What are the reasons for strawberries not flowering?
The editor explains the reasons why strawberries do not flower and the experience of handling the situation where strawberries only grow leaves but not flowers in the aspect of green plant maintenance. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Many strawberry friends have reported that their strawberry plants have thick stems, lush green leaves, and normal growth, but the puzzle is that they only grow stems and leaves without flowering.
The reason why strawberries only grow stems and do not flower or bear fruit is directly related to the formation of flower buds, because strawberries can only flower and bear fruit after forming flower buds. If there is an obstacle in the formation of flower buds, it leads to the phenomenon of no fruiting.
So today, let's analyze why your strawberries only grow stems and do not flower from internal and external conditions.
Strawberries with bud formation
First, let's take a look at the internal conditions for flower bud differentiation.
1. Variety characteristics
Different varieties with different maturity periods have different times, number of flower buds differentiated, and total number of flower buds. For example, varieties used for early marketing in protected cultivation are often affected by temperature, leading to incomplete flower bud differentiation and the phenomenon of "only buds, no flowers."
2. Nutrients
The nutritional status of the plant is closely related to flower bud formation. Excessive nitrogen in fertilization, which promotes excessive vegetative growth, is not conducive to flower bud differentiation. Some strawberry friends increase the amount of nitrogen fertilizer during the seedling propagation period to enhance the growth of the mother plants, but this often backfires. During the flower bud differentiation period, sufficient carbohydrates (C) and moderate nitrogen nutrition (N) with an increased C/N ratio are conducive to flower bud differentiation. Conversely, a low C/N ratio delays flower bud differentiation.
Flowering strawberries
Strong seedlings have an earlier flower bud differentiation period than weak seedlings, and the number of small flowers also increases accordingly. Excessive nitrogen and vigorous vegetative growth are not conducive to flower bud differentiation.
3. Growth regulators
Growth regulators are mainly endogenous hormones. Flower bud differentiation is the result of the interaction between hormones that promote flower bud differentiation and those that inhibit it.
Some farmers use plant growth regulators to adjust flower bud formation. Generally, hormones that promote growth, such as gibberellin and auxins, are not conducive to flower bud differentiation; while hormones that inhibit growth, such as abscisic acid and cytokinins, promote flower bud differentiation. Therefore, attention must be paid to the method and dosage when using these growth regulators.
Fresh strawberries growing in a greenhouse
Next, let's look at the external conditions for flower bud differentiation.
1. Temperature and light
In the external environment for flower bud differentiation, temperature and light are important factors. They both affect the physiological processes of strawberries such as photosynthesis and respiration, relate to the production and accumulation of carbon nutrients, and affect flower bud formation. Improper temperature regulation and control can hinder flower bud formation. In production, low temperature and short-daylight are generally used to induce flower bud formation.
Most strawberry varieties begin flower bud differentiation under low temperature and short-daylight conditions with an average daily temperature of below 20°C and daylight shortened to less than 12 hours. The differentiation is faster at 10-17°C and 10 hours of short daylight.
2. Fertilization and watering
If the same variety of strawberries receives too much watering or excessive nitrogen fertilization, the plant grows vigorously, and the appearance of excessive or insufficient leaves can delay flower bud differentiation. It is best to avoid excessive irrigation and the application of too much nitrogen fertilizer to prevent the plant from excessive vegetative growth, leading to less nutrient accumulation and thus affecting the quality of flower bud differentiation.
3. Plant growth regulators
Artificial application of gibberellin can inhibit flower bud differentiation; while plant growth retardants and inhibitors, such as paclobutrazol, uniconazole, and abscisic acid, applied to strawberry seedlings, can inhibit plant growth and promote flower bud differentiation.
In response to the above reasons for only buds and no flowers, when planting strawberries in protected areas, it is necessary to fertilize reasonably during seedling propagation, control the amount of nitrogen fertilizer while increasing phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; 30 days before planting, use a 50% shading net to shade seedlings, which is conducive to promoting flower bud differentiation; usually pay attention to defoliating strawberries, which can induce flowering, especially removing old leaves to reduce nutrient consumption and increase accumulation, thus promoting flower bud differentiation. However, it is important to defoliate moderately in production.
This article shares the specific introduction of the reasons for strawberries not flowering and the handling methods for strawberries that only grow leaves but not flowers, hoping to bring some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.