Rumba strawberries: cultivation, variety description, photos and reviews

Rumba is a non-repairing variety of garden strawberry, which was bred by scientists from Holland. The development of this variety was carried out by Fresh Forward. Thanks to the efforts of scientists, it was possible to obtain an excellent variety with good marketable berries. The variety is ideal for cultivation in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.

And in today's article you will get to know these Dutch strawberries. In the article you will find a description of this variety, photographs of its berries and reviews from those gardeners who are either simply familiar with Rumba or have directly grown it.

Description of the variety

Rumba is an early variety of strawberry of Dutch selection, considered as an alternative to another popular early ripening variety - Honey for breeding in Germany and Scandinavia.

Bushes

Rumba bushes are spreading, powerful, heavily leafy. Large trifoliate leaves are dark green, with large teeth with stepped edges along the edges. During the flowering period, the bushes form long peduncles with large white flowers.

Berries

Rumba berries are large, have the shape of a regular (the first berries) or a rounded cone. The color of the fruit is dark red, even cherry, and the surface is shiny. The pulp is dense and juicy, scarlet in color with a pronounced smell of wild strawberries. The berries taste sweet, with barely noticeable sourness. The weight of the fruit reaches 30-35 g at the first harvest and 25-30 g in subsequent harvests.

Strawberries Rumba are perfect for fresh use, making jam and desserts. The berries do not lose their excellent taste even when frozen, which allows you to have fresh strawberries even in winter. Transportability is high, the berry is dense (about 20% denser than Fleur and Clery).

Productivity

Rumba strawberries are characterized by consistently high yields, which grow with good care. On a regular garden plot you can collect up to 500 g per bush (in the first year after planting 200-300 g), and when grown for commercial purposes - up to 1 kg. The berries begin to ripen several days later than the Clery and Fleur varieties, but the yield of Rumba is higher and comparable to the Honey variety.

History of selection and regions of cultivation of Rumba strawberries

The Rumba strawberry variety was bred by breeders of the Dutch holding “Fresh Forward” under the leadership of Bert Melenbroek. Scientists from Wageningen University and the Fragaria Holland association took part in the development. The holding registers all its varieties of berries under the names of famous dances. One of their latest berry selections, Salsa, has become a competitor to many of the leading strawberry varieties. The same fate is predicted for Rumba.



Scientists have developed a variety that can grow and develop in continental climates. In the middle zone and Scandinavian countries, strawberries are planted in open ground. Research and testing of berry ripening in greenhouses also showed positive results.

When growing strawberries indoors, it is necessary to observe the temperature regime so that the berries do not become soft from excessive heat.

Rumba strawberries are cultivated in the regions of Northern and Central Europe and Scandinavian countries. Strawberries are considered promising for the regions of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Ukraine has already included the variety in the register of plants recommended for cultivation in Polesie, steppe regions, and forest-steppe zones.

a brief description of

Rumba is an excellent high-yielding variety of strawberries, the fruits of which combine an attractive appearance with high taste.

Advantages of the variety

The plant has a lot of advantages, which is why its popularity among gardeners and large producers is growing. The main advantages include:

• early fruiting periods;
• high yield (a large number of large marketable berries are stably formed);
• attractive appearance (nice color, shine, ideal shape);
• the ability to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time (high transportability and keeping quality), which makes its cultivation for sale profitable;
• delicate taste and aroma that are not lost even after processing;
• resistance to many diseases and pests, primarily to gray and root rot;
• frost resistance.

Disadvantages of the variety

• when ripened in rainy weather it becomes watery and sour;
• very sensitive to the nutritional value of the soil; in the absence of fertilizing, productivity decreases;
• In dry summers it bears fruit poorly and the berries become smaller.

Pros and cons of the variety

Gardeners note the following advantages of the variety:

• the berries ripen early;
• Up to 400 g of berries are removed from each bush;
• the fruits are dense, juicy, and of the same size;
• the plant is frost resistant;
• does not require additional pollination;
• has immunity to certain types of diseases.

Among the disadvantages, agronomists highlight:

• special selection of soil;
• the plant requires special care, in particular, shelter for the winter;
• For a stable taste, the berry needs special climatic conditions, otherwise it becomes sour.

Landing

Rumba strawberries should be planted in a place protected from the wind and well lit by the sun. It is not recommended to plant bushes on the slopes of hills, hilly areas, and lowlands.

Rumba is picky about the soil; on poor soils, the taste and yield deteriorate significantly. The ideal option is chernozems, forest soils, loams with acidity pH = 5.2-5.5. It is important to pay attention to the proximity of groundwater (no closer than 0.8 m to the surface).

Strawberries take root well in beds where carrots, onions, dill, and any green manure previously grew.

Before planting seedlings, the soil is fertilized with humus (a bucket per m2). Since Rumba's bushes are spreading, they should not be planted too densely. Ideal planting pattern: 30 cm between seedlings in a row, 50-70 cm between rows. If planted more frequently, the berries will not receive enough sunlight and will be sour and small.

To a bucket of humus, which is added before planting, it is good to add 100 g of superphosphate and 120 g of potassium sulfate or 150-200 g of wood ash

The depth of the planting hole should be equal to the length of the root, but not exceed 10 cm. If the roots are very long, they are cut off. Before planting, the holes are watered, then the seedling is placed vertically, covered with earth and the soil is compacted so that there are no air cavities left.

The optimal row arrangement is from north to south.

Planting dates: spring or autumn when using purchased planting material (in summer only seedlings with a closed root system are used and most often their choice is poor, and the price is high), late July - early August when using your own seedlings (the mustaches will have time to develop before winter and will bear fruit well for the next season).

How to plant

Let's learn the basic rules for planting Rumba strawberries.

Boarding time

This variety can be placed in open ground both in spring and autumn. If you choose autumn, then the best period for planting will be mid-August to mid-September. Strawberries placed in the ground at this time will be able to take root successfully and will have time to get stronger before the cold weather begins. In spring, plant strawberries as early as the climate in your area allows. It may also be useful for you to learn about the remontant variety Albion, and how to grow it correctly.

Methods for planting strawberries.

It is better to plant in cloudy weather or in the evening. It is not recommended to work in the sun, since the rays can scorch tender seedlings, and they will wither before they have time to take root. But how the Darselect variety is planted, and what cultivation features exist, are described in this material.

Soil and site

For Rumba strawberries, it is important to choose a sunny place, well protected from the winds.

As for the soil, it must be fertile, saturated, mainly, with organic matter and humus. Loamy and sandy loam soils, as well as black soil and gray forest soil are best suited for growing strawberries of this variety. Rumba strawberries will feel worst if they are placed in dense clay soil: in this case, the chances of a good harvest are minimal.

In an area intended for growing Rumba, groundwater should lie at a distance no closer than 60-80 cm from the surface. It is best if herbs or grain crops were grown in this area before the strawberries.

It should be borne in mind that in one place Rumba grows well and bears fruit only for the first 3-4 years, and then it needs to be replanted.

Boarding procedure

It is necessary to prepare the bed in advance. To do this, dig up the ground and add 10 kg of humus, 100 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium salt per 1 m2 of soil. If there is no humus, it will be replaced by 5 kg of manure.

Immediately before planting, the seedlings should remain in a cool place for 3 days. This kind of stratification will harden the plants and make them more prepared for being outside.

Maintain a distance between holes of 30 cm, and between rows - 25-30 cm. In this case, the depth of the hole should be sufficient: the roots should be freely placed in a straightened state. You will also be interested to learn about how the Tsaritsa variety is planted.

In the video - planting strawberries in the ground:

Before planting, trim off the existing leaves of the bushes, leaving only the top 3-4. Make sure that the necks of the plants are level with the ground.

Experienced gardeners recommend planting Rumba as follows: pour water into the hole, then lower the roots into the water, and slowly cover it with soil. This way the roots will naturally straighten out.

If you plant strawberries in the spring and there is a danger of return frosts, it is recommended to cover the bushes with film after planting.

Growing and care

Watering

The frequency and abundance of watering Rumba strawberries depend on weather conditions and the degree of dryness of the soil. In hot, dry weather, strawberries are watered every 3-4 days, spending 15-20 liters. water per m2. It is especially important to ensure regular watering during flowering and berry setting. The optimal time of day is early morning, when the sun is not yet at its zenith. Before color appears, the plants are watered using a watering can, while washing away dust from the leaves. During the flowering and fruiting period, water is carefully poured under the root, avoiding contact with flowers and fruits.

Loosening, weed control

Weeds take away nutrients, shade the bushes, depriving them of sunlight and heat. Weed control is one of the most important conditions for obtaining a good harvest.

Buckwheat inhibits the growth of weeds, so it is good to plant it on the site the season before strawberries.

Mulching will help make loosening and weeding easier. Straw, leaf litter, and sawdust are used as mulch. Over time, the mulch begins to rot and becomes a source of nutrients. Rumba is demanding on soil nutrition, and fresh mulch binds soil nitrogen. To prevent nitrogen starvation, it is necessary to water the mulch with a solution of mullein (1:10), chicken droppings (1:20), and herbal infusion (1:3).

Removing a mustache

The tendrils that form on the shoots take away nutrients from the mother plant, therefore, to obtain maximum yields, they should be removed immediately.

If you need to get rosettes for propagation, then it is better to leave a few plants only for propagation and obtaining tendrils. The flower stalks of these bushes are cut off, as a result, all the strength of the plant goes to the formation of mustaches. From one mother plant you can get 10-30 rosettes.

Feeding

Proper feeding of Rumba is a key condition for obtaining a high yield of quality berries. Lack of nutrients leads to seedlings weakening and berries losing their taste.

Particular attention should be paid to providing the plant with minerals. Potassium has a great influence on the quality of berries. It is a sufficient amount of this element that makes their flesh dense and sweet. Potassium fertilizers should be applied three times:

• at the beginning of flowering;
• during berry setting;
• during fruit ripening.

Feeding scheme to improve taste: potassium sulfate at the root, calcium sulfate + potassium humate at the leaf.

Supporters of using only organic fertilizers can feed strawberries according to the following scheme: in the spring, a bucket of humus to replenish the plant’s need for nitrogen, a glass of ash a couple of times a season, as a source of phosphorus and potassium. The calculation is based on 1m2 of area.

Pest and disease control

The main pests of strawberries are spider mites, raspberry weevils, and whiteflies. These small insects attack the leaves and stems of the plant, preventing the plant from growing and can lead to death.

The basic rule for processing plants is that this should be done before flowering or after harvesting. In addition to the use of chemicals, preventive measures are used such as:

• autumn deep loosening of the berry garden;
• removal of dry and pest-infected leaves;
• destruction of diseased plants;
• regulation of soil moisture.

Rumba strawberries are resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew or brown spot, and in rare cases they are affected by gray rot. The disease manifests itself in the form of brown spots with a gray coating on the leaves and fruits of the plant. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to collect berries in a timely manner, clear the area of ​​weeds, and, if possible, cover the beds with polyethylene when long rainy periods occur. Spring spraying of bushes with Azocene also helps.

Preparing for winter

How strawberries overwinter determines their quality and yield for the next year. Preparing the plant for wintering begins immediately after fruiting ends. Bushes without berries also require care. It is necessary to carry out watering and fertilizing (with a lower nitrogen content). In areas with little snow, Rumba is covered with spruce branches or non-woven material.

Cultivation on large farms

Seedlings are used over large areas. Professional farmers use the genetic predisposition of the Rumba variety to uniform fruit formation to obtain high-quality products.

The round shape reduces the area of ​​contact between the berries. This has a positive effect on appearance. The dense structure of the fruit of the variety allows strawberries to be transported for 2-3 days without reducing their commercial quality.

The dense consistency, and therefore the heavy berry, is an important characteristic of the Rumba strawberry. Thanks to this, the farmer generates additional profit when he sells the same volume of products for more money. And the “accuracy” of fruiting reduces labor costs and loss of time for harvesting.

Important! The well-formed leaf apparatus of Rumba serves as a reliable protector against burns of strawberries under the influence of direct sunlight.

Agricultural practices used

Rumba strawberry bushes are not compact. Therefore, experts plant seedlings at the rate of 4 bushes per 1 m2. Violation of this recommendation leads to thickening, lack of sunlight, and poor air circulation. The result is disastrous: strawberries experience a nutritional deficiency due to internal cross-competition, stagnant locations are formed in the root zone, and a pathogenic environment accumulates.

The soil for Rumba is neutral or slightly acidic. Strawberries do not respond well to alkalization. If necessary, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and rotted organic matter are added. When considering soil according to mechanical parameters, emphasis is placed on light soils, chernozem. Avoid planting the variety in heavy loamy areas.

Farmers use various types of fertilizers for strawberries such as the Rumba variety - root, leaf. Especially during the fruiting period. The Rumba strawberry variety responds strongly to nutrient availability. At the slightest deficiency, the berry loses its taste and the plant becomes susceptible to diseases.

The Rumba variety responds to increased boron content in the soil. The first signs are found on old strawberry leaves - brown spots cover their surface, the leaves die. Agronomists take this factor into account when drawing up a mineral fertilizing plan.

Important! Brown spotting on old strawberry foliage is a cross-symptom of various disorders during the growing season.

Farmers determine the cause by eliminating diseases that have similar manifestations.

In order to receive early products and have time to sell them at the highest possible price, farmers use greenhouse complexes and covering materials. Thanks to this, the period of fruiting of Rumba comes 2 weeks earlier.

Reproduction

The simplest and easiest way to propagate Rumba is considered to be propagation by mustache. These are side shoots that then take root and separate from the mother plant. Advantages of this option:

• the ability to get many young bushes from one plant;
• preservation of varietal properties;
• new plants take root well.

Strawberries are propagated by dividing the bush. To do this, select the strongest plants and divide them into horns. Healthy three-year-old plants with a developed root system are suitable for this method. However, the survival rate of horns is significantly lower than when using mustaches.

Strawberry care

In order for new gardens to better adapt and take root, fertilizing should be applied.

This is especially true for such a demanding variety as Rumba. Properly selected nutrients help improve not only the overall level of yield, but also improve taste - the sugar content increases, excess wateriness and acidity are removed.

Rumba especially urgently needs potassium feeding . This component helps preserve and increases sugar content, maintains the elasticity of the skin and the density of the pulp. Nutrient mixtures containing potassium must be applied several times - at the beginning of the flowering period, during fruit set, at the time of ripening.

It is advisable to use potassium as a top dressing.

Reviews

I sell surplus berries at the market. "Rumba" is an ideal option for sale. The berries are all even, beautiful cherry color, sweet, transportable, and juicy. I’m glad that the variety is resistant to pests and diseases; I don’t even suffer from gray rot, although in Asia, for example, rot affects part of my harvest every year. As for fertilizing, I only use the organic-mineral complex from the Buysky plant, I don’t know whether it’s good or not, but lately I haven’t had enough money for manure.

Strawberry Rumba is a wonderful variety that, with good care, gives a high yield. The excellent taste of the berries and high safety during transportation have made its commercial use popular.

Disease and pest control

The advantage of the Rumba variety is its high immunity to disease. The only problem that may arise is the appearance of gray rot from high humidity. To prevent the disease, carry out two treatments with the Alirin-B fungicide with a break of 7 days. For spraying, dissolve 1 tablet of concentrate in 1 liter of water.

Pests are also not scary. As a precautionary measure, preventive treatments with Actellik or Aktara insecticides are recommended according to the instructions. In most cases, correct agricultural technology is sufficient for prevention.

Harvesting and storage

Strawberries are harvested every morning after the dew has dried. If left on the bush, it can quickly become overripe. The berries intended for storage are collected with the stalk. When processing a large area, to make the work easier, you can immediately sort the strawberries into different containers.

To ensure that the berries are well preserved for several days, lay them in no more than 2-3 layers. If it is intended to be frozen, it must be placed in the freezer on the same day. First, the strawberries are frozen in one layer, then poured into a bag in which they are stored and used as needed throughout the winter.