Strawberry Care: Everything You Need

The strawberry is an inexpensive plant that can be found at any nursery or garden center.

In fact, like other species, it has the ability to grow in pots and produce fruit if it is in the right conditions.

If you are interested in growing this plant in your own home, but you don’t know where to start, we invite you to read this brief guide in which we share the main care of potted strawberries.

We hope you find it useful.

What soil needs do potted strawberries have?

Most commercial substrates are suitable for the care of potted strawberries, as long as they have a good water retention capacity, are loose, fluffy and well aerated.

The need for substrate is between 2.5 and 4 liters for each plant. A good substrate can be made up of sand, peat and perlite, bark or vermiculite, in a 1:1:1 ratio.

Another good substrate can be made up of 60% coconut fiber and 40% earthworm humus, which combines water retention and nutrient supply.

To facilitate drainage, it is recommended to apply a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot, 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 centimeters). On the other hand, it would be convenient to place a metal mesh over the drainage holes to prevent the escape of gravel or substrate.

How to make potted strawberries grow strong and vigorous?

Strawberry is a plant that requires little effort to keep it strong and vigorous. However, there are some care and essential aspects that must be considered when growing them in a pot, which we present below.

Temperature

Strawberry cultivation adapts very well to different types of climates. However, the optimum temperature for growth is 20°C during the day and 12°C at night. In the flowering and maturation phase, 25°C to 26°C is required during the day.

It should be added that the fruits tend to deform at temperatures below 12°C, while, in hot climates, strawberries ripen quickly, so they cannot develop a large size.

Light

Strawberry is a plant that needs to grow in full sun or semi-shade to develop properly. For this, it is recommended to locate it in areas or environments with high light intensity, exposing it to 6 to 12 hours of light daily.

pot or pot

The strawberry needs a wide and shallow pot, at least 15 centimeters (6”) in diameter, with a good drainage system. They can be plastic, metal, ceramic, wood or any other available material.

Fertilizer

The strawberry plant is very demanding when it comes to nutrients, so it is important to add enough organic matter. The amount will depend on the composition of the substrate, but the desirable level is between 2% and 3%.

Among the fertilizers suitable for growing this plant is compost, earthworm humus or vermicompost, manure, concentrated organic fertilizers, or fertilizers with special formulations.

The use of sustained release fertilizers allows a single application to be made in August or September.

What humidity do potted strawberries need?

For the cultivation of strawberries in pots, light and frequent watering should be applied.

However, they will have to be checked daily to verify the speed at which the substrate dries, especially during hot days, where it will have to be watered up to 2 times a day.

To facilitate this task, a watering jug can be built, the same one that will slowly moisten the substrate throughout the day. All you need is a clean plastic bottle that will be pierced with a nail. Once ready, it should be placed near the plant.

With regard to relative humidity, the most suitable should be between 60% and 75%. It should not be excessive to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases.

Do potted strawberries need to be pruned?

Pruning is necessary for the renewal of the plant and to remedy poor care. It allows to increase the penetration of light to the leaves, ventilation and prevents the attack of pests or fungi on the fruit due to humidity.

As such, old bunches and damaged leaves should be removed, as well as fruit remains that have remained at the base of the bunches or bunches. This procedure must be done carefully so as not to mistreat the plant.

How often should we prune potted strawberries?

Strawberry pruning should be done constantly, at least once a week, to avoid the accumulation of damaged, diseased or old leaves. It is also usually carried out at the start of a new growing season, or during the summer, to control growth.

How to prevent pests and diseases from appearing in potted strawberries?

The best way to avoid the appearance of pests and diseases in potted strawberries is to provide them with a suitable environment in which the requirements for substrate, nutrients, humidity and lighting are properly covered. However, the risk of infections is always present.

In the case of diseases, strawberries can be affected by leaf spot, gray rot, powdery mildew, black root rot, among others. To prevent them, it is suggested to maintain adequate temperature, lighting and humidity.

With regard to pests, we can find thrips, the red spider, the white caterpillar, the strawberry trimmer, the Lygus bug, among others. To prevent them, it is recommended to use clean substrates, well decomposed organic matter, as well as avoiding high temperatures and dryness in the substrate.

Conclusions

As we have seen, the strawberry is an easy plant to grow, and it requires little effort to develop and grow, especially when it is in favorable conditions.

We hope that this brief guide on the care of potted strawberries will allow you to take the necessary measures so that your plant grows healthy and strong, but above all, so that you can harvest its delicious fruits in your own home.

Bibliographic references

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Strawberry Care: Everything You Need

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