Large and tasty strawberries "Maxim": features and rules for growing a variety

The strawberry variety "Maxim" was bred by Dutch selectors and has long been popular among gardeners. This is not surprising, since it is great for harvesting at home and for sale, and caring for it does not cause difficulties even for novice gardeners.

Features grade

Strawberries of this variety begin to ripen in mid-June and produce a consistently high yield. Berries grow large, smooth, bright red. The first fruits can weigh over 100 g. With proper care from one bush, you can get up to 1 kg of juicy, aromatic berries.

If you look at the bed with the growing variety "Maxim", then this strawberry can be given the following description:

• bushes strong, sprawling, up to 60 cm in circumference;
• plant height - 40-50 cm;
• the flowers are large, and the antennae are thick, long, and there are many.

This plant has powerful roots that need a lot of space. The berries of this variety, in addition to the presentable appearance, have a very interesting taste with strawberry notes, so most gardeners believe that the correct name of the variety is wild strawberry "Maxim". The variety is often grown for sale, as this strawberry has dense, juicy pulp, tolerates transportation. It is also ideal for freezing, without losing its shape and taste after defrosting.

Landing technology

Although the variety is high-yielding, to obtain the desired result, you need to know and follow the rules of planting.

How to choose seedlings

When choosing plants for planting, pay attention primarily to the root system and the appearance of the bush - the roots must be large and healthy in appearance, and the plant is large and have at least three leaves. You should carefully examine the planting material and make sure that there are no pest larvae that have rotted roots and that the core is “alive”.

When and where to plant the berry

Seedlings of strawberry variety “Maxim”, planted in spring - in the second half of April, take root best. You can do this in August - September, but only if there is no severe drought, otherwise the seedlings will die.

It is better to choose a landing site from the south or south-west side, taking into account the proximity of groundwater and the likelihood of water stagnation. Garden strawberries love watering, but does not tolerate excess moisture. Ideal areas with clay and slightly acidic soil. If the soil is acidic, it is necessary to add chalk or lime in the spring, but at the same time refuse to apply manure.

Scheme of planting seedlings in open ground

Before planting, the roots of the plant should preferably be cut with scissors on 2-3 cm. Seedlings with an open root system soaked in water for several hours. In the meantime, pits are being prepared in accordance with the size of the roots, where ash is poured. The distance between plants should be 30-50 cm, and from one row to another - not less than 50 cm. If space permits, then try to make planting at the rate of 4 bushes per 1 m².

How to properly care for the grade "Maxim"

Caring for garden strawberries includes complex of simple events: weeding, watering, support for loose soil structure and timely fertilization, protection from pests and disease prevention, competent preparation for the winter.

Watering, weeding and loosening the soil

Immediately after planting for two weeks, the beds are watered every other day, under the root.

Strawberries are also in dire need of moisture during the period of fruit set and ripening, because at this time the heat is already high and with a lack of moisture the plants dry and burn in the sun.

The optimal solution is drip irrigation, but if there is no such possibility, water between the rows. This procedure is best done early in the morning before sunrise or late in the evening. Watering by irrigation, if conducted, then only at dawn and on sandy soils. If you do this in the evening, the berry will be wet all night and may deteriorate. Watered strawberries "Maxim" at intervals 2-3 days.

Removal of weeds and loosening the soil, and at the same time, the thinning of the plantings is carried out before the plants bloom. In the period of flowering and formation of the ovary, it is better not to disturb them, so as not to disturb the roots.

Too big weeds at this time can be carefully pulled out by hands. At the end of the summer weeds should also be removed.

Fertilization

The best fertilizer for strawberries is manure or compost, which is applied in the fall.

Also from natural feedings ash is widely used, which is a good disinfectant. If a sufficient amount of manure was applied in the fall, then in the spring it is not necessary to feed mineral preparations.

In the opposite case, you need to apply fertilizers with a high content of potassium or phosphorus twice per season.

Strawberry mulching

To preserve moisture and suppress the growth of weeds, the beds are mulched or covered with agrofiber.

As mulch used straw, dry sawdust or pine needles.

Also, well-rotted compost or shredded bark of trees is suitable as mulch.

Pest and disease treatment

This variety of strawberry can be subject to diseases such as gray mold, brown spot, powdery mildew.

Although with proper selection of the landing site and proper care, the variety shows high resistance to fungal infections.

The main ways to prevent disease is timely raking of last year's foliage in the spring and cleaning of covering material, because the fungus, as is well known, is distributed in a humid warm environment. You also need to periodically change the landing site, and for "Maxim" - this is once every 5-7 years.

Spraying chemicals from pests and diseases is carried out after harvest, when there is no danger to people and insects, in particular, bees.

In the spring, when signs of disease and insects are detected, it is possible to treat with special herbal remedies or use traditional methods.

This may be an infusion of onion peel or garlic, wormwood or ash. From slugs, for example, mustard infusion helps quite well: 100 g of powder is diluted in a bucket of water and watered.

Trimming whiskers and leaves

Strawberry "Maxim" is notable for the abundance of thick, long whiskers, which form "daughters". Usually, the first outlet from the mother bush is left for reproduction, and all the rest, together with the tendril, are removed with scissors.

Cutting is not worth it, because they are very strong and can damage the plant. Trimming the antennae can significantly increase the yield. Two weeks after the berries are picked, the leaves start to dry and turn yellow. This suggests that it is time to cut them off, to give the opportunity to grow new, young and beautiful.

If the plot is large enough, you can just mow or use a sickle.

And in a small garden this is done with scissors or a knife, but by no means with your hands. Pruning is carried out in dry, preferably cloudy weather.

How to prepare strawberries for winter

Before the onset of cold weather, plantings are treated for parasites and diseases, cut off all the leaves and burn them.

The aforementioned variety is sufficiently resistant to frost, but this is in the case of a snowy winter.

Since lately snowy winters are rare, it is better to cover beds with autumn with straw or compost. So you will not worry about the safety of bushes.

"Maxim": advantages and disadvantages

As with any variety, "Maxim" has its pros and cons. Plus definitely more:

• the berries are beautiful, large, tasty and fragrant, with a strawberry flavor;
• high productivity;
• tolerates transportation;
• performed well when frozen;
• can not replant up to 7 years.

The disadvantage, like all other varieties, is the risk fungal disease and love pests very much.

Strawberry "Maxim" (or garden strawberries) - a great choice for the suburban area, and on a large scale. However, before you buy seedlings, you need to carefully study all the features of planting and care, then it will definitely give you a great harvest.