Traditionally, garden strawberries are propagated by rooted rosettes and by dividing the bush. But in cases of growing mustacheless varieties, the optimal breeding method is to grow seedlings from seeds. This is not a very simple matter - there are certain nuances and subtleties in it, without which it will not be possible to get plants. Let's take a closer look at the rules and methods of sowing strawberry seeds.
Collection and preparation of strawberry seeds for sowing
Strawberry seeds can be purchased at the store, but their germination can be very poor, since this crop lasts no more than one year. To avoid this problem and get enough seed, the seeds can be harvested by yourself. In any case, before sowing, they must be prepared in a certain way.
How to harvest seeds correctly
For sowing strawberries, hybrids cannot be used, since with this method they do not retain their varietal characteristics. Therefore, seeds are collected only from varietal plants. This can be done in different ways - we will describe two methods of collecting seeds. The first one is older:
- From healthy and productive bushes, the most ripe and large berries.
- Using a scalpel or a sharp blade, carefully cut off a thin layer of skin with seeds.
- The resulting sections are dried for several days, spreading them evenly on a plate. Do this in a well-ventilated and sun-warmed place.
- When the sections are dry, they collect the seeds from the plate, if they stick, they are scraped off with a knife.
Method of collecting seeds using a blender:
- The collected berries are placed in a kitchen blender and poured large quantity water.
The collected berries are placed in a kitchen blender and poured over with plenty of water.
- Turn on the blender for 1-2 minutes.
- Filter the resulting mixture through a fine strainer.
To collect seeds, filter the resulting mixture through a fine strainer
- The seeds from the strainer are transferred to a napkin to dry.
The seeds from the strainer are transferred to a napkin to dry.
- The remaining mixture is re-placed in a blender glass, allowed to settle and filtered again. The procedure is repeated several times until all the seeds are collected.
Video: collecting strawberry seeds using a blender
Sowing dates
Strawberry seeds have poor germination. Without preliminary preparation seedlings may appear in 1-2 months. In total, it takes up to six months to grow seedlings ready for transplantation. Therefore, to get the harvest in the current year, seeds should be sown no later than February - March. If it is supposed to grow strawberries in a heated greenhouse to obtain a winter harvest, then sowing seeds for seedlings can be in June - July.
Soil preparation
Growing strawberry seedlings requires a special soil that is easy to prepare yourself. To do this, it is enough to mix three components:
- sod land - 2 parts;
- peat - 1 part;
- coarse river sand - 1 part.
And also it is good to add wood ash to this mixture (one glass per bucket of mixture) and vermicompost (one liter per bucket of mixture). In order to destroy possible pests and pathogens, the soil mixture should be subjected to heat treatment, for example, bake in the oven for half an hour. And of course, you can buy the ready-made mixture at the store.
Ready-to-use strawberry and strawberry primers are on sale
Seed preparation for sowing
Strawberry seeds that have undergone special training can sprout within a week after sowing. This also increases the germination rate.
Stratification
In botany, stratification is understood as long-term holding of seeds at a certain temperature in order to increase their germination.
This process is usually combined with seed hardening, which consists in alternately keeping them at low temperatures and in room conditions. The duration of stratification can range from two weeks to three months. Usually, the seeds are evenly scattered in a thin layer on a moistened cotton pad and covered with the same disc on top. Place the resulting structure in Plastic container and placed in a refrigerator. Periodically (at least every other day), the seeds should be ventilated by opening the container lid for a few minutes, and about once a week they should be left at room temperature for a day. Throughout the entire process, the moisture retention is constantly monitored, adding water to the bottom of the container if necessary.
Throughout the entire stratification process, the moisture retention is constantly monitored, adding water, if necessary, to the bottom of the container
Bubbling
A good way to increase the percentage of germination and accelerate the emergence of seedlings is to bubble the seeds in warm (+ 25-27 ° C) water for 2-3 days. For this purpose, seeds are poured into a container of water, the end of the hose from the aquarium compressor is lowered there and turned on. After the end of bubbling, the seeds are dried and used for sowing.
The seeds are sparged in warm (+ 25-27 ° C) water for 2-3 days
Soak
If there is no compressor, then the seeds can be simply soaked in water before sowing (rain or melt water should be used) for several days. The same construction is suitable for this as for stratification. Only in this case, the container is placed in a warm place, for example, on a radiator. The method can be improved by replacing the water with a solution of one tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 500 ml of water. In this case, the soaking period is reduced to two days.
Germination
Sowing germinated seeds will significantly shorten the germination time. To germinate strawberry seeds, they simply increase the soaking time (if the soaking was carried out in hydrogen peroxide, then after two days the seeds are washed and continue to germinate already in clean water) until the moment when they begin to hatch. After that, they are planted in one of the ways described below.
After the strawberry seeds begin to hatch, they are planted in the soil
Seed sowing methods
Every gardener has their own favorite method of planting strawberry seeds. Let's consider the most popular ones.
Sowing on toilet paper
There are two options for this method, and both of them are not recommended for use, since they cannot be used to grow ready-made seedlings, but only small sprouts that require further transplantation.
Into the bottle
For this option, take plastic bottle and cut it lengthwise into two halves. The bottle is covered from the inside with several layers. toilet paper and moisturize it well. Then the seeds are laid out on paper at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. A bag is put on the bottle and placed in a warm place. When the seeds germinate, roots and first leaves are formed, the sprouts are transplanted into tablets or soil.
The inside of the bottle is covered with several layers of toilet paper, which is well moistened and seeds are sown on it
Into a snail
A strip 10-12 cm wide is cut out of the film, laid out on the table and 3-4 layers of toilet paper are laid on top. Her moisten abundantly and place seeds two centimeters from the top edge with an interval of 2-3 cm... After that, the strip is rolled up and fastened with tape. The finished snail is placed in a container with a small amount of water at the bottom. Then proceed in the same way as in the first option.
A strip 10-12 cm wide is cut out of the film, laid out on the table and 3-4 layers of toilet paper are laid on top
Into a snail with soil
This method is quite widespread when growing seedlings of various crops. It is as follows:
- As the base of the snail, strips of vinyl backing are cut under the laminate. Optimum thickness such a substrate is 2 mm. The stripes are usually 15 cm wide and can be up to 4 m long.
- The strip is laid out on a flat surface and a layer of wet soil mixture is poured onto it with a thickness of two centimeters.
- Carefully fold the strip into a snail and fix it with tape. This process is conveniently carried out using a device that is easy to make from scrap materials. It is a box with a width equal to the width of the strip and a length of 50-60 cm.The height of the sides of the box can be 5-10 cm.
With the help of such a homemade device, it is convenient to roll large-diameter snails
- The finished snail is placed vertically and part of the soil is removed from its upper part, forming a groove 1-2 cm deep.
The finished snail is placed vertically and part of the soil is removed from its upper part, forming a groove 1-2 cm deep
- Seeds are sown into the resulting groove and moistened.
- Place the snail in a suitable tray or deep plate and pour water into them to a height of 2-3 cm.
Snails with seeds planted in them are placed in trays of water
- The snail is covered with a bag and placed in a warm place. The package will need to be removed after the shoots appear.
- Arrange additional lighting with lamps daylight or special phytolamps. The duration of daylight hours should be 12-13 hours.
Video: snail rolling device
In peat tablets
With this progressive method, special peat tablets that you can buy at the store. They are made from pressed peat impregnated with nutrients and trace elements. To maintain their shape, the tablets are placed in a mesh. The diameter of the product varies from 23 to 72 mm, and the height is about 2 cm. In the center of the upper end there is a recess for sowing seeds. The main advantage and advantage of the method is that the plant lives in it from the moment of sowing the seed to planting the finished seedlings in the ground. Moreover, the seedlings are planted together with the tablet, which eliminates trauma to the roots and ensures 100% plant survival. The seeding order is as follows:
After soaking, peat tablets swell and increase in height up to 7-8 cm
After sowing seeds in peat tablets, the container is tightly closed with a transparent lid.
Into coconut pills
Made from coco peat (70%) and coconut fiber with shavings (30%) and soaked in nutrient solutions, these tablets are even more advanced seedlings. Unlike peat tablets, coconut tablets:
- do not sag and keep their shape better;
- absorb moisture faster;
- do not form a crust on the surface:
- have better breathability;
- do not decompose for a long time and can be used several times.
The order of sowing in coconut tablets is no different from sowing in peat tablets.
Video: review of peat and coconut tablets
Into boiling water
Of course, seeds are not actually planted in boiling water. When they say so, they mean sowing seeds in soil watered with highly hot (about 80 ° C) water. It looks like this:
- The container is filled with nutrient soil.
- Water it abundantly hot water from a small watering can.
- The strawberry seeds are planted immediately.
- Cover them with black foil.
- Close the container with a lid and wrap it up with warm things (blanket, blanket, etc.).
- After 1-2 hours, the container is freed from insulating materials and placed in a warm place for germinating seeds.
High temperature softens hard shell seeds, which accelerates their germination and increases the percentage of germination. Stratification and soaking are unnecessary with this method.
Into the hydrogel
This is new polymer material which in Lately began to be used for growing seedlings. Its main feature is the ability to retain a large amount of moisture. Hydrogel granules are capable of absorbing water 300 times their own mass. This allows maintaining the required moisture level of the germinated seeds for a long time. For growing strawberry seedlings, it is better to combine the use of a hydrogel with nutrient soil. For sowing seeds, soaked hydrogel granules are poured on the bottom of the container with a layer of 3-4 cm, a layer of soil mixture with a thickness of 0.5-1 cm is poured on top and the seeds are sown in the usual way.
Video: sowing strawberry seeds in a hydrogel
Growing strawberry seedlings, although not entirely simple, is quite affordable for a novice gardener. Having mastered one of the methods he most liked, he will always be able to provide himself with planting material in the required quantities.
Not all summer residents dare to propagate strawberries with seeds. And this is understandable. Whatever the manufacturers write on bright packaging planting material, growing strawberries from seeds is troublesome. Seeds sprout for a long time, and often disappear altogether; seedlings look fragile and small, you have to dive with tweezers; It is unacceptable to overmoisten the seedling soil, and even more so it is impossible to overdry it ... So many worries!
Nevertheless, growing strawberries or strawberries from seeds has its advantages. If you want to improve your berry health, try new interesting varieties and do not be afraid of any difficulties, go for it! And we will help you with useful advice ...
First of all, we advise you to pay attention to small-fruited varieties of remontant strawberries. They are less capricious than strawberries, they are cheaper, and the chances of getting good seedlings are much greater. In the future, having gained experience, you will move on to growing large-fruited varieties.
You can plant strawberries for seedlings both in February and in April. Everything will depend on your conditions.
Anyone who is ready to provide strawberries with the lightest window sill or light up the seedlings for 12-14 hours a day can safely sow seeds in early February and have the right to expect the first harvest of berries in the current season.
Well, for those whose windowsills are already occupied by tomatoes and peppers, it is not forbidden to plant strawberries in March or at the very beginning of April. Perhaps this season such bushes will not be able to bear fruit, but next year they will show themselves in all their glory.
Soil preparation for strawberry seedlings
The main properties required by strawberries are lightness and water permeability. To achieve the desired quality, some gardeners advise sifting the potting mix through a sieve. The following mixtures are best suited for strawberry seedlings:
- Option 1: 3 parts of garden soil, 3 parts of humus or compost, 1/2 part of wood ash.
Option 2: 4 parts vermiculite, 3 parts peat, 3 parts sand.
Option 3: 1 part coconut fiber, 1 part humus or vermicompost.
Option 4: 3 parts sand, 5 parts humus.
Option 5: 2 parts of sod land, 1 part of sand, 1 part of peat.
Option 6: 3 parts of sand, 1 part of garden soil, 1 part of humus.
In order to disinfect the soil as much as possible, it is either calcined, or frozen, or spilled in advance with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Seed stratification and sowing for seedlings
That is why summer residents do not like to tinker with strawberry seedlings so much! Because of the notorious stratification, which in this case cannot be bypassed.
Stratification is the creation of seed germination conditions close to natural. The strawberry seeds that we have on our hands, roughly speaking, are asleep. Growth blockers work to the full extent - special substances that prevent seed germination before the onset of a favorable period. The gardener's task is to artificially create all the conditions for the seeds so that they quickly “come out of hibernation” and start growing.
How to stratify strawberry seeds? You can go the traditional way and soak the seeds for a week on a damp cloth in the refrigerator, and then gently sow in the ground. And you can “kill two birds with one stone” by combining stratification with sowing.
It is most convenient to sow strawberry seeds in plastic containers with a lid, having previously made several drainage holes in their bottom. Such a container is filled with a soil mixture, not reaching the edge for a couple of centimeters. Moisten the soil slightly so that small seeds do not sink too deep, and then distribute the seeds evenly over the surface. They are not covered with earth, and the two or two and a half centimeters remaining to the top of the container are filled with snow. Close the lid of the container and send it to the refrigerator for two weeks.
In the refrigerator, the snow will gradually melt and go into the soil, dragging the seeds along. This is approximately what happens in natural conditions in spring. This is exactly what we wanted!
After the expiration of the stratification period, the container with the planted seeds is placed on the windowsill. There is no need to open the lid yet, watering is usually not required either (there is usually enough moisture from melted snow). But it is not forbidden to arrange additional lighting.
After 10-15 days (in some varieties in a month), the first shoots appear.
Care of strawberry seedlings before planting in the ground
With the emergence of shoots, the lid of the box must be periodically opened (or holes must be made in it). It is not recommended to open young seedlings immediately and permanently in order to avoid rapid evaporation of moisture. Constant moisture (but not waterlogging) of the soil is one of the key points in the cultivation of strawberry seedlings.
When sowing seeds in a plastic transparent container with a lid, it is very convenient to monitor the moisture level. If the lid of the container looks a little fogged up, everything is fine; if there is so much condensation that it collects in drops on the lid, then there is an excess of moisture in the soil, and it is necessary to ventilate the seedlings; if the lid is dry, it's time to water.
Strawberries are watered very carefully: either with drops on the walls of the container, or from a fine-jet sprayer, or with a medical syringe. The most best water for watering - thawed. If there are concerns about fungal infections that may be dormant in the soil, you can add “Fitosporin” diluted according to the instructions to the irrigation water.
Approximately 3-4 days after germination, the lid can be permanently opened.
With the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, strawberry seedlings dive into individual cups. The procedure is not the easiest, because the plants are still tiny, fragile, with an elongated stem. Many people use tweezers to gently hold each blade of grass. When diving, it is necessary to ensure that the root does not bend upwards. First, the seedling is sprinkled with earth to the same depth, later, when the seedlings take root in a new place, add earth to the cotyledon leaves, without filling the growing point. The entire long stem of strawberry seedlings will be buried underground and give additional roots. 
Some gardeners simply "huddle" the sprouts, raking up the soil so as to cover the long stem, leaving the growth point and leaves above the ground, and picking is done later, with the appearance of 3-4 pairs of true leaves. In this case, the seedlings will be much stronger, but there may be a problem with the interlacing of the roots. The roots of seedlings can be so intertwined with each other that you have to rinse them with water and carefully (using a fork) untangle them.
After picking, caring for strawberry seedlings is reduced to constant monitoring of the humidity level. In addition, you can harden the seedlings by taking them out to the balcony at stable temperatures above zero. You do not need to feed strawberry seedlings until they are planted in the ground.
We wish you success and big harvests!
Garden strawberries are most often propagated by tendrils or purchased seedlings. However, the result does not always justify the money and effort expended. To ensure the "purity" of the variety, experienced summer residents prepare planting material on their own. Find out how to grow strawberries from seeds at home, which berry varieties are preferred and what planting requirements should be followed. Get to know the traditional and modern ways storage of seedlings until spring.
Experienced gardeners argue that a correctly selected variety and competent seed preparation are the key to obtaining high harvest garden strawberry... Seed material is stratified and sown into the soil substrate.
Growing strawberries from seeds
Selection and preparation of seeds
For seed growing remontant strawberries are best suited. Their distinctive feature- fruiting two to three times during one growing season. Recommended varieties:
- Bagota is a Dutch large-fruited variety that is resistant to pests and diseases. Ideal for planting in black soil.
- "Lakomka" is a winter-hardy, fruitful variety. Large fruits grow up to 34 g. The plant takes root well on neutral soil and does not degenerate for 10 years.
- "Victoria" is a kind of garden strawberry. Victoria strawberry is resistant to cold weather and pest infestations. The fruits are dense, aromatic and sweet.
- "Sakhalinskaya" is a small-fruited remontant variety, fruit weight - up to 20 g. Strawberries bear fruit all summer - about 400 g of berries can be harvested from one plant per season.
- Brighton is an unpretentious variety. The fruits ripen until frost, and the yield does not depend on the amount of sunlight. The berry has a pineapple flavor.
Important! When buying planting material, you should pay attention to the collection period. Strawberry seed germination lasts 2-3 years.
Repairing variety of garden strawberry "gourmet"
You can collect berry seeds at home from ripe large fruits. Cut off the top layer from the strawberries and rub the pulp on a napkin in a warm place. When the seeds are dry, they must be peeled from the pulp and put in a glass container.
Seeds of large-fruited varieties germinate slowly and require three-stage pre-planting preparation:
- Spread the seeds in a saucer and cover with rain or melt water - they should stay in this state for two to three days.
- Line the seedlings on a moistened sponge and place in a plastic bag. Leave in a dark place until the seedlings are pecked. At this stage, you can carry out stratification - put the container in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Harvesting seeds from ripe berries
The decision on whether to stratify or not depends on the expected timing of planting seedlings in open ground. A decrease in temperature leads to the destruction of inhibitors and accelerates the development of embryos.
Soil and container preparation
The soil for strawberry seedlings should contain at least 2% humus. The optimal substrate for seedlings is a peat mixture with mineral additives. As a rule, this composition has a reddish color. Homemade potting mixes:
- Mix non-acidic peat, biohymus and river sand in a ratio of 3: 1: 1, respectively.
- Combine one part of peat and sand with a double dose of sod land. Add rotted manure and wood ash to the composition.
- Combine biohymus and coconut fiber in a 1: 3 ratio. Biohymus can be replaced with humus.
Preparing the soil for sowing
For disinfection, the prepared mixture must be heated in the oven for 20-30 minutes at a temperature of 150 degrees. Under the influence of high temperatures, harmful organisms and weeds are destroyed. In order for the useful qualities of the components to be restored and the substrate to be filled with the "right" bacteria, it needs to rest for 2-3 weeks.
Advice. For growing strawberry seedlings from seeds, a universal potting substrate or peat tablets are suitable.
Growing in peat tablets
The choice of sowing container is not limited by any requirements. The main condition is the presence of drainage holes in the container, which ensure the drain of excess liquid. Growing seedlings is possible in the purchased plastic containers, mini greenhouses, cardboard boxes, tetra-packs or wooden homemade boxes.
Before filling the container with soil mixture, it is necessary to carry out disinfection - wash the container with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Mini greenhouse for growing seedlings
When to sow strawberries for seedlings
Sowing seeds, as a rule, is carried out in the first or second decade of February. During this period, daylight hours begin to gradually increase. Strawberries take a long time to come off (about 40 days) and need sufficient light and humidity. If it is not possible to highlight the seedlings at home, then strawberries should be sown no earlier than March.
If you want to get seedlings of strawberries from seeds in early spring, sowing is performed at the end of December or in January. At the same time, constant illumination is provided. An affordable alternative to sunlight - LED lamp.
Before sowing strawberry seeds for seedlings, it is advisable to look at the lunar calendar. Experienced summer residents assure that it is undesirable to transplant, plant and sow plants during the full moon and new moon - during these cycles, all juices are poured either to the rhizome or to the top. Therefore, the normal growth of culture will subsequently be difficult.
Important! When choosing the timing of sowing strawberry seeds for seedlings, the berry variety (early, late), the climatic conditions of the region of planting in open ground and the estimated time of obtaining the first harvest are taken into account.
Sowing garden strawberries
Correct sowing procedure:
- Place containers on pallets or trays - excess water will drain onto them.
- Fill the container with soil substrate 10 cm.
- Condense the ground and moisturize.
- On the surface of the soil, spread the seeds in rows at a distance of 3-4 cm. It is convenient to carry out the layout with an important toothpick. It is not necessary to cover the seeds with soil - the seedlings will begin to germinate in the light.
- Cover the container with a transparent lid or polyethylene with holes, ensuring normal air exchange.
- Place the container in a bright and warm place. The optimum temperature is 18-22 ° С, the location is the sill of the east or west window. It is necessary to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on the soil.
How to care for strawberry seedlings
Young seedlings are very fragile and need careful care. If you do not create necessary conditions, then the seeds will germinate unevenly, and the sprouts that appear may be subject to diseases.
The first sprouts of strawberries with leaves
Conditions for growing seedlings
Activities for caring for strawberry seedlings at home are reduced to the following actions:
- Before the first shoots appear, it is important to control the moisture content of the soil. A sure sign of the need for watering is the absence of condensation on the inner surface of the shelter (film). Excess condensation must be removed. The best time to moisturize is early morning or evening.
- During the first two to three weeks, you need to do airing - remove the film for 20-30 minutes.
- The container with crops should be under diffused light for at least 10-12 hours a day.
- The first shoots will appear in two to three weeks. So that the stems do not stretch too much, the air temperature should be reduced to 16-18 ° C.
- When a couple of leaves develop on the sprouts, they must be gradually hardened - every day to remove the film, increasing the time for adaptation to external conditions. At this time, watering the seedlings should be dosed, directing a stream of water under the root of the sprout. For convenience, you can use a syringe or pipette.
- After the final rejection of the shelter, the seedlings will need additional lighting and a temperature regime within 12-15 °. In addition, moderate draft-free ventilation is required. A fluorescent lamp or LED lamp is installed at a distance of 20 cm from the seedlings.
Advice. In order to prevent fungal infection, seedlings must be treated with a fungicide solution every two to three weeks.
Homemade seedling lighting
Picking strawberry seedlings
In order for the root system to fully develop and the shoots of the bushes are not intertwined with each other, it is advisable to dive the strawberries - to plant them in separate pots. This should be done when the seedlings have 3-4 serrated leaves.
Dive sequence:
- Water abundantly, trying to wet mainly the root part of the stem.
- Prepare separate containers for seedlings. Lay gravel drainage on the bottom of the pots, and on top - soil of the same composition as for planting seeds.
- Gently remove the seedling, holding it by the leaves, pinch the root and place the plant in a glass. The soil should be just below the rosette with leaves.
- Water the bushes and place the container in a lighted place.
Diving of strawberry seedlings
After the pick, the seedlings need fertilization. Feeding strawberry seedlings is performed every 10 days. Young specimens respond better to water-soluble fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen is required in a limited dose.
Some people prefer to dive the seedlings into special cassettes. This method has several advantages:
- when planting in open ground, the likelihood of injury to the root system is excluded - the survival rate of seedlings is 99%;
- plants start growing quickly;
- facilitated the planting process.
Garden strawberry seedlings - cassette seedlings
Strawberry seedlings in cassettes are treated with a biostimulant for good rooting. To avoid pulling the stem, it is recommended to use additional growth promoters.
Diseases and pests of seedlings
At proper care strawberry seedlings do not suffer from diseases. However, with an excess of liquid and an excess of temperature, the seedlings are affected by a black leg. For the prevention of the disease, it is periodically necessary to add to the seedlings river sand.
If a "constriction" has already formed around the stems, then the following measures must be taken:
- Suspend watering.
- Remove affected and weak shoots.
- Transplant healthy seedlings into another container, having previously treated the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- During subsequent watering, add fungicide ("Bactofit" or "Fitosporin") to the water.
Spider mite on seedling leaves
Excess nitrogen fertilization can provoke the appearance of a whitish bloom. The disease is caused by excessive watering and temperature extremes. The first signs of powdery mildew appear on the underside of the leaves, as well as on the petioles of strawberry rosettes. For the fight use solutions of biofinicidal drugs: "Fitosporin", "Planriz", "Gamaira".
Strawberry planting can attack spider mite... The pest sucks out the cell sap of the plant and reduces the rate of photosynthesis. In the fight against a tick at home, they are effective folk methods- tinctures on calendula, dandelion or onion. Among the chemicals the most effective are Karbofos, Fitoverm and Aktelik.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Transplanting strawberry seedlings into open ground is possible after the appearance of 4-6 leaves and an increase in the trunk up to 5 cm. Planting dates for the Middle Lane are from mid to late May. Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare seedlings and take care of the condition of the soil.
Preparing strawberry seedlings for planting:
- For two weeks, the seedlings are gradually hardened, taking the containers with plants outside. Unseen strawberries should not be exposed to the sun.
- Before transplanting seedlings, pinch the main root. This contributes to the development of a stronger root system.
Site requirements:
- an area protected from winds with moderate lighting is ideal;
- let's say a slight slope of the site to the south-west;
- the best predecessors for garden strawberries: legumes, beets, carrots, onions, garlic and flowers;
- level groundwater- at least 1 m to the soil surface.
Site preparation for planting seedlings
In the spring, the garden bed should be dug up and the soil should be fertilized with a mixture of humus and ash. For 1 sq. m you will need 2 buckets of organic matter and 2 glasses of ash substances.
Experienced gardeners plant berry bushes on different schemes... It is better for novice summer residents to choose an ordinary method in one or two rows. In this case, it is advisable to adhere to the following distances:
- distance between rows - 50 cm;
- the interval between bushes for large-fruited varieties is 80 cm, for small strawberries - 30 cm.
Advice. For a transplant, it is advisable to choose a cloudy day or evening.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Seedling planting procedure:
- Prepare a hole for each bush with a depth of about 5-8 cm - the value depends on the length of the root. The approximate dimensions of the hole are 20 * 20 cm.
- Place the seedling in the hole and spread the roots. The "heart" should be above the soil surface.
- Sprinkle the berry with earth, water and mulch the soil with straw, sunflower husks or pine needles.
Video: Methods for planting strawberries in open ground
Preserving strawberry seedlings in winter
There are several cold ways to keep strawberry seedlings at home in winter until spring. Compliance with simple technologies will ensure high productivity of berry bushes next year.
Storing seedlings in the traditional way
In the traditional approach, plants are prepared in advance for winter storage:
- At the end of August, stop watering strawberries - the plant will fall into a state of anabolism and life processes will stop.
- At the end of September, select healthy specimens with strong leaves and shoots.
- Dig the rosettes with antennae, tear off old leaves and shake the earth from the roots.
- Before laying for the winter, seedlings should not be dry. Moisten the roots of the grafted seedlings with water.
- Line the bottom of the boxes with moss, place the seedlings in a container and cover with a lid.
- Place the boxes with strawberry seedlings in the cellar, ensuring a stable temperature of 2-6 ° C. Optimum humidity – 80-90%.
Choosing a seedling for winter storage
According to the described method, the period of "conservation" of seedlings is up to 10 months.
Frigo's modern technology
Recently, among gardeners, a new technology for preserving seedlings, Frigo, has been especially popular. The essence of the method:
- Saplings are dug up in mid-late November. During this period, strawberries have already experienced a natural slowdown in metabolism, an outflow of carbohydrates to the root system and the formation of several generative buds. With a decrease in temperature to + 5 ° C, vegetative growth completely stops.
- Sort the excavated specimens and cut the leaves.
- Place in plastic bags and place in refrigerator compartment... Storing strawberry seedlings in the refrigerator takes place at a temperature of 1-2 ° C.
- It is possible to plant plants in open ground from April.
Frigo cut seedlings
The absence of leaves contributes to the rapid establishment of the plant in the ground. Under normal conditions, 3-5 days after planting, new leaves appear, and after 60-65 days of cultivation, the bush begins to bear fruit. The yield of Frigo strawberries depends on the thickness of the seedling neck at the time of planting. The following indicators are achieved on a large scale:
- class B (8-12 mm) - economically unprofitable, used for next year's harvest;
- class A (12-15 mm) - gives 4-6 t / ha per season;
- class A + (15-18 mm) - yield up to 10 t / ha;
- class WB (more than 22 mm) - the record holder among berry crops, which allows harvesting more than 15 t / ha.
Classification of Frigo seedlings
Growing strawberries from seeds with your own hands is within the power of even novice agronomists. Having withstood the recommended sowing time and providing all the conditions for the normal growth of seedlings, it will be possible to obtain high-quality planting material at home.
Seed propagation of strawberries (garden strawberries) is a laborious process that requires patience. Basically, this method is used by breeders to obtain new varieties, but sometimes it is justified on summer cottage, for example, when growing beardless strawberries. To get plants from seeds, you need to comply with the terms and technology of sowing, carefully look after the seedlings. However, for a gardener accustomed to growing seedlings, this is not unusual.
Today there is huge selection seeds and often the gardener is eager to grow a strawberry variety with which he is not yet familiar. It is the seed planting method that least of all limits the enthusiasts in choosing a variety. However, it must be remembered that seeds purchased from the market will not always give the expected result. In this case, re-grading and substitution is possible.
It is better to purchase seed material in large stores or from reliable suppliers via the Internet. So, the first advantage is the choice of the variety you need. The second plus is that you can choose plants with different terms ripening and thus prolong the fruiting period of the culture.
It is also important that the seed material can be stored for a rather long period (up to 4 years), and also has a high resistance to various diseases... If strawberry bushes are constantly ill on your site, you can collect seeds from them and plant them after treatment with fungicides - this will improve the culture.
On a note! With the seed method of reproduction, it must be borne in mind that the properties of the hybrids are not transmitted in this way. Growing strawberries from seeds is only advisable for varietal varieties.
Half of the success depends on the right choice of seeds. this method reproduction. It is best to go shopping in a specialized store, where along the way you can get advice from a seed germination specialist and further care for strawberries. When purchasing material, rely on the following factors:
- It is not always worth focusing on the size of the berries, large-fruited varieties are more capricious in care and require ideal conditions... In addition, there are not many such seeds in a bag, and given that the germination rate is never 100%, the purchase may not be very profitable.
- Varieties with smaller berries have high yields, such strawberries have excellent taste and aroma. Small-fruited varieties have high frost resistance, are not afraid of drought and have a longer fruiting period.
- If you do not have enough time to maintain your garden, choose mustacheless varieties of garden strawberries - this will eliminate the need to trim the whiskers that weaken the bush.
- Repaired varieties will provide berries for 7-8 months, the harvest can be harvested until frost.
It is recommended to purchase material for planting ahead of time, when the assortment is as wide as possible. Seeds keep well in a dry, warm place. You will have time to prepare for planting, prepare the soil and everything you need, and then sow at the right time.
Clery variety When choosing a variety for planting, you need to take into account the peculiarities of your climate, the timing of fruiting strawberries, and its resistance to diseases. Important selection criteria are also taste qualities and yield indicators. Here is a list of the most popular varietal varieties for planting in Russia:
- "Diamond". The variety is characterized by abundant yields, bears fruit successfully in one place for 3 years. This strawberry is resistant to fungal and viral diseases. Its berries are not too juicy, but they have a high sugar content.
- "Ducat". Strawberries form compact bushes covered with berries. The variety belongs to medium early varieties, successfully resists drought and frost, is not susceptible to diseases, and tolerates transportation well. The berries are sweet and juicy, with a pronounced strawberry aroma.
- "Kent". The berries are characterized by soft and sweet pulp with a high juice content. Bears fruit for a long time, perfectly tolerates frost and transportation. The variety is undemanding in care, rarely gets sick.
- Clery. The variety gives large berries with a juicy and sweet pulp, which have a bright aroma. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, this strawberry perfectly tolerates both drought and frost, and is resistant to most fungal diseases. Harvested crop can be eaten fresh, canned, frozen, used for making candied fruits.
- "Queen Elizabeth II". A large-fruited variety often chosen for seed production. The berries are distinguished by excellent taste, very sweet, individual specimens reach a weight of 100 g. Good harvest this varietal variety gives the first two years, after which it requires a transplant. Has excellent winter hardiness.
- "Olivia". The variety is perfectly adapted to drought and temperature extremes. Strawberries are resistant to fungal diseases and tolerate transportation without loss. The pulp of the fruit is sugary, dense, with a high percentage of sugar, juicy.
All of these varieties are suitable for growing strawberries from seed through seedlings at home. Thanks to the qualities acquired as a result of selection, strawberries can be planted today in any region, even in conditions of risky farming.
What conditions are needed for growing large-fruited strawberries at home
The container with crops should be protected from drafts. Until the emergence of shoots, the container should be covered with a film, lifted daily for ventilation. It is recommended to maintain the temperature in the room within 23-25 degrees.
When shoots appear, the indicator is reduced to 18 degrees so that the seedlings do not stretch out. The seedlings are gradually accustomed to room air, leaving them without a film for more and more for a long time... At this stage, the plants are not watered. Watering is resumed after full adaptation.
Sowing dates depend on climatic conditions region. In general, strawberry seeds are sown early enough to harvest in the coming season. For the cultivation of large-fruited strawberries in the southern regions, sowing is carried out even at the end of the year. In December, strawberries are sown even if greenhouse cultivation is to be done.
The sooner the seedlings are ready, the earlier they can be planted in the ground. If the sowing is done in April, the berries will appear on the bushes only next year. It is also advisable to coordinate sowing work with the lunar calendar, which indicates suitable and unsuitable dates for this.
Before sowing seeds, you need to study the information on the package about the growing season of the variety. The exact sowing time is usually calculated based on the age at which the seedlings can be planted in open ground. The number of days is counted down to determine the landing date. The Moscow region is characterized by moderate weather conditions.
If spring meets climatic standards, it is possible to plant seedlings in open ground starting from the second decade of May, when frosts will definitely be excluded. Sowing strawberry seeds is carried out in January or February. At the time of relocation to open ground, the bushes must be fully formed and strong in order to painlessly undergo adaptation and have time to take root before the drying heat arrives.
On a note! At first, the plants in the garden need special care, so the quality of the seedlings is of particular importance if you cannot often visit your summer cottage.
The climate of the Urals is very harsh and changeable. The region has a considerable length, therefore the weather conditions in its northern and southern parts differ significantly. The first half of winter is almost without precipitation, there is little snow, but frosts can be severe. Heavy snowfalls begin in January. The snow mass falls out in a thick layer and does not melt for a long time in spring. Because of this, all planting work begins later than in the middle lane.
The threat of recurrent frost also exists for 2-3 weeks longer. Since the planting of seedlings occurs later, the timing of sowing seeds is also shifted. Seed material is placed in a container with soil no earlier than March. Advantages late landing for seedlings in that the plants do not require additional lighting, Even in natural light, the seedlings grow stocky, strong.
Siberia is known for its hard frosts and extremely short summer... Previously, little was possible to successfully grow here, the plants simply did not have time to develop and bear fruit before the cold weather began. Now there are zoned varieties intended for cultivation in the Siberian region.
Breeders have tried to achieve increased frost resistance of many crops, including strawberries. Sowing for seedlings for subsequent planting in open ground is carried out here in March, and seedlings are moved to the garden in June.
On a note! Early and mid-early varieties are suitable for growing in the region, such as "Amulet", "Berdskaya early", "Darenka", "Kama", "Maryshka" and others.
It is recommended to plant strawberries in open ground for residents of the Leningrad Region closer to the end of May. The weather here changes frequently, there may be cold winds, unexpected frosts. So that the frost does not kill the seedlings, it is better to play it safe and plant the bushes later.
At first, it is recommended to cover immature plants with agrofibre, you can finally remove the shelter in 1-2 weeks, taking into account the weather conditions. Accordingly, the timing of planting seeds for seedlings for growing large-fruited strawberries in the Leningrad region falls on the end of February.
The lunar calendar takes into account the phases of the moon and their effect on plants. The days when new moons, full moons, lunar eclipses. Auspicious days for sowing strawberries will be the following dates:
- in December 2018 - 5 and 22;
- in January 2019 -10, 11, 15-20;
- in February 2019 - 6-8, 12-17;
- in March 2019 - 7, 10-12, 14-16, 19, 20.
these dates are considered the most unfavorable.
Important! Please note that sowing is counted from the moment the seed is soaked, since moisture starts growth processes.
How to properly plant strawberries with seeds
Before sowing strawberries, you should stock up on everything you need - purchase and process seeds, soil, prepare planting containers. To get healthy, strong seedlings, you can not skip any of the stages of the event.
Before planting seeds, the soil must be disinfected. It is enough to hold it for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 150 degrees or pour it with a solution of potassium permanganate. Prepare the land in advance, 2 weeks before sowing. In the remaining time, beneficial soil bacteria will multiply in it. There are no special requirements for containers. This can be either a common container or individual cups. The main thing is that the containers are clean and have a drainage hole.
In order to increase the percentage of germination and accelerate the germination of seeds, they are stratified. This procedure involves keeping seed material in the cold. To begin with, the seeds are spread on a damp cotton pad and covered with the same moistened disc on top. After that, the seeds are placed in a plastic container and covered with a lid with openings for air access.
After two days in a warm room, the container is put into the refrigerator and kept for 2 weeks. Periodically, the container should be ventilated and the discs should be moistened with water, preventing them from drying out completely. On the eve of sowing, the seeds are slightly dried.
It is possible to carry out stratification after sowing together with the soil. In this case, the seeds are placed on a snow-covered soil surface, covered with a lid and put into a refrigerator for 15-20 days. With this method of stratification, additional moisture is not required, it will be provided by melted snow. It will only be necessary to regularly air the plantings.
Stratification of strawberry seeds before sowing: video
When sowing, grooves are cut into a common container in it and the seeds are spread with tweezers, observing an interval of 2-5 cm. For these purposes, you can also use a toothpick. The seeds should be superficial, they should not be sprinkled with anything. After that, the plantings are covered with glass and wait until the seeds are nailed. The cover is periodically removed to ventilate and remove condensation.
On a note! The very first shoots can be expected in 2 weeks, but strawberry seeds germinate unevenly, some of them may take a month for this.
Strawberries have sprung up, what should I do?
At the time of the mass appearance of sprouts, the box with seedlings is rearranged to a well-lit place. The seedlings are gradually accustomed to the dry air of the room. The shelter is finally removed when 2-3 pairs of real leaves appear on the bushes. After that, the seedlings need to provide additional lighting, regular watering and feeding.
Recently, peat tablets intended for growing seedlings have been popular with gardeners. Their advantages are in facilitated care, ensuring optimal conditions for seedlings, less traumatic plant transplantation in open ground.
Before sowing, the tablets are laid out in a common container and filled with water at room temperature so that they swell. In the upper part of each tablet, a small hole is made, and then the seeds are laid out.
Then everything should proceed in the same way as with normal sowing. The container is covered with a lid, ventilated regularly, and water is added to it as needed. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive into the pots along with the tablet, after removing the shell.
Planting strawberry seeds in peat tablets: video
Caring for strawberry seedlings at home
The quality of seedlings largely depends on the care that you provide to her. Only if the seedlings grow strong and healthy can they turn into full-fledged plants and give a harvest this season.
An important component in caring for strawberry seedlings is good lighting. Without enough light, the sprouts will be frail, overly elongated and fragile. In good light conditions, on the contrary, the seedlings become strong, strong, and successfully resist various diseases. At the beginning of winter, at the beginning of winter, the daylight hours are too short and the plants need additional lighting.
It is best to use fluorescent or LED lamp... A conventional incandescent lamp is not suitable due to an inadequate light spectrum and excessive heat generation. And from an economic point of view, such a backlight will cost much more. Turn on the lamp for 2-3 hours in the morning and in the evening, in cloudy weather, leave it on for the whole day.
When watering, the main thing is to avoid waterlogging. While the seedlings are small, they cannot absorb large amounts of water. In the presence of excess moisture, the sprouts are quickly attacked by the black leg and die. Drought is just as destructive.
It will be correct to water the sprouts from a pipette or syringe once a week, supplying water to the root. Before watering, the water is settled. Its temperature at the time of humidification should be 22-26 degrees. Watering is carried out in the morning or in the evening, trying not to fall on the leaves.
Top dressing begins after the seedlings are picked. To do this, use a complex mineral fertilizer with a predominant content of potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen in the top dressing must be present in minimum quantities... Kemira or Solution with the addition of iron chelate and a set of trace elements is quite suitable. In any case, the fertilizer should be delivered in liquid form, shortly after watering.
Transplanting means diving of grown seedlings into separate cups. With a single pick, the seedlings are planted after 3-4 leaves appear. Before removing the seedlings, the soil is thoroughly watered.
When picking, the seedling is held by the cotyledon leaves, and in no case by the stem. The central root of each plant must be pinched gently. After picking, the soil in the cups is slightly moistened along the edge.
On a note! Some gardeners even make two picks. The first time the seedlings are transplanted at the stage of appearance of 2-3 leaves, the second time they are dived after the appearance of the 5th leaf. This method is used involuntarily if the seedlings develop too quickly, and weather conditions do not allow planting them in open ground. Diving somewhat slows down the development of plants, their strength after transplanting goes to adaptation.
Growing strawberries with seeds - from sowing to picking seedlings: video
With good care, seedlings are rarely affected by disease. If, due to waterlogging of the soil, a black leg has arisen, diseased seedlings should be immediately destroyed, and healthy seedlings should be transplanted into separate cups with sterile soil and treated with a fungicide (Fitosporin, Maxim, Baktofit).
Due to sharp temperature fluctuations and an excess of nitrogen, strawberries can be affected powdery mildew... For treatment, it is better to use biological products (Gamair, Planriz, Fitosporin, Alirin-B), using them according to the instructions.
Of the insects, strawberries are most often annoyed by the spider mite, whose attacks are possible with low humidity in the room. The pest makes small punctures in the leaves of plants and sucks the juices out of them. In this case, acaricides will help (Aktara, Aktellik, Karbofos).
Seedlings are planted in the garden when the soil temperature reaches 12 degrees and the threat of frost disappears. Depending on the region, disembarkation can take place from early May to mid-June. The seedlings are pre-hardened for 2 weeks, airing the room daily for half an hour or longer, gradually increasing the time. 1-2 days before transplanting to a permanent place, the seedlings are taken out into the open air during the day.
Those who have been growing strawberries from seeds for more than a year share with beginners the secrets of getting strong, healthy seedlings and talk about the nuances of caring for them:
- Seeds of large-fruited strawberries germinate only in the light, therefore they are categorically not recommended to be sprinkled with soil.
- Melt water has a stimulating effect on the seed, which is why sowing strawberries in the snow is popular.
- If, after germination of the seed, the root is on the surface of the soil, it must be sprinkled with soil, otherwise the seedling will die.
- In a container with seedlings under cover, mold sometimes forms. It must be removed immediately, after which the surface of the soil should be sprayed with a solution of the fungicide - this will help preserve the seedlings.
- For picking, it is convenient to use a toothpick, prying the plant from below with it.
Anyone can grow strawberries from seeds if they wish. The main thing is to comply with the conditions for the emergence of seedlings and adhere to the rules for caring for seedlings. Having mastered this method, in the future you will be able to independently obtain any number of bushes by growing them from your own planting material.
It should be said right away that growing strawberry seedlings (garden strawberries) from seeds is a rather laborious process. As a rule, gardeners resort to buying ready-made seedlings or propagating bushes with their own mustache. However, not all varieties are suitable for reproduction, and sometimes you really want to grow exactly the garden strawberries that your neighbor in the country treated you to. Next, you will find out exactly when you need to sow strawberry seeds for seedlings and how to grow them at home.
How to choose or independently prepare strawberry seeds for planting seedlings
Today there is great amount varieties and hybrids of strawberries, whose producers promise huge and tasty berries, early maturity and high resistance to any kind of crop diseases, so it is so difficult to choose the right one.
If you want to get large-fruited berries, you should pay attention to the following strawberry varieties: Honey, Ksima, Fireworks, Vima and Festivalnaya.
But! It is by seeds that it is easier to propagate small-fruited strawberries. Large-fruited varieties sprout worse and develop more slowly, so it is better to propagate them vegetatively.
Particularly promising varieties for seed cultivation renovation strawberries are: Crimean early, Yellow miracle, Baron Solemakher, Ali Baba.
Worth knowing! It is very important that flowering strawberries are pollinated only with berries of the same variety, otherwise they will lose their maternal characteristics.
Seeds for sowing strawberries can be prepared independently using the following step-by-step instructions:
- Take any strawberry you like in the summer and cut the top off.
- Then kitchen knife or with a sharp blade, remove the top layer of seeds from it.
- Place the removed layer on a cloth (preferably thick) or paper sheet.
- Put to dry in a warm place for a couple of days.
- Further, the dried substance must be rubbed in the palms of the hands to separate the seeds.
- Place the seeds in a bag for storage. Don't forget to sign.
Important! Remember, strawberry seeds remain viable for 3-4 years.
Preparing strawberry seeds for planting
Friendly shoots and health of future strawberries will provide correct preparation and treatment of its seeds before sowing, which includes their soaking and stratification.
For soaking, you will need cotton pads, a small container and always warm, settled water (boiled is not suitable). You can use drugs such as "HB-101", "Epin" or "Zircon".
Video: pre-sowing preparation of garden strawberry seeds
A simplified stratification of strawberry seeds can be carried out as follows: spread the seedlings on round moistened cotton swabs, cover them with exactly the same moistened cotton pads and put them in the refrigerator on the lower shelf for 3 days. You can use regular paper towels as well.
Video: stratification of strawberry seeds
How to plant strawberries for seedlings
For sowing strawberries with seeds for seedlings, you need a special soil and a certain container (container). Therefore, you need to properly prepare for planting strawberries for seedlings, but first you need to decide on the timing.
When to plant seedlings
To find out when is the best time to plant strawberries for seedlings, you can pay attention to the terms that the manufacturer recommends, indicating them on a bag of purchased seeds. As a rule, sowing can be started at the end of January and up to April.
As for experience, then optimal terms sowing strawberry seeds for seedlings is February-March.
According to the lunar calendar in 2019
Choose the optimal date for sowing seeds for seedlings can help you Moon calendar.
So auspicious days for sowing strawberries for seedlings in 2019 according to the lunar calendar are:
- in January - 12-14, 27-29;
- in February - 6-11, 15-18, 23-26;
- in March - 8-10, 17-19, 25-27;
- in April - 15-17, 24-26, 29, 30;
- in May - 1-3, 6-8, 12-14, 19, 26-31.
Of course, it is not always possible to get to the dacha on favorable days, therefore, the main thing is not to sow on unfavorable days.
Unfavorable days according to the lunar calendar for 2019 for sowing strawberry seeds in spring, the following dates are:
- in January - 5, 6, 21;
- in February - 4, 5, 19;
- in March - 6, 7, 21;
- in April - 5, 19;
- in May - 5, 19.
According to lunar calendar from the magazine "1000 Tips for Summer Residents".
Capacity and substrate
Of course, it is best to grow garden strawberries in clear containers or plastic cups. In this case, you can easily see and control the degree of soil moisture. But for planting, any other plastic and wood containers, as well as peat cups, sour cream containers, milk cartons are suitable.
By the way! Strawberry seeds can also be planted in peat tablets.
Video: planting strawberry seeds in peat tablets
Note! Strawberries do not like picking very much, therefore, as an option, you can immediately sow in spacious containers without further transplanting.
You can use both purchased soil (for example, special for strawberries (garden strawberries), although it is also suitable for begonias or violets), and self-prepared soil mixture. To do this, you need the following ingredients:
- 1/4 low-lying peat;
- 1/4 river sand;
- 2/4 sod land.
Another option for a soil mixture for growing seedlings of garden strawberries:
- 1/5 river sand;
- 1/5 of vermicompost;
- 3/5 peat.
You can also make such a homemade substrate:
- 3/8 sand;
- 5/8 humus.
Advice! The soil can be disinfected by calcining (steaming) in the oven or microwave, or by spilling a solution of the drug. Better yet, do both (first ignite, then cool, and then spill).
Direct fit (standard method)
Sowing strawberry seeds for seedlings is as follows:
- Fill containers or cups with soil mixture.
- Place strawberry seeds on top at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle well lightly warm water from a spray bottle or from a spray bottle.
Important! It is not necessary to sprinkle with a substrate.
- Cover the top with plastic wrap or close the container with a transparent lid to create a greenhouse effect (for better seed germination).
Video: growing garden strawberries (strawberries) from seeds - sowing seedlings
The most popular video bloggers and gardeners in Russia offer more intricate and unusual ways planting garden strawberries for seedlings, here are some of them:
Landing in a toilet paper snail
Into the diaper
Sowing in the snow
Very good way sowing! Thus, the seeds undergo artificial stratification, as it were.
How to care for strawberry seedlings after planting
In order to grow healthy strawberry seedlings, it needs appropriate care and certain conditions of detention.
From the very first day, young seedlings need a long, at least 10-11, and preferably 12-14 hour daylight hours. The air temperature in the room should be in the region of 18-22 degrees (and the closer to the landing, the more it can be lowered by taking it out to the loggia or balcony).
Therefore, in February and early March, be sure to supplement the strawberry seedlings with special phytolamps. Otherwise, it will be very stretched, it will be pale and weak.
Advice! For convenience and simplification of seedling care, you can buy a "smart" timer-socket, which will automatically turn on and off the light (lamp) at the time you set.
Watering
The appearance of real leaves is your main guideline for starting active watering and removing shelter, but again, do not be too zealous.
Important! You can not often water the newly emerged shoots of strawberries, as this can cause, firstly, the appearance of mold on the walls of the planting container or, even worse, actually fatal for plants - a black leg.
The film (cover) from the seedlings cannot be removed immediately, this must be done gradually. The process of a kind of hardening should be started from 20-30 minutes a day.
The frequency and volume of watering differ significantly at each stage of the formation and growth of strawberry seedlings:
- So, immediately after planting, a single spraying of the soil per day is quite enough. In this case, it is very important that in no case a dry crust forms on the ground.
- As soon as the first shoots appear, watering already needs to be carried out only once every 7 days.
- The appearance of the first true leaves is your signal to increase the number of waterings by 2 times (1 time in 3-4 days). Moreover, it is necessary to water so that the soil in the container is moistened to the very bottom.
- The more leaves form, the more moisture is required (evaporation will go stronger), which means you will have to water more often.
Advice! It is ideal to use settled water at room temperature for watering strawberry seedlings, of course, it does not need to be boiled. Also, melt or rain water, or filtered water, is excellent for this business.
Video: caring for young strawberry seedlings
Picking
Strawberry seedlings can be dived when 2-3 true leaves appear, that is, about 10-14 days after germination.
The transplant should be performed only strictly together with a lump of earth. The containers should have a volume of about 200-300 ml.
Video: correct picking of strawberries
Top dressing
As soon as the plants have 3-4 true leaves, it is necessary to feed the seedlings of garden strawberries with such well-known complex fertilizers as: "Solution", "Kemira Lux" and "Aquarin" or any others. Before planting the seedlings in a permanent place in the ground, you can perform about 2-3 additional fertilizing (every 10-14 days). Dilution proportions, in other words, you will find the dosage in the corresponding instructions on the package.
Video: caring for strawberry seedlings after picking
When and how to plant strawberry seedlings outdoors
Before planting strawberry seedlings in open ground, it is recommended that you first harden them. To do this, containers with seedlings must first be taken out to the balcony or loggia, and when it gets completely warmer, then to the porch.
Important! Room conditions should be alternated with stressful ones.
You can start planting strawberries in open ground already when the soil temperature warms up to + 14-17 degrees, another condition is that the plant has a 6th true leaf. And this usually falls on the second half of April - the first ten days of May, depending on the climatic conditions of the region. In the South, of course, they are planted earlier, in the Middle zone (Moscow region) it is better to wait out the return frosts a little.
Strawberries grow well only in fertile soils, and they also like illuminated areas. However, in the first 14 days after planting, it is better to cover it to prevent burns of young leaves. But you need to water the strawberries in the open field abundantly.
by the way! About to How to properly plant garden strawberry seedlings in open ground, about the methods and schemes of disembarkation, how to then care for and grow until the first berries appear - read.
Video: planting seedlings of strawberries grown from seeds in the garden
Thus, if you follow all the above recommendations and adhere to the basic rules of planting garden strawberries for seedlings and growing strawberries from seeds at home, then you will definitely succeed, and a rich harvest delicious berries will not keep you waiting.
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