How to plant strawberries
Main content introduction: Small experience of planting strawberries and key points of strawberry maintenance on the family balcony. Let's learn about it together.
Spring is here, and everyone starts busy planting flowers and vegetables on their balconies again. Some even plant several potted fruit plants, such as strawberries and cherry tomatoes, which can also be grown in flower pots. Now, strawberries cultivated in greenhouses have been listed on the market, and their prices are not cheap. Today, I will share with you the method of planting strawberries in flower pots on the balcony. The operation method is very simple. Friends who enjoy strawberries can plant several more pots. Growing them on the balcony not only looks beautiful but also allows you to enjoy fresh strawberries at any time.
I. Preparation of Materials
Planting strawberries in flower pots on the balcony doesn't require many tools. You just need to prepare some flower pots, which can be of any size. Larger pots can accommodate more plants, while smaller pots can hold 1-2 plants. If you don't have flower pots, you can also use discarded polystyrene boxes, making several holes for drainage at the bottom. The same goes for other containers; they must have drainage holes to avoid waterlogging and root rot during later maintenance.
II. Preparing Nutrient-rich Soil
Good quality growing soil is essential for planting strawberries in flower pots. Avoid using soil that is sticky, poorly ventilated, and nutrient-poor, as it can lead to poor seedling growth and rot. It's best to use nutrient-rich soil, which is softer and has better water and air permeability, conducive to seedling growth.
If you don't have nutrient-rich soil at home, you can make your own by collecting naturally fermented leaf mold from the forest, removing stones and impurities, mixing in a small amount of garden soil or river sand, drying it in the sun for several days, sterilizing and disinfecting it, and then using it to plant strawberries.
How to plant strawberries
III. Buying Strawberry Seedlings
You can choose to propagate strawberry seedlings yourself by sowing or buy them directly. I recommend buying pre-cultivated strawberry seedlings, as growing them yourself takes time and may not be successful. There are also many varieties of strawberries to choose from, so you can select seedlings according to your preferred flavor.
IV. Planting Strawberry Seedlings
After buying the strawberry seedlings, you can start planting them. First, fill the flower pot with nutrient-rich soil, gently press it down, and then plant 1-2 strawberry seedlings in each pot. Strawberries have a strong繁殖 ability, and a couple of plants can fill a pot. If the pot is larger or you're using a polystyrene box, you can plant more.
V. Post-planting Care
1. Light
Strawberries love light, but newly planted seedlings should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Wait until they adapt before gradually increasing sunlight exposure. Later, you can place them in a sunny spot for care. If your home has limited sunlight, this may affect flowering and fruiting.
2. Watering
Strawberries enjoy water, so avoid letting the potting soil become too dry, as this can slow down seedling growth. Water the soil thoroughly when it's dry, but avoid overwatering and prevent waterlogging in the pot, as this can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot.
3. Fertilizing
No need to fertilize the seedlings during the early stages. Wait until they grow a bit before watering with dilute fertilizer or applying a small amount of slow-release fertilizer in the pot. Add more monopotassium phosphate before flowering to increase the number of flowers and fruits.
When growing strawberries in a closed balcony, where ventilation is poor, you may need to assist in pollination when the plants flower. Use a brush or a feather to gently transfer pollen from one flower to another. This will help them fruit successfully.
The detailed explanation of how to plant strawberries and the key points of strawberry maintenance on the family balcony shared above, I hope this article can bring you some help in green plant management!