they risk growing new strawberry varieties on their own, thinking that this is beyond their power. Too much talk about the fact that this is a very laborious and risky work - you can spend a lot of time and effort, and as a result nothing will come of it. So you have to be content with seedlings that are sold on the market or write ready-made seedlings from questionable sites, which do not always reach the buyer in integrity. How to independently grow strawberry seedlings from seeds
Important! When choosing seeds it is necessary to take into account the quality of the seeds, their regional affiliation, as well as the composition of the soil, where both strawberry seedlings and the adult plant will be grown. Seeds should be purchased only in specialized stores or retail outlets.
The quality of seedlings and the harvest of berries depend on how well the seeds are prepared and the soil depends. There is nothing difficult, it is important to adhere to some rules.
Preparation of seeds for sowing
The time of planting the crop on seedlings of strawberries from seeds depends on the ability to highlight the plants. The length of daylight should be at least 15 hours. If there is artificial lighting with daylight lamps, then strawberries have been sown since January. If it is difficult or impossible to create lighting conditions, then in March.
Convinced of the quality of the seeds, they are sown in the prepared soil. To determine their germination you need to soak in the thawed or rain water, changing it 1-2 times a day. Put them on cotton pads, toilet paper or paper napkins. They are covered with transparent polyethylene and placed in a bright place with a temperature of about 20-23 C. After the seeds are folded, they are planted in a prepared container using a toothpick or a sharpened match.
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The stratification method allows faster and healthier shoots to be obtained, and therefore a higher yield of strawberries.
Land preparation for growing strawberry seedlings
We prepare the required proportions of soil mixture. Several options. Coarse sand, peat with PH above 6, biohumus. Mix everything in proportions: 1: 3: 1.Or sand, peat, topsoil( sod) - 1: 1: 2.
Strawberry seedlings are very delicate, they may die from improper watering, weed, or microorganisms that inhabit the soil. Soil disinfection will help to avoid these problems. The goal is to destroy all living bacteria and organisms, their eggs, seeds and the smallest roots of weeds. There are several ways to prepare soil for strawberry seedlings:
- The soil is steamed over a boiling pan for 30–40 minutes, then laid in a sterilized box;
- Roasted in the oven - gas or electric at a temperature of about 100 degrees for 20-30 minutes;
- Using an old baking sheet or frying pan, stir the mixture on the open fire while stirring. Most often this is done on the street, having built a “kiln” of several bricks.
Do not be afraid that all useful substances will die. At first, simple sprinkling is enough for sprouts. And only after the bush gets a little stronger, they carry out all the necessary feeding.
How to sow strawberries correctly
Lay the ground in a clean box, after cooling it down and lightly ramming it so that the seeds do not sink deep. Moisturize the soil with clean water at room temperature from a spray bottle. Sow the seeds one by one. Also used separate pots, prepared cups, peat tablets. Or grow strawberry cassette seedlings, planting each individual seed in a separate container or cassette.
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With a match or a toothpick make thin grooves and with their help, wetting the tip, carefully stick them on one seed, putting them 2-3 cm apart. It is not necessary to sprinkle with earth, there is a danger that seedlings will not be able to break through the ground. To create a favorable microclimate for germination, cover the box with film. Put in a dark place at a temperature of 18 C. Watering is as needed, not allowing waterlogging and drying of the upper soil crust. Excess moisture will lead to fungal diseases and the appearance of black legs, meaning the death of the plant.
The sprayed liquid must be very fine, without strong pressure, so as not to wash away the packed seeds and not to damage the young shoots in the future. Some gardeners use an ordinary medical syringe for watering, squeezing out literally one or two drops of water per seed.
After the emergence of shoots, and they, as a rule, are very thin and tender, they are also watered - one drop from a syringe, in no case falling on the shoots. Otherwise they will simply fall and will not be able to rise. It is important to be extremely careful and patient. Seedlings of remontant strawberries are obtained in the same way as ordinary garden or "disposable."Moreover, its seeds are somewhat larger, which in turn facilitates the process of planting the crop.
Sowing strawberries in the snow
This method replaces stratification, at the same time laying seeds as snow melts in natural conditions for them. They do not go deep, but are located on the surface. In addition, the soil is moderately moistened with non-mains water, and thawed, which will only positively affect sprouting and growing strawberry seedlings from seeds.
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Snow is laid on the prepared soil, with a layer of not more than 1.5-2 cm. Seeds are carefully laid over it. After the snow has gone, the seeds will naturally settle on the soil. They should not be corrected. Next, also cover with a film and, as necessary, ventilate and moisturize.
We plant strawberry seedlings in the ground.
After the appearance of 4-6 leaflets and reaching the trunk, 5 cm in size, the seedlings of strawberries from the seeds are planted in the ground.
But before that, it is quenched, preliminarily taking it out and setting the boxes in the shade. Do not leave unhardened seedlings in the sun. Unadapted leaves will burn easily and the plant will endure a transplant. This will necessarily affect the timing and volume of the crop.
To develop a more powerful root system during transplantation, you need to pinch the main root. Then the side will begin to develop, which will increase the flow of moisture and minerals to the plant. Adding feed during transplantation is not worth it. This will only reduce the time taken for strawberry seedlings to take root. Feeding should be carried out after the plants "take root".Most often this happens in a couple of weeks.
When transplanting into the soil, seedlings should be poured abundantly and covered with mulch on top to prevent the topsoil from drying out. In the next 2 weeks, the care of plants will consist of timely watering and careful soil loosening. Then you can add ash and humus to the beds.
Tip. During flowering should not water the plants in a spray method. Watering is carried out only under the plant, not blurring the roots.
If after the flowering the most small and green ovaries are cut off, the rest of the berries will form larger and more tasty. Accordingly, the presentation will be much more attractive.
Growing Strawberries From Seeds - Video
