At first glance, growing strawberries from seeds seems difficult. In fact, cultivating crops is quite simple - the main thing is to study the main nuances of the process. About how to grow strawberry seedlings from seeds and how to care for them, read further in the article.

Plant description

Garden strawberries are a common hybrid species from the genus Strawberries. The name "strawberry" is more colloquial, since in botanical literature the culture is called garden strawberry or pineapple.

Did you know? World leaders in the production of strawberries - China, USA and Mexico.

Strawberries grow in small bushes on erect stalks with an average height of 20 cm. Leaf blades are green, triple. During budding, flowers with five white petals bloom.

Inflorescences are a multifloral shield. The buds, in most cases, are bisexual.

The berries are red, with the exception of artificially bred hybrids. Fruits are called multi-roots. From the biological point of view, seeds on the surface of berries are called nuts or real fruits and have a yellow-brown color.

The chemical composition of the berries is as follows:

• B, E, K vitamins;
• vitamin C;
• choline;
• calcium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• magnesium;
• Sahara.

Can strawberries be grown from seeds?

Seed growing is one of the options for propagating strawberries. This is a simple and effective way that can easily be done at home.

For sowing, you can purchase planting material from the manufacturer. In this case, the gardener will be sure of the quality of the seeds. Germination will also be high.

There are times when you really like purchased berries, but there is no way to buy seeds or seedlings. You can sow even grains collected from the surface of the fruit. With proper preparation for planting, the seeds germinate quickly.

Seedlings from seeds collected at home grows no worse than seedlings from purchased material.

Did you know? The first garden strawberry was grown at the end of the 18th century in Brittany, France.

What are the best strawberry seeds to grow

Breeders offer many varieties of strawberries for seed cultivation.

One of the best called varieties:

• Alyonushka;
• Ali Baba;
• Baron Solemacher;
• Vima;
• Seasons;
• Garland;
• Diamond;
• Ducat;
• Kent;
• Kokinskaya early;
• Queen Elizabeth II;
• Xima;
• Lord
• Olbia.

Features of growing seedlings at home

The main nuances of cultivating strawberry crops at home are terms, suitable containers, soil type, processing and direct sowing of grains. It is also important to adhere to the basic rules for growing seedlings.

It will also be useful for you to find out how often to water and process strawberries from pests and diseases.

Seed Planting Dates

Sowing seeds is carried out in late February - early March. This is the optimal time for seedlings to form by the time they are planted in open ground.

Timing does not matter if the seeds are germinated under a UV lamp, and seedlings are planted in a heated greenhouse. Such conditions are suitable for year-round cultivation.

Selection of landing tanks and suitable soil

Before landing, it is necessary to prepare containers.

It can be:

• pots;
• cups;
• pots for seedlings;
• boxes.

A universal purchased substrate is suitable for sowing. If desired, the soil can be prepared independently by mixing:

• 1 part of sand;
• 1 part peat;
• 2 parts of turf land.

Before planting, the soil must be decontaminated. For this, the substrate is calcined for 30–40 minutes in the oven at a temperature of at least + 150 ° С. A faster option is potassium permanganate disinfection. For disinfection, it is enough to water the soil mixture abundantly with a 3% solution of the drug.

Read also our e-magazine on strawberry cultivation.

It is possible to use peat cups. This option is more acceptable for many, since it is not necessary to prepare and disinfect the soil. As practice shows, growing seedlings in peat cups is easier.

Seed treatment

Some gardeners sow seeds uncultivated. Others advise soaking planting material. To do this, spread the seeds on a wet cloth.

Additionally, it is possible to harden the grains by placing them in temperature conditions +2 ... + 4 ° С. After two days, planting material will be ready for sowing.

Sowing seeds

Sow using the following technology.

Important! Do not deepen the seeds too much - strawberries will not germinate under such conditions.

1. Drain from crushed stone or expanded clay is poured at the bottom of the container.
2. Fill the tank with a layer of soil mixture (about 10 cm).
3. Abundantly spray the substrate with water.
4. Grain is evenly scattered over the soil surface.
5. Squeeze the seeds to a soil depth of not more than 0.5 cm.

Further seedling care

After seeding, containers should be closed with plastic wrap. The containers are placed in a brightly lit place, for example, a windowsill. In this case, direct sunlight is avoided. Light must be diffused.

The required length of daylight is 12 hours. If necessary, use lamps for illumination. The temperature in the room is at the level of +18 ... + 22 ° С.

Before sprouts, do not remove the film for a long time. Shelter can be removed only for spraying the soil. Watering is carried out regularly so that the soil does not dry out in any case. Seedlings will begin to germinate 1–2 weeks after sowing. Continue to water the plantings daily and check the condition of the sprouts.

When the seedlings will have 2-3 true leaves, the bushes need to be peaked in separate cups. For transplantation, the same type of soil is used as when sowing seeds. Pike as follows.

1. Pour expanded clay drainage onto the bottom of the containers.
2. Fill the containers halfway with soil.
3. Pour strawberry seedlings and carefully remove from old boxes.
4. Separate the bushes and plant them in new cups.
5. Fill the remaining space with substrate.

After a dive, the seedlings begin to feed. Bushes must be nourished with nutrients. The culture responds well to the water-soluble solution "Solstrin."

Prepare recharge according to the instructions. Fertilizer should be applied every 1.5 weeks before disembarking at a permanent place.

Permanent landing

Before planting seedlings in a permanent place, determine the timing and place. Also, when landing, it is important to adhere to the optimal transfer scheme.

Optimal timing

Strawberry bushes grown from seeds are transplanted into open soil when the air temperature is stable at +15 ... + 20 ° С. In the middle lane, the favorable period begins approximately in the first decade of May.

Seat selection

Strawberry seedlings take root on black soil. Any other soil types other than peat are suitable. The site should be well lit by diffused sunlight.

An important role is played by cultures growing in the neighborhood. Try to choose the areas near which grow tomatoes, onions, garlic, raspberries, grapes. Of the flowering plants, marigolds, clematis, jasmine, peony, and iris will be good neighbors.

Learn how to make a strawberry bed.

Step-by-step transplantation scheme

Before planting, dig over the area reserved for strawberries. The soil should be well loosened.

On the site, dig holes 20 cm deep, laying the ground out of them to prepare a nutritious soil mixture. Place the pits at a distance of 35 cm from each other. Keep a distance of 40 cm between rows. Prepare a nutritious soil mixture.

For this mix:

• 5 kg of fertile soil from the holes;
• 5 kg of compost;
• 5 kg of manure;
• 1 glass of ash.

Distribute the resulting mixture into wells. Form small mounds at the bottom. When planting strawberry seedlings, spread the roots along the knolls. Fill the free space with fertile soil.

Important! A transplant is best done in the evening after sunset. Cloudy weather without precipitation will be favorable.

Features of further care

After planting, strawberry bushes should be watered regularly. The frequency of irrigation depends on weather conditions and soil composition. Water is added as the substrate dries. The soil is moistened “under the bush”, avoiding water falling on the leaves.

To better maintain moisture, professional farmers recommend mulching plantings with sawdust. Plantings need fertilizer.

The feeding scheme may be as follows:

• at the beginning of the growing season - a solution of 200 g of chicken droppings, diluted in a bucket of water;
• at the time of formation of the ovaries - a solution of 2.5 liters of mullein in 7.5 liters of water;
• in summer - a mixture of 250 g of humus and a bucket of water;
• in the autumn after harvesting - liquid mullein, at the rate of 3 kg per 1 m² of soil.

In the care of bushes, the prevention of diseases and pests is important. From fungal infections, plants are sprayed with 1% solution of copper sulfate. Attacks of parasites can be avoided if the strawberries are treated with Actellik or Aktara preparations in advance (according to instructions).

Seed propagation of strawberries is a simple procedure that even an inexperienced gardener can cope with. To plants began to grow and began to bear fruit, listen to the recommendations of experienced farmers and eventually get delicious ripe fruits.