How much do mock strawberry seeds cost? Detailed guide to growing them

Mock strawberry, also known as shepaocao, longtuzhu, sanzhuafeng and other names, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Duchesnea in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is widely distributed throughout the country. The whole plant is used medicinally to clear heat and detoxify, invigorate the blood and disperse stasis, and astringe and stop bleeding. It can also treat venomous snake bites, be applied to treat boils and sores, and can be used to kill fly maggots. Let us take a look below at mock strawberry seed prices and growing methods!

How much do mock strawberry seeds cost per jin?

The price of mock strawberry seeds is generally around 130-180 yuan per jin, but prices vary considerably depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and the market. Mock strawberry mostly grows on hillsides, riverbanks, grasslands and damp places. It prefers shade and coolness, warmth and humidity, is cold-tolerant, not drought-tolerant and not tolerant of waterlogging. In North China it can overwinter in the open ground, with a suitable growing temperature of 15-25°C. It has no strict requirements for soil; garden soil, sandy loam and neutral soil all allow it to grow well, and it is best suited to loose, moist sandy loam.

Propagation methods for mock strawberry

1. Seed propagation: Propagating mock strawberry by direct seeding is relatively slow. It is best to sow seeds indoors in pots in autumn and plant them out in spring. The germination rate is usually below 10%. Seeds can also be sown in an open-ground seedbed.

2. Division propagation: Mock strawberry can be divided at any time, but spring and summer are best. The optimal spacing between plants and rows is 20×20 cm. Water after planting, and it can cover the ground completely within the same year.

Growing methods for mock strawberry

1. Soil selection: Mock strawberry has no strict requirements for environment or soil and can survive in sandy soil, yellow earth and humus soil. When establishing a planting, choosing loose soil with moderate fertility and good drainage gives better results.

2. Planting time: Mock strawberry has strong adaptability and can survive open-air cultivation in all seasons except winter. Transplanting in summer gives a higher survival rate, grows quickly and forms a lawn more easily.

3. Timely watering: When mock strawberry is planted by hand, it needs watering 3-4 times over the whole year. Watering in early spring can make the lawn turn green earlier; adding water 1-2 times in the dry season makes the lawn grow more luxuriantly and improves the landscape effect. It is best to water once more with winter protection water before winter sets in.

4. Plant adjustment: Mock strawberry is short overall and grows prostrate, so no pruning is needed. However, care must be taken to prevent overly vigorous growth, which leads to poor ventilation and causes the plants to rot, so the plants need to be adjusted in time.

5. Reasonable fertilisation: Mock strawberry is extremely adaptable and can grow normally all year without fertiliser. If nitrogen fertiliser is applied in early spring, it can make it flower and fruit earlier, creating a good landscape effect.

6. Pest and disease control: Wild mock strawberry has the characteristics of insect resistance and disease resistance, but when cultivated with a row spacing of less than 10 cm, and under high heat and high humidity with poor ventilation, it can be infected with rust. Spraying 15% triadimefon wettable powder diluted 800-1000 times is sufficient.