How to feed strawberries during fruiting?
Fruit formation is the most intense time in the life of any plant.This fully applies to strawberries, the timely feeding of which is a real help for a full harvest. Experienced farmers will confirm that not only the number of berries, but also their quality depends on it.
Special features
For convenience, fruiting is conventionally divided into several phases. If farmers lose sight of the need to feed strawberries during fruiting, harvest:
- will be smaller than the norm;
- will lose taste;
- lose juiciness.
Immediately after flowering, when the early berries are laid, strawberry bushes most require potassium. Such a period usually falls on the last part of May and the first part of June. It is advisable to add ash in a dry form - 1 handful of it is introduced into the aisle. Sometimes they also make a solution, spending 200 g of powder per 1 liter of water.
Important: the solution is made hot, and then it is additionally diluted in 10 liters of water and spend 1 liter of the resulting mixture under a bush.
An alternative is potassium monophosphate. It is used at 30 g per 10 liters of water. A similar solution is enough for 4-5 developed bushes. In order to maximize the productivity of minerals, the site immediately in front of it is actively watered. Strawberry beds are treated with “Universal” or “Kemira Lux”.
Regardless of the choice between these drugs, they must be mixed with ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate.
Top dressing during fruiting
To feed the plants at this moment, many farmers for some reason do not want. Despite the fact that it was then, at the most important 2 weeks or even less, the need for additional portions of minerals is very high. The best tool is an aqueous solution of mullein. The share of the manure itself may not exceed 1/15 of the total mass. Note: the liquid is insisted for 2-3 days in a sealed tank, ensuring that it is partially fermented.
The finished mixture consumed 1 l per bush. If chicken droppings are used, its concentration should be half as much. Similarly, the substance is kept for several days in a tightly lockable container with water. Of the less "fragrant" means recommended nettle infusion. A standard (10 l) bucket of crushed vegetable mass is filled to the top with warm water. After the liquid settles, it is poured under the bushes at the rate of 1-1.5 liters.
The choice between minerals and organic ingredients
Making a final decision is not easy. But the opinion of professional agronomists is almost unanimous. They believe that the time of mineral supplements falls on the beginning of spring. And when flowers appear and berries ripen, it is much more correct to use organic substances. Minerals used in the last 5-7 days before reaching full ripeness can even hurt. It is because of them, many large farms supply "plastic" berries.
Ideally, minerals should be injected no later than 12-14 days before the final reddening of the fruit. As for the danger of using organic matter, it is minimal. Only with excessive use of foul-smelling substances can they spoil the strawberries. If you exercise caution and do not handle planting with the same manure or onion peel beyond measure, there will be no problems. First of all, brown ends of foliage testify to deficiency of potassium.
Experienced gardeners do not wait for the appearance of the following characteristics, but immediately feed the plants. Inexperienced, on the other hand, ignore the warning sign and completely lose their crops.
Important: the signal of strawberry can give not only at the first, but also during subsequent fruiting for the season. The task of farmers is to show maximum attention until the end of the growing season. An attractive solution is often the use of yeast.
Water should be 5 times more than the reagent. When the day passes, it will be necessary to dilute this solution another 5 times. Watering is carried out immediately. Warning: this feed is allowed a maximum of twice per season. Otherwise, yeast fungi excessively increase the acidity of the earth.If this happens, you need to correct the situation by treating the soil with ashes.
Potassium sulphate is used only in a concentration of 0.02% and only at the beginning of flowering. At the very fruiting recommended "Baikal EM-1." It is exceptionally safe for the plants and the environment. The benefits of the drug associated with its constituent microorganisms. By observing these principles, one can guarantee an excellent collection of strawberry berries and prevent the appearance of “rubber” fruits.
On the technology of feeding garden strawberries during fruiting, see below.
