Strawberry variety Mara de Bois
Mara de bois is a remontant variety of garden strawberries (strawberries) for universal use. It was developed by the specialists of the French company Andre in the late 80s, in 1991 the first patent was issued. Gento varieties were crossed to obtain, Ostara, Red Gauntlet, Crown... Our heroine is suitable for growing both in open and protected ground, recommended for cultivation in garden plots, in small and medium-sized farms in order to sell fresh products on the market, can be used in an ampelous version. The name of the variety is translated as "forest berry", which already hints at excellent taste. Mara de bois is still very popular in Europe and the USA, as well as in Russia, it is famous as one of the most delicious among remontant varieties.
The plant is not tall, of moderate vigor, medium leafy, spreading, and at the same time quite compact. Strawberry production is moderate or poor. Leaves are medium in size, medium bubbly, with slightly raised edges, dark green in color, well covering the berries. The flowers are bisexual, white. Peduncles are thin and short, with weak pubescence, multi-bud, formed in abundant quantities, located at the level of the leaves. About 5-7 inflorescences are formed on the peduncle.
Mara de bois berries are medium in size, regular conical shape, but do not differ in uniformity. The skin is bright red, shiny. Achenes are yellow, superficial. The pulp is light red-orange in color, medium density, very pleasant texture, with an intense strawberry aroma. There may be small voids inside the fruit.
The variety has excellent taste, many even call it “gourmet strawberries”. The taste is multifaceted, plays with different notes, very much like wild strawberries. Sweetness and light sourness are perfectly balanced. Our heroine is one of the most delicious among the French varieties, although, according to reviews, she loses a little to Charlotte, but in comparison with the American hard-fertile favorites of the market, for example Albion, Mara de bois is clearly taking the lead. The berries are universal in use, are equally good both fresh and processed, they will perfectly decorate desserts. The transportability of the fruits is average, transportation in a small container (up to 500 ml) for short distances is possible. Berries are also poorly stored, so it is recommended to use refrigeration units during transportation. In a word, this strawberry is not particularly suitable for large-scale production, but it will do for small-volume production.
The fruits of this variety are not impressive in their size, but they are formed in large quantities, which provides a decent yield. The average weight of berries in the season is about 11-16 grams, with intensive agricultural technology, the weight increases to 15-20 grams, the largest specimens ripen up to 25 grams. Some nurseries indicate an average fruit weight of 40-60 grams, but this is not very similar to the truth, such large berries are not typical for remontants. The yield of our heroine is average - about 500-800 grams of fruits per plant. Of course, such an indicator does not compare with the favorites of the market such as Albion, which have a potential of 3 kg per bush, however, such results are achievable only with ideal agricultural technology, while our heroine can really produce up to 800 grams of berries per plant with relatively moderate agricultural technology. And, of course, it bypasses high-yielding varieties of neutral daylight hours in taste.Plants begin to bear fruit around early to mid June and finish in late autumn, with the arrival of frost. Fruiting is stable and almost continuous.
Mara de bois is highly resistant to powdery mildew, moderately resistant to late blight, susceptible to various leaf spots and chlorosis. The winter hardiness of strawberries is average, in the Central zone of Russia it requires shelter, in the Northern regions the cultivation of this variety will be quite problematic, since our Frenchwoman is thermophilic, and the cold climate is extreme for her. Also, the variety reacts very negatively to heat and drought, therefore, its cultivation in the southern hot regions will also be quite troublesome.
In agricultural technology, strawberries are standard, but they are of the intensive type, which implies the following principle - the better you take care of the plants, the more response you will get. Mara de bois does not need any special care, but all basic activities must be carried out on time and with high quality. Watering, loosening the soil, preventive treatments against diseases and pests, as well as top dressing - all this has a direct impact on the yield of plants and the taste of berries. Our heroine can be grown using a compacted technology, so bushes can be planted at intervals of 25 cm. Do not forget to rejuvenate the plantings in time, this should be done every two years, a maximum of three.
Mara de bois is a very good variety with excellent taste. She can be recommended to gardeners, she will be an excellent addition to the collection of varieties, but our heroine is not particularly suitable for commercial cultivation. In addition, strawberries are quite whimsical and demanding for proper care, so you will have to fight for the harvest, especially in problem regions.
