Strawberry planting and management technology

Strawberry is a popular berry fruit known for its bright color, rich aroma and rich nutritional value. There are many varieties, and the fruit is an aggregate fruit. The size of the fruit varies according to the variety. The flesh is juicy, with a moderate sweet and sour taste, a strong aroma, and a unique flavor. Let’s learn about strawberry planting and management techniques.

1. Variety selection

It is important to choose a strawberry variety that is suitable for local climate and soil conditions. Common high-quality varieties include:

Hongyan: The fruit is large, bright in color, and has a strong flavor, suitable for fresh consumption.

Zhangji: The fruit is relatively large, with a soft and sticky texture and a strong aroma.

Fengxiang: The fruit is large, with moderate sweetness and sourness, suitable for processing.

For varieties with less pollen and many deformed fruits (such as Qiuxiang, Baojiao Zaosheng, etc.), it is recommended to match them with pollination varieties (such as Chunxiang and Dana) to improve fruit quality.

2. Soil Selection and Preparation

Strawberries are suitable for growing in fertile, loose, well-drained slightly acidic soil, and the soil pH should be controlled between 5.5-6.5. Before planting, the following operations must be carried out: the depth should be at least 15 cm, and weeds and stones should be removed. Apply 2,000 kg of decomposed chicken manure per mu, combining ditch application and broadcast application. The soil can be disinfected by sun exposure or chemical agents to reduce pests and diseases.

3. Planting time

The planting time of strawberries varies from region to region and is generally divided into spring and autumn: Spring planting takes advantage of spring temperature and humidity and is suitable for early-maturing varieties. Autumn planting takes advantage of autumn light and temperature and is suitable for mid- to late-maturing varieties.

4. Planting Density

Generally, 5,000 to 6,000 strawberry seedlings are planted per acre, and the spacing between plants and rows is adjusted according to the variety and soil fertility. Too dense a planting will result in poor plant growth, while too sparse a planting will waste land resources.

5. Field Management

1. Water management

Strawberries need to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. The recommended watering time is early morning or evening, and avoid watering during the high temperatures at noon. During the flowering and fruiting period, appropriate amount of watering is required, and drip irrigation is best.

2. Fertilization management

The base fertilizer is mainly decomposed organic fertilizer . During the flowering and fruiting period, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers need to be applied, and 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be sprayed continuously for 3-4 times.

3. Lighting management

Strawberries like light and need sufficient light from 2 weeks before flowering to the flowering period. When planting in a greenhouse , you can hang a reflective curtain on the north side or supplement light on rainy days.

4. Temperature management

During the flowering period, the greenhouse temperature is 22-25℃ during the day and 8-10℃ at night; during the fruit expansion period, it is 20-24℃ during the day and 6-10℃ at night.

5. Assisted pollination

Strawberries can reduce fruit deformities through artificial pollination or the introduction of bees to assist pollination.

In summary, strawberries should not be planted continuously, and it is recommended to rotate them with legumes and gramineous crops. Regularly prune old and diseased leaves to promote healthy growth of the plant. During the fruiting period, the fruit needs to be prevented from contacting the soil and can be covered with mulch.