The Balba strawberry variety is an early-ripening variety with large berries weighing from 20 to 37 grams. The berries have a bright red color with yellow speckles-seeds, a cylindrical or round shape, and juicy, light red flesh with a dense and fleshy structure. The taste of the berries is sweet, dessert-like, with a pronounced strawberry aroma. The sugar content in the berries is about 6.5%, acids — 0.9%, and vitamin C — 65 mg%, which makes them not only tasty but also beneficial.
The plant is characterized by vigorous, semi-spherical, and well-leafed bushes with large dark green leaves of medium rugosity. Flowers are bisexual, large, and white, with long pedicels. The bushes are sprawling, about 20-25 centimeters in height, with moderate growth of runners. The variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness, medium drought resistance, and high heat resistance, as well as resistance to diseases and pests at the level of standard varieties.
Balba is suitable for growing both in open ground and in greenhouses. The plant prefers sunny locations, protected from north winds, with loamy acidic or neutral soil and a groundwater depth of more than 65-70 centimeters. Planting is recommended in mid-spring when the soil is warmed, with a distance between seedlings of no less than 25 centimeters. To maintain plant health and yield, the plants are watered 1-2 times a week and fertilized several times during the season. In landscape design, the Balba strawberry is used for single and group plantings, while in cooking and medicine it is valued for its taste and beneficial properties.
