Description and characteristics of Dukat strawberries, planting and care
Although the strawberry of the Dukat variety was grown abroad in 1980, the berry took root in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and is still a success. Polish breeders tried to create the best characteristics: winter hardiness, unpretentiousness, productivity, large-fruited. The fruit tastes of excellent quality. The dense structure of strawberries allows you to transport products over long distances.
Description and characteristics of the Dukat variety
The early Dukat variety was created by Polish breeders. The bushes are vigorous, with large leaves. Flowers are male and female, on numerous peduncles. Strawberries can be grown in northern regions. The variety is frost resistant. Gardeners love ducat for its unpretentiousness.
With the right agronomic approach, up to 2 kilograms of berries are harvested from one bush. Large fruit size. Berry weight - 40-50 grams. The pulp is red, dense, juicy.
Pros and cons of strawberries
From the description of the garden strawberry Dukat, its positive characteristics are already visible:
- strawberries are resistant to gray mold disease;
- frost resistance;
- unpretentious care;
- high productivity;
- large-fruited;
- early ripening;
- excellent taste;
- grows on any soil;
- multiplies rapidly due to the large number of whiskers.
Among the shortcomings, there is an instability to powdery mildew.
The nuances of growing garden strawberries
Following certain measures when growing strawberries will give good results in the end. To do this, you need to choose the right time and place of planting, purchase good seedlings.
Time and place
The Dukat variety is grown on any soil, but you should not plant the crop on waterlogged and dry soils. The landing site is chosen sunny, without access to cold winds, drafts. Strawberries are planted in spring and autumn.
Planting material
When buying planting material, you should pay attention to the factors:
- revitalized seedlings. It is removed from mother plants in special laboratories;
- proven manufacturer;
- certified nursery;
- on the bush, in addition to last year's leaves, there are 3 new ones;
- healthy leaf color;
- light green horns, more than 7 millimeters thick;
- the length of the roots of an open system is not less than 7 centimeters;
- the roots of the closed root system are visible through the cup.
Landing features
Before any planting, the land is prepared.The only difference is that in the spring the soil is not prepared in advance; in the fall, the procedure begins in 2-3 weeks.
Autumn
The soil for autumn planting is prepared in a few weeks. They dig up the earth on the bayonet of a shovel, remove the weed, apply fertilizer. If humus, compost is used, then one kilogram of fertilizer should fall on each square meter.
Spring
It is impossible to name the exact dates of planting in spring. The main thing is to fulfill the requirement: wait for the established weather, when the threat of night frosts has passed.
The site is prepared for planting: garbage is removed, dug up, loosened. The dry soil is moistened, the waterlogged soil is dried. To do this, they dig grooves where the water goes.
Landing scheme
There are several ways to plant berries. Strawberry ducat is preferable to plant in rows. The distance between the bushes is kept 70 centimeters, in rows - 30. This scheme makes it possible to freely care for each bush.
The root collar is not buried during planting - this will provoke rotting of the culture. The roots sticking out from above also do not leave - the strawberries will dry out. Planting depth is maintained at 15 centimeters. The root system is covered with care, leaving no air spaces. Then make abundant watering, mulching.
Crop care rules
Strawberries respond well to watering and feeding. After irrigation, the culture is loosened, weeds are removed. Mulching facilitates care: weeds do not grow, less often you have to water, and protects from freezing in winter.
Watering and feeding
In the first time after planting seedlings, special attention is paid to watering. Do not allow the soil to dry out, since the root system is close to the surface. In the autumn period, 1 watering per week is enough, in the summer - 2-3 times. During fruiting, watering is replaced by sprinkling. Use warm water for irrigation.
Garden strawberries of the Dukat variety need bait throughout the season. When planting in autumn, the land is fertilized with organic matter.
In the spring, during growth, it is useful to give fertilizers containing more nitrogen than other components. During the period of ovary formation, the berries need complex, phosphorus-potassium supplements.
Loosening and weeding
After watering, when the ground becomes wet, it is loosened. The procedure helps to improve breathability. The bushes are systematically freed from weeds, as it provokes the ingress of parasites to the crop and the development of diseases.
Mulching strawberries
To facilitate the care of strawberries, mulching is carried out. The protective layer retains moisture, prevents weeds from appearing, and prevents diseases. The berries are harvested without dirt. In spring, the mulch is laid at the time of the formation of berries. After harvesting, it is harvested. Pour in again in the fall. Bushes are being prepared for wintering.
Straw and hay are used as mulch. Beat the hay well, shake it up. Get rid of the remains of seeds. Then they are soaked and laid out in the sun to dry. The beds are weeded, loosened and mulch is laid, 15 centimeters thick. Film, agrofibre can be used as mulch.
Disease protection
The Dukat variety resists gray mold, but other diseases are inherent in it, for example, powdery mildew. The berries are covered with bloom. The bushes are treated with soda ash. For 5 liters of water - 25 grams of the component.
Pest control
Among the pests, Dukat strawberries are attacked by nematodes. They resemble worms. They infect the soil. It is difficult to notice them at the first stage. With severe disease, symptoms appear on the leaves. They become covered with red spots, curl up into a tube. The bushes are pulled up and burned.
For preventive purposes, the planting site of the culture is changed after a year. Before planting, the roots are immersed in hot water (45 degrees) for 15 minutes. Then for half an hour in the cold.Marigolds are planted around the strawberries, scaring away worms.
Dukat strawberry propagation
Strawberries are grown in two ways: seeds, mustache. The seed method is used to grow new varieties. Used mainly by breeders.
Gardeners propagate the Dukat variety with a mustache. Choose healthy bushes, 1-2 years old. The first two tendrils from the mother plant are used. They are laid out on the aisles, the rest are removed. By the fall, the rooted outlet is separated from the uterus, transplanted to a permanent place.
Collection and storage of strawberry harvest
Strawberry Dukat ripens amicably. Gives the harvest in a short time - 2 weeks. The berries are harvested every other day, immediately in storage containers. A maximum of three layers are poured into the boxes. The peduncle is not torn off. So the berry keeps the flavor longer. Strawberries are not intended for long-term fresh storage.
