What causes frozen berries in strawberries? Here's how to prevent them

Frozen berries in strawberries are a fairly common phenomenon in strawberry cultivation. Under normal pollination, strawberry fruits will rapidly swell, but if they fail to swell long after pollination and the fruit shows signs of blackening, it is very likely to be a symptom of frozen berries. So what should be done about frozen berries in strawberries? Let's take a look.

I. Causes of frozen berries

1. Temperature

Temperature has a major influence on strawberry growth. During the seedling stage, if the temperature is too high or too low, it will cause poor flower bud differentiation, making it very easy to form weak flowers, which will later develop into frozen berries and small fruits. The temperature during the flowering period also affects strawberry pollination. Poor pollination may hinder the formation of the gelatinous substance between seeds and flesh, and because nutrient supply cannot keep up when the fruit swells, swelling becomes slow and frozen berries easily form.

2. Insufficient light

When the fruit is swelling, if there is continuous rainy weather, it will affect the strawberry's photosynthesis, resulting in reduced nutrient synthesis, which cannot supply fruit growth, causing some fruits to show frozen berry symptoms.

3. Improper fertilization

Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer during the seedling stage causes excessive strawberry growth, loss of nutritional balance, and inhibition of reproductive growth. It also affects the plant's absorption of other elements, such as zinc, boron and other trace elements necessary for fruit growth. When the fruit lacks them during development, it will stop growing and form frozen berries.

4. Improper management

If water and fertilizer are applied too late, or if flower and fruit growth is too vigorous and flowers and fruits are not thinned in time, the third and fourth inflorescences will fail to develop properly. This is because they develop too late and their nutrients are taken by the first two layers of inflorescences, resulting in insufficient nutrients for the later layers, which gradually become frozen. In addition, when the plant lacks water, frozen berries can also occur.

5. Pests and diseases

Some pests suck water and nutrients from the fruit, causing the fruit to form frozen berries because it does not have enough water and nutrients to grow.

II. Preventive measures

Throughout the entire strawberry growing period, temperature should be controlled reasonably. During the seedling stage, if the temperature is too high, ventilation should be strengthened to lower the temperature and humidity; when the temperature is low, insulation measures should be taken well, and the same applies during the flowering and fruiting periods. Applying more organic fertilizer can improve root activity and promote plant growth. During rainy weather, artificial supplementary lighting should be carried out appropriately to strengthen the plant's photosynthesis and promote nutrient synthesis, so as to prevent frozen berries. Water management should also be strengthened: water during drought, and drain promptly after rain. Pest and disease control should not be neglected; once pests or diseases are found, they should be controlled promptly.

The above are the causes of frozen berries in strawberries and preventive measures. We hope they can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.