it, but there will no longer be strawberry pests.
Harvesting
“Asia” is a strawberry that is well stored and transported. But you still need to handle it carefully.
Harvested every day or every two days in the morning, after the dew has dried. Collect strawberries intended for transportation or sale, you need immediately in the boxes in which it will be transported. You can’t shift it, let alone pour it over.
Strawberries as a business
Growing strawberries can be a lucrative affair. This culture is superior in income to all others.
Growing strawberries under the film, you can get an early crop and sell it more expensive.
Usually the number of seedlings exceeds the need for it. Excess can be sold, making profit from it.
Strawberries are in constant demand, which is difficult to satisfy. Therefore, if the products are of high quality, competition in this business is not terrible.
Top dressing
Strawberries are fertilized with wood ash, introducing it into the aisles after all the berries have ripened and collected. "Asia" is a strawberry that needs nitrogen. It is introduced in the form of liquid top dressing of a 10% solution of mullein or chicken droppings in the aisles.
In autumn, strawberries are fed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in order to better winter.
Pests and diseases
“Asia” is a strawberry that is not affected by root diseases: verticillous wilting and rotting of the heart. It is unstable to defeat by powdery mildew and anthracosis.
In rainy weather, the berries are affected by gray rot. To prevent this, the distance between the bushes should be sufficient for ventilation. The sun should well illuminate the entire bush. Extra plants are removed without regret. If this affects the harvest, then only for the better.
Struck with chlorosis is the Asia strawberry variety. Photos and reviews of gardeners indicate this. Leaves turn yellow, can dry out and disappear. Sometimes the whole bush disappears. For prevention, strawberries are watered, fertilizing with nitrogen is done (ammonium nitrate can be used). In addition to the prevention of chlorosis, the smell of ammonia scares away the worst enemy of strawberries - May beetles and their larvae.