Deformed strawberries in greenhouses are caused by two main factors
According to investigation and analysis, there are three main causes of deformed fruit. Taking corresponding measures against these causes can prevent the occurrence of deformed fruit. Too low a room temperature is a common cause of deformed fruit. The optimal temperature for strawberry growth and development is 20-25°C. During the flowering and fruiting period, the minimum temperature must not fall below 5°C. If the temperature is below 5°C...
According to investigation and analysis, there are three main causes of deformed fruit. Taking corresponding measures against these causes can prevent the occurrence of deformed fruit.
Too low a room temperature is a common cause of deformed fruit. The optimal temperature for strawberry growth and development is 20-25°C. During the flowering and fruiting period, the minimum temperature must not fall below 5°C. If the temperature is below 5°C, it will seriously affect the growth and pollination of strawberries, resulting in deformed fruit and greatly affecting yield and quality. The preventive measure is to adopt corresponding insulation measures:
Increase the thickness of the north wall of the greenhouse; before a cold wave arrives, add 4 layers of kraft paper quilts under the straw mats, which can raise the room temperature by 4°C. At the same time, a small arch shed can be built inside the greenhouse. Build small arch shed frames over the strawberry beds and cover them with a 90-100 cm wide plastic film, burying the lower end of the film into the soil and compacting it. The temperature inside the small arch shed can be increased by about 4°C. Where conditions permit, installing an electric furnace or heating wire inside the shed has a better warming effect. Taking the above measures can ensure the indoor temperature stays above 5°C.
Poor pollination is an important cause of deformed fruit. In severe cold seasons, even if the room temperature is above 5°C, strawberries often produce deformed fruit due to poor pollination. The reason is that in cold seasons, the outdoor temperature is low, the greenhouse ventilation openings are small and ventilation time is short, the greenhouse is in a windless state, and the outside is in a cold season with no insects entering the greenhouse, so strawberries cannot rely on wind or insects for pollination.
The preventive measure is to carry out artificial pollination or bee pollination. Strawberries generally need 4-5 days from flowering to flower drop. During the flowering period, a writing brush can be used for artificial pollination. Artificially pollinated flowers not only drop quickly, within one day; but rapid flower drop also has the effect of reducing nutrient consumption, concentrating nutrients for fruit development, making the fruit develop quickly, grow large, increase yield, and ripen 7-10 days earlier. Where conditions permit, bee pollination is better than artificial pollination and can save a large amount of labor.
Imbalance in water and fertilizer supply is another important cause of deformed fruit.
If the soil in the shed is too dry or too wet, lacks fertilizer, or is fertilized improperly, it will cause an imbalance in water and nutrient supply, leading to poor fruit development and deformed fruit. When soil moisture is insufficient, water lightly in time. If fertilizer is lacking, topdressing should be carried out together with watering. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied more, ammonium bicarbonate should not be used for topdressing, and a ternary compound fertilizer should be applied instead, at 15-20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. After dissolving the chemical fertilizer in water, applying it through holes has a better effect. If soil moisture is insufficient after topdressing, watering should follow, so as to promote fertilizer with water and meet the needs of normal flowering and fruiting of strawberries, preventing the occurrence of deformed fruit.