How to grow strawberry seedlings from seed?

Strawberry is a very tasty berry, the sweetness of which is loved by people of all ages. In addition, many gardeners plant it on their own plots on their own. Today we will examine in detail how to properly grow this fragrant berry from seeds.

Strawberries, like any other berry, need to be grown competently. It is important to adhere to all necessary rules and be responsible for all stages of the process. Only in this case will it be possible to count on a rich harvest and large, sweet fruits.

Many gardeners and owners of private houses with gardens prefer seed breeding of this culture. The popularity of this method is due to many advantages. Here are some of them.

• When seed breeding berries do not have to worry about whether the right grade you sold in the store / on the market.
• Strawberries are very easy to grow from seed. Even an inexperienced gardener can easily cope with this task, who has never come across such processes before.

• Purchase such material for landing is not difficult. Yes, and prepare it yourself is also very simple.
• Seeds of Victoria can be stored for a very long time (usually not less than 4 years). In addition, they do not fear various diseases and attacks of pests.

As you can see, growing strawberries from seeds is ideal for an amateur gardener. However, this method has one drawback - in the process of cultivation there may be some difficulties associated with poor germination or poor growth of the seedlings.

First you need to decide on what kind of strawberries you want to grow at home. The following varieties are best for this.

This variety is a hybrid remontant. It is characterized by the presence of large fruits with a wonderful taste. In addition, this type of strawberry is early and rich in harvest.

This is the newest remontant hybrid, which is designed for growing in a greenhouse or greenhouse. After 4-5 months after sowing, it is already permissible to pick berries of this species. "Sarian F1" - a large-fruited variety that is not afraid of frost or drought. In addition, it is not susceptible to fungal diseases.

This variety of Victoria is also remontant, but this is no longer a hybrid, therefore it is possible to collect seeds from it. This plant fructifies throughout the summer season without interruption. Fruits usually have large sizes, characteristic crimson color, rather dense texture and a very pleasant aroma.

The name of this berry speaks for itself - it has an impressive size (one fruit can reach a weight of 120 grams). "Gigantella" brings berries once during the season and is not a hybrid. As a rule, fruits have a very sweet and rich taste, as well as a slightly dry skin, due to which they can be stored a little longer.

This popular variety appeared in our country in the 90s. It is characterized by high yield, even if during the whole summer there were not very many sunny days. Harvest this variety gives 2 times a season, different in that it has a period of rest. "Geneva" is a large-fruited variety.

This variety has excellent yield and early ripeness. "Zephyr" grows seamlessly in the shade and does not require complex and regular care. The taste of the fruit is characterized by fragrant ease (hence the name). Fruit "Zephyr" once a year.

The berries of this variety have a characteristic conical shape. "Tristar" can give a second harvest closer to the end of the summer season.This variety belongs to the dessert, and its berries have a wonderful sweet taste.

Many people independently grow strawberry seeds such as "Diamond".

This variety is resistant to low temperatures and berries that have a unique delicate aroma.

There are many other varieties of Victoria that can be grown from seeds with their own hands. For example, it can be the Sakhalin berry that bears fruit throughout the summer season, or “Masha”, “Mountain”, “Bogota”.

Before embarking on the independent planting of strawberry seeds, you need to choose the right capacity and soil.

If we are talking about planting a small amount of seeds, then you can turn to special peat tablets of small diameter. But these parts must be distinguished by good quality, so they are recommended to buy in proven outlets. Tablets should be placed in special containers to form a kind of greenhouse conditions.

Of course, you can apply not only to peat tablets, but also small plastic boxes equipped with transparent covers. In most cases, these containers remain from different foods. At the bottom of these items is worth a few holes to provide better ventilation.

Also, it is permissible to sow Victoria in special boxes of shallow depth or rassadnichki. You can use containers whose height is only 5-6 cm.

Some people grow strawberry seedlings in three-liter jars. This is done like this:

• on top of a glass jar they put on a plastic cap with pre-made holes necessary for ventilation (the jar may have some damage, for example, cracks or chips);
• on the bottom of the stack layer drainage of expanded clay, and then wet soil;
• the jar needs to be filled in about half;
• on top of the laid soil will need to decompose a small amount of strawberry seeds;
• at first, watering will not be needed - only rare sprays will be needed;
• from time to time the lid will need to be opened to ventilate the contents of the jar.

The result is a closed space such as a greenhouse. For young seedlings, these are ideal conditions. In such an environment, they will grow without picks.

It is also permissible to use such containers for planting strawberry seeds.

• Special plastic cassettes. Most often, such options can be found in specialized stores for gardeners. Each capacity of such a container is designed for planting one seedling. As a rule, these products initially have drainage holes, but you will need a pallet, which should be selected independently.
• Homemade boxes of boards. Such options are good because they can be used many times. However, it is important to remember that when reapplied, they will require additional disinfection.
• Glasses made of paper or plastic. This cheap container is good because it is easy and convenient to plant seedlings from it, but you need to take into account that for transportation cups will need additional packaging.

The soil for planting strawberry seeds should also be selected carefully. Shopping options are very often not of good quality. If the water stagnates, not penetrating immediately into the ground, and the earth after watering begins to subside - this is very bad. It is not necessary to mix into the soil many different "newfangled" components.

It is important to follow one primary rule: the land for sowing strawberry seeds must be supplemented with sand. Often this important component is diluted with peat soil from the store or the ground, which was harvested in a fairly rotten compost heap. Also, land can be gained in the forest near deciduous trees.

If you decide to independently grow Victoria from seeds, then you need to know that you should not expect good results without proper preparation.

To correctly prepare the seeds, you will need to carry out procedures for disinfection. They should be immersed for 20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. After that, you need to take a transparent container with the same transparent lid. It will be necessary to make several holes in it for additional ventilation. Next on the bottom of this container you will need to lay out moistened cotton pads or a piece of cloth. Only after that you can proceed to the layout of seeds.

On top of the seedlings need to put the same wet materials, as well as those that lie on the bottom. After that, the container can be closed with a transparent cover. Do not forget to moisten the discs or rag daily, but it is important not to overdo it with water. It is better to use such a device as a spray.

If you plan to plant seeds of several varieties of Victoria at once, then it is advisable to use separate tanks for this. To make it more convenient, you can sign them in advance. In such conditions, the seeds must be kept warm for at least two days. It is important to ensure that the seedlings are not dry. Then for two weeks they will need to be transferred to the refrigerator, while continuing to maintain a sufficient level of humidity.

The described operation is called stratification. After its implementation, you can proceed to planting seeds.

If you picked up a suitable container and soil, as well as competently prepared seedlings, you can proceed to their direct planting.

For planting strawberry seeds, it is recommended to use a high-quality fertile mixed soil. To do this, take 2 parts of the earth, part of the sand and peat. They additionally add special biohumus and wood ash. Make sure the soil is as crumbly as possible. Otherwise, at the end of the irrigation process, the ground will simply be clogged.

Next, the harvested soil should be distributed in separate boxes. It will also need to be leveled and tamped. Make in the ground grooves of small depth along the entire length of the container.

Now in the inner part of the grooves need to lay the seeds. Since they are very small, it will be much more convenient to do this with tweezers or a toothpick.

If you plant different varieties of Victoria, then it is advisable to sign each groove in order to avoid confusion. Having completed the landing, the ground should be compacted and thoroughly moistened using a spray gun.

Until sufficiently strong shoots break through, it is better to irrigate with a spray gun. Otherwise, water can simply wash away the seeds. Seeds are not enough to plant in high-quality soil. In the future, sprouted seedlings will need to provide competent care. Since these plants are very delicate and sensitive, this should not be neglected.

The most important condition for good growth is proper watering. Produce it should be very careful. In order not to wash off with water and not to put young seedlings on the ground, they should be watered just below the roots.It is advisable to use a syringe, a teaspoon or a pipette - with these devices you will not harm the plants.

Do not forget about competent plant nutrition. You will need to add special compounds, the content of which contains components such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Without these additions, a good harvest in the future should not be expected.

Important and preventive work in the care of strawberries. In order to save plants from annoying fungal diseases (most varieties are susceptible to similar ailments), it will be necessary to water them once every 3 weeks with a special compound - a fungicide. If you see that one of the sprouts has laid down on the ground, you will need to gently lift it and pour more earth from below.

If you planted strawberry seeds in a closed dish, then you need to remember that this is the best environment for the development of fungal diseases and mold. The latter releases harmful toxins, so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

This can be done in such ways.

• Very carefully pick up the mold for a couple with the top layer of soil. Do not damage the roots of strawberry seedlings.
• Gently loosen the ground with a small toothpick.
• Further planting should be treated with special preparations, such as Fitosporin, Vermiculite, or with a solution of 1% potassium permanganate.
• Then slightly dry the soil, removing the cover or glass for some time (depending on what you covered with the container).

In the future, when picking up the land in which there was mold, it is desirable to shake off the roots of plants.

If Victoria was sown not in separate containers, then after the formation of the first 3 leaves, it will need to be smashed. Consider step by step instructions on how to do it correctly.

• Prepare individual cups with drain holes made in them.
• Place in them the previously harvested land. It will need to be watered and compacted.
• You will also need to water the land in containers with seedlings. You will need to very carefully transplanted Victoria sprouts with earthy edges.
• If the roots of seedlings are intertwined with each other, they will need to be divided in water in order not to accidentally damage. It is best to pinch the longest roots when diving.
• After transplantation, you will need to water under the root.

Many users are wondering when a strawberry planted in the form of seeds produces a crop. In this case, the time interval for seeding should be considered. The most suitable is the period until the beginning of March. Closer to the transfer of seedlings to the ground (in June or July) the age of sprouts will be 3-4 months. Similar bushes will start bearing fruit already in the current season.

It is very important to remember that the soil in which you plan to plant the seeds should be moderately wet. As a rule, the first shoots begin to break through after 5-7 days, but do not rely only on these terms. Often it takes about 10-15 days, and sometimes gardeners are forced to wait a whole month, so do not worry if the shoots did not seem too fast.

If you grow Victoria in your home or apartment, you will need to always keep the humidity level in the room under control. It should not be too high, because it can lead to the defeat of plants by a fungus.

Do not rush to open the seedlings as soon as they germinate. They will need to be prepared for new external conditions gently, gradually.First, the transparent lids will need to be slightly moved or the containers opened for a short time until the plants adapt to the room temperature and humidity level.

Since the seeds of Victoria often germinate quite difficult, experts recommend planting only germinated seeds in separate containers. So you insure yourself from wasting time on empty seed.

Many users are wondering which dressing is best for strawberries. There are many different options, but most gardeners turn to natural components such as ash or humus. Here it is important to take into account that you need to make them without an excess, otherwise you can simply burn the seeds of Victoria.

According to experts, if you store the seed in a container of glass, then the germination of Victoria can persist for 3-4 years.

When planting strawberry seedlings, it is very important to remember that it will need good lighting (like any other berry). That is why winter sprouts should be additionally highlighted, referring to the special fitolamps. You can also use standard lighting - the choice is up to the gardener.

Experts say that when diving in Victoria, it is better to pinch the roots of seedlings.

If you use not plastic or wooden containers, but popular peat tablets, then you need to consider that they can dry out very quickly, because the substrate in them is quite loose. For this reason, the gardener should monitor the condition of seedlings and soil every day, as well as make regular watering.

By the sun strawberry seedlings also need to be taught gradually. At first, containers are placed in bright places, but not in direct sunlight. In the course of growth of seedlings will need to increase the time of its stay in the light. After completing the process of picking, the plants can be put on the windowsill.

For seeds, drip irrigation using a spray bottle is considered to be the most useful. When the first green leaves are visible, Victoria will need to be watered exclusively at the root. Many gardeners use a regular teaspoon for this.

It is important to remember to wipe the condensate that accumulates on the lid of the container with seedlings. It is necessary that the droplets do not fall on the very delicate strawberry leaves.

In order for strawberry bushes to grow as strong as possible, and the fruits to develop quite well, in the first year after planting, all tendrils and flower stalks should be removed from the seedlings.

Work with strawberry seedlings as carefully and carefully as possible so as not to harm its roots and other important elements.

Secrets of growing strawberries from seed, see the following video.