A new growing scheme has become more widespread - strawberries in hydroponics. Its popularity is achieved due to the possibility of harvesting at any time of the year with minimal costs. Strawberries can be grown in a similar way.

Growing strawberries hydroponically

What it is? It is a nutrient fluid. Cultivation takes place in artificial soil, soil cultivation is not performed.

Hydroponics is an artificial environment that is used to cultivate strawberries, it provides nourishment and serves as a place for roots.

The substrates used for growing must meet the following requirements:

  1. Absorb moisture well;
  2. Have a porous structure;
  3. Good air flow.

It is important to know! Strawberries can even be grown in water or humid air. Microelements and vitamins that contribute to the effective development and fruiting of the berry, without interruption, are supplied to the root system from the solution.

Growing strawberries hydroponically

Food supply methods

Ensuring a continuous process of enriching the roots with nutrients is achieved in different ways:

  1. Drip irrigation is used. In this case, feeding is carried out by supplying small portions of the nutrient solution to impregnate the substrate.
  2. Regular flooding. With this method, several times a day, a container with plant roots is filled with a nutrient solution through tubes, and then drained back. Suitable for large-scale cultivation of strawberries.
  3. Creation of a nutrient layer.
  4. Aeroponics strawberries using a specially created fog produced by a generator. Due to it, a moist sphere is created in which the root system is located.
  5. Immersion of roots in a nutrient solution. But for strawberries, this method is not worth using - there is a high probability of root rot.

Growing conditions

With this technology of growing strawberries, the harvest can be obtained throughout the year without fear for the quality of the berries. It can be grown directly in a residential area, it is also possible to equip a separate heated room, a house or a heated greenhouse, where it is necessary to maintain a favorable microclimate.

The following indicators are especially important:

  1. Illumination;
  2. Temperature conditions;
  3. Humidity.

When strawberries grow naturally, there are no problems with a lack of light. For hydroponic cultivation, provide additional lighting. It is especially necessary during the period when the daylight hours are short. At the same time, it is important when growing to create an environment that repeats natural conditions: daylight hours - 12 hours, lighting power - 60,000 lumens. If the main task is the maximum collection of berries, then the daylight hours should be 17-18 hours.

The temperature should also be close to the average daily outside temperature. During the day, the temperature is maintained in the range from 23 to 25 degrees, and at night - from 16 to 18 degrees.

The humidity level is from 60 to 70%. Higher humidity can provoke fungal infection; when it deviates downward, growth stops.

Growing strawberries hydroponically on an industrial scale

Hydroponics at home

Strawberry Clery

DIY hydroponics for strawberries is not difficult, everyone can grow berries. It is necessary to choose a substrate in which the roots will be located.It should be hard enough, porous and absorb moisture well. Mineral wool, expanded clay and coconut fiber are suitable for these purposes.

Each bush is planted in a separate container, with a volume of about 3 liters, low-volume containers will not work.

Nutrient solution

To provide the berries with all the necessary trace elements, they purchase a special nutrient solution for hydroponic strawberries, a kind of fertilizer. It contains: iron, magnesium, sulfur, nitrogen, molybdenum, boron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc and potassium. All proportions are precisely calibrated by specialists, depending on the growth phase of the plant. It is impossible to do this on your own. The wrong dosage leads to the oppression of the plant and even its death. Ready solutions are diluted, in accordance with the instructions in distilled water, they are purchased in specialized stores.

Equipment

Hydroponics equipment for growing strawberries is necessary to ensure a continuous supply of nutrient solution. It is sold in specialized stores, but if you want, you can do it yourself.

To make it you will need:

  • l Storage capacity.
  • l Hydraulic pump.
  • l Power supply.
  • l Hoses and pipes.

You also need fluorescent lamps for illumination.

Growing technology

For planting in a nutrient substrate, bushes of remontant strawberries dug from the site are suitable. The whole transplant process takes place in several stages.

Step by step plan:

  1. Strawberry bushes are dug out without shaking off the soil from the roots, and in this form they are placed in water for a couple of hours.
  2. After soaking, the soil is removed and the roots are washed.
  3. Landing. For this, the bare root system is placed in a container, the roots must be in an upright position. Pour the substrate.
  4. Pour over with distilled water.
  5. Only after 7 days is the nutrient solution fed.

Important! If you are going to start cultivating strawberries in artificial conditions, you must remember that you need to provide sufficient space for the root system. Plants must be planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. Between bushes with a well-developed root system, the distance is increased to 40 cm.

Further procedures are associated with ensuring the correct care.

To obtain a large number of berries, they support:

  • l Optimum temperature conditions and illumination;
  • l Uninterrupted operation of the solution supply system;
  • l Humidity. Spraying is carried out if necessary.
  • l When grown in greenhouse conditions, insects are used for pollination. At home, pollination will have to be done manually. If there is no experience in pollination, then it is better to plant self-pollinated varieties.

Attention! During cultivation, the nutrient solution must not get on the leaves.

The breeding rules are simple, and when they are done, the plants begin to grow quickly and bear fruit.

Mount Everest strawberry variety1

It is important to select varieties that are suitable for hydroponic cultivation.

Strawberry varieties

Strawberry Mashenka

Not all varieties are suitable for such cultivation, but only remontant ones.

The following have proven themselves well:

  1. Mount Everest. Highly productive, gives a bountiful harvest several times per season.
  2. Yellow Miracle. Fragrant sweet yellow berries, the plant is quite unpretentious.
  3. Generous. Early fruiting, fast growth and abundant harvest. From 1 bush, you can collect up to 1 kg of berries.
  4. Fresco. The berries are large, the taste is excellent, the yield is high. Easily adapts to climatic conditions.
  5. Olivia. Differs in stable fruiting even under unfavorable conditions. The berries are large, the flesh is sweet.

For those who are just going to master this technology, the remontant varieties of Dutch selection are best suited:

  1. Crown. A high-yielding variety with excellent taste.
  2. Gigantella M. Large bush, from 1 plant you can collect up to 1.5 kg of berries.
  3. Elvira. Produces juicy and aromatic berries. Used fresh and for conservation.
  4. Vima Zanta. Thickening must not be allowed. Bushes grow large, with large fruits, give a high yield.

These varieties are not very whimsical and always give a stable harvest.

Growing strawberries using the hydroponic method is not only a very exciting activity, but also a profitable business. You can get tasty and healthy berries even in winter. For a successful process, it is important to choose the right strawberry varieties, choose the right substrate and nutrient solution in the right proportions.