Strawberry planting cycle and management technology

Strawberry, this popular fruit, is grown in large quantities in our country. It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 strawberry varieties currently under development. Each type of strawberry has different growth habits and growth cycles . The varieties widely grown in the country, such as Hongyan and Zhangji, usually take several months from planting to maturity. Let’s take a closer look at the strawberry planting cycle and management techniques.

1. Strawberry planting cycle

The life cycle of strawberry can be divided into six stages: germination stage, budding stage, fruiting stage, vigorous growth stage, differentiation stage and dormancy stage. After sowing in spring, strawberries enter the budding stage, begin to bud after about a month, and then bloom and bear fruit after about two months. It is worth noting that the length of the flowering period of different varieties of strawberries varies greatly, with the average flowering period being about 20 days.

After the first wave of strawberries are harvested, the plants enter a vigorous growth period. At this stage, strawberries will grow a lot of runners, and farmers need to prune and trim them in time to avoid excessive growth of the plants. After the vigorous growth period ends, strawberries begin to differentiate flower buds and gradually transition to the reproductive growth stage. As the season progresses and temperatures cool, strawberries eventually go into a dormant period in preparation for the next growing cycle.

2. Strawberry Management Technology

1. Variety selection

The cultivation of strawberries needs to take into account the regional climate. Take Xinyang as an example. The area is located in the transition zone from the warm temperate zone to the subtropical zone, with obvious monsoon climate characteristics, suitable average annual temperature and sunshine hours, a long frost-free period, and sufficient precipitation, which is very suitable for strawberry growth. Taking into account the high temperature in summer and the temperature difference between day and night, we should choose late-maturing, high-yielding, disease-resistant, heat-resistant and cold-resistant varieties, such as European Four Seasons Red, Sweet Charlie, and Frandy.

2. Seedling management

Seedling cultivation is a key step in strawberry cultivation, affecting the healthy growth of seedlings. There are two ways to raise seedlings: open-air planting and greenhouse planting. It is necessary to ensure that the soil is fertile, well-drained and has sufficient light. Avoid planting in saline-alkali soil . Establish a nursery, select a plot of land that has not been planted with strawberries in 2 to 3 years, apply well-rotted farmyard manure and compound fertilizer , and deep plow the soil to ensure fertility. March to April or September to October is the seedling raising period. Choose healthy creeping stem seedlings as mother plants. Pay attention to shading and cooling to promote flower bud differentiation.

3. Planting

The planting time is determined according to the local climate. In Xinyang City, it is generally from late April to early May. Select healthy seedlings for planting, with a plant spacing of 16 to 20 cm and a row spacing of 30 to 35 cm. Avoid direct sunlight when transplanting, plant at a depth of 7 to 10 cm, and water the plants in time to ensure they take root.

4. Field management

Management of flowers, fruits, branches and leaves: During the development of flowers and fruits, ensure the supply of water and nutrients , thin out flowers and fruits, remove excess leaves in time, and ensure effective nutrient supply.

Water and fertilizer management: Adjust the amount of irrigation according to the growth stage of the strawberry, and increase the number of irrigations in summer. Base fertilizer is applied during land preparation, and topdressing is done during the growing period, which should be completed before late July. The use of nitrogen fertilizer should be reduced in August.

Hormone regulation: Gibberellic acid is used in the early stage of seedling cultivation to promote the growth of runners, and paclobutrazol is used in the later stage of seedling cultivation to inhibit runners and promote flower bud differentiation.

Pest and disease control: Take agricultural, physical and biological control measures, select disease and pest resistant varieties, and strengthen field management. Serious diseases and pests need to be dealt with in a timely manner and pesticides used scientifically to ensure the quality of strawberries.

In short, it is crucial for farmers to understand the growth cycle of strawberries and the management characteristics of each stage, which will help them better manage strawberry gardens, optimize planting strategies, and improve strawberry yield and quality.