How To Grow Strawberries From Seeds

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Now in stores there is a huge variety of seeds, there is everything from yellow watermelons to seeds of various varieties of strawberries and strawberries. But many are wary of berry seeds, since we are still more accustomed to planting with bushes. And, besides, with the wrong planting, the seeds do not germinate well and the sprouts disappear. Despite this, it is possible to grow high-quality strawberry seedlings from seeds, you just need to follow simple agricultural techniques

When to sow seeds?

If you are growing seedlings for yourself, then you should not sow seeds into the soil before the end of February. And then, at the end of February, you can start planting only if you have the opportunity to additionally highlight the plants, artificially increasing the length of the day. If this is not possible, then postpone planting until the first decade of March.

Correct sowing

To carry out the correct sowing, the seeds must be prepared for planting, that is, soaked and stratified. There is nothing complicated about it. Take wet cotton pads (you can take dry ones and moisten them later) or small pieces of soft cloth (you can trim fleece, interlock knitwear or a fleece footer), put the seeds on one part and cover with the other part on top. Place discs or pieces of cloth with seeds in a container, spreading them out in one layer. If you used dry discs or a cloth, then use a spray bottle to moisten them, if wet, then skip this step. Now carefully cover with the perforated lid or tighten with regular cling film and punch small holes in it. Place the container in a cool place (in the corridor, on the veranda), where the temperature is kept within 15-17 degrees Celsius, for two to three days. Then refrigerate it for 14-15 days.

After this time, remove the container and move it to a warm room where the air temperature does not drop below 20 degrees. Try to check the seeds every day. First, to knock condensation off the roof or film. Secondly, in order to prevent the appearance of mold (if mold has appeared, then carefully remove it with a small stick or toothpick and drip the appearance of a special preparation against mold). Thirdly, in order not to miss the time of pecking seeds and move them in time to containers with soil.

While the seeds are germinating, prepare containers for planting the hatched seeds. In my opinion, peat tablets or peat pots are best, but you can choose whichever is more convenient for you. In peat tablets, it is simply more convenient to observe the growth of the root system. In addition, peat tablets and pots allow transplanting seedlings into the ground without damaging the roots and completely exclude the possibility of plant death during transplanting into open ground.

As soon as the seeds hatch, we move them into pots of soil or peat tablets. Slightly press into the tablets where there is a special groove for seeds. We plant in pots so 6 carefully spread over the surface of the seeds and lightly sprinkle with purchased peat mixture or pure peat. We put in a warm, bright place, the air temperature should be at least 20-22 degrees Celsius.

Now it is important not to allow the seeds to dry out. For example, I put containers of seeds in a container and cover with glass or cling film, opening every day for airing. If the soil is dry, then gently sprinkle warm from a spray bottle. Watch out for mold! If this does happen, remove it in a timely manner and treat it with an anti-mold preparation (1-2 drops are enough).

As soon as the first pair of real leaves appear, the film or glass can be removed. At the next watering, feed the sprouts.

Landing in open ground

In early May, when the strawberry sprouts get stronger, you can begin to harden the seedlings, first exposing the plants to the open air for 10-15 minutes, then gradually increasing this time.

In June, mature seedlings can be planted on a bed previously allocated for strawberries. On a carefully loosened bed, make holes at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from each other, the width between the rows is 35-40 centimeters. Place the seedlings in the holes, moisten the soil and sprinkle on the roots. Gently compact the soil around the trunk, but do not compact it. That's all. Now water the seedlings on time and wait for the next year's harvest.