Strawberry Management Methods in April

With the arrival of April, the cold air gradually retreats and the temperature begins to warm up. Under such climatic conditions, the strawberry growth cycle is nearing its end and the harvesting work is gradually entering the final stage. However, this does not mean that orchard management work can be relaxed. Let’s learn about strawberry management methods in April.

1. Temperature and humidity control

In spring, as daylight hours increase and temperatures rise, strawberry growth speeds up. In order to control the growth rate of strawberries and prevent excessive growth, the temperature in the greenhouse needs to be properly adjusted. When the temperature in the shed is stable at above 5°C at night, you can consider dismantling the inner shed to increase ventilation. If the temperature in the greenhouse rises above 30℃, the greenhouse film should be removed in time to cool it down, and the opening degree of the bottom and upper air vents should be increased to promote air circulation and heat dissipation. When the minimum temperature at night remains above 0℃, the vents can be kept open to maintain a suitable growing environment.

In addition, the aprons on both sides of the shed can be removed in late April to further improve the ventilation effect and reduce the temperature in the shed. If natural ventilation still cannot achieve the desired effect, you can consider spraying a cooling agent on the greenhouse film, which is a commonly used cooling method in northern regions.

Humidity management in the greenhouse is equally important and should be kept within the range of 50% to 70%. Excessive humidity will not only affect the flowering and fertilization of strawberries and reduce the fruit setting rate, but may also cause the occurrence of diseases.

2. Water and Fertilizer Management

In April, although some strawberries have entered the harvest period, the plants still have a high demand for water and nutrients. Therefore, strengthening water and fertilizer management is the key to ensuring the healthy growth of strawberries.

In terms of fertilization, since strawberries are in the flowering and fruiting stage and nutrients are consumed quickly, it is recommended to apply top dressing every 10 days. Top dressing is mainly high-potassium fertilizer , which helps improve the quality and taste of the fruit. At the same time, trace elements such as calcium and magnesium are applied to meet the comprehensive needs of plant growth.

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate: Dilute it according to the recommended ratio and spray it on the leaves to quickly replenish phosphorus and potassium elements and promote the healthy growth of strawberries.

Potassium humate: Appropriate application can promote root growth and provide good conditions for flower bud differentiation.

Oligosaccharides calcium magnesium boron: Foliar spraying can quickly supplement elements such as calcium, magnesium, and boron, and enhance the disease resistance and stress resistance of crops.

In terms of irrigation, the principle of watering frequently with small amounts of water should be maintained, watering once every four or five days. Due to the strong transpiration in high temperature weather, water should be added in time to keep the soil moist to facilitate the growth of strawberries.

3. Pest and disease control

In terms of insect pests, special attention should be paid to common pests such as thrips, spider mites and aphids. These pests may cause damage to the leaves and fruits of strawberries, affecting their growth and quality. To effectively control these pests, the following measures can be taken:

Inspect the strawberry garden regularly to detect and deal with pests in a timely manner.

Use biological control methods, such as introducing natural enemy insects for natural control.

When necessary, use chemical pesticides reasonably and choose those that are safe for the environment and human body and effective against pests.

In terms of diseases, powdery mildew and anthracnose are common diseases in spring, which may seriously affect the yield and quality of strawberries. To prevent and treat these diseases, you can take the following measures:

Keep the garden clean and remove diseased leaves and fruits in time.

Adjust irrigation methods appropriately to avoid overly wet environmental conditions.

Use appropriate fungicides for prevention and treatment, and pay attention to the selection and timing of use of the agents.

4. Plant management

In terms of plant management, the abundant sunlight in April provides good conditions for the growth of strawberries. However, in order to ensure the healthy growth of strawberries and improve the quality of the fruit, the following plant management work is also required:

Remove old and diseased leaves: Inspect the strawberry garden regularly and remove old and diseased leaves in time. This not only helps improve ventilation and light conditions between plants and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, but also saves nutrients and makes more available for the growth of healthy fruits.

Thinning flowers and fruits: During the period of vigorous growth of strawberries, flower and fruit thinning can be carried out appropriately. This measure helps to improve the quality and uniformity of the fruit. The specific operation method is to first remove the flowers and fruits that are deformed or infected with diseases and pests, then remove the weaker small flowers and fruits, and retain the healthy and well-growing flowers and fruits. Doing so ensures that nutrients are more concentratedly supplied to high-quality fruits, thereby improving overall yield and quality.

The above are the key points for managing the strawberry garden in April. The specific points should also be combined with the actual situation of your strawberry garden. Don’t stop managing it just because it is nearing the end. Management at this time is also very important for the later stage.