Do-it-yourself hydroponic cultivation of strawberries

There are several options for growing strawberries. The most productive are the methods of obtaining berries throughout the year. One of them is the strawberry hydroponic method. This method allows not only to get the harvest year-round, but also to make it environmentally friendly, while preserving all the useful substances of the fruit.

What is the hydroponics method?

The hydroponic method for strawberries involves growing the plant without the traditional substrate - soil. A variety of artificial environments without the use of soil have been developed for this method.

The method of growing strawberries hydroponically requires abundant and frequent watering with a special solution that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the plant. The hydroponics method allows you to effectively grow strawberries at home, with low financial and physical costs. At the same time, the quality of the berries remains high.

The principle of the method consists in growing strawberries on artificial soils, when the root system of the plant is not in the soil, which to varying degrees contains certain nutrients and minerals, but in highly aerated water, in humid air or solid, but at the same time porous. moisture and air-consuming environment. Such environments are conducive to the normal respiration of the root system.

Variety selection

One of the most important steps in hydroponics is choosing a strain to grow. As already noted, there is simply a huge number of all kinds of varieties and, in theory, all varieties are suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics. But still, according to the observations of experienced gardeners, there are some species that give better results.

Most suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics are remontant varieties that have high yields. These include the following types: Gorekla, Mount Everest, Vola, Fresco, Bagota, Yellow Miracle, Festivalnaya, Troubadour, Generous, Zenga Zengana, Olvia. The following Dutch varieties are suitable for growing by this method: Corona, Gigantella Maxima, Elvira.

It is these varieties that are indicated for growing by the hydroponic method. In the case of a well-established system when growing these varieties, you can start experimenting with seeds of other species.

Hydroponic growing methods

Strawberries can be grown hydroponically at home in many different ways.

The following hydroponic methods for strawberries are considered the most popular and simple:

• drip irrigation system. The method consists in planting seedlings in a specific substrate, followed by feeding the nutrient solution to the root zone of the bushes using droppers. The most common substrate is coconut, peat mixtures or mineral wool. The substrate itself is placed in an opaque film and placed on a pallet. A tray is required to collect excess nutrient solution. Vertical placement of containers with substrate in bags is allowed. A water pump is used for droppers. This unit allows the supply of water and nutrient solution under pressure;

• nutrient bed system N.F.T. Such an installation involves the supply of a nutrient solution that is constantly circulating through plastic boxes. The solution enters them through pipes or hoses using water pumps. This method involves planting plants in cups, the bottom of which is slightly raised above the nutrient layer.Over time, when the plant grows up, its roots will sink into the nutrient layer, and it will receive nutrients that are already enriched with oxygen from the liquid;

N.F.T. Nutrient Layer System Diagram

• way of aquatic culture. This method involves growing strawberries in an aquatic environment. The strawberry bush is placed on floating foam in a nutrient medium. It is considered not the best option, since problems may arise during cultivation as a result of excessive moisture, and this method also does not make it possible to clearly control the supply of nutrients;

• aeroponics. With this method, the roots of the plant are not located in a solution, but in a fog. A fog generator is used as an aerator. This option allows the plant to better absorb all the nutrients. In this situation, it is not necessary to monitor the pH of the nutrient medium, and it is recommended to use mineral wool as a substrate;

• Ebb and Flow system or intermittent flooding. Works great when you need to grow a lot of bushes. The installation is stationary and therefore must be perfectly tuned;

• Deep Water Culture or deep sea culture. Strawberry bushes in this case have close contact with water. It is considered not the most optimal way to grow strawberries in hydroponics, as there may be problems in the growth of plants.

The above are the most popular methods for growing strawberries hydroponically. But besides this, there are various modifications of this method of strawberry production.

Technology

The technology of growing strawberries hydroponically involves the use of a complex process, which consists of the following stages:

• selection of strawberry varieties for growing;
• the use of hydroponics - an artificial substrate;
• preparation of a special nutrient solution, which in its characteristics will be as close as possible to the requirements of strawberries;
• installation of a plant for supplying nutrient solution to plants.

This technology allows you to grow not only seedlings, but also germinate seeds for future seedlings. As an artificial substrate for this method, a specially prepared substrate is used, which can be bought at any specialized store. At the same time, crushed stone, gravel, coconut fiber, vermiculite, expanded clay, etc. can be used for this purpose.

In principle, the hydroponic method is almost the same as growing plants in a greenhouse or flowerpot, but it is considered more comfortable, convenient and productive. Once you have created all the necessary conditions, you can no longer worry, because then the plants will require only a minimum of attention. The creation of the required installation is very simple, because all its components are quite lightweight and very easy to install. Also, this setup does not require a lot of space. The hydroponic method allows you to get much better results than with conventional strawberry cultivation at home. This method is considered more preferable and is suitable even for amateur gardeners.

Growing tips

Regardless of which hydroponic method you choose for growing strawberries, it should be remembered that there are certain nuances that can have a significant impact on the overall result of the work.

The following tips will help you get good results from this method:

• it should be remembered that nutrients should never get onto the plant itself;
• do not use standing solution for strawberries, otherwise its growth may slow down;
• the capacity of the container must be at least three liters. It is this volume that will be optimal for efficient plant growth;
• the distance between medium-sized bushes should be in the range from 15 to 30 cm. In the case of tall bushes, the distance between them should be as large as possible;
• when choosing a substrate, you need to lean towards a harder one, but at the same time its air permeability should be good. The following substrates are suitable for such requirements: coarse river sand, expanded clay, coconut or mineral wool. It is these materials that will provide the best air permeability for the root system;
• It is better to compose the composition of nutrient solutions in consultation with specialists, only they will help you to make the correct proportions;
• remember that the proportions for the formulations depend on the season and the current stage of growth of the strawberry;
• when growing bushes with this method, it is necessary to control the temperature in the room. If it falls, the plant may freeze and die. At night, the air temperature in the room should be in the range of 16-18 degrees, and during the day - +25;
• probably the most important parameter is the illumination. For remontant varieties, daylight hours should be about 18 hours. To achieve this, you need to use additional fluorescent lamps.

As you can see, the method of growing strawberries hydroponically can be used by both experienced gardeners and amateur gardeners. It is quite lightweight and convenient, while allowing you to get berries throughout the year, which is important. Many consider hydroponics to be the future of agriculture and strawberry production in particular.

Video "Growing strawberries in hydroponics"

In this video, you can visually familiarize yourself with a similar technology for the production of strawberries.