What to Do About Poor Strawberry Coloration? Cause Analysis and Solutions

When strawberries are fully ripe, their exterior is bright red, making people want to take a bite right away. But many people who grow strawberries find that most of their fruit ends up with patches of green mixed with red, looking as if it never ripened. So what causes poor strawberry coloration, and are there any solutions? Let's take a look together with Qinnong Web.

1. Lack of Nutrients

During the fruit enlargement stage, the quality of coloration is closely tied to nutrition. When too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied and potassium fertilizer and boron fertilizer are lacking, the fruit will color poorly.

Solution: Applying plenty of nitrogen fertilizer before strawberries grow can promote plant growth and development, but once the fruiting stage arrives, the demand for nitrogen fertilizer is not great. At this point, potassium fertilizer and boron fertilizer need to be applied. In addition, elements such as calcium also help promote strawberry coloration, so fertilization should be balanced and combined. Applying organic fertilizer is recommended.

2. Temperature and Light

Strawberry coloration is mainly the synthesis of a pigment called anthocyanin. This substance forms in an environment of 20-25 degrees. If the temperature is too high or too low, its formation will be affected, resulting in poor coloration. In addition, when light is insufficient, the fruit does not accumulate enough sugar, and a physiological white fruit phenomenon occurs. Eventually the fruit turns pale yellow-white, and its flavor is rather bland. The fruit is soft and prone to rot, and does not store well.

Solution: Strictly control temperature and light conditions. During the fruiting stage, keep it at 20-25 degrees during the day and 15-20 degrees at night, and maintain light for 12-15 hours per day. Prune stems and leaves to enhance the plant's ventilation and light penetration.

3. Fruit in Prolonged Contact with the Ground

Because strawberry plants are relatively short and their stems creep along the ground, most of the fruit comes into contact with the ground when it sets fruit. This also produces the phenomenon of part of the fruit being red and part being green. This is caused by the parts in contact with the ground being unable to receive light.

Solution: During the color-turning stage, regularly turn the fruit so that the side close to the ground can also be exposed to sunlight. Alternatively, when planting, raise the planting height of the plants, which can avoid this problem.

4. Excessive Use of Hormones or Swelling Agents

To bring fruit to market earlier and increase yield, some fruit growers often use hormones or swelling agents during the fruit enlargement stage to promote rapid fruit enlargement. The fruit does indeed become very large, but the formation of its anthocyanin takes time, so the fruit ends up large but poorly colored.

Solution: Use as few hormones and swelling agents as possible, or do not use them at all. These things are harmful to the human body to a certain degree. Temperature and light conditions should be reasonably controlled, and fertilization should be scientific, so that the fruit is both large and sweet.

The above is what Qinnong Web brings you on the causes of poor strawberry coloration and the solutions. In addition, when planting, pay attention to planting density. If the density is too high, poor air permeability between plants will also lead to poor coloration and the formation of deformed fruit. For more agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.