Fragarias, also commonly called strawberries, morangos or strawberries are herbaceous plants of the family Rosaceae very popular in much of the world for its sweet fruits. There are a large number of cultivated varieties, most of them being hybrids. The most used of them all is, by far, the Fragaria x ananassa.
If you like these fruits and want to learn everything you need to have them in your home garden, garden or pots, join us in this Green Ecologist article in which we offer you a practical guide to know when and how to sow and plant strawberries.
When and how to plant strawberries
Growing morangos or strawberries from their seeds can be a more complicated task than it seems, since it is a plant that takes time to germinate and does not always succeed. For this reason, when strawberries are grown, it is usually done from previously purchased seedlings, or by reproducing the plants by stolons. Learn here What are the stolons of plants with examples so that you better know how this type of reproduction of the strawberry plant is.
However, sowing strawberry seeds is possible and, if you want to risk trying it, here we explain how to do it. However, it must be borne in mind that most strawberry varieties sold in the markets are hybrids and these seeds tend not to germinate properly. Therefore, it is advisable to buy the seeds of a suitable variety for growing from seed, that is, a non-hybrid.
The best time to do this sowing is between late summer and early fall. At this time, get the necessary material and follow these simple steps to sow strawberry seeds:
- Some people recommend putting the seeds in the refrigerator a few days before planting them, so that the body feels that the cold has passed and reacts more easily.
- You can prepare the seedbed yourself with half a tetrabrick or with any similar container. Remember to drill several holes in the bottom to act as drainage.
- For the substrate, it is good that it has a significant contribution of worm castings, of almost half.
- Moisten the substrate once it is placed in the seedbed, and spread the seeds by carefully dropping them on the substrate.
- Since these are complicated germination seeds, it is advisable to sow much more seeds than plants you hope to get.
- Add about a centimeter of substrate again and water the seedbed every 3-5 days.
- The seeds need a humid environment and kept at a temperature between 18 and 25 ºC, so the use of A greenhouse it can be very helpful.
- Once the seedlings are 4 to 5 cm tall, you can transplant the strawberries into small individual containers.
When and how to plant strawberries
If you've followed the previous method of sowing, by the time spring comes your strawberry or morango seedlings they should be ready to be transplanted to their final location outdoors or in a pot. If you have chosen to buy the seedlings to plant them directly, you can go directly to this point.
The best time to transplant or plant the strawberry seedling is the same as for sowing, that is, when there are no extreme temperatures, especially when it is not very cold. Follow these prompts and tips for planting strawberries:
- One of the good things about strawberries or morangos is that, being creeping plantsThey do not require a great depth of soil, so with small pots, about 10 cm deep, it is enough.
- When you make the holes in the substrate or prepare the arrangement, respect about 20 cm of separation between plants.
- It is very important to pay special attention to the soil or substrate: strawberries need a substrate with great drainage to avoid problems of excess moisture.
- Equally important is that the earth is rich in organic matter, so it is recommended that the earth be composed of one third of worm humus.
- Before planting strawberries or strawberries, it is advisable to condition their roots. If they are longer than the shoot itself, trim them without fear, and open or separate them when burying them.
- Choose a semi-shaded location, ideally without direct light at peak times.
Growing strawberries - care and advice
Although strawberry trees need little care, these are the basic indications for grow strawberries successfully:
Irrigation
Strawberries or strawberries need a lot of humidity, so it is important to keep the substrate always humid for them, although never flooded. This is precisely why the drainage of the earth is so important, since puddling or accumulation of water, probably, would make your plants sick. In hot season, you may have to water the strawberries twice a day, or even more, whenever you notice the surface of the dry soil.
Pass
These plants need a soil rich in nutrients, so it is advisable to use organic or natural compost in the preparation of the land, as well as adding it to it periodically. In this other Green Ecologist article we show you useful information about organic fertilizer: what it is, types and how to do it.
Light
We have already said that, both in pot and outdoors, strawberries do not require too much light. Keep them in one semi-shadow zone of your garden or orchard or, in a lighted room without direct solar incidence.
Wind
In addition, if you live in an area with strong winds, then it is advisable to locate the plants at some point where the wind does not punish them too much, if possible under cover and protected from it.
Apart from this, among the most important points to take into account for the correct care of strawberry or strawberry plants, remember to collect large or heavy fruits, put natural padding or mulching or special plastic fabrics and avoid excessive watering and poor drainage, that is, waterlogging.
You can learn more details about growing strawberries here and if you choose to have them in pots, feel free to learn more about this topic in this other post on Tips for growing strawberries in pots.
When to harvest strawberries
Depending on how your strawberries have grown, they will be ready from late spring to fall, although usually the most abundant productions occur at the end of the summer.
More specifically, when the strawberry or strawberry turns completely red, it is already at its optimum ripeness. So, when you see them completely red, cut the stem and the fruit is ready to be washed and consumed.
If you want to read more articles similar to Sowing and planting strawberries: when and how to do it, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
