Strawberries are delicious and healthy berry, which grows on almost every personal plot. The dream of gardeners is to become the owner of rare varieties with great taste and good yield. It's easy to grow varietal strawberries from seeds to create your desired strawberry plantation.
In stores you can find a large assortment of strawberry seeds - large-fruited, small-fruited, climbing, remontant and even yellow.
Popular varieties for seed propagation:- Queen Elizabeth - very productive remontant strawberry with large berries;
- Temptation F1 – ampelous large-fruited strawberry;
- Yellow miracle - remontant, with yellow fruits;
- Regina is a large-fruited remontant crop that does not produce whiskers;
- Alexandria is small-fruited.
Growing strawberries from seeds is very profitable.
One bush of a remontant large-fruited variety costs about 80 rubles. From a packet of seeds you can get several bushes.
Choice planting material and preparing seeds for plantingStrawberry seeds do not require special preparation for planting - if they are fresh, they will sprout in favorable conditions a few days after sowing.
Remontant varieties Strawberries, when sown with seeds in March, will have time to produce their first harvest at the end of summer. If the varieties are not remontant, the berries will appear only in the second year after planting.
Timing for planting strawberry seeds for seedlingsIt is recommended to sow strawberries with seeds in January or early February in order to get the first berries in the year of planting.
Difficulty may arise with the need for lighting, since in winter there is short daylight. If there is no possibility of illumination, sowing is carried out in March.
Sowing strawberries in the garden can be done directly in open ground.In open ground, seedlings always grow strong, as they receive an abundance of sun and warmth.
Preparing the soil and containers for growingFor small seeds like strawberries, the soil must be of very high quality.
You can buy “TERRA VITA Living Earth” - soil that is highly permeable to air and water.
The container for sowing strawberry seeds needs to be low. You can use plastic ones with a food-grade lid. It is necessary to make holes at the bottom of the planting container to drain excess water.
Rules for sowing seeds in a container and peat tabletsHaving poured the soil into a container, water it with water or a Fitosporin solution for disinfection. Strawberry seeds are poured out of the bag onto a white sheet of paper and carefully distributed into the planting container using a toothpick.
There is no need to bury the seeds or cover them with soil.
An interesting way to sow seeds in the snow allows you to see at what distance they fell into the ground. For such sowing, snow is poured into a container on top of the prepared soil, leveled and the seeds are sown. When the snow melts, the seeds will be drawn into the soil. They will not be buried and will sprout well.
The sown seeds are covered with a transparent lid and placed in a warm place on the windowsill. When the first shoots appear, they should immediately receive light. At a temperature of +25°C, the seeds germinate in about a week.
Planting strawberries with seeds in peat tablets is also very convenient.When the seedlings hatch, they need good lighting to grow. If the weather is bad, the seedlings are illuminated with fluorescent lamps.
In addition to light, seedlings need watering. They are sprayed with water at room temperature from a spray bottle.
Picking seedlingsAfter two leaves appear, the seedlings are transferred to a separate container with two toothpicks. Picking occurs when the sprouts are still very small, this allows for a minimum of damage.
When seedlings are transplanted early into separate small containers, they will not compete for light and living space and will be able to develop normally.
With good lighting, strawberry seedlings will grow strong and healthy. Seedlings need to be fed after the third true leaf appears. For fertilizing, you can use humic fertilizers or Fertika Plus.
Planting strawberries in open groundWhen the seedlings planted with seeds grow up, they will not be very large. In May, with the onset of consistently warm weather, small seedlings can be transplanted into the ground. By this time, 2-3 pairs of true leaves should appear on them.
For planting, a well-lit place is allocated in the garden.
It is cleared of weeds and leveled. Add rotted compost or purchased TERRA VITA soil to the soil.
Seedlings are planted on a prepared, watered bed, following the following procedure:At first, it is advisable to protect the seedlings from direct sunlight until they take root in the new location.
Caring for garden strawberriesWhen caring for young strawberries, timely watering, fertilizing, protection from pests and diseases, weeding and regulating the growth of the mustache are important. The soil around the bushes is loosened and mulched with sawdust or straw to prevent moisture evaporation.
In the spring, when the snow melts, they loosen the soil and hill up the strawberry bushes, raking the soil under the plants. Water the bed by adding urea, ammonium nitrate or a complex fertilizer intended for strawberries to the water. Dilute with 10 liters of water matchbox urea.
Often the days in May are very hot and strawberries require watering. It is necessary to water it after harvesting, otherwise the fruits will turn out watery and tasteless.
Before flowering begins, in the spring, three feedings are applied at intervals of 2 weeks. Fertilizers must be diluted with water strictly according to the instructions for the preparation, so as not to burn the roots of the plant. Fertilize strawberries only in moist soil, after watering.
Diseases and pests, methods of combating themThe first treatment of strawberries against fungal diseases is carried out immediately after the snow melts. To do this, spray the bushes with Bordeaux mixture or a fungicide solution.
At the beginning of May, the last treatment against insect pests is done, so that by the beginning of flowering and fruiting, 2 or 3 weeks in advance, chemicals decomposed into harmless components. Early varieties Strawberries begin to bear fruit in the third decade of May.
After fruiting, at the end of June, all diseased leaves, remnants of fruiting stalks and excess tendrils are cut off. During this period, repeated treatment against pests and diseases can be carried out if the variety is not remontant.
Strawberry propagation methodsStrawberries are propagated by seeds and seedlings. Seedlings are bought in the store, obtained by dividing adult strawberry bushes during autumn transplantation, or grown from runners. At the end of spring, strawberries begin to actively produce them, and rosettes of leaves grow at the end of each. With their help, you can propagate all varieties except the beardless ones.
One tendril may have several rosettes growing sequentially one after another. The first in a row to mother bush called a first level outlet. In order to get strong seedlings, leave only the first level rosette, cutting off the tendril after it. Until the rosette takes root, it is not separated from the mother plant, pressed to the ground and secured. In two weeks it will grow good roots; you can cut it off and plant a new bush in a permanent place in the fall.
Main problems when growingIn the spring, you can notice wrinkled and deformed leaves on strawberries - these are signs of mite damage, which wakes up in April. It is impossible to notice the insect itself with the naked eye. Affected strawberry bushes need to be treated with Fitoverm, Actellik or another acaricide.
Remontant strawberries require special care. Fertilizers need to be applied regularly, weeding, loosening the soil, watering on time and removing excess mustache. It is advisable to make a raised bed - it will be warmer compared to the main ground level on cold autumn days, when the strawberries are still bearing fruit.
Growing strawberries at home is a labor-intensive process. But only by planting seedlings on their own can any summer resident be confident in their quality and that the desired plant variety will sprout. To receive big harvest For aromatic berries, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for choosing soil for planting and planting material, preparing them for planting, the conditions of maintenance, care and transplantation of seedlings to a permanent place.
It is necessary to sow depending on the desired timing of the first harvest. If you plant strawberry seeds in February, the bushes will bear fruit in the summer. When planted in April, the bushes will only grow by autumn, but they will have time to get stronger and will delight with abundant fruiting next year.
In addition, the time of planting plant seeds is affected by the presence of additional illumination of seedlings. If the balcony is equipped good lighting, then the sowing process can begin even in December. But in the absence of lamps, it is advisable to sow in March.
You can prepare strawberry seeds yourself or purchase them at a gardening store. At home, you need to cut out the pulp with seeds into strips from a large berry and dry it. Then store in paper bags.
Upon purchase seed material You should carefully study the information on the packaging.
- A well-known and proven manufacturer will not sell low-quality goods.
- The variety must be suitable for cultivation in the given region.
- There must be at least 1 year remaining until the expiration date.
- The choice of variety depends on the purpose of cultivation. If breeding is intended for own consumption, then it is better to prepare the seeds yourself. You can choose not hybrid varieties: They have excellent taste properties. When growing strawberries for sale, you should pay attention to hybrid varieties. Their advantages include high yield and disease resistance.
This is interesting!
Some varieties have been bred that can bear fruit on the balcony all year round. However, they require proper care.
The market for gardening products is quite wide: everyone can choose a substrate to their liking. Ready-made universal mixtures are sold that are suitable for growing any plants; you can purchase specialized soil suitable only for a specific crop.
Garden strawberries are capricious, so it is advisable to take special soil for growing seedlings from seeds.
Experienced gardeners, taking into account many years of observations, skillfully make the substrate themselves. It is important that it is light, crumbly and simple.
The most common compositions:
- coarse sand and vermicompost in equal parts, 3 parts non-acidic peat;
- sand – 2 parts, 1 part each of peat and turf soil;
- sand - 3 parts, soil from the garden and humus - 1 part each.
It is recommended to add a little wood ash and manure to the second composition for growing on the balcony.
The soil mixture from the garden may contain pest larvae. To disinfect the soil, you can use one of the following methods:
- warm up in microwave oven 5 minutes;
- steam in a water bath;
- place in the oven for 30 minutes at 150°C;
- treat with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
After the manipulations, the soil should be placed in a warm place for 15-10 days.
To grow seedlings on the balcony, you can also make containers yourself or buy them.
What can be used as a container for planting strawberry crops?
- Plastic cups, cardboard juice containers or sour cream glasses - when choosing such a container, it is important to make small holes at the bottom so that the water from watering does not stagnate.
- Plastic boxes create a kind of mini-greenhouses. From plastic bottle You can cut out arcs and stretch plastic film over them.
- Peat tablets are very popular and are convenient for growing strawberries from seeds, picking and planting them in a permanent place.
- Food containers - it is advisable to select containers with a transparent top. So a container with such a lid will be used as a miniature greenhouse.
Before starting all manipulations with planting strawberries, it is important to fill the container with a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. This will protect against fungal infections.
Before sowing seeds on the balcony, they need to be prepared. To prevent diseases, the seed must be disinfected: soak in a weak (1%) solution of potassium permanganate. Solutions can be used boric acid, hydrogen peroxide, copper sulfate or aloe juice.
Strawberry seeds need to be wrapped in a small piece of fabric, wrapped with thread and placed in a solution prepared in advance for 15 minutes. Then remove the bag and rinse repeatedly with clean water.
The next important stage of seed preparation is stratification. This can be done in two ways.
Stratification is necessary to ensure high-quality and simultaneous germination.
To grow strawberries on the balcony, you need to fill a suitable container with soil, level it, slightly compact it, moisten it, and make small furrows. Using a sharpened match, tweezers or toothpick, you need to arrange the plant grains at a distance of 2 cm from each other. They should be pressed slightly against the substrate, but not covered with it on top.
For convenience when planting planting material in one container different varieties You can attach the name of the variety opposite each groove.
After transferring the seeds into the soil, it must be moistened with a spray bottle, covered with plastic wrap or closed with a container lid. It is necessary to make small holes on the surface of the container. It is advisable to place the container in a warm and well-lit place, but not on the windowsill itself - the grains will dry out there before they have time to germinate.
Cultivating strawberries on the balcony in peat tablets is considered the most in a convenient way. It is worth considering the process of planting the material in special washers, inside of which compressed peat enriched with fertilizers is placed.
The first shoots will appear in 2-3 weeks.
When the first shoots appear, they should be ventilated and moistened daily with a spray bottle. After a month, the cover must be completely removed. After three leaves grow, the seedlings need to be pricked. The main thing for seedlings on the balcony is sufficient watering.
When the bushes of the plant consist of 6-7 leaves, the seedlings can be transplanted into open ground. The process must take place on a cloudy day.
Strawberries are a healthy and valuable berry. Growing plant bushes on the balcony is troublesome, but you can be sure of the quality of the resulting seedlings.
When growing strawberries, it is important to follow the recommendations described above and gradually follow the rules for planting the crop.
Growing strawberry seedlings with seeds at home can not only improve the health of the beds and get rid of problems associated with chopping fruits or diseases. By sowing fragrant strawberries in pots, you will decorate your home flower arrangement and you can enjoy ripe, juicy berries all year round!
Growing garden strawberries from seeds at homeThe process of planting and caring for fragrant berry seedlings at home differs significantly from the usual methods of propagation. This will require more time, effort and patience.
Many gardeners are afraid to deal with strawberry seeds and simply buy seedlings, spending several times more money. In this case, there is no guarantee that they will receive exactly the plants that were promised to them. The berries may grow small, and the bushes themselves will not be so fertile. Moreover, purchased seedlings may be initially infected with fungal or viral diseases. It is these factors that are decisive for those who decide to use the seed method of growing strawberries.
Table: advantages and disadvantages of the seed propagation method Choice of varietyStrawberries delight gardeners with their varietal diversity. Therefore, when choosing seeds for planting, it is important to decide what the berries will be used for and what taste they should have. Thus, the fruits of early-ripening varieties are best used fresh for food, while mid- and late-ripening varieties are perfect for preservation in the form of preserves, marmalade, and compote.
Remontant varieties allow you to harvest several harvests per season, but are slightly inferior in terms of taste qualities strawberries that bear fruit once a season.
Ideal for growing in pots hanging varieties remontant strawberries
Another factor is where the young plant will be planted in the future: in unprotected soil, a greenhouse, or left to please the eye on the balcony. In this regard, characteristics such as the frost resistance of the variety and the presence of immunity to various diseases should be taken into account.
You need to know that seeds are not taken from berries of hybrid varieties, because hybrids do not retain varietal characteristics when propagated by seeds. It is preferable to propagate a bush of a hybrid variety available on the site with a mustache. And if you don’t yet have such a variety on your site, then buy seeds in specialized stores. The indication F1 on the bag will indicate that this is a first generation hybrid.
Photo gallery: varieties of seeds garden strawberriesA hybrid variety can also be remontant, that is, with continuous fruiting until frost. Remontant varieties can also be grown from seeds to save money, because seedlings of such strawberries are several times more expensive than ordinary ones. Even large-fruited hybrid varieties can be grown from seeds in a room. If the variety is beardless, This means that only cultivation from seeds is suitable for its propagation.
The size of the bush itself and the berries are also important. Experienced gardeners note that the seeds large-fruited varieties Strawberries germinate much longer and worse than small-fruited ones. And for decorative purposes, low-growing species are most often used.
- Homemade delicacy;
- World debut;
- Olvia;
- Rusanovka;
- Sakhalinskaya;
- Bogota.
Planting strawberry seeds is a simple process. And knowledge of certain subtleties of their preparation and sowing will increase the chances of a generous harvest.
Collecting seeds from fresh berriesThere is absolutely no need to buy seeds for planting; you can collect them yourself. To do this you need:
Interesting fact: strawberry is the only berry whose seeds are located not inside, but on the surface of the fruit, which is why it is called polyhazel.
There are also alternative way seed collection:
You can plant strawberry seeds at home at any time of the year. The timing is determined by when you want to pick ripe strawberry fruits. If you sow in February or March, the berries can be picked in the summer. But it should be remembered that in this case the sprouts will need additional lighting.
If you sow the seeds in June and then transplant the bushes into a heated greenhouse, you can enjoy fresh strawberries in winter.
Plants planted in summer will bear fruit the following year. Under these conditions, seedlings can be planted in open ground in the fall.
If the seedlings are not strong enough by autumn, it is better for them to overwinter in pots
Germination and stratification of planting materialGermination and stratification are an important part in preparing seeds for planting, allowing to increase their germination and accelerate further development.
Instructions:
Quite often, seeds are stratified after planting in the ground. They are laid out without digging onto the prepared soil using a toothpick and covered with a three-centimeter layer of snow, then the container is placed in the refrigerator. The snow will gradually melt, moistening the soil and drawing the seeds deeper into the soil naturally.
Snow is used quite often when stratifying strawberries. In the refrigerator it melts slowly and moderately moisturizes the crops
How to sow strawberriesAs a rule, they are used as a container for planting plastic containers with lid, cardboard boxes for seedlings, pots and even wooden boxes. The main condition is the presence of holes for water drainage.
The soil for planting should be nutritious and loose, saturated with oxygen, so that tender shoots can easily break through. A similar soil mixture can be purchased at a specialty store or made independently. Most often, garden soil, river sand and peat are mixed in a 2:1:1 ratio to prepare the soil. It would also be useful to apply mineral or organic fertilizers.
To get rid of pathogenic microflora, it is recommended to heat the substrate in the oven at 180 °C for 15–20 minutes. This should be done 2 weeks before planting the seeds - during this time the beneficial bacteria will restore their work.
Tip: when heat treatment soil open the windows. This process is accompanied by an extremely unpleasant odor.
Now you can start planting:
Peat tablets have worked well for growing strawberries from seeds. The advantages of their use are obvious:
- sowing seeds is very simple: no need preliminary preparation soil;
- peat contains growth stimulants, which increases seed germination and accelerates their development;
- water and oxygen flow freely to the roots of the seedlings;
- no further picking of the plant is required;
- seedlings are less susceptible to diseases and rotting.
Sowing strawberries in peat discs is easy.
Watering is carried out as the condensation on the lid dries. It’s better to add water with a syringe without a needle, it’s so weak root system the seedlings will definitely not be affected. If there is too much liquid on the lid, it needs to be wiped off and the plantation ventilated. When mold appears on the ground, remove it with a match and treat the soil with a fungicide solution (Trichodermin, Planriz).
The first shoots will appear in 1.5–2 weeks. From now on, ventilate the mini-beds daily for 20–30 minutes. The cover or film is removed when the leaves appear.
Do not despair if shoots do not appear after 2 weeks. Large-fruited strawberry seeds take longer to germinate.
Strawberry seedlings require sufficient illumination - at least 14 hours of daylight. Therefore, in winter period It is necessary to provide additional artificial lighting with a phytolamp or a regular table lamp.
A special socket with a timer will be very appropriate, because the light will turn on/off automatically at the time you set.
With the appearance of 3–5 true leaves, the plants are planted in individual containers. Plastic, peat cups, boxes with cells or small pots are suitable for this.
Procedure for picking:
Seedlings are planted in open ground when the risk of repeated frosts has passed. Depending on weather conditions region, this could be mid-May - early June. By this time the soil warms up to 10–12 °C. Seedlings are placed on the bed at a distance of 20–25 cm from each other, and the row spacing should not be less than 30 cm.
Growing strawberries yourself at home, from collecting and sowing seeds to harvesting juicy fruits, is a labor-intensive task, but extremely exciting. By following all the recommendations, you will certainly get a high-quality result.
Growing strawberries is interesting for many summer residents, because there are many ways to ensure good harvest and significant ease of care. But it often happens that, due to various reasons, strawberries grow poorly, bring small harvests, and even reproduce poorly. Naturally, this leaves a negative imprint on us, and the desire to grow strawberries from seeds or by regular transplantation gradually disappears. But you shouldn’t despair, because you just need to improve your knowledge and put into practice the recommendations of experts to see how the situation can improve.
Today we want to answer the question and tell you how to grow garden strawberry seedlings from seeds with your own hands. In essence, it is not so difficult, but there are also factors that affect germination.
We grow strawberry seedlings with our own handsWe want to immediately prepare you for the process, since the correct algorithm will require some attention and patience. If you're ready, you can start!
When to sow strawberry seeds?Seeds should be sown at the end of February, or at the beginning of March, in order to transfer the seedlings to open ground before the heat begins.
Later sowings are also possible, but in this case the seedlings may not have time to get stronger and then replanting them in the ground will be inappropriate; they will have to be kept in boxes until next spring.
An excellent way to grow - at home, in the same peat tablets!
What strawberry seeds should I sow?For sowing you need to select quality material, which can be bought in specialized stores, on the market or online.
Often hybrid varieties of large-fruited strawberries are chosen, from which there is an excellent opportunity to obtain strong and healthy plants, the performance of which is even much higher than those propagated vegetatively. But often we use our own seeds, which is also good. Here you just need to select them from the best varieties, from healthy plants and large, shaped fruits.
Soil for sowing garden strawberry seedsFor sowing, you can prepare two types of soil, and here you will have to choose which one is more convenient for you.
The first option is vermicompost, coarse sand and non-acidic peat, 1:1:3.
Second option - turf land, sand and peat, 2:1:1. It doesn’t hurt to add a little rotted manure and wood ash to the soil, which will have a positive effect on the quality of the mixture.
Due to the presence of numerous microorganisms in the soil, and even in manure, as well as insect eggs and some infections, it will be necessary to steam it for about half an hour in hot steam, for example, even over boiling water in a pan. After steaming, the soil will need to recover, and this will take several weeks. Therefore, we recommend starting the preparation process in advance in order to meet the given deadlines.
Preparing strawberry seeds
To increase the chances of germination, special preparation of garden strawberry seeds is necessary. To do this, the seeds are soaked in natural rain or snow water for three days. After soaking, seeds with destroyed germination inhibitors are laid out on a layer of filtered paper, slightly moistened, placed on a plate and placed in a plastic bag, which must be placed in a bright and warm place, but not in the sun. Soon the seeds will hatch, and then they will need to be transferred to a box with soil, very carefully, using a toothpick or a match.
The prepared soil is poured into a small wooden box and leveled, small grooves are made in it to place the seeds. The seeds are laid out in grooves in 2 cm increments using a match or small tweezers. If you are landing different seeds, install a beacon with the name of the variety opposite each furrow so that in the future you will know where and what is growing.
Now the seeds should be moistened with a spray bottle and covered with film.
Sowing strawberries in the snowAnother interesting way, which is close to natural. It significantly reduces the risk of seeds being buried, which is not recommended, and also has a positive effect on germination.
On ready substrate The snow is laid in a layer of only 1-1.5 cm, and the seeds themselves are placed on top of it. The snow melts and the seeds fall evenly onto the soil, after which there is no need to correct them. You just need to cover the seeds with plastic wrap or glass and open them daily for ventilation and moisture, if necessary.
How to care for strawberry seedlings at home?
Strawberry seedlings need light and even, moderate watering so that the top layer of soil does not dry out.
Also, soon you will need to pick, when two leaves appear, and pinch the long roots of young plants.
Planting takes place in pots or boxes, according to the 8x8 cm pattern. Next, again, careful watering, which will not destroy the top layer of soil.
Planting in open groundAfter germination, you need to wait 6-7 weeks and transfer the plants to open ground. But before this, you should harden off the young plants by taking them outside for a couple of hours every day and placing the boxes in the shade. Thus, the seedlings will get used to the sun, light gusts of wind, and changes in the general climate.
Seedlings that were forced out early spring, may give some harvest after planting in open ground. If the seedlings were grown in the summer, they should be planted in the ground before the end of August, and they will produce a harvest the following year. Such seedlings will need to be insulated for the winter.
Why don't garden strawberry seeds germinate?It also happens that when planting seeds, only partial shoots appear, or there are none at all. There are many reasons for this, but the most important are improper care.
- For good germination, stratification, soil prevention, and selection of quality seeds are necessary. But what happens next is also important.
- Boxes with crops must be kept under glass, slightly moistening the top layer of soil. Before germination, the boxes should be kept in the dark, and only after germination should they be placed in a brighter, warmer place.
- The optimal temperature for seed germination is about +18°C, but if it is warmer, germination will slow down, and some seeds will not yield results at all.
- Don't panic if not all shoots emerge at once. It is common for some to sprout after 2 weeks, and the rest of the seeds to germinate to the surface after a month. At this point, you need to remove the film from the boxes and install them in a well-lit but cool place, with a temperature of about +15°C.
- It should be remembered that thickened plantings also interfere with normal development, and therefore you need to pick out young plants in time and plant them strictly according to the scheme.
Proper agricultural technology for strawberries is the main factor for a positive result, but the site’s experts are confident that the quality of planting material and soil plays a significant role, as well as the regional affiliation of the site where the finished seedlings will be grown.
Reviews and commentsOksana Dmitrievna 10/23/2014
Hello! I share my interesting experience of obtaining a rich harvest. I got it interview with Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Mikhail Chursin and inspired by the article, I decided to use his recommendations, and you know, I was right... All summer we ate cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden, and also prepared some for ourselves and our family for the winter. For those interested, here it is
Growing strawberries from seeds Why is it better to grow strawberries yourself?One of the most beloved berries by gardeners is strawberries. No one will remain indifferent to this berry, thanks to its excellent smell and taste. Throughout the year you can buy strawberries grown in greenhouses, but this is not at all the same as growing them yourself in your garden. The most fragrant strawberries are wild strawberries. Despite small size berries, this plant is especially popular due to its unsurpassed aroma and beneficial properties
Buying seedlings in a store does not guarantee a high-quality, unmodified fruit without diseases and viruses, so it is better to grow it yourself from seeds prepared in advance than to use purchased ones.
Among the disadvantages of using ready-made seedlings are:
- high cost;
- low probability of survival, out of 10 planted bushes, approximately 70% survive;
- lack of fruits due to disease;
- availability of modified fertilizer compositions;
- adaptation to natural conditions.
All this can be avoided by growing strawberries from seeds yourself.
Preparing to grow strawberries from seedsSeed preparation should begin in winter. If you harvested your own strawberries for seedlings, make sure they are dry and not covered with plaque. The earlier you sow the ground, the greater the likelihood of timely germination, so it is not recommended to plant seedlings later than March.
However, there are also disadvantages to early sowing, since strawberries love light. Due to poor lighting, seedlings may not appear at all, so you need to use fluorescent lamps if the side is not sunny or the weather is cloudy outside.
Seed preparationIn order for the embryos to germinate, it is necessary to imitate the influence of nature. In forests and fields, seeds turn into embryos with the onset of spring, when it becomes warmer and the snow melts.
In the same way, you need to treat them at home to destroy growth enzymes called inhibitors.
Imitation natural conditions. Growing strawberries from seeds.To simulate natural conditions, you can perform the following sequence of actions:
If there is not enough space in the refrigerator, you can use snow from the street. But this method is only suitable if the future seedlings were not processed and were not placed in fertilizer granules.
When the embryos swell, they are placed on a paper napkin moistened with water and kept on a plate in a warm and bright place for germination. It is very important to ensure that the napkin or cotton pad didn't dry out. This can harm the seedlings or even destroy them.
Growing strawberries from seeds at homeWhen planting seedlings, it is important to remember that you cannot sprinkle them. Most often, the seeds are mixed with wet sand and laid out on the surface. If sand is not available, you can lay them in the ground and press them down a little, then spray water without directing the stream at the seedlings.
You can also sow strawberries or strawberries in small furrows, which are made with a small rake. Future bushes are placed at a distance of 1-2 centimeters from each other. The soil composition must be dense, slightly moist and well leveled before sowing in the furrows, otherwise the embryos may fall into the ground and will not be able to germinate.
How to choose the right soil for growing strawberry seedsThe choice of soil is extremely important point. It is best to prepare the soil in the summer, using the soil in which the berries will be planted. However, such soil may not be completely suitable, so you will still have to buy more.
It is advisable to choose neutral soil and sift it thoroughly before planting. If you want to prepare the soil for germinating strawberries yourself, you can use peat, humus, sand and ash.
How to choose the right container for growing strawberry seedsIt is preferable to take a container that is not very deep and transparent. Perfect fit plastic box from products found in supermarkets. The bottom and walls of the container must be pierced to allow air to enter. The plastic must not be matte so that sunlight penetrated from all sides without any problems.
Caring for seedlings during strawberry germination from seedsThe strawberry planting process has been completed, but further care for seedlings is necessary. For best germination you need to follow following conditions:
Under no circumstances should the surface dry out completely, but you shouldn’t water it either. After waiting for the seedlings to appear, no further care is required and boils down to watering. As before, the soil should not be oversaturated with water, but not dry either.
Planting strawberries grown from seeds into the soilThe seedlings must first be taken outside for a short time, for example, onto a balcony or veranda, so that they get used to it, but hypothermia should be avoided and be sure to be put inside the house at night.
Transfer of seedlings and soil preparationThe most important growing phase remontant strawberries from seeds is the transfer of seedlings into the soil. This is usually done when the bush already has 5-6 leaves. The rest with 2-3 leaves are placed in separate cups to speed up growth. It is recommended to prepare the land before planting strawberries.
The soil is first dug up and fertilized with ash, as well as other means. It is recommended to plant grown berries, maintaining a distance of 25 centimeters between rows and 15 between bushes. After planting home-grown strawberries, it is recommended to weed and water them, as well as periodically loosen the soil.
Preparing strawberries for growingThe principle of germinating strawberries and wild strawberries is identical. Strawberries are more domesticated and their varieties are more adapted, so they can be watered less often and fertilized less.
Before you grow strawberries, you need to prepare the seeds. To do this, use large and ripe strawberries or strawberries, cut them and lay them out on a smooth surface in the sun to dry. You can buy different types berries every year. But if you like the variety, it’s better to take your own. This will be more reliable and cheaper.
To better understand the whole process, or if you have questions, pay attention to growing strawberries gardening video.
Bottom lineGrowing strawberries from seeds is a simple and very interesting procedure. Following simple rules for preparing seed material and ensuring necessary conditions plants, you will receive strong and healthy seedlings, which will subsequently give an excellent harvest.