Fragaria L., 1753 is a genus of Magnoliophyta, belonging to the Rosaceae family, known for the production of the false strawberry fruit; in fact, the real fruits are the name of Acheni. More than 20 species and numerous hybrids and cultivars are announced.

Scientific name: Fragaria

Family: Rosaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Class: Magnoliopsida

Domain: Eukaryota

Superior classification: Fragariinae

 

 

 

As mentioned, more than 20 species belonging to the genus Fragaria are currently classified. The first criterion of classification and discrimination between the various species is to verify the number of chromosomes. As a rule, although there are exceptions, more pairs of chromosomes give the plant greater strength, which produces larger strawberries.

 

 

 

 

Strawberries are an excellent dessert; they are commonly accompanied by whipped cream, or alternatively by vanilla or forest fruit ice cream. It is also common to prepare them with sugar and lemon juice, or they are eaten naturally.

 

 

 

 

The strawberry, which belongs to the Rosaceae family, so colorful and delicious, can also be grown in a small domestic cultivation.

It is a fruit chosen by newbies for the satisfaction of the harvest, as well as by experts. Since they do not require large spaces and, overall, not even a lot of care, production can be easy and abundant.

Strawberry blooms vary by quality. Some develop the year following that of planting; other non-flourishing during the year, such as the Gariguette, the fruiting is in the months between May and June. While the flourishing ones can bear fruit later, between June and July and several times until the most extreme temperatures approach.

Excellent fruit to be eaten fresh, in jam and jam and in desserts.

 

 

 

 

There is a huge variety of strawberries that can count around 600, which in Italy are present throughout the national territory. The most common are the Gea, Cesena, Miranda, Tudla, Marmolada Elsanta, Dana, Idea, Chandler, Honeoye, Pajaro.

Those that we most commonly know because they are the most commercialized can be divided into two main groups, depending on the moment of flowering:

those that produce fruits only in spring (the Unifere or non-flowering),
and those that produce fruit several times a year (the Bifere or reflowering), specifically from spring to autumn.

 

 

 

 

Depending on the strawberry varieties, flowering begins in April with white flowers, sometimes more or less bright pink. From September to November you can proceed with the planting of bare root strawberries and repeat it from February to April.

From September to May you can do, instead, that of potted strawberry seedlings. The optimal month for planting is in any case September because it will be easier to take root and production will take place the following year.

Undoubtedly it is a plant that seeks the sun, so it is advisable to put it in a sunny position in the vegetable garden or balcony.

 

 

 

 

Strawberry soil should be rather sandy and rich in organic substances. Plants can still live in different soils, but there must be good drainage.

The best Ph ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. If the planting is on the ground, it is necessary to prepare the soil before planting the strawberries, removing the weeds. A quicker way to start growing strawberries, however, is to purchase those in seedlings, preferably organic.

If it is possible to obtain a home-made compost, it would be a good idea to add it to the soil, otherwise add organic substances. If the soil is too calcareous, it is advisable to add peat, as strawberry plants prefer acidic soil.

 

 

 

 

 

As with many other plants, the ideal time for watering strawberries is early in the morning, because this allows a correct evaporation of excess water. At the same time, the humidity level remains calm.

In particularly hot periods, watering must be intensified, which must always be constant. It is fundamental that the water is given at the base of the plant and not on the leaves, least of all on the flowers and fruits: this will avoid the propensity to rot and disease.

A good solution would be drip irrigation which can also be obtained in a traditional way. To avoid watering after a period of frost and stagnation of water.

 

 

 

 

On the ground, it is necessary to create hillocks of about 20 cm; with a depth of 35/40 cm. The plants must be at least 15 cm apart from each other. The purpose of the hillocks is not to let the fruits touch the ground.

It would be ideal to plant them in a covering film that maintains heat and prevents the growth of weeds; if this is not possible, the seedlings should be mulched with various resulting material (dead leaves, straw, etc ...).

For plantings in the pot, or in large planters, it is advisable to secure the bottom with gravel or expanded clay to allow drainage and always distance them by at least 15 cm from each other. In order for the plant to continue to be productive, precautions must be taken:

during the winter, climbing stems (the stolons) are created near the main foot of the plant. These must be eliminated periodically, except for the climbing Everest strawberry which produces fruiting stolons to be assured to a guardian so that they can cling to it.
In the autumn, once the harvest is finished, the dry leaves must be cut.
At the beginning of spring, add a special fertilizer for strawberries.
The same operation must be carried out after the first summer harvest, usually between June and July. There is no need for large quantities of fertilizer, just a handful per square meter is enough.