Kama strawberry variety
Now buying a novelty among the most diverse and exotic plants is not a problem. Garden strawberry (strawberry) is no exception. Or as it is called in some regions "Victoria". Many sellers offer the widest range of berry crops, including the latest achievements of world selection. True, not all of them really sell what is indicated on beautiful sites, often deliberately slipping an open "re-sort" to a gullible buyer. But this is already a question for a separate article and subsequent discussion.
Let's get back to our topic. More and more, with better characteristics in all respects, varieties and hybrids appear every year, and sometimes gardeners fall ill with "new addiction", buying up and testing these elite plants on their plots. This is correct in its own way - all crops behave differently in different areas located in different regions with different soil types and weather conditions, often not matching the clear description of the originators.
This can affect the taste, of course, the timing of ripening, the size of the berries, and the yield. Many who have not passed the test of summer cottages are ruthlessly uprooted, and a place is immediately prepared for the next new products. Well, those who passed the exam are registered as favorites and remain for permanent residence. And there are those specimens that have been growing for many years and constantly delight their owners, and people will never exchange them for others. One of these is our "Pole", Mrs. Kama.
Description
Kama (Kama 72, Kama Sin 72) is a Polish-bred strawberry variety of a very early ripening period. Bred by crossing parental varieties - the famous and trusted Zenga Zengana X Cavalier. According to proven data, it begins to ripen before the generally recognized market leaders: 3-5 days earlier than Olbia, 10 days faster than Honey and Clery and a week earlier than Alba.
Our heroine blooms very early, and, therefore, the danger of being hit by spring frosts is quite high. Therefore, it is almost imperative to cover plants with agrofibre (lutrasil) with a density of 30 and higher to preserve the future harvest. Or landing in film tunnels, greenhouses.
The weight of the berries of the first fruiting wave can reach 60 grams, but then the size decreases and by the end of fruiting it becomes very shallow. Therefore, the average weight in the season is 20-30 grams. Fruiting of the Kama variety is extended and lasts 4-5 weeks. The berries are of the correct rounded-rhombic shape, with a pronounced neck, large, slightly ribbed, shiny. In technical ripeness, they are bright red; when fully ripe, they acquire a darker shade, become burgundy. Seeds of medium size, yellow, always shallow. Productivity is high - it is possible to get up to 1 kg of berries from a bush.
Our heroine has one feature that is unpleasant for sellers and delighting summer residents who grow strawberries "for themselves." When it is bright red, there is no taste, the berries are even sour. But then it can be transported, and the keeping quality of the fruit is good. But will there be demand in this case? After all, the price will "bite", and few will agree to take sour meat for hundreds of rubles. But in the phase when it is dark, burgundy, transportability is reduced to minimal (collect in a bucket and convey to neighbors). But it is then that the characteristic strawberry aroma, sweetness and taste with hints of wild strawberries are manifested. The pulp becomes juicy, just melting in the mouth. Reminds the so-called "grandmother's strawberries", which sometimes we all miss so much, nostalgic about the village childhood ...
The bushes are compact, but with good vigor, densely leafy.Leaves are dark green, densely pubescent on the back. The flower stalks are powerful, located under the leaves, which protects the fruits from birds and burning in the sun, this is especially true for the southern regions of the country. The mustache gives very little, which greatly facilitates care throughout the season, but this is a big disadvantage for those who decide to start growing strawberries for sale or to create their own fruiting plantation. The Kama has a well-developed root system, which makes it quite drought-resistant. Well, but the resistance to spotting is very weak. But now this is solved by using systemic fungicides: 2-3 treatments in the spring-summer, and this attack will be removed as if by hand. Is it just necessary? This must be decided by ourselves.
findings
In the end, I would like to summarize the facts and draw conclusions about the advisability of growing this variety.
Trust us as professionals who are not interested in selling seedlings - for industrial plantations or more or less large plantations for making money, the variety is not suitable, no matter what sellers tell you, colorful articles of commercial sites or articles of people on the Internet who absolutely do not understand what they are about write ...
Firstly, this is due to the very poor transportability and keeping quality of the berry, when it gains all its advantages: excellent taste and aroma. And the conditionally ripe fruits of the Kama are simply nonexistent and sometimes sour.
Secondly, the fruiting period of strawberries will be significantly extended, there will be no massive collection of early berries, for which varieties of such a plan are planted.
Thirdly, with each selection, the berries become significantly smaller, and the yield becomes lower than the same early Italian and other varieties, such as Alba.
Fourthly, plants are very strongly affected by spots without appropriate fungicide treatments.
We believe it is possible and worth considering. And having monitored the market, one can understand that nowhere is there information about the hectare plantings of the Kama. If the place of sale is very close to the growing area, you can still get lost.
At the same time, it is great for strawberry gourmets who love to feast on something tasty, aromatic and sweet, it is also perfect as a summer cottage option for personal consumption, processing into jam
Author: Maxim Zarechny.
