European Rumba Strawberry is known to many professional gardeners. Amateurs can also grow a variety - just get acquainted with the agricultural technology and characteristics of the variety. About how to plant a crop and care for bushes, read the article below.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Strawberry Rumba was developed by breeders from Holland. The main originator of the variety is the Dutch holding Fresh Forward. According to the scientists of this company, the variety is suitable for open cultivation in Central and Northern Europe. The variety is zoned in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, in particular in the middle lane.

Description of bushes and fruits

Branched bushes, strongly leafy tripartite leaves. The leaf plates are dark green with zigzag edges.

The root system is fibrous - the main root is practically not allocated, however there are many branched lateral processes.

On a long peduncle, an average of 6 fruits is formed. The berries are large, the mass of one fruit is approximately 20–35 g.

The shape is round-conical. The skin color is bright red with a glossy sheen. The pulp is dense and juicy. The taste of berries is distinctly sweet.

Frost and drought resistance

Strawberry bushes withstand frost up to -25 ° C. With such indicators, it is desirable to cover plantings for winter with agrofibre. This recommendation applies in particular to the northern regions. The drought tolerance of the variety is poor. Plants need regular and plentiful watering.

Did you know? The company "Fresh Forward" develops varieties of strawberries with "musical" names. On sale you can find varieties of Lambada, Polka, Allegro, Sonata.

Crop yields and pollinators

The variety is non-maintenance, the crop ripens once during the growing season. With amateur cultivation, the farmer takes 350-400 g of berries from the bush. In the case of a professional approach, 1–1.5 kg of fruits can be removed from one plant. Flowering varieties bisexual. Planting nearby pollinators is not required.

Advantages and disadvantages

Rumba has many advantages.

• Among them:
• early ripening;
• high taste;
• beautiful presentation;
• bisexual flowering;
• immunity to most diseases and pests;
• keeping quality;
• transportability.

• Agronomists distinguish several disadvantages of culture:
• exactingness to the type of soil;
• low drought tolerance;
• the need for shelter for the winter in the north;
• whimsical care;
• in a humid climate, the fruits become watery and acidic.

Planting strawberry seedlings

The variety is demanding on the type of soil.

It is preferable to plant seedlings in soil types defined by the originator, namely:

• sandstones;
• chernozem;
• loam;
• forest gray substrate.

It is desirable to choose a substrate slightly acidic.

Important! Too much clay soil is not acceptable. Bushes will also grow poorly in the area where groundwater is closer than 0.8 m to ground level.

Land using the following technology:

1. Dig holes 10 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm between the bushes and 40 cm between the rows.
2. Put 0.5 kg of humus in each hole and pour 0.5 liters of water.
3. Too long rhizomes of seedlings cut to 10 cm.
4. On each seedling, leave 3-4 leaves.
5. Place the bushes in the pits.
6. Fill the hole with soil so that the neck of the bush remains at the level of the soil. After planting, water each bush.

Subtleties of further care

The main measures for planting care are timely watering and top dressing.

Irrigation intensity

In the middle lane during this period, the threat of frost passes, and the moisture remaining after the snow melts dries.

Frequency of watering in moderate weather - 1 time in 10 days. In the hot period, the bushes are watered once every 3 days.

In August, strawberries need watering once every 4-7 days, even in hot weather. Pour a bucket of water on 1 m² of plantings.

After watering, be sure to loosen the soil: the soil should always be fluffy. Remove weeds together with loosening. To better maintain moisture, plantings can be mulched. As mulch use sawdust, straw or hay.

At the beginning of fruiting, the mulch from the beds must be removed.

Soil fertilizer

It is customary to feed strawberries three times during the growing season:

• during spring awakening;
• at the time of fruit setting;
• when harvesting.

Rumba variety is fertilized in the same way. The main difference between the variety is the demanding potash supplement. At each stage of feeding, add potassium-based products - potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium salt or nitrate. From organics, the plant perceives ash well.

Pest and Disease Control

The advantage of the Rumba variety is its high immunity to diseases. The only problem that may arise is the appearance of gray rot from high humidity. To prevent the disease, carry out two treatments with Alirin-B fungicide with a break of 7 days. For spraying, dissolve 1 tablet of the concentrate in 1 liter of water.

Pests of the culture are also not afraid. As a precaution, the prophylactic treatment with the insecticides Actellik or Aktara according to the instructions is recommended. In most cases, proper agricultural practices are sufficient for prevention.

Harvesting and storage

The variety is mid-early, so the first crop ripens closer to mid-June. The fruits ripen together. Berries are harvested as they ripen. The ripe red color of the skin speaks of ripeness.

Harvest stored in the vegetable section of the refrigerator. Strawberry Rumba tolerates transportation and storage, but the crop should be consumed or processed in the first 2–4 weeks after harvest. The use of fruits is universal - berries can be eaten raw, boil them jam, compotes, add to baking, freeze for long-term storage.

Strawberry Rumba is demanding in care - the variety is susceptible to soil, watering and top dressing. However, the farmer will surely please the result of the cultivation, and, subject to agricultural technology, the gardener will receive tasty and healthy berries.