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Among the many varieties of strawberries or garden strawberries, there are both domestically produced varieties and those with foreign roots. Since the 90s of the last century, numerous imported varieties, mainly from Holland, Spain and Italy, have filled the berry market and gained such popularity that often under their guise you can only find fakes that have nothing to do with the true varieties. But even many real varieties from Southern Europe and America are poorly adapted in their growing conditions to the Russian climate. In the best case, the yield obtained from them does not correspond to the declared characteristics. In the worst case, the plants simply freeze out or disappear for other reasons.
Strawberry seedlings from Japan, a country that is much closer to Russia in many climatic characteristics, behave somewhat differently. All over the world, it is the Japanese strawberry that is considered the most large-fruited, and, most importantly, having outstanding taste characteristics. After all, a large berry is rarely really sweet, and the varieties of Japanese selection have a really dessert taste.
Tsunaki's strawberries, a description of the variety and a photo of which you can find in the article, leaves mostly rave reviews about themselves. However, there are still not very many people who grew it, since this variety appeared in the vastness of Russia relatively recently. Many even believe that such a variety does not exist at all, as well as the varieties of Chamora Turusi, Kipcha, Kiss Nellis and others, presumably of Japanese breeding, similar to it.
Variety description and history
Indeed, the roots of the Tsunaki strawberry variety are lost in the fog. Moreover, on Japanese and English-language sites, not even the slightest mention of a strawberry variety with this name was found. Unlike, for example, varieties under the names: Ayberi, Amao, Princess Yayoi and others.
Nevertheless, a strawberry variety called Tsunaki with giant sweet berries continues to exist and is grown by both ordinary summer residents and professional farmers in various parts of Russia. Another thing is that many large-fruited varieties are really similar to each other in their characteristics and differ mainly in terms of ripening and, possibly, in the taste of berries. But, before moving on to specific reviews of people growing Tsunaki strawberries on their plots, you should still dwell in more detail on the description of the variety and its characteristics.
It is believed that in the entire history of world breeding, Tsunaki strawberries serve as an example of one of the largest-fruited and productive varieties.
The appearance of the bush is really admirable and can serve as a reference for many varieties of strawberries. The bushes have a powerful growth force - in height and width, as a rule, they are twice as large as traditional and even remontant strawberries.
Having planted such a giant on your site, you will involuntarily expect from him both giant berries and a good harvest. Both peduncles and whiskers differ in considerable thickness, from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter. As many gardeners say - "as thick as a pencil."
On the bushes of Tsunaki strawberries, there are many leaves, also very large in size. It is enough just to note the fact that there are enough of them to reliably cover the bushes for the winter and save them from frost in winter, and berries from sunburn in summer.
In plants of this variety, the root system develops very powerful and strong, which makes it possible for them to endure short-term drought and develop significant resistance to frost.
According to reviews, the Tsunaki strawberry variety winters well without any shelters both in central Russia, in Belarus, and in the Urals, and in the Far East.
Tsunaki strawberries belong to the mid-late varieties in terms of ripening - the berries ripen around the middle of summer. Interestingly, even if the berries have not yet completely colored and the pulp is light pink or even white in places, then its taste is still sweet, dessert, not watery.
The yield of the variety is promising - an average of 1.5-1.8 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. This strawberry, although it belongs to short-day varieties, that is, it bears fruit only once a year, can also be grown in greenhouse conditions. Under such conditions, with appropriate intensive care, the yield from one bush can reach three kilograms.
Tsunaki's strawberry, being large, develops and grows rather slowly and does not at all belong to the early-growing varieties. In the first year after planting, it makes no sense to expect a large harvest from it.
But this strawberry can grow in one place calmly for five to six years, then it is advisable to rejuvenate the plantation. In the first years after planting, the variety produces a large number of whiskers, which take root, albeit well, but for quite a long time. They should be used to propagate Tsunaki strawberries. As with age, the formation of whiskers slows down and their number decreases.
Strawberry resistance to the main diseases of this variety is average. Gray rot is mainly affected when plantings are thickened and when grown without mulching.
Characteristics of berries
Strawberries are undoubtedly grown for their luxurious berries, and Tsunaki is no exception. The fruits of this variety are characterized by the following characteristics:
- The berries are gigantic in size - up to 120-130 grams. The very first berries grow on the bushes as the largest. The berries can reach 7-8 cm in diameter.
- By the end of fruiting, they, of course, are somewhat smaller in size, but they still cannot be called small - on average, the mass of one berry is 50-70 grams.
- The color of the berries is bright red, with a shiny surface, inside they are even darker red.
- The shape of the fruits may not be the most beautiful and even - they are rather flattened, have characteristic scallops at the tops. Later berries may be more rounded, but irregularities are still present.
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However, for some, the unsightly shape of the berries does not affect their taste in any way - the pulp is dense and juicy at the same time. Unlike many other large-fruited varieties, in the taste, along with a pronounced strawberry hue, there is also a nutmeg aftertaste.
- The berries can stick well to the bushes and not fall off, despite their considerable weight and size.
- Despite their large size, the berries are quite hard and dense, therefore they are well stored and transported.
- The appointment is more than universal. Tsunaki strawberries are perfect for freezing, because after defrosting they completely retain not only their shape, but also their unique taste and aroma.
- Of course, Tsunaki strawberries are very good for fresh consumption, and very tasty preparations for the winter are obtained from them: compotes, preserves, marshmallows, marmalades and other yummy.
Reviews of gardeners and summer residents
The Tsunaki strawberry variety has become widespread in the Far East, possibly due to its territorial proximity to the Japanese islands. But it is also grown in the Krasnodar Territory, and in Belarus and is in great demand everywhere because of the excellent characteristics of the berries.
Conclusion
Tsunaki's strawberry belongs to super-large-fruited varieties, without losing either in taste, or in yield, or in frost resistance. Therefore, it will be interesting for a large number of summer residents and gardeners. Moreover, unlike many remontant varieties, its plantation can be laid for many years.
