When is the best time to plant strawberries?

Transplanting of strawberries is usually scheduled between September and October, and the best time is on cloudy days or after 5 pm to reduce the impact of direct sunlight on the seedlings. When selecting strawberry seedlings , you should choose plants with strong growth, ensure their root system is healthy, and cut off damaged roots, leaving root segments about 8 cm long. Also, remove old and weak leaves and runners to encourage new root growth. Of course, the specific transplanting time needs to be considered comprehensively based on the characteristics of the strawberry variety and local climatic conditions. So when is the best time to plant strawberries?

When is the best time to plant strawberries?

With the development of greenhouse cultivation technology, strawberries can now be grown all year round. However, if we talk about the best planting time, September is generally recommended. In this way, strawberries can mature and be put on the market in late January to early February, when market demand is strong and can be sold at a higher price. Alternatively, strawberries can be planted between March and April so that they can be harvested between June and July.

Strawberry planting management

1. Seedling selection and planting

Before planting strawberry seedlings, be sure to select healthy seedlings and eliminate weak and diseased seedlings to prevent potential problems from being introduced into the planting environment. Before planting, trim off the dead leaves and vines of the strawberry, leaving 2 to 3 healthy new leaves. Soak the seedlings in 5-10 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid or sodium naphthaleneacetate solution for 3 hours to promote the growth of new roots. When transplanting, be careful not to water too much to avoid water accumulation that will affect the development of the strawberry root system and the growth of the seedlings.

2. Watering and fertilizing

Apply sufficient base fertilizer before sowing, and choose fully fermented chicken manure as base fertilizer. After the strawberries germinate, adjust the fertilization strategy in time and apply 10 kg of urea per mu. During the fruit expansion period, apply 20 kg of phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per mu. Fertilization is combined with irrigation, with emphasis placed on the periods of vigorous plant growth and fruit expansion. Pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.

3. Temperature and light management

Short daylight hours help promote flower bud differentiation, and the daylight hours can be controlled by covering with 0.1-0.5 mm thick silver or black plastic film. Cover from 8:00 to 16:00 every day to ensure that the strawberries receive 8 hours of sunshine every day, and continue the treatment for more than 15 days. Strawberries grow best in a temperature range of 15℃-22℃. Too high or too low temperatures will affect their growth. At the same time, pay attention to the changes in temperature between day and night. Variable temperature management helps promote flower bud differentiation. Low temperature treatment can be used before transplanting to promote flower bud differentiation in advance.

4. Remove buds and leaves

Before the terminal inflorescence appears, retain one terminal bud. After the terminal inflorescence appears, select two axillary buds and remove the excess axillary buds in time. The old leaves of strawberry contain substances that inhibit flowering. Removing the old leaves can reduce the content of these substances, reduce nutrient consumption, and promote flower bud differentiation. In production, leaves should be picked moderately.

5. Pest and disease control

Adhere to the principle of prevention first and spray pesticides in time to prevent diseases and pests. Pay attention to the rational use of drugs, avoid frequent spraying or excessive concentration to avoid drug damage. The main diseases of strawberry during the flowering and fruiting period are gray mold and powdery mildew, as well as pests such as aphids and red spiders. Once the disease is discovered, measures should be taken immediately to avoid causing greater losses.

In general, as a fruit with high economic value, scientific management is essential if you want to harvest large and high-quality strawberries. To ensure high yield and high quality of strawberries, growers must master key management practices.