In order to grow a rich and high-quality strawberry crop, it is necessary to know agrotechnical standards, choose the right variety and take into account the peculiarities of the climate. To please the household with homemade strawberries in the coming season, experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with some tips right now.
Which varieties are best propagated by seed?
For each territory and climatic zone, today you can choose the best variety. Experienced gardeners distinguish 9 main ones, the reproduction and cultivation of which will bring pleasure and a plentiful harvest.
Moscow delicacy F1
The variety belongs to the hybrid category. The main feature of the Moscow delicacy is its high yield. They are grown both outdoors and in a greenhouse. The yield of a standard bush is 1-1.5 kg of berries. Specialists distinguish the following characteristics:
- berries are large and juicy, weight - from 60 g;
- first harvest in June;
- tolerates a sharp drop in temperature.
Sarian F1
A hybrid variety that is well suited for cultivation in cold territories. The main plus - the fruits will even be on the "mustache" of the plant. Subject to agricultural standards, the bush will be able to bring up to 1.5 kg of berries. The main characteristics include:
- The crop can be harvested throughout the season.
- The bush requires care, the better the gardener takes care of, the more berries there will be.
- The variety is frost-resistant and can be grown outdoors.
Queen Elizabeth
The variety has gained popularity due to its good yield and minimal maintenance. For 20 years of existence, bushes have been found in almost every summer cottage. Main positive features:
- Large and sweet berries.
- Harvested from May to the end of September.
- The plant, even at a young age, is resistant to relocation. The bush can be dug up and transported.
- Average whole berries - from 60 g.
- The plant has strong immunity.
Gigantella
The main feature of the hybrid is that the bushes are powerful and strong. The plant survives the cold well, an acceptable option for the northern zones. The name corresponds to reality, the average weight of berries is 70-80 g. With proper care, it gives a record harvest. Features:
- large bushes - it is necessary to consider this moment in advance so that adult plants do not suppress each other;
- an abundance of berries requires a large amount of light;
- with proper care, the bush will be able to give a high-quality harvest for 8 years.
Geneva
The variety has been used for 30 years. The main feature - does not require scrupulous care. Experts identify Geneva as the most successful option for visiting summer residents who will take care of them on weekends. Variety characteristic:
- Each bush gives off 5-6 antennae, so the gardener does not need to cut too much.
- The berries are large and juicy, but they cannot be touched on the ground. This point must be taken into account in advance.
- Bright and unusual taste.
Tristar
The frost-resistant variety is ideal for northern territories. The main feature is the sweet and aromatic berries. Tristar will not be able to boast of its large size, but the harvest will be plentiful. Specifications:
- high-quality and plentiful harvest will be only in spring, by autumn the bush begins to give a minimum, while maintaining strength for wintering;
- the plant is strong, has good immunity;
- average berry weight - 30 g.
Marshmallow
The hybrid has the main distinguishing feature - the plant gives a crop early. For greenhouse cultivation, this is ideal. Growing strawberries for sale will be a pleasure. However, in order to properly propagate, it is necessary to take into account all agricultural standards.
With proper care, the berries will:
- Medium size 40 to 50 g.
- The plant will delight for more than 4 years.
- First harvest in mid-spring.
Ducat
A variety of Polish origin. The main feature is that the soil does not matter. It can be propagated subject to the minimum requirements. The first harvest will be in late spring, from each bush - 1.5-2 kg. Characteristic:
- Bright red berries.
- Does not lose aroma and taste persistence after heat treatment.
- For the winter, the bushes are sheltered from frost.
Diamond
Despite the fact that the berries will not be able to surprise with their large size, the harvest will be stable. The plant tolerates frost and cold well, adapts to any terrain. For gardeners who do not have time to monitor the plant, this is ideal. Main characteristics:
- The average weight of berries is 30 g;
- Due to its density, it is stored for a long time and does not wrinkle.
- The berries are beautiful and bright and sell well.
Benefits of growing from strawberry seeds
After choosing the right seeds, even a novice gardener can grow a strawberry bush with his own hands. The main advantages of this cultivation:
- High probability that future seedlings will survive. The gardener will observe the plant from the very beginning, which means that he will be able to control all the nuances from weather conditions to soil nutrition.
- The gardener himself controls the sowing time and the first harvest.
- Seeds are stored longer than purchased seedlings. In case of lack of time, you will not need to worry about the money spent and the death of the purchased seedlings.
With proper care, the gardener will be confident in the variety he is growing. Often, to save money, commercial seedlings are subjected to poor-quality care, the result is small berries, and the plant is frail.
Difficulties in growing strawberries from seeds
Any cultivation of a crop from seeds requires special and proper care. The first thing a novice gardener will face when growing strawberries from seeds - with their proper preparation and lighting.
The health and fertility of the future plant depends on proper care even in early childhood. The gardener must follow a number of standard rules:
- Pick up high-quality soil and fertilizers.
- To disinfect seeds.
- Take care of artificial lighting and thermal conditions.
Failure to comply with one of the points will lead to low growing efficiency. Productivity will be low, and the plant itself will often begin to hurt or even die when transplanted into the open ground.
Seed preparation
At the heart of cultivation and reproduction is the correct preparation of seeds. Despite the cost and manufacturer, the gardener in any case must comply with agricultural regulations. The main ones can be distinguished by a separate list:
- Sizing - only high quality and whole seeds are selected.
- Seeds must be decontaminated. To do this, it is enough to soak them in a special solution of potassium permanganate and water.
- Steaming seeds - carried out to control germination. Before placing the seed in the ground, it is necessary to soak it in warm water or wet gauze. To achieve the best result, the seeds are placed in wet cotton pads in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Stratification of strawberry seeds before planting is described in the video below:
Each variety should be signed and made sure the cotton pads are wet. After such preparation, even the largest-fruited variety can give an early harvest.
Sowing dates
Experienced gardeners adhere to the old and proven method of determining the sowing date - the lunar calendar. However, through long research, experts were able to identify a more accurate time, since the lunar calendar does not take into account the peculiarities of individual territories and climatic zones. The following terms are distinguished:
- For sowing seedlings of large-fruited varieties, February is well suited. If the gardener is faced with the task of getting a crop in the new season, it is advisable to sow during this period, but you need to take care of lighting.
- April - a quick harvest will not work, but the plant will have more time to gain strength. The best option for the northern territories. In a year, the gardener will be able to get a high-quality and abundant crop of berries.
Sowing dates depend only on the needs of the gardener. The earlier the seeds sprout, the earlier the harvest will be. However, more efforts will be made to grow a full-fledged bush in one season, and energy costs should be taken into account.
For a successful seed germination, you need to create a 12 hour daylight hours.
Soil preparation
The soil affects the yield and immunity of the plant. Often, dead lands are allocated for summer cottages, which the state used before for commercial purposes. Therefore, it will not be enough to take land from the site, for strawberries a special fertile soil is required. Strawberries do not like the abundance of clay, it presses on the roots and prevents the plant from developing.
For sowing seeds, sandy and loamy soil is required, which can protect the roots from excessive moisture. Peat should be avoided, since an overabundance of minerals becomes a favorable environment for the development of diseases.
To achieve a positive result, you can use ready-made mixtures, or mix black soil with sifted sand. In the latter case, ash and compost must be added.
Choosing the right capacity
When it comes to choosing a container for growing seedlings, everything that is at hand is expended. However, the gardener should take into account that the seedlings develop quickly, and too small a capacity will prevent the roots from developing.
Each container should be treated for disease and viruses. For this, the container is washed and treated with manganese. It is advisable not to use the tree, it often becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus.
To achieve a positive result, it is better to use special silicone containers, they are well washed, light, durable, maintain the temperature regime. It is necessary to make holes in advance to help the excess moisture escape. The standard side is 10 cm, the length and shape are selected by the gardener independently.
Sowing in separate containers
The best option if the seedlings are grown for sale. Then the gardener will not have to bother the young plant once again separating it from the rest. Moreover, this option is more convenient for transplanting into open ground. The probability of damaging the root is equated to a minimum.
You can use special single-phase pots or special containers with separate cells. The number of seeds for germination should not exceed the number of containers.
Sowing in boxes
The option is more suitable for home germination of seedlings. If the gardener is not sure about the quality of the seeds, the box gives more opportunities to grow strong seedlings. It is worth considering that even with perfect care, not all seeds survive.
Boxes are easier to artificially lighten, they do not take up much space and are convenient in transportation. Today you can buy ready-made containers with a measuring line for convenience.
How to sow strawberry seeds?
In order to simplify the beginning gardener the moment of germination of the first seedlings, experts have prepared detailed instructions. Observing agrotechnical rules and regulations, there will be more chances of getting a high-quality and tasty harvest. How to sow correctly:
- Prepare the seeds in advance. The process takes more than 2 weeks, this point should be taken into account in advance when choosing a sowing date.
- Once the seeds and soil are ready, estimate the size of the seedlings - if they are small, they are sown on the surface. It is not necessary to sprinkle with earth, weak seeds will not germinate. If the seeds are standard, then boldly sprinkle them with 2-3 mm of earth.
- After sowing, the gardener sprays the seedlings and covers the container with foil.
- In the first few days, the temperature in the room should not be lower than +25 degrees.
- Remove the film once a day for 5 minutes. The soil must be saturated with oxygen.
- As soon as the first shoots have appeared and the temperature is stable at a minimum of +22 degrees, remove the film.
The appearance of the first shoots means that the gardener managed to go through all the stages correctly. Next, you just need to maintain the temperature regime and water the seedlings on time.
In the video below, a blogger gardener explains how to sow and grow strawberries in peat tablets:
Features of care for young seedlings
In order for the plant to grow healthy and strong, take proper care of it at the seedling stage. Overfilling is as bad as drought, and oversaturation with minerals can lead to the development of bacteria.
Prepare a small plant for planting in the open ground, a slight temperature fluctuation will lead to the death of the whole bush. How to properly care for seedlings - read on.
Watering
Watering the seedlings is simple - the soil has dried up, which means watering is needed. If germination is carried out in special tablets in containers, then it is necessary to pour water into it, the tablet will absorb the right amount.
If in boxes, then it is advisable to spray the soil as it dries. As soon as the seedlings gain strength and grow up, it will be possible to fully water them under the root.
Top dressing
You can feed the plant when the first few leaves have appeared. The plant must be watered before this, young shoots can be watered with rainwater with droppings. Strongly overfeeding at the seedling stage is not necessary.
It is worth feeding the soil where the seedlings will be transplanted. With the first warmth, the place where the bush will produce crops is dug up and fertilized with compost.
Picking strawberry seedlings
Piquik - separation of plants into different containers. Strawberries dive when the sprouts have given 3-4 leaves. Transplantation is carried out in special cups, the main thing is not to damage the young root.
For convenience, use tweezers. If the roots are intertwined, they can be separated by rinsing with water. Fertilizing after transplantation is not necessary, the main thing is not to allow the soil to dry out.
Preparing seedlings for planting in the ground
The young plant is ready for transplantation into the open ground already 2 months after the appearance of the first leaves. The most important thing is to harden the seedlings before planting, as sudden temperature changes can kill them. To do this, pots or already dived seedlings are taken outside for a few minutes, increasing the time for 2 weeks.
Before transplanting the plant, it is advisable to leave it next to the garden bed overnight and water it. If the seedlings are planted in May, then for safety, you can cover it with foil.
Diseases and pests of strawberry seedlings
Choosing the right hybrid will protect against 70% of diseases and pests. However, the use of an unprocessed tool can lead to sad consequences. Today, several main diseases can be distinguished: brown and white spotting, ramulariosis, root fungus, verticillosis.
Pests: strawberry leaf beetle, spider web and strawberry mite, ants, weevils. Proper care and inspection of the plant will help get rid of them at the initial stage.
Growing strawberries from seeds is an interesting and enjoyable activity. To see the fruits of one's own labor is the main reward for the gardener. Following the recommendations, it will be possible to get the first harvest already at the beginning of summer. Useful and tasty berry will help restore the vitamin balance of households.