Can strawberries be grown hydroponically?

Strawberry is a fruit with high economic value and is widely grown in all parts of China. But usually people grow strawberries in soil, so can strawberries be grown hydroponically? Let’s learn more about it below.

Can strawberries be grown hydroponically?

Can. Hydroponic strawberry cultivation is a method of soilless cultivation. By using nutrient solution instead of soil, it directly provides strawberries with necessary nutrients and can prevent strawberries from being infected by diseases and pests. Moreover, hydroponic strawberries are green and environmentally friendly, and the quality of the cultivated strawberries is also very good, which can be said to have many advantages.

How to grow strawberries hydroponically?

1. Variety selection

Varieties such as Xingxiang, Red Pearl , and Zhangji have good commercial quality and high yield, and are the main choices for hydroponic cultivation.

2. Seedling treatment

Choose seedlings that are healthy, have lush roots and are free of pests and diseases. Trim off all the withered leaves on the seedlings, then soak them in 75% polychlorinated fungus solution for 10-20 minutes for disinfection. After taking them out, wash off the remaining disinfectant and apply rooting agent on the roots to help resume growth and development as soon as possible.

3. Preparation before sowing

The main thing is to prepare the hydroponic containers and nutrient solution. Usually, the containers for hydroponic strawberries can be hydroponic tanks, ceramics, plastics, glass dishes, etc., but the containers need to be shielded from light to prevent moss from growing inside the containers and consuming the nutrient solution. The reference formula of the nutrient solution is: 236 mg/L calcium nitrate, 303 mg/L potassium nitrate, 57 mg/L ammonium phosphate, 123 mg/L magnesium sulfate, 500 mg/L ferric chloride, 1.2 mg/L boric acid, and 0.72 mg/L manganese chloride. You can also directly purchase special nutrient solution for strawberries.

4. Hydroponic planting

After the seedlings are processed, dilute the nutrient solution, pour it into the hydroponic container, and then place the seedlings in it. Make sure the roots are fully immersed in water, but do not let the leaves get wet. Then, fix it with stones or other things, put it in a warm place and cultivate it slowly.

5. Planting matters

During the planting process, if you find water droplets oozing from the tips of strawberry leaves, you need to lower the water level appropriately to allow more roots to be exposed above the water surface to reduce the proportion of the plant immersed in water and maintain normal growth of the plant. Half a month after planting, a certain amount of nutrient solution needs to be applied to the container regularly every week. In winter, the cycle can be extended to about one month.

In general, strawberries can be grown hydroponically, and it is a very popular cultivation method in recent years. However, the relevant planting techniques must be mastered well, especially the early treatment of seedlings and the preparation of nutrient solution, which are the key to the success of strawberry hydroponics.