What are the methods for growing strawberries from seed? A full analysis of the benefits and economic returns

Strawberry is a perennial herbaceous plant. It grows 10-40 cm tall, with stems shorter than or nearly equal to the leaves, densely covered with spreading yellow fine hairs. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is June-July. Do you know what methods there are for growing strawberries from seed? What benefits do they have? How are the economic returns? The strawberry originated in South America, and is widely cultivated throughout China and Europe. Strawberries have high nutritional value, contain a variety of nutrients, and also have health benefits.

I. Methods for growing strawberries from seed

Vernalization:

Growing strawberries from seed is different from growing ordinary melon and fruit seeds. Strawberry seeds need vernalization treatment before sowing to increase the germination rate. Vernalization is a growth phenomenon: some plants need low-temperature conditions to promote flower bud formation and flower organ development. This process is called the vernalization stage, and this effect of low temperature inducing plants to flower is called vernalization. Let us now take a closer look at how to grow strawberries.

1. Low-temperature stimulation

Before sowing, the seeds can be wrapped in gauze, soaked in water for one day, and then placed in the refrigerator for low-temperature storage for about 15 days, thereby breaking the seeds' dormancy.

2. Soil selection and treatment

Strawberries like fertile, loose, breathable, slightly acidic soil (neutral soil also works). Before sowing strawberry seeds, crush the soil and spread it out in the sun for three days to disinfect it, then mix and stir it evenly with an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer. If conditions allow, you can directly use a soil disinfectant and stir it into the soil to disinfect it.

3. Sowing

Put the prepared soil into a pot, then water it thoroughly once (do not let water accumulate). After the soil has absorbed the fertilizer for 1 hour, you can scatter the strawberry seeds on it. Try to scatter them as evenly as possible, because strawberry seeds are very small, and scattering them in a clump will lower the germination rate.

4. Sprinkling water

After scattering the strawberry seeds, sprinkle a little fine soil over them. The soil does not need to be too thick, 2-3 mm is enough to cover the strawberry seeds. After sprinkling the fine soil, use a spray bottle to moisten the seeds. Try not to pour water on them, to prevent the strawberry seeds from being washed away.

Management after sowing:

1. Watering

Generally, after sowing there is no need to water too frequently. Follow the rule of not watering until dry, and water thoroughly when you do. If the weather is hot and dry in summer, you can increase the frequency of watering. After the seedlings emerge, you need to keep the young seedlings moist; do not let them get too dry. When moistening them, do not use too strong a stream of water, otherwise the young seedlings will be washed flat against the ground. Also, do not place the young seedlings in an environment with harsh sunlight, to avoid scorching them to death.

2. Transplanting

When the seedlings have grown 3-5 leaves, they can be transplanted. You can transplant the young seedlings into flower pots to grow potted strawberries (for details, please visit the TheNaturePlanet website and search for potted strawberries), or transplant them into the ground for cultivation. When transplanting, you can move them together with their roots and soil, which can increase the survival rate.

3. Fertilizing

Strawberries do not need fertilizing before transplanting. After transplanting, they also cannot be fertilized immediately; you must wait until the strawberry seedlings have adapted to the current environment before applying some dilute fertilizer. Generally speaking, the nutrients in the soil are enough for strawberries to flower and fruit, but in order to produce more flowers and more fruit, it is still necessary to apply some dilute fertilizer.

4. Light

The growth and development of most plants cannot do without light, especially plants that bear fruit. Therefore, you must ensure that strawberries get enough light every day, so that they can bear fruit.

5. Flowering period management

When strawberries are flowering, artificial pollination can be carried out. The specific method is to touch the flower buds of the female flowers to each other. In addition, if a single strawberry plant produces a particularly large number of flowers, you can appropriately remove some of the more wilted flowers, which can increase the fruiting rate.

6. Fruit management

When strawberries have formed small fruits, fruit protection measures should be taken. Fruit protection mainly means finding a way to keep the strawberries from directly resting on the soil, otherwise some microorganisms or small animals in the soil will cause the strawberries to rot. When the strawberries are fully ripe, harvest them as early as possible to prevent them from being eaten by insects and birds.

II. What are the benefits of eating strawberries

Nourishing yin and blood

Strawberries contain a variety of sugars, citric acid, malic acid, and amino acids, which are easily absorbed by the human body and help replenish blood volume and maintain body fluid balance

Improving eyesight and nourishing the liver

This is because strawberries contain carotene. We all know that eating more carrots can improve eyesight, because the carotene contained in carrots is one of the important components for synthesizing vitamin A. However, some people cannot accept the taste of carrots, so eating more strawberries can also achieve the effect of improving eyesight.

Nourishing and regulating

Strawberries have a certain nourishing and regulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract and anemia.

Inhibiting cancer cells

The anthocyanins contained in strawberries belong to a type of flavonoids, which make strawberries red and can prevent and fight cancer. During or after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, they can increase oral moisture and moisten the lungs to relieve cough, alleviate symptoms during treatment, and at the same time inhibit the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.

Adjuvant treatment

Strawberries have a certain therapeutic effect on some blood diseases that are relatively difficult to treat in modern medicine, such as leukemia and aplastic anemia. Since it is adjuvant treatment, it certainly cannot replace medication, and it must be eaten appropriately according to one's own physical condition; it cannot replace drugs.

III. How are the economic returns of growing strawberries

Strawberries have strong adaptability, are easy to cultivate, and have an early maturity period. They are a very good cash crop that can increase farmers' income. Strawberries are rich in vitamins, and also contain various nutritional elements such as organic acids, protein, crude fiber, and fructose.

The edible portion of the strawberry fruit is as high as 98%, and the nutrients it contains are very easily absorbed by the human body, making it deeply loved by consumers, especially the elderly and children. Because strawberries contain a large amount of vitamin C, strawberries have effects such as reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing, and also have anti-aging and life-prolonging effects.

In addition to being eaten fresh, strawberries can also be deeply processed. Common products on the market include strawberry juice, strawberry jam, preserved strawberries, canned strawberries, and so on. It can be said that growing strawberries is much better than growing vegetables, and the profits are also higher. Whether used for investment or grown for one's own consumption, strawberries are a good choice.

Even though strawberries have so many benefits and broad market prospects, farmers should still be cautious when planting them on a large scale. They must do good market research, must not act blindly, and after understanding and becoming familiar with the situation, choose at their discretion according to their own actual circumstances.