In what time frame and how to sow strawberries for seedlings correctly in 2018
Usually garden strawberries are propagated by a mustache or by dividing a bush. But there comes a time when these methods become ineffective, since all accumulated diseases are transmitted along with the vegetative planting material. The best way to renew the varietal fund and get rid of diseases is to sow strawberries for seedlings. In 2018 it is not too late to do this, and with the help of our detailed instructions, you will get a harvest of large fragrant berries in a few months.
Where to get seeds
From large-fruited species, the buyer will be advised the following varieties:
- Queen Elizabeth;
- Picnic;
- Moscow debut;
- Alexandria.
Large-fruited strawberries are propagated both by dividing the bush and by a mustache. In addition to the usual care, the gardener will have to regularly remove unnecessary layers.
You can also grow strawberries from seeds at home in another way - take ripe berries from healthy bushes and cut off the top thin layer of pulp with a sharp knife. Cut pulp with seeds is laid out on napkins and left for several days in a dry, warm place. During this time, the seeds dry out, and it is easy to peel them off by rubbing between the fingers. The dried seeds are laid out in paper bags, the variety and harvest dates are signed and stored in a cool dry place.
Strawberries are actually a very overgrown receptacle, and the seeds are nuts.
Landing dates in 2018
To get strong seedlings, gardeners go to different tricks. Many of them believe that planting strawberries with seeds should be done according to the lunar calendar. In 2018, the best days are:
- January 27, 28 and 29;
- from 21 to 28 February;
- March 21-26.
On these days, the growing moon passes through the constellations Gemini, Cancer, Taurus, Leo. This time is considered the most favorable for sowing seeds for seedlings.
Diving seedlings of strawberries, which are grown from seeds, should be done in 2018:
- from 10 to 12 and from 20 to 26 March;
- from 17 to 22 and from 25 to 28 April.
Ready seedlings are planted in the beds in the following numbers:
- from 18 to 22 and from 25 to 28 April;
- from 17 to 19, 22, from 25 to 27 May;
- 15, from 20 to 24 June;
- from 18 to 22 and from 25 to 26 July.
The timing of planting strawberries for seedlings depends on your region. In the south of Russia, seedlings are planted in open ground in the second and third ten days of May, in the northern regions in early June. Seedlings by this time should have a developed root system and several leaves. Strawberry bushes usually reach this size in 3 months.
On the days of the full moon, new moon, as well as 2 days before and after sowing seeds, it is not recommended to practice. It is better to devote this time to choosing seeds, preparing the land, watering or loosening the emerged seedlings.
What soil does strawberries need
The preparation of a soil mixture for sowing strawberries with seeds for seedlings should be carefully considered, since the seeds of this culture are small and take a long time to sprout. Experts offer several options for soil mixture:
- high-moor peat, vermicompost and sand in a ratio of 3: 1: 1;
- turf or leafy soil, peat and sand - 2: 1: 1;
- mature compost and sand - 5: 3.
Some gardeners replace the composite soil with peat tablets or use a specially designed one for growing berry seedlings. There are no uniform requirements for its composition, but when choosing, it should be remembered that the soil should be light, breathable, but nutritious.
Before planting strawberries with seeds for seedlings, the land must be disinfected. Do this in one of the following ways:
- scattered on a baking sheet and heated in the oven at a temperature of 40–45 ° С for 1–2 hours;
- spill the ground with 1% (bright pink) solution of potassium permanganate;
- freeze in bags or buckets all winter outside.
The latter option is suitable for residents of northern regions with long frosty winters.
After disinfection, the soil needs to be revived - filled with useful microflora. To do this, it is spilled to a wet state with one of the biological products - "Baikal 1M"," Radiance "," Fitosporin ". Then the soil is left in a warm place for several days so that microorganisms begin to develop. At the same time, the earthen mixture will dry up to a free-flowing state and will be ready for sowing strawberries for seedlings in 2018.
Seed preparation for sowing
Before planting, strawberry seeds must be kept in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for several hours, then thoroughly washed and treated with a growth stimulant - "Epin", "Kornevin", "Energen". Next, the seeds need to be hardened. To do this, they are placed in several layers of gauze dipped in a stimulant, and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator overnight, covered with a lid or film. During the day, the container with seeds is moved to the windowsill with a temperature of 18–20 ° C. Hardening is carried out within 3 days, no longer, since they can begin to germinate.
Hardening can be replaced by stratification. After it, the seeds sprout twice as fast. It is most convenient to stratify strawberries after sowing. Boxes with sown strawberries are placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for the entire period. The containers are periodically opened for ventilation. It is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the soil. In cold regions, containers are left outside under the snow.
For large strawberries, the stratification period should be at least 2–2.5 months.
At the end of the stratification, the boxes are brought into a warm room.
How to properly sow and care for strawberries
A drainage layer, prepared soil is poured onto the bottom of the seedling containers and lightly crushed with your hands. Then snow is placed on the surface of the earth and seeds are spread on top. When melting, the snow pulls them down to the desired depth. The container is covered with glass or foil with holes for ventilation and placed on the windowsill, maintaining a temperature of 18–20 ° C.
The first shoots of stratified seeds appear on the 5-6th day, mass ones begin in two weeks. After the sprouts appear, the air temperature is reduced to 15–17 ° C so that they do not stretch out. The shelter is removed from the boxes after the appearance of two or three leaves. The soil is kept moist, but not wet.
In order not to flood the weak sprouts, water it very carefully - in the grooves between the sprouts with a pipette or a syringe without a needle. Seedlings are kept in a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight.
The grown seedlings dive in the phase of 3-4 leaves. If the seedlings are strongly stretched, this procedure can be carried out twice. The pick strengthens the root system, while the growth of the aerial part slows down somewhat. The dive is carried out as follows:
- the ground is pre-watered;
- the seedling is carefully removed and the central root is pinched;
- a new glass is filled with earth and a depression is made in the middle;
- carefully lower the seedling, spreading the roots and squeezing it with earth on all sides.
- after diving, the seedlings are watered.
When planting strawberries, make sure that the growing point is above ground level.
After picking, strawberry bushes are fed with complex fertilizers containing a lot of phosphorus, potassium and very little nitrogen. Top dressing is carried out once every two weeks. It is most convenient to use special formulations for seedlings that contain the necessary trace elements.
Open ground planting rules
Two weeks before planting in open ground, the seedlings are hardened. To do this, it is taken out into cool rooms, first for 1–2 hours, then the time is increased. Before planting, the seedlings are left on the balcony or veranda at temperatures up to 10 ° C around the clock.
Seedlings are planted in the ground heated to 12 ° C, making sure that the growth point remains above the soil level. If there is clear, sunny weather during planting, the seedlings are shaded at first. Further care consists of watering, loosening and top dressing.
Strawberries sown in this way for seedlings in 2018 in the next few years are propagated with a mustache or dividing a bush. Then, to improve the planting material, it is advisable to sow strawberries with seeds again.
Planting strawberries on video
If you still have any questions about growing strawberries from seeds, watch the video, which describes and shows in detail the whole process from selecting seeds to planting seedlings in the ground.