Such a mixed variety of strawberry variety “Alba” has long been a cause for disputes among experienced gardeners. This artificially obtained species has both advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we consider this variety of favorite treats in more detail.
Description
Strawberry "Alba" was bred by crossing two other varieties under the leadership of one of the most popular companies in Italy - "New Fruits". In the description of the variety, the main feature is its very rapid flowering, exceeding in speed even the earliest varieties. On average, the period of flowering of strawberries in the open ground comes after mid-April, and in the closed - even at the beginning of the month. Basically, the yield of one bush per season is about 1.2 kg. This is a fairly good indicator for such an early variety. However, if you are going to grow it in open ground, then expect smaller volumes. This variety is convenient in that it has good resistance to such common diseases as powdery mildew, root rot or spotting. It can also be safely transported and stored - without loss. 
Story
For the first time in the world, people learned about such a variety as "Alba", in 2003, thanks to the Italian company "New Fruits", which specializes in carrying out selection work. This universal species very quickly gained popularity, and already in 2005 in the CIS countries, this strawberry became widespread.
Characteristics of a variety
The popularity of strawberries such as "Alba" is due to various characteristics: the mass and appearance of the fruit, the speed of their ripening and resistance to various diseases.
You may also be interested in such strawberry varieties as: "Albion", "Queen Elizabeth II", "Malvina", "Albion", "Asia", "Gigantella", "Lord".
The fruits of "Alba" are quite large, about 25-30 g, in some specimens even more. The skin is bright red. 
The strawberry fruit has the correct form, slightly elongated and one-dimensional, which makes them very attractive in the eyes of all buyers. A unique role is also played by a unique juicy and sweet taste with a slight hint of sourness, which gives this kind of peculiarity and refinement. Such a strawberry grows with a powerful shrub about 30 cm high. The number of leaves is medium, they are large and have a bright green color.
Did you know? Strawberries have a unique ability to eliminate headaches: its composition contains a substance that resembles the effects of aspirin.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of "Alba" are:
- Regarding other varieties - very early ripening, almost simultaneously with the leaders in the markets, the backlog is literally a couple of days.
- This strawberry is frost-resistant, so it can be grown both in closed and open ground.
- Alba rarely undergoes disease, well opposes them. The only enemies for it can be such pests as aphids or weevils.
- Berries grow dense and large, they are successfully used both for fresh consumption and for canning.
- Shrubs such strawberries are very productive and can produce large yields over the season.
- Berries can be easily transported, stored for a long time under the right conditions, and this will not affect their taste.
- Unlike many other strawberry varieties, this one is not particularly capricious: it is resistant to drought and to a humid climate.
The strengths are resilient to the disadvantages, among which are:
- In some regions of the cultivation of the film of berries can be baked at high temperatures.
- Despite the good reviews regarding taste, this variety is still far from dessert. He lacks flavor and sweetness.
Did you know? Strawberry is the only berry with seeds located outside the fruit.And yet, analyzing the pros and cons of such berries, it should be remembered that a high probability of the quality of future fruits depends on competent and proper care, compliance with temperature regimes and growing conditions.
Landing
Planting this kind of strawberry can be done in two ways: seeds and seedlings.
Sowing seeds
If you decide to grow "Albu" from seed, then choose only proven and reliable producers. So you will be guaranteed good germination of crops and a rich harvest. This procedure should begin in mid-January, and end at the end of February. Soil for planting can be purchased at a specialty store, but you can also make it yourself. Strawberry seeds are very small, and therefore the soil should be well loosened and light. For a better shoot, add sand, humus and peat there. So, before planting, soak the seeds for several days in the water that needs to be changed to clean every day.
Important! Do not bury or sprinkle strawberry seeds with soil, this can lead to their death. To solve this nuance, just add a little snow to the growing container, and sow the seeds on it.After the landing, it is necessary to cover the container with glass or plastic film. The ideal temperature for growing this variety will be 22-25 ° C. The first time to dive seedlings can be at the end of March, the second such procedure should be carried out only after a month and a half. With the appearance of five leaflets on the seedlings and the achievement of a height of 5 cm, you can safely transplant it into open soil. Harvest from this method will be obtained only next year.
Growing from seedlings
Experienced gardeners prefer to grow strawberries "Albu" with the help of seedlings. This is the key to intensive growth and excellent taste of future fruits. There are two classes of seedlings for their quality. The strawberry seedling class "A" has a root length of 5 cm or more, it already has 3 or more developed leaves. The bush itself is strong, and the apical bud is already well developed. 
As for class "B" seedlings, here the quality of seedlings is slightly worse, since the root system is slightly shorter and is 3 cm. The leaves, which are already fully developed, are 2-3. Apical bud developed, but not completely. If you choose the right seedlings of high quality, they will take root with a probability of 95-100%. You will also be guaranteed their rapid maturation, good yield and resistance to pests and diseases. Seedlings should begin to plant in April-May, and finish 2-3 weeks before the arrival of autumn frosts, so that they become strong enough and firmly rooted. To make the strawberry happy for you in the first year of planting, start this whole process in early spring.
Important! Choose such varieties and hybrid forms of strawberries, which are zoned for growing. Such species, in addition to the main advantages, also have excellent winter and disease resistance indicators.Plant seedlings in rows with a distance of 35-40 cm between them. Leave 15-20 cm space between bushes. Many gardeners recommend planting strawberries on non-woven material. So, you need to pre-mark and prepare the bed, make holes, make fertilizer and pour water well. Plant the plants so that their apical buds are flush with the ground. After this procedure, re-water the seedlings.
Care
Although this variety is praised for its unpretentiousness, the Alba garden strawberries require proper planting and careful maintenance in order to fully realize their potential. Without regular agricultural practices, fertilizing, drip irrigation and other procedures, strawberries simply will not correspond to the positive characteristics that are attributed to it. Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to the main aspects of proper care:
- Watering is carried out only as the soil dries, avoid over-wetting the soil or, on the contrary, its drying. Irresponsible approach to watering strawberries can cause infection with fungal and infectious diseases.
- In order to maintain optimum soil moisture over a longer period of time, use special mulch. It is prepared from straw, hay and mowed grass.
- If you do not have the opportunity to prepare mulch or use non-woven material, you can simply carry out regular soil loosening by breaking earth crusts. This will provide the roots of the plant with a large flow of oxygen.
- Strawberries "Alba" need constant mineral fertilizers, which are held three times a year: at the beginning of the growing season, in the middle and at the end.
- When you have already harvested, remove the old and damaged leaves of the plant, leaving only healthy and fresh.
- From those shrubs that are intended only for growing crops, constantly remove your mustache, so that all forces are focused precisely on fruiting.
- Be sure to spend the strawberry shelter for the winter in those areas where winter conditions are quite severe. For example, use fir twig branches to protect this plant.
Learn how to make strawberries for the winter: recipes for preserving berries.
Strawberries "Alba" has long won the hearts of all lovers of these delicious summer berries. Description variety covers a large number of advantages, thanks to which it has become so popular among people. In order for such a strawberry to maximize its abilities, provide it with proper and competent care, care, and then Alba will thank you with ripe, tasty and beautiful fruits.
