Strawberry Vertical Cultivation Techniques and How to Grow Strawberries from Seed

The strawberry is a very popular fruit, and its appearance is very attractive, commonly seen in red and white. Many people grow strawberries nowadays, and the growing methods are endless. In recent years, vertical cultivation techniques have become quite popular, so what exactly is the specific cultivation method for this kind of strawberry?

Strawberry Vertical Cultivation Techniques

1. First, the first step is to build the growing troughs well. The material of the growing troughs can be cement boards or red bricks, but plastic panels are generally used most often. After they are built, the next step is to lay the substrate. For the substrate, a mixed substrate made of some coarse sand and stones can be chosen; just mix it evenly. Generally, the thickness of the substrate should be level with the bricks. After planting, it should be watered, and the water content should reach 70%. The watering method is to water thoroughly each time, and there should be no water accumulation when watering.

2. First, do a good job when selecting seedlings, and eliminate all diseased and problematic seedlings. Use a soilless substrate for cultivation. After the seedlings are planted, water them with cool water to lower the temperature of their roots, which can promote flower bud differentiation. In addition, strengthen the management of the seedlings after planting, cut off old leaves, and reduce excess nutrient consumption to meet the growth needs of more new branches.

3. Planting period and planting method. In order to achieve better profits, we should strive to have them on the market for sale by New Year's Day, so the seedlings can be planted in late September. Select high-quality, disease-free strong seedlings for cultivation. When planting, make sure the arched back faces outward, and the axillary buds should be level with the surface of the trough.

4. Management after planting. Watering after planting is still necessary, but the watering method should be changed a little. The amount of water should be smaller, and it is only necessary to keep the planting soil moist. Do not water too much. During the strawberry flowering period, a humidity of about 60% is sufficient. For topdressing, fermented chicken manure can be used. After flowering and fruiting, apply special fertilizer to them so that they grow more maturely and better, and mature early for market sale.

How to Grow Strawberries from Seed

1. Seed collection. When harvesting the fruit in May to June, select well-developed, fully mature fruits for seed collection. Cut off the peel, put it in water, wash off the pulp, remove it and dry it. Or dry the cut peel directly, then rub it into pieces, and the peel and seeds can be separated.

2. Seed treatment. Pour the strawberry seeds into warm water at 60-70°C and soak them while stirring constantly until the water temperature drops to about 25°C, then stop. Continue soaking for 2-3 hours, then remove them and rub them with your hands until the seed coat is clean and glossy. Then rinse them clean with clear water and cover them well with several layers of wet gauze. Place them at 25-30°C for germination. Wet the gauze with warm water three times a day (morning, noon, and evening) to keep the seeds in a moist environment. Once 60-70% of the seeds have sprouted, they can be sown.

3. Sowing method. Before sowing strawberry seeds, first irrigate the seedbed with a small amount of water, then level the seedbed surface with a rake. When the water in the seedbed has seeped down, sowing can begin. Strawberry seeds are small, so broadcasting is best. The sowing rate is preferably 2.5-4.5 grams per square meter. Immediately after broadcasting, evenly scatter the prepared covering soil over the seedbed surface. The covering thickness is preferably 0.3-0.5 cm, and use straw mats for shade. Remove them after the seedlings emerge evenly.

Water Management for Strawberries

Strawberries like a relatively cool and moist environment, and they are especially able to withstand drought, so we must always keep the soil moist. Generally, throughout the entire growth period of strawberries, watering is needed every three to five days. Otherwise, there is not enough water for them to grow. Especially during the flowering and fruiting period, strawberries need the most water. If the water conditions are not met, it may cause flower and fruit drop, and may also deform the growing strawberries and make the taste worse.

Fertilization Treatment for Strawberries

When it comes to fertilization, of course we must first talk about base fertilizer. Applying good base fertilizer is the first step in creating a good growing environment for strawberries. Generally, for base fertilizer we use plant ash or dry grass fertilizer or even livestock manure; these are all very good base fertilizers. Next, the later topdressing of strawberries is related to the fruiting and harvesting of strawberries to a certain extent. Generally, the first topdressing of strawberries is about five to ten days after planting, the second fertilization is when strawberries bloom and bear fruit for the first time, and finally topdressing should be carried out after each harvest. Generally, nitrogen fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, and boron fertilizer are commonly used.

When choosing vertical cultivation for strawberries, you must do a good job building the growing troughs, and then put in some substrate suitable for growth. After planting, management also needs to be strengthened. When growing from seed, first do a good job selecting seeds, then treat the seeds, and then plant them at the appropriate time.