Content
The Charlotte strawberry is a French variety that yields 4-5 times per season. The culture is resistant to lack of lighting, so it bears fruit in heated greenhouses all year round. The yield is low (up to 1 kg per bush), but the berries are very sweet and juicy, with a rich aroma and pleasant aftertaste.
Breeding history
Charlotte is a strawberry variety bred in France in 1995. Derived from a cross between the Cal.19 variety and the famous Mara de Bois variety, which is common in many countries. The originator of the Charlotte variety is CIREF.
Strawberries came to Russia 10 years later - in 2004. They spread in different regions and were liked by many gardeners for their pleasant taste. The culture is not included in the register of breeding achievements. However, many summer residents continue to grow it on private farms.
Description of the Charlotte strawberry variety and characteristics
Strawberry Charlotte produces small, moderately spreading, medium leafy bushes. They are compact and do not take up much space. The leaves are large, of a typical green color, the shade is darker towards the top. The surface is slightly wrinkled. Peduncles just above the leaves, sag under the weight of the berries. There are not many mustaches, which makes care easier.
Characteristics of fruits, taste
Charlotte strawberries have a symmetrical round-conical shape. The sizes are medium and large (by weight 15–20 g), mostly uniform, not too different from each other. The color is bright red, with a pleasant sheen. Achenes are located on the surface.
The pulp of Charlotte strawberries is very juicy and aromatic, the consistency is medium - more tender than that of Alba and San Andreas, but denser than the Miracle of the World variety.
The taste is pleasant, very sweet, with a rich aftertaste. The aroma is reminiscent of the classic wild strawberry. The taste contains nutmeg and fruity notes. These berries will appeal to connoisseurs of really sweet strawberries.
Charlotte is a classic dessert option: the fruits are eaten fresh
Ripening terms, yield and keeping quality
If cultivated in open beds, the culture bears fruit until the first frost, i.e. until September inclusive. At the same time, fruiting begins in June - the variety is early. Strawberry Charlotte belongs to remontant varieties, it is capable of producing a harvest all year round (when grown in a heated greenhouse). The yield is moderate - from 500 g to 1 kg per bush. The indicator is highly dependent on the weather and on the characteristics of care.
Despite the fact that the skin of the fruit is quite dense, they are not intended for long-term storage in the refrigerator. Transportability is also low. But if the berries are picked at the stage of technical ripeness, they can be transported over long distances.
Growing regions, frost resistance
Charlotte strawberries are quite demanding on temperature, while growing normally even with an abundance of cloudy days. The frost resistance of the variety is satisfactory, although its resistance to drought is low. Therefore, in a dry season, watering is required at least twice a week.
The crop can be cultivated in various areas of the country.But in regions with short summers (Ural, Siberia), it is preferable to grow in greenhouses. This will allow you to get a stable yield of up to 1 kg per plant.
Charlotte strawberries can be grown outdoors in regions with long summers
Disease and pest resistance
In general, Charlotte strawberries have a fairly good resistance to major diseases and pests. However, in cool, rainy summers, as well as due to improper care, the bushes can suffer from such diseases: gray rot, brown spot, powdery mildew.
For prevention, Charlotte strawberry bushes are treated even before flowering begins. To do this, use proven fungicides: Bordeaux liquid, Maxim, Fitosporin, HOM, Fundazol and others.
It is also necessary to remove all affected parts and timely apply fertilizers containing potassium and superphosphates.
The invasion of pests is not excluded. A threat to culture is represented by strawberry mites, aphids, and weevils.
They are fought with folk remedies: a decoction of potato tops, marigold flowers, an infusion of mustard powder, cloves of garlic. In case of mass destruction, they resort to insecticides: Biotlin, Fitoverm, Match, Eforia, Aktara and others.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The yield of Charlotte strawberries is low, so they are not suitable for commercial cultivation. At the same time, summer residents appreciate this culture for its very sweet and aromatic berries, which are superior to many domestic varieties. Culture has other benefits as well.
Charlotte strawberries give their first harvest in June
Pros:
- very tasty and aromatic berries;
- medium and large, approximately the same fruits;
- long fruiting until September;
- the possibility of year-round cultivation;
- undemanding care;
- satisfactory winter hardiness;
- good resistance to common diseases and pests.
Minuses:
- the yield is low, depending on the weather;
- drought resistance is average;
- transportability and keeping quality are low.
Comparison of strawberries Charlotte and San Andreas
To clearly see the advantages and disadvantages, Charlotte strawberries (pictured below) are sometimes compared to others.
If we draw an analogy with the well-known variety San Andreas, we can find several similarities:
- compact bushes no more than 30 cm in diameter and height;
- both varieties are remontant;
- a small amount of mustache;
- early ripening;
- extended fruiting until the end of September;
- good resistance to major diseases;
- glossy skin.
The most characteristic differences are presented in the table.
Characteristic | Strawberry variety | |
Charlotte | San Andreas | |
Yield | 500 g - 1 kg | More than 1 kg |
Berry mass | 15-20 g | 30-50 g |
Taste | Very sweet | Sweet, sour |
Consistency | Delicate | Denser |
Achenes | Not drowned | Depressed |
Storage and transportability | Average | Good |
Reproduction methods
Charlotte strawberries can be diluted in any traditional way:
- mustache;
- dividing the bush.
Bushes give little whiskers, but they can still be used for reproduction. To do this, in May or early June, they are cut and planted in fertile, light and moist soil at a shallow depth (up to 4 cm). The mustache takes root well in the first season.
The division of Charlotte strawberry bushes begins at the end of summer. Plants at the age of three years need to be dug up and placed in jars with settled water. Then carefully untangle the roots and separate them. Plant in fertile soil, mulch for the winter and cover with agrofibre.
Planting and leaving
Planting Charlotte strawberries can be scheduled for spring (early May) or fall (late September). It is desirable that the day is not hot, cloudy. The place should be dry (not low) and completely open, lit. It is desirable that the site is not blown by strong winds.
The soil is prepared in a few months - it is dug up and applied in a bucket of compost or humus for 1–2 m2... Loam is suitable for Charlotte strawberries. If the soil is heavy, sand or sawdust of 1 kg is embedded in it for the same area.
The Charlotte strawberry planting scheme is standard - the bushes are planted in a checkerboard pattern
The distance between adjacent specimens is 30–35 cm (they are compact, do not grow much). It is enough to leave 80–100 cm between the rows. The embankment in the garden bed can be made 30–40 cm high.
To grow healthy and productive specimens of Charlotte strawberries, both in the description of the variety and in the photo, gardeners in their reviews recommend adhering to several rules:
- Watering is regular, especially in drought - 1 liter per 2 bushes. The water should be warm, settled.
- Charlotte does not need frequent fertilizers - in April they give urea or ammonium nitrate (15-20 g per 1 m2), during flowering and fruiting - azofoska (20-30 g per 1 m2) or organic matter (litter 1:20 or mullein 1:10). In the fall, you can pour with an infusion of wood ash (200 g per 10 liters).
- Loosening and weeding is carried out periodically (as needed). To facilitate the work, it is better to mulch the planting with straw, sawdust, pine needles or other mulch. You can try growing Charlotte strawberries under agrofibre.
Mulching strawberries makes it much easier to care for them.
Preparing for winter
Since Charlotte strawberries are bred abroad, they do not have the same good winter hardiness as many domestic varieties. Therefore, special attention should be paid to shelter for the winter. At the onset of the first frost (the temperature is about 0 or slightly lower), change the mulch and lay a new layer 5–10 cm high. Put the frame and stretch the agrofibre. In early spring, the shelter is removed, but not all at once, but gradually.
Conclusion
Charlotte strawberries are not very fruitful, but they give very tasty berries with a pleasant strawberry aroma. Its fruits are especially good when fresh. The harvest can also be used for preserves, jams, fruit drinks and other homemade products.
Gardeners' reviews about Charlotte strawberries
