Strawberry is considered one of the most beloved berries of all. That is why breeders do not stop and bring new varieties that have more improved quality. Strawberry "Tsaritsa" is such a magnificent berry of Russian selection. This article focuses on strawberries (strawberries) "Tsarina", the description of this variety with photos, as well as the features of cultivation.
Features grade
This strawberry variety grows in the form of a bush, has an average leafiness of green color and a small amount of flowers that are at the level of the bush or under the leaves. Antennae are reddish in color and have many straight hairs.
The berries are medium-large, conical in shape, expanded at the base, weighing about 40 g. They have a smooth surface and rich red color. The flesh is juicy, elastic, has a sweet-sour taste.
Did you know? Although strawberries and sweet berries, it contains almost no sugar.
Variety refers to frost resistant and can withstand temperatures from -25 ° C to -40 ° C under snow, and up to -22 ° C without snow. This is a plant of short daylight. Actively gives the crop for 2-3 years. From one bush can collect up to 3 kg of berries. This variety is resistant to pests, as well as well transported and stored. 
Landing technology
Before growing strawberry "Tsarina", it is very important to choose the seedlings and the place to plant. The quality of the future harvest depends on it.
Learn how to grow strawberries in a greenhouse, at home and without soil.
How to choose seedlings
People who have been selling seedlings for many years and value their reputation are unlikely to sell bad planting material. Therefore, it is better to purchase plants from trusted suppliers. If this is not possible, pay attention to following signs at the time of buying:
- Leaves should be bright green, with a smooth surface or a light down. Plants with damaged leaves is better not to buy.
- The horn should be about 0.7-0.8 cm in diameter. The thicker it is, the better the harvest.
- Sluggish seedlings should not be acquired. The roots must be moisturized and the core must not be dried.
- A bush should have at least 3 leaves.
- If seedlings are sold with open roots, then pay attention to them. A good plant has a fibrous root system, having a length of at least 7 cm. And the root neck is from 0.5 cm in diameter.
Important! When buying seedlings in a pot, pay attention to the roots: they must be distributed throughout the container. And in a peat pot - must go out through the wall.
When and where to plant the berry
The best time for planting strawberries is considered April May or Aug. Sept. Strawberries "Queen" is well planted on a flat and sunny place. You can also choose a site with a slight slope. If you plant it in a wetland, it will often get sick and give small fruits. Landing is also not recommended for landing, as there will be a lack of moisture.
Permeable, light and fertile loams are well suited for growing the Tsaritsa variety. It is necessary to add drainage if the soil is dense. It is recommended to bring 0.5 buckets of river sand, 2 buckets of manure, 1 tbsp. l wood ash and 50 g of urea when digging into 1 square. m
If you are the owner of a small area, to save space, create vertical beds or beds, pyramids. And for growing in this way varieties of ampelous strawberries are perfect.
Scheme of planting seedlings in open ground
Strawberries are planted in open ground like this:
- Dig holes or ditches, the depth of which is 10-15 cm, and a width of 30-40 cm.
- Seedlings are placed so that the distance between the bushes was 18-20 cm.
- The roots are well straightened throughout the depth of the hole.
- Bush sprinkled with earth.
- Each bush is watered with water, using 2 liters of water.
- Mulch dry grass, sawdust or straw, a layer of 5-10 cm.
Important! When planting strawberries, make sure that the central bud is at ground level.
How to care for the variety "Tsarina"
To obtain a quality crop of the Tsaritsa variety, proper care is needed for it.
Watering, weeding and loosening the soil
Although this variety is resistant to drought, it’s still not worth experimenting. Watering strawberries should be abundant, but not often, using 1 liter of water for each bush. In the heat, water 2-3 times a week, in wet weather - as needed.
Strawberries need to loosen the soil to avoid the appearance of an earthy crust. This is done with a shovel between the rows shallowly so as not to damage the roots. And then, using a smaller garden tool (chopper, hoe, shovel), it is necessary to carry out weeding around the bushes, getting rid of weeds.
Fertilization
With a lack of nutrients, fruits will be small and not very sweet. Therefore, strawberries need top dressing:
- at the beginning of the growing season, urea solution should be added;
- before the appearance of the buds is to fertilize with a solution of mullein or bird droppings;
- after the fruiting period it is best to use nitrophosphate, potassium sulfate, superphosphate;
- at the end of September - manure or compost.
Strawberry mulching
To the beds with strawberries were in order, they must be mulched with straw, pine needles or dry grass. Another very convenient to put it on a special film. Thanks to the mulching, the soil retains moisture, and it also does not allow weed to germinate.
Pest and disease treatment
The main pests of the strawberry "Tsaritsa" are mites, nematodes and weevils. It is best to treat bushes with the help of drugs such as Actellic, Confidor, Akarin. Spraying is carried out in the spring, before flowering. Strawberries are subject to such diseases: gray rot, powdery mildew, white leaf spot. Spraying the plants should be drugs "Skor", "Bayleton", "Topaz". 
Trimming whiskers and leaves
Bushes should be trimmed after fruiting. Whiskers and leaves should be trimmed with pruning shears or shears to avoid damage to the roots. Pruning, leave the stems no shorter than 10 cm. Leaves remove damaged, yellow and dry. Antennae remove everything, leaving only the first in a row from the bush for further reproduction. If reproduction will not be carried out in this way, then all mustaches should be trimmed.
Did you know? The only berry with seeds outside is strawberries. On average, one fruit contains about 200 seeds.
How to prepare strawberries for winter
Proper preparation for winter will contribute to good fruit quality and high yields next year. Shrubs should cover for the winter, using straw. Also as a heater you can pour compost or peat under the bushes, which will also serve as fertilizer. Covering strawberries is allowed to fall leaves or corn stalks. And also it is good to use special covering material: spunbond, lutrasil. 
"Queen": advantages and disadvantages
Strawberry "Queen" has a lot advantages:
- the variety is resistant to fungal diseases;
- long period of fruiting;
- "Queen" is drought resistant;
- fruits well withstand transportation;
- well kept;
- in care is unpretentious.
This variety has and limitations:
- low yields under poor weather conditions (low temperature, high humidity);
- rarely used in industry;
- in snowy winters snow retention is necessary.
