When and how to cut the strawberries?

Strawberry is the most ripening berry, widespread and popular. It is skoroplodna and relatively simple and easy to reproduce.To get a rich harvest, you need good care.

Pruning is one of the methods of berry farming. But along with the opinion that pruning prepares strawberries for the harvest of the next season, there is another questioning the effectiveness of its implementation. In the summer, strawberry leaves grow vigorously, which directly takes part in the formation of those buds from which berries will be fastened in the future. Many are interested in why it is necessary to cut the strawberries.

The green and saturated color of the leaves remains only during the growing season, lasting about two months. Then, the aging leaves turn yellow and dry, spots are formed on them, and their resistance to diseases and pests decreases.

Pruning helps strawberries to achieve the following goals:

• to consolidate the roots, since all the necessary nutrients will be absorbed only by the roots, and not spent on the foliage; they will become longer, stronger, the roots will grow from the sides and the total mass of the roots will increase;
• make a higher cold resistance;
• remove possible harmful insects on the foliage;
• partially get rid of the causative agents of various fungal or bacterial infections;
• rejuvenates the bush, helps the formation of young and healthy leaves, the ability to high fruiting.

When pruning leaves and whiskers are removed. But the mustache is cut, if there is no need for its reproduction. Not removed mustache make the plantation thickly overgrown, which ultimately leads to lower yields. Opinions of opponents are based on the fact that the leaves are an additional source of nutrition for the roots. Cutting them will change the course of photosynthesis and the process of oxygen absorption, which will affect the growth and development of berries.

This is true, but only applies to young bushes, the foliage of which is not damaged by pests or diseases and retains its freshness and juiciness throughout the growing season. Strawberries of the third and fourth year of life require pruning. Cutting leaves does not damage the strawberries, as it has the ability to quickly restore it.

Negative factors of cutting can be considered the following:

• with improper cutting, you can also remove the buds, in which future berries are laid, which will lead to a decrease in yield;
• a real strawberry rosette may not have time to form by the cold and the bush will freeze in winter;
• in case of a large-scale disease of rot or the presence of many insects, pruning leaves does not help, because when pruning, spores of pathogens fall into the soil, where they successfully survive the winter and take a stable form in the spring they activate their livelihoods;
• next season, the berries ripen a little later, although their number increases.

Strawberry foliage renewal occurs 3 times during the growing season: in spring, summer and autumn. The period of life of its foliage is about 70 days, then the time of aging comes. The multi-colored spots on them is a sign of the aging process, which is accompanied by the intake of nutrients from the strawberry bush, thereby depleting it. Pruning leaves of strawberries can also be carried out in three stages, each of them has its own characteristics.

Spring growth of foliage is the basis of future fruiting. Having survived the cold winter, by spring even healthy and strong strawberries lose part of the foliage, as it is damaged by frost. In the spring it is removed. Trimming is done in early spring according to weather conditions - from the end of March to mid-April. And in May, before the flowering, the whiskers formed in autumn are removed. The purpose of spring pruning is to update strawberry bushes.

In the presence of rotten, dry, sick or just damaged leaves on the bushes, they are carefully cut off, without touching the young leaves and unblown buds, so as not to damage the peduncles and not lose the crop.Thus, pruning in spring clears strawberry bushes from tarnished green mass that prevents the formation of food reserves for future berries. Spring cutting is selective and is carried out only as needed, subject to the summer and autumn pruning.

The second stage of growth and foliage development occurs after the end of fruiting. This is the time of the formation of flowering buds of the future season and the accumulation of useful substances. Pruning is carried out after the harvest is completed in July and is a prophylactic against insects and infections, and is also considered the most effective. In the time remaining until winter, strawberry bushes will have time to form new young leaves and flowering buds, to accumulate useful substances.

They will thoroughly prepare for the winter and better endure an adverse period. In summer, the time for pruning comes in a week - 10 days after the completion of fruiting. In the middle lane, the deadlines fall in the middle of August.

The autumn growth of the green mass of strawberries is the basis of its successful wintering and the goal of the autumn cut. Pruning is done in advance before the onset of cold weather, the best time is from the last decade of August to September, when several new sheets will still have time to grow. It is only necessary to cut dry and damaged leaves, without touching the center of the bush. Pruning in the fall has several advantages.

The development cycle of strawberries and the basis of future berries are formed in the autumn. At this time, the laying of generative buds, the accumulation of sucrose and nutrients in the stems continues, and the activity of pests stops. Proper pruning will allow you to go to wintering with strong young leaves, with flower buds planted for future harvest. It is carried out in the event that care for strawberries was not very good in the summer.

Pruning in the spring involves cutting the foliage and mustache. Strawberry beds after the onset of heat inspect for the detection of all damage. Some equipment is needed for trimming: a sharp shears (scissors can be used), a rake and a small hoe size. In the spring, only damaged, dry, diseased leaves can be cut. When cutting, leave the stem 5–7 cm in length from the socket. It is not necessary to remove too many leaves in the spring, otherwise the strawberry will spend useful substances on the growth of new leaves to the detriment of the development of flowers, and then the ovaries. Healthy leaves must be preserved and leave them at least five.

It is necessary to adhere to the following sequence of cutting:

• dry and old leaves, as well as with any damage or those that grow with a bias, or lying on the soil should be cut with a sharp sheath;
• underdeveloped leaves are also mown with deformation, as they will block the sun and the access of fresh air to the berries;
• mustache removed, if there is no need for reproduction of strawberries, they can be cut only 7-10 cm from the outlet, after which they are removed from the soil; choppers are used if the whiskers sit firmly in the ground, and only the most strong whiskers are chosen for breeding strawberries - these are the whiskers from the one-year bush of the first or second position from it;
• weeding the plantation together with pruning to ensure the access of light and air to the bushes, because the size and quality of the fruit depends on it;
• it is better to burn the harvested tops of the tops, as the harmful insects that have been hibernating on the foliage will die in the fire;
• then the soil on the ridge should be well loosened, which will allow water and air to penetrate unhindered to the roots; for loosening between the beds apply a small chopper and loosen quite deep.

Inexperienced gardeners often make such mistakes during spring pruning, such as:

• mow strawberry bushes instead of selective cutting of leaves;
• violate the integrity of the outlet with sloppy haircut;
• cause damage to the roots when loosening;
• spend too short cut the leaves and whiskers.

The sense of trimming in the summer is the removal of numerous whiskers. After that, the nutrients will be sent to the foliage, they will be strengthened and prepared for winter. From the end of June they begin to regularly examine strawberry beds. If there are signs of disease or pest damage, leaves and whiskers are cut with a shear. Usually, strawberries can be cut only after full fruiting: the end of July or the beginning of August.

Cut only the leaves without removing the stems. This is done as follows: leaving a stem up to 7 cm long, they cut the top of a strawberry bush, gathering it and holding it with the other hand. So, remains untouched center of growth of the bush, the pledge of the future harvest.

In early autumn, usually in September, all weak and damaged leaves and whiskers, as well as excess first-year bushes, are cut off. On the left first-years and adult bushes, dry, yellow and soil leaves are cut off. Adult strawberries require thinning of the bush: the stalks are removed from the middle of the rosette, leaving about 8 stalks. Cutting should be neat, at a height of up to two centimeters from the outlet, to avoid damage to the generative kidneys. In the fall, you cannot cut strawberries completely.

For pruning strawberries at any time a dry, not rainy weather is better suited, it is advisable to do it in the morning or in the evening. You can not tear the leaves with your hands, pull out a mustache, so as not to damage the whole bush. Pruning should start with the beds of young and healthy plants, moving to older ones. In the presence of diseased beds, they are occupied with the latter, and the equipment used is then disinfected.

Repairing strawberries, fruitful all summer, also requires pruning. The peculiarity of pruning this type of strawberry is that it is selective and is produced during the fruiting period. During the entire season, the beds are regularly viewed and only the damaged parts of the plant and the stems from which the ripened berries have been collected are removed. Some varieties need thinning. It is produced in early spring. Cut off all the stems, leaving only 8. The whiskers are regularly removed when picking berries, so that the energy supply goes to the formation of new berries.

Properly done pruning can be successful with good follow-up care. Berry should not suffer from a lack of moisture and nutrients. Therefore, after pruning it is necessary to water it. The best way to irrigate is drip irrigation or the use of sprinklers in the form of turntables. Watering should be regular and moderate. First, water every day or two, until the active growth of young foliage begins.

After the spring leaves are cut, strawberries are fed using both organic and universal mineral fertilizers. It can be such solutions as:

• nitrophoska (1 tablespoon per bucket of water);
• saltpeter (1 part) and ammofosk (2 parts) on a bucket of water;
• urea (25 g per 10 l of water), consuming half a liter under a bush.

Organic mixtures from bird droppings and manure are also effective, namely:

• daily infusion of chicken manure (200 g) is diluted in 10 liters of water, this mixture is introduced into the aisle;
• manure solution - a quarter bucket filled with a mullein, poured with water and insist 3 days, then the contents are again diluted in a ratio of 1: 4; consumption of the mixture is 10 liters per 1 square. m

After summer pruning, it is important to carry out preventive spraying against pests and infections, and this procedure is repeated again after three days. In identifying harmful insects used insecticide "Inta-vir", sprinkling them twice. At this time, they also feed strawberries with complex fertilizers, as well as nitrogenous substances and nitrate. Such a three-time feeding is very effective for strengthening strawberries, such as:

• the first time immediately after cutting the foliage - they make a lot of nitrogen fertilizing and in liquid form, or dry chicken droppings (1 matchbox) under the bushes followed by deep loosening - 10 cm;
• carried out again after 14 days - a mixture of phosphorus, potassium and organic fertilizers is used;
• for the third time (before September 15) a mullein infusion or compost solution is added.

In the autumn, when watering strawberries, it is good to use the Zircon stimulant, which is aimed at the root system and the stems. And also carry out prophylactic treatment of various fungal and bacterial infections. Effective drugs are "Ridomil Gold", "Ridomil", "Scor", "Topaz". Bordeaux fluid is also often used. After it can be treated with copper oxychloride. For the destruction of pests using spraying karbofos, after which the beds covered with polyethylene for some time.

Before the onset of winter, strawberries need to feed again to strengthen the roots and stems. In the autumn dressing it is rational to use organic fertilizers: humus, chicken manure compost, and ash. With a solution of mullein and bird droppings watered between the rows, trying not to pour the leaves. Wood ash sprinkled between the rows (200 g per 1 sq. M) or its aqueous solution (150 g in a bucket of water). In the autumn also carry out mulching. In October, sawdust and peat are used as mulch, which protect the roots from the cold, and retain moisture in the spring. The layer of mulch should be at least 5 cm.

In November, strawberries are covered to protect from frost. The best option is pine or spruce branches. Young strawberries are covered completely. In older bushes cover the soil around and between the rows. As mulch, you can use dead leaves, tops, sawdust, straw. And you can also use modern covering material. It is pulled over low arcs, making a small greenhouse.

For information on when and how to cut strawberries, see the following video.