How to grow strawberries in a pot or flowerpot, planting and care rules

Traditional technology involves growing strawberries (garden strawberries) in beds, however, this method has a number of disadvantages, so gardeners regularly look for new methods of cultivating this berry. So, some farmers practice growing strawberries in pots. The technology is relatively new, but already quite popular. It has a number of advantages and features that farmers who first decided to grow strawberries in this way should be familiar with.

Specifics of growing berry crops in pots

Strawberries are characterized by shallow root depths. Thanks to this, it is possible to place the plant in a pot. It is important to choose the right container, suitable substrate and illuminated window sill.

In order for strawberries not only to please you with a bountiful harvest, but also to have decorative properties, you should give preference to remontant hanging strawberries. These varieties are characterized by long flowering and excellent decorative properties. In addition, they produce an excellent harvest.

Day-neutral varieties are ideal for cultivation in pots. Such crops bear sweet fruits throughout the year.

What kind of soil is needed?

Strawberries are a crop that is quite demanding on soil composition. And since in a pot the set of minerals in the substrate will be limited, it is imperative to take care of the nutritional value of the soil.

The optimal composition requires the presence of the following components:

• turf soil;
• humus;
• nitroammofoski.

All components should be mixed with each other and placed in a pot on top of the drainage layer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

This method of growing strawberries is becoming increasingly popular. It has many advantages:

• decorative functions;
• saving space;
• ease of relocation;
• ease of harvesting;
• the ability to create optimal conditions.

However, this method also has certain disadvantages. It is associated with certain material costs. The technique requires the use of special containers and other devices.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the choice of variety. Not all types of strawberries are allowed to be used for growing in pots. Another disadvantage is the significant labor costs. Planting and frequent watering require a lot of time.

Tips for choosing a container

When wondering how to grow a plant on a windowsill, many wonder about choosing a container. It is believed that a glass is the most optimal first. Which, after it gives the first shoots, is changed to more spacious container options.

It can be grown in a pot on the windowsill after it produces at least 5 leaves. If the seedlings are of the bush type, growing in small pots is ideal. For ampel-type strawberries, you can look at spacious options for hanging pots. On the windowsill you can grow it in pots or boxes with a volume of up to 10-15 liters.

Advice! When growing several bushes in boxes, you need to maintain a distance of at least 20 cm between them.

When growing on a windowsill in any container, it is important to ensure that there is a drainage layer. It will protect the berries from the accumulation of excess water and, consequently, the occurrence of a fungal infection.

The best varieties

The following varieties are suitable for growing at home:

1. Queen Elizabeth II. This is a remontant crop that constantly produces crops. It is characterized by good fruiting and large berries. It is worth considering that their taste has a noticeable sourness. The disadvantage of this variety is the large size of the roots. Therefore, such strawberries require a large pot.
2. Supreme This is one of the best varieties to grow at home. The main advantage is self-pollination. In addition, the crop bears fruit abundantly throughout the year.
3. Homemade delicacy. The main advantage of the variety is its compact roots. This makes it possible to cultivate the plant in small pots. The culture is characterized by small berries. At the same time, there are quite a lot of them.
4. Kama. This variety can also be grown in pots. The berries have a dark color and dense structure. That's why they keep well. They are often used to make jam.
5. Clery. This is an early variety, which is characterized by low bushes. They grow a maximum of 25 centimeters. The Clery variety is characterized by dark green leaves and large fruits with dense pulp. The berries tolerate storage and long-term transportation well. Strawberries of this variety are characterized by an excellent taste - sweet, with slight sourness.
6. Darselect. This variety has a medium ripening period. It is characterized by large brick berries. The variety is considered high-yielding and has strong immunity.
7. Florence. This is a late variety that practically does not encounter diseases. Such strawberries can be stored for a long time without losing their taste.

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Landing

To obtain a bountiful harvest, it is worth following some recommendations for planting and growing crops.

Preparing the pot

For strawberries, regular flower pots or long containers are suitable. When choosing the container size, it is worth considering the number of plants that you plan to plant. The location of the containers is important. A flowerpot is suitable for hanging strawberries.

In any case, it is worth making drainage holes at the bottom of the container to prevent stagnation of liquid in the soil. It is permissible to use broken brick or expanded clay as drainage.

Suitable soil

Since the amount of land is limited when growing a crop, it is recommended to use nutrient soil. In such a situation, it is worth mixing turf and humus in equal proportions.

For every 5 liters of composition it is recommended to use 2 tablespoons of Nitroammophoska.

To disinfect the soil and avoid the occurrence of rot, 2 days before planting, the soil should be watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Planting material can be bought or dug in the fall from your garden bed. In any case, strawberries need preparation.

Each bush should be carefully examined for diseases and damaged areas. It is recommended to give preference exclusively to strong and complete crops.

Place the planting material in a container with soil and transfer it to a cool place for 2 weeks - for example, to the basement. Thanks to this procedure, a period of rest begins. It provides the culture with rest.

Planting process

It is recommended to plant bushes in the spring. To do this, perform the following actions:

1. Place a layer of small pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot.
2. Examine the condition of the plant roots. If they are too long, they should be shortened to ensure a neat placement in the pot.
3. Place the bush in the formed depression, carefully distribute the root system and sprinkle with soil.
4. Compact the soil a little and water the planting. While moisturizing, you should use a growth stimulator.

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Subtleties of agricultural technology

Everyone knows that garden strawberries are a light-loving plant, so pots with them in an apartment or private house should be placed on illuminated window sills oriented east or south. On the northern and western side, the crop will grow and develop, but you can forget about flowering and fruit formation if there is no additional lighting.

Planting container

When using the seed method, the material is sown in flat pots or cups. If full-fledged seedlings are purchased, you should use small pots, cache-pots or elongated boxes.

Keep in mind that the distance between young bushes is maintained at least 15-20 cm. There should be drainage holes in the bottom to drain the liquid that accumulates after watering.

Daylight hours

For full ripening of berries, a long daylight hours is required - at least 12-14 hours. In summer there is already enough sun, but in winter the strawberries in the apartment will have to be illuminated with special phytolamps, which should work for about 7 hours a day: from 6 to 9 am and from 16 to 20 pm. Consider energy costs.

Humidity

The plant is also demanding for this indicator. Optimal humidity levels range from 70 to 80%. It is quite difficult to achieve this at home. When growing strawberries indoors in large quantities, the easiest way is to buy a humidifier. The device will maintain parameters within the specified range. If this is not possible, the leaf plates are sprayed with a spray bottle. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the risk of developing fungal infections will increase.

Temperature

The air in the room should warm up to +20 °C. When it drops to 16-18 degrees, the plants begin to hurt. If the temperature in the room drops, you need to turn on the heating. It is important to consider that heating devices make the air dry, and this can negatively affect the condition of the sheet plates.

Soil requirements

Land suitable for growing strawberries in pots at home can be purchased at any gardening store. Soil for seedlings or another composition with neutral acidity is suitable.

Buying soil is an additional expense for the gardener, so you can make it yourself with the following components:

• coniferous land;
• sand;
• humus;
• peat or vermicompost.

All components are mixed in equal parts. At the exit, the soil should be loose and airy. After preparation is completed, mineral supplements are added to the soil.

How to care for strawberries

In order for strawberries to develop normally, they should be provided with complete and high-quality care.

Watering mode

For watering, you should use exclusively settled liquid. It is recommended to water the plantings 2 times a week. It is recommended to do this in the afternoon. After the procedure, the soil is loosened.

It is important to remember that the soil should not be moistened too much. This will cause the development of putrefactive processes on the roots of the crop.

How and how much to apply fertilizers

During flowering and fruit ripening, strawberry bushes must be fed. It is recommended to perform this procedure once every 2 weeks. For this purpose, organic substances and mineral fertilizers are used.

One of the natural remedies is to use a solution of manure. To do this, the product is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:20. It is also permissible to use an ash mash.

Complex fertilizers, which are sold in stores, are highly effective. An excellent option would be Kemira Lux. During the flowering period, foliar feeding is performed using a solution of boric acid.

We protect the plant from diseases and parasites

During the development of berries, there is a risk of attack by spider mites or the development of gray rot. To cope with such problems, use garlic infusion.

To prepare the product, take 2 cloves of garlic, chop with a garlic press and add 100 milliliters of liquid. Leave for 2 hours, strain and pour into a spray bottle.

With pink flowers

Thanks to the efforts of breeders, highly decorative varieties of ampelous strawberries with pink petals were developed.

These varieties include:

• fat girl in pink;
• enchantress;
• pink miracle;
• Tristan;
• eternity;
• gazana.