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The Dukat variety gained popularity due to the early ripening of berries, high yield and excellent taste of the fruits. Strawberries are characterized by quick adaptation to abrupt climatic changes, bad weather conditions, and different soil composition. Strawberry Dukat grows in all garden plots, without requiring special care.
Variety characteristics
An overview of Dukat strawberries, a description of the variety, a photo, it is worth starting with finding out the origin of the culture. The homeland of strawberries is Poland. The breeders managed to develop a frost-resistant variety that brings a large harvest and does not require special care.
Early ripening of berries. In cold regions, the fruits ripen later, which justifies the belonging of Dukat strawberries to medium early varieties. Harvesting usually falls in June-July.
The strawberry bush brings a lot of berries. Especially the yield increases with frequent watering. About 2 kg of strawberries are harvested from one bush. The shape of a strawberry Dukat resembles a cone with smooth walls and a blunt tip. The berries are very large. The mass of one fruit reaches 50 g.
Considering the description of Dukat strawberries, reviews, size, taste of berries, it is worth noting the juiciness of the pulp. Fruits are dense, covered with glossy bright red skin. The pulp is pink-red with almost no visible white center. The skin is covered with an elastic film that protects the fruit from damage. The berry will separate well from the stalk, which simplifies the harvesting process.
Dukat strawberry bushes grow sprawling, powerful, but low. The whiskers grow rapidly, which simplifies the breeding process. The leaves are large, bright green. The stalk is thick. Dukat strawberry flowers throw out bisexual. The location of the inflorescences is below the level of the leaves.
The soil variety of strawberries Dukat tolerates any, but the culture grows better on light and medium light soil. Strawberry bushes tolerate winter well. The root system can withstand frost in the ground up to -8aboutC. However, you should not risk severe hypothermia. The winter shelter of the beds is guaranteed to protect the Dukat strawberry bushes from freezing.
Choosing a landing site
The strawberry variety adapts well to climatic conditions, which significantly expands the choice of a planting site. Dukat will take root even in the North Caucasus. A feature of the strawberry variety is an increase in yield due to a long stay in a cool soil. The main thing is that the soil is moist.
When choosing a planting site for Dukat strawberries, it is better to pay attention to the composition of the soil. The variety is picky, but the hills are not held in high esteem. On the hills in hot summers, the land dries quickly, and Dukat does not tolerate drought. A small harvest of berries will be obtained in an area with a predominance of sand or clay. The palatability of the fruit will suffer if the crop grows on salt marshes, limestone or acidic soil. Poor strawberry variety Dukat grows in a completely open area, blown by the wind.
Autumn and spring planting rules
Continuing the review of Dukat strawberries, descriptions of the variety, photos, reviews, we will consider the rules for planting seedlings.This can be done in spring or autumn. The season does not play a special role.
Autumn
Strawberry seedlings of the Dukat variety begin to be planted from the end of August. It is advisable to finish planting by mid-September so that the plant has time to take root before the onset of frost. Over the summer, the soil is depleted. It is necessary to start the autumn planting of Dukat strawberries with abundant fertilization of the site. 1 m2 make 1 kg of any organic matter. Compost, rotted manure, humus will do.
The garden bed is dug to a maximum depth of 30 cm. The root system of the Dukat strawberry is spread in the upper layers of the soil, and this will be enough for it. It is not recommended to turn the earth deeper, as infertile soil will rise upward. A bed for autumn planting of strawberries is prepared three weeks before the start of work.
Spring
Planting of strawberry seedlings of the Dukat variety in spring begins in the last days of April. It is advisable to finish with disembarkation by mid-May, but it all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The bed is fertilized with organic matter and dug up since the fall. In the spring, the site is weeded from weeds, the soil is loosened and slightly moistened before planting strawberry seedlings.
If in spring the site is very wet, it often rains or the groundwater has not yet had time to go to the depth, then drainage grooves are dug along the perimeter of the bed.
The video shows the correct planting of strawberries:
The process of planting seedlings
Dukat strawberries are usually planted in rows in the garden. If there is free space, it is optimal to organize row spacings with a width of 70 cm. In the process of growth, the Dukat strawberry will start up a mustache. In such row spacings, it is easier to separate them, as well as to weed. weeds... If there are several beds, then a distance of about 20 cm is observed between them.
After breaking the rows for each strawberry seedling, dig a hole. Backfilling is done with loose soil to the level of the apical bud. It is important to ensure that no bare roots remain.
The development of a strawberry seedling depends on the correct immersion depth. If the plant is planted too shallow, the root system will quickly dry out under the scorching rays of the sun. Strong deepening threatens the death of the seedling, especially in a damp area. The root system of Dukat strawberries will begin to absorb moisture intensively and rot.
After planting all strawberry seedlings and watering, the soil in the garden is covered with mulch from peat, sawdust or needles.
Crop care rules
Ducat is considered an unpretentious variety and will not give a gardener a lot of worries. Least of all hassle with watering strawberries in the fall. The beds are moistened once a week. In the summer, Dukat strawberries are watered every three days. The intensity of watering depends on the weather conditions. The plant responds well to sprinkling, but not during flowering. Watering is best done with warm water from a storage tank.
Top dressing is important for strawberries of the Dukat variety at the initial growing season. From organics, solutions of poultry manure or manure are well suited. If strawberries grow on poor soil, then organic matter alone is not enough. The soil is enriched with mineral complexes:
- Ammonium nitrate helps to give a quick start to growth. 10 m2 the beds are scattered with 135 g of granules. Nitrogen-containing fertilizer stimulates active foliage growth. At the beginning of summer, fertilizing with saltpeter can no longer be done. All nutrients will go to the development of the mass. The bushes will fatten, and the berries will grow small or stop tying.
- With the onset of fruiting, Dukat strawberries are fed with complex fertilizers. The plant needs nutrients during this period. Ignoring top dressing will lead to a decrease in yield. Additionally, mineral complexes enhance the immunity of strawberries, which protects against diseases.
Of the minerals, the culture accepts phosphorus-potassium fertilizers well. They are brought in in August after harvest.
In order not to get confused in the purpose of fertilizing, one rule is learned: a young plant is fertilized for the growth of green mass, and an adult - for the formation of berries.
Diseases and pests
Ducat has good immunity. Subject to the technology of cultivation, strawberry diseases are practically not observed, but if visible lesions of the culture are detected, urgent measures must be taken.
The manifestation of black rot is observed on berries. The fruits lose their sugar content. The pulp tastes sour, watery. Ripening of the berry is accompanied by its darkening with further decay.
There is only one method of struggle. The affected bushes are removed, and the area is disinfected with copper oxychloride.
Powdery mildew appears on the leaves with a white bloom. Spots may appear on the leaf blades, as well as berries. Strawberries can be saved from ailment with a solution consisting of 10 liters of water and 50 g of soda. A solution of potassium permanganate or colloidal sulfur cures the disease quite well.
The nematoda is visible on deformed foliage. Over time, the leaf plate darkens and becomes stained. As a healing agent, warm water heated to a temperature of 45aboutC. Strawberries are given a warm shower from a watering can. If necessary, do two procedures.
Testimonials
About strawberry Dukat, reviews of most gardeners are reduced to a positive side.
