Content
Cabrillo strawberries are American varieties. Differs in a record yield - up to 3.7 kg per bush. In temperate climates, you can remove 1.5–2 kg per plant. Requires regular watering, fertilizing and other care measures.
Breeding history
Cabrillo strawberry was bred by breeders of the University of California, USA. The authors are renowned scientists Kirk D. Larson and Douglas W. Shaw. This variety is considered the most productive in the remontant category.
Work on the Cabrillo variety began in 2008, based on 2 lines designated in the nomenclature Cal 5.206-5 and Cal 3.149-8. Already in the next 2009, the new Cabrillo variety began to undergo field trials.
Scientists have repeatedly propagated the bushes in different ways to make sure that high yields and other valuable qualities are preserved in the offspring. In 2010, large-scale studies of several groups of Cabrillo strawberries were carried out to study different indicators. And already in 2016, the variety passed the official registration procedure and received a patent (the copyright holder is the University of California). The document notes that this is one of the best varieties of remontant strawberries with a record yield of up to 3 kg per plant.
In the very first years, the culture spread in different countries of the world, it also appeared in Russia. The variety has not yet been entered into the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation. Nevertheless, many summer residents have already managed to get the first harvests and even wrote reviews about this culture.
Description and characteristics of the Kabrillo remontant strawberry variety
In appearance, the bushes of this strawberry resemble quite famous representatives - San Andreas and Albion. But Cabrillo has more leaves, and the shoots are almost straight. The leaf plates are smaller in size, they have a concave shape, and are quite dense to the touch. The color is bright green, with a glossy "greasy" sheen. The edges are pointed, denticles are present.
Ripe Cabrillo strawberries have an attractive presentation
The flowers of the variety are small in size, with a typical white color, and bisexual (the plant belongs to monoecious, that is, there are male and female inflorescences on each bush). Peduncles are quite tall, powerful, rise above the plant, during fruiting they tend to the ground.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Cabrillo strawberries produce very beautiful berries that look more attractive compared to the San Andreas and Albion varieties. The shape is symmetrical, conical, slightly flattened (widened at the sides). The color is classic bright red. Achenes are yellow, shallowly submerged. A surface with a pleasant gloss, shines in the sun. The sizes are medium and large, the weight is about 30 g. The berries are homogeneous, about the same weight.
The pulp is juicy, moderately dense, at the same time not firm, pleasant consistency, does not crunch on the tongue. The berries are very aromatic, excellent taste. A pronounced sweetness and harmonious tones of classic strawberries with a delicate sourness are noticeable. The taste of Cabrillo strawberries is multifaceted, according to many gardeners it is richer than that of Albion or San Andreas.
You need to remove the berries and taste them after they are fully ripe. The taste of unripe berries will be mediocre.
Ripening terms, yield and keeping quality
Cabrillo strawberry belongs to medium early remontant varieties. Flowering occurs in the second half of May - early June, the first fruits are removed in July. A remontant variety, fruiting is extended and stable, it lasts throughout the summer (up to August inclusive). In the south, crops are harvested until September.
The first Cabrillo strawberries ripen in early July
In the description of the Cabrila strawberry variety, it is indicated that the maximum yield reaches 3–3.7 kg, which is a record figure compared to the vast majority of other varieties. In the climatic conditions of the temperate zone, you can get 1.5-2 kg. If grown in a greenhouse and carefully looked after, then you can collect up to 2.5-3 kg per bush (provided that the summer and early autumn are warm).
Fruit skin and consistency are quite dense. Therefore, they stay well in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark room. Transportability is also normal. The crop can be transported over long distances, especially if it is harvested at the stage of technical ripeness.
Growing regions, frost resistance
The variety is grown in Russia recently, so there is no reliable information about winter hardiness. It is recommended to cultivate crops in open ground and in greenhouses, especially in regions with short summers (Siberia, the Far East). For the winter, an obligatory shelter is necessary, better reinforced (frame with agrofibre and mulch).
Disease and pest resistance
The description indicates that Cabrillo strawberries have good resistance to common pests and diseases. But you should not neglect preventive treatments (especially since there is evidence that the variety is vulnerable to late blight). In the spring, before flowering (April), it is recommended to spray the bushes with fungicides:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- Teldur;
- Fitosporin;
- Horus;
- Signum.
A similar treatment can be carried out in the fall, after the last harvest. It is also recommended to remove all fallen leaves and burn them, since pests can hibernate in them. From aphids, weevils, strawberry mites and other insects, Cabrillo strawberry bushes are sprayed with folk remedies:
- infusion of cloves of garlic, mustard powder;
- solution of tobacco dust, wood ash with soap;
- decoction of marigold flowers.
If these measures do not help, apply insecticides - "Aktara", "Inta-Vir", "Decis", "Vertimek", "Fitoverm" and others.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Cabrillo variety has advantages, the main of which is its high yield. Even if you remove 1.5 kg from a bush (the minimum), this is a very good result compared to many other varieties.
Cabrillo strawberries suitable for commercial cultivation
Pros:
- very high yield up to 3.7 kg;
- berries are medium and large, with excellent taste and attractive appearance;
- good transportability, keeping quality;
- resistance to most diseases.
Minuses:
- exactingness to care;
- no data on winter hardiness;
- in some regions it may not take root;
- Cabrillo strawberries are vulnerable to late blight.
Reproduction methods
There are two ways to propagate Cabrillo strawberries:
- mustache;
- dividing the bush.
In the first case, the shoots are separated at the beginning of summer and planted in fertile soil to a depth of 4 cm, keeping an eye on watering. For division, use adult cabrillo strawberry bushes at the age of four years. They are dug up in August, placed in water and separated by hand or with a knife.They are planted in fertile soil, and in October or early November they are carefully covered for the winter.
Planting and leaving
You can grow Cabrillo strawberries in a greenhouse and in open beds. The variety is picky about the composition and structure of the soil. The best option is a fertile, loose loam with a slightly acidic reaction (pH about 6). The requirements for the place are standard - no shade, dryness (no stagnation of moisture in the lowlands), protection from strong drafts, good air circulation.
Even if the soil is fertile, it needs to be prepared. Most often, the planting of Cabrillo strawberries is planned for May, and the digging is planned for October. The place needs to be cleaned and added in a bucket of compost or humus, as well as 200-300 g of wood ash per square meter. If the soil is heavy, contains a lot of clay, add 500-800 g of sawdust or sand to the same area.
The landing pattern is standard:
- Cabrillo strawberries are best placed on the southern slopes of the garden;
- the beds are oriented in the north-south direction;
- the bushes are staggered;
- leave an interval of 30 cm between the holes;
- rows should be spaced 60 cm apart.
Cabrillo strawberries can be grown under agrofibre
Crop care is especially thorough. Watering is planned at least once a week, and in drought - twice. Use only settled water. Cabrillo strawberry dressing is applied four times per season (the amount is indicated for processing 1 m2 landings):
- April - urea (15–20 g);
- the beginning of flowering - potassium nitrate (10 g);
- first half of July - mullein (1:10), superphosphate (50 g), potassium salt (40 g);
- after harvest - wood ash (250 g).
Planting Cabrillo strawberries, it is advisable to mulch with straw or agrofibre. This will prevent weeds from growing and make maintenance much easier.
Preparing for winter
To achieve a high yield of Cabrillo strawberries, as in the description of the variety, and to get large berries, as in the photo, gardeners in reviews recommend carefully covering the bushes for the winter. After the onset of the first frost (slightly below 0), it is necessary to mulch the plantings with a high layer of straw, spruce branches, sawdust. It is recommended to install the frame and stretch the agrofiber.
Conclusion
Cabrillo strawberries are quite demanding in terms of care and ambient temperature. But on the other hand, it gives a lot of berries that appear throughout the season. The fruits are large enough, attractive in appearance. They have a rich taste and pleasant aroma. You can learn about the basic rules for growing Cabrillo strawberries in the Russian climate from the video.
Gardeners' comments on the Cabrillo remontant strawberry
