A Detailed Guide to Pineberry Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Many people probably do not know what a pineberry is. The pineberry is also a type of strawberry, and it is called pineberry because its flavor resembles that of pineapple. The pineberry's exterior is white with red spots, so it is also called white strawberry. The pineberry's utility value and edible value are both very high, and its cultivation prospects are broad. Now let's learn together with the editor about how to grow pineberries!
Pineberry Cultivation Techniques
Site selection and fertilization: For pineberry cultivation, choose a field that has not grown strawberries for many years as the production field for greenhouse pineberries. Apply sufficient organic base fertilizer. About one month before planting, generally apply 1500-2000 kg of fully decomposed organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and plow and harrow multiple times.
Planting density: One day before digging up the seedlings, water the nursery bed thoroughly once to help keep a good soil ball and minimize root damage, then plant in separate greenhouses according to seedling size. If nutrient-pot seedlings are used, remove the plastic pots by hand at planting time, which gives a higher survival rate. For greenhouse cultivation of pineberries, the plant spacing is about 20 cm, with 1800-2000 plants per greenhouse and 6000-7000 plants per mu. The planting depth must be moderate. The base of the new stem must be buried in the soil to encourage new root growth, but the heart of the seedling (the part slightly above the base of the outer leaves) must not be buried in the soil.
Temperature regulation: Pineberries have different temperature requirements at each stage of growth and development, and after the greenhouse is heated, these should be met as much as possible. Because greenhouse-cultivated pineberries bloom and bear fruit continuously and in overlapping cycles, after flower buds appear, generally maintain 24-28°C during the day and 6-8°C at night. Temperatures above 30°C or below 5°C are unfavorable for pineberry flowering and fruiting.
Humidity regulation: The air humidity inside the greenhouse is very high, especially from early morning to mid-morning or during cloudy and rainy weather, when relative humidity can reach 95-100%, which hinders pollination, easily breeds diseases, and causes severe gray mold fruit rot. Therefore, in addition to covering the ridges and beds with black plastic film, straw should also be spread on the bottom of the furrows to prevent water evaporation. Around 9 a.m. on sunny days, ventilate on one side against the wind direction to reduce the humidity inside the greenhouse to below 75%.
Plant organization: After greenhouse pineberries are kept warm, the plants grow faster and sprout a large number of tillers and runners, which should be removed promptly. This can increase the leaf area of the main stem and promote timely sprouting of the terminal flower buds and the growth of strong terminal inflorescences, leading to early flowering and good fruiting. Generally, a strawberry plant should retain at most 1-2 relatively strong tillers. Promptly remove old, declining, and diseased leaves.
Pineberry Planting Techniques
1. Thorough watering and seedling lifting: One day before digging up the seedlings, water the nursery bed thoroughly once to help keep a good soil ball and minimize root damage, then plant in separate greenhouses according to seedling size. If nutrient-pot seedlings are used, remove the plastic pots by hand at planting time, which gives a higher survival rate.
2. Planting density: For greenhouse cultivation of pineberries, the plant spacing is about 20 cm, with 1800-2000 plants per greenhouse and 6000-7000 plants per mu. The planting depth must be moderate. The base of the new stem must be buried in the soil to encourage new root growth, but the heart of the seedling (the part slightly above the base of the outer leaves) must not be buried in the soil.
3. Oriented planting: To facilitate management, adopt "oriented planting", which can also reduce disease and improve fruit quality. For the middle 5 beds, plant 2 rows per bed, placing them as close to both sides as possible (keeping row spacing at about 30 cm), and clearly recognize the seedling crown and plant the pineberry seedlings with the curved back facing the outer side of the bed. For the 2 beds on both sides of the greenhouse, use single-row planting.
4. Post-planting management: Immediately after planting pineberries, water to stabilize the roots. They survive in about 10 days. Combined with weeding, loosen the soil between plants and earth up the roots. Also frequently remove withered, old, and diseased leaves, and promptly fill in gaps with replacement seedlings.
Pineberry Pest and Disease Control
After suffering low-temperature freezing injury, pineberries will form black flowers. For example, if flower buds 7-8 days before flowering encounter a low temperature of minus 20°C, the stamens can be damaged; if the pistils from 3 days before flowering to one week after flowering encounter a low temperature of minus 20°C, they can also freeze and form black flowers. Therefore, before severe cold arrives, prepare an inner-layer greenhouse frame and strengthen insulation. Keeping the minimum nighttime temperature inside the greenhouse at 3°C-5°C can effectively reduce the formation of black flowers.
Precautions for Pineberry Cultivation
For pineberry cultivation, the potted method is relatively common. If you are not growing them on a large scale, potted cultivation is quite suitable. However, although potted cultivation is small in scale and easy to manage, temperature control is still relatively difficult, and there is less soil, so when the wind blows, the soil dries out. Pineberries need soil with a certain amount of moisture, and as a result the plants will dry out. Therefore, it is best to grow them in containers, and ceramic pots are better because they have good ventilation and are easy to drain.
In terms of soil selection, if growing in a greenhouse, choose a field that has been left unused and has not grown strawberries for a long time. If growing in containers, it is best to choose fertile soil from a vegetable garden and organic peat soil, half of each; the planting density and depth of the plants must be properly arranged, and they must not be planted too deep or too shallow; in daily management, water, temperature, and fertilizer must be well controlled. Many people do not apply fertilizer when growing in containers, but pineberries still grow well and can even bear relatively large fruit. Fertilization is not always necessary; it depends on the situation. However, temperature must be a key point of control, especially after the plants bloom. If the flower buds are chilled, black flowers will appear.
Through the above content, I believe everyone now knows the techniques for growing pineapple berries. The nutritional value of pineberries is very high, and their flavor is as sweet and sour and refreshing as pineapple, so they are deeply loved by consumers. Pineberry yields are scarce and precious, and their cultivation prospects are very broad. If you want to start a business, you might as well give it a try!