Modern technologies make it easy to grow strawberries both at home and in a large agricultural enterprise, and remontant varieties give a high yield all year round. The cultivation of this crop in a greenhouse way is becoming increasingly popular every year, due to the desire of society to maintain a he althy lifestyle. Strawberries are rich in vitamins and minerals, which provides them with a huge demand. In this article, we will look at how to grow berries using hydroponics, equipment for growing strawberries and technology.
Differences between hydroponic and garden grown strawberries
Berries grown using a hydroponic system do not differ from those grown in an open environment, neither in taste, nor in appearance, nor in biochemical qualities and properties.
Strawberry,grown in hydroponics, receives the same substances necessary for normal growth as berries growing in beds or fields. The difference lies only in the absence of soil, instead of which a special substrate is used in hydroponic systems. The only major difference is the absence of pests when growing strawberries in greenhouses.
What is hydroponics
The first experience of using hydroponics can be attributed to the times of ancient times. Scientists suggest that the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Babylon were planted using this method. The name "hydroponics" itself is of Greek origin and literally means "working solution". The technology got its name from the famous American scientist William Herrick at the beginning of the 20th century.
The main principle of the method of growing berries using hydroponics is to breed a crop using not the usual natural soil for strawberries, but a substrate obtained by artificial means. At the same time, it does not have any nutrients in its mass, but is a kind of support for the root system. Its advantages over ordinary soil include air conductivity and good moisture absorption, which is very important, for example, for seedlings.
A well-established hydroponics system will allow you to get large volumes of berries all year round and can be a start for organizing your own business. It is noteworthy that this planting method compares favorably with planting strawberries with seeds,since the period from planting to fruiting takes much less time.
Selection of varieties
Before you grow strawberries at home, you need to get basic knowledge about this culture. First you need to understand what crop volumes and how often you want to receive. The second and most important point in the method of growing strawberries hydroponically is the selection of the desired varieties. The growing popularity of this method gave impetus to the development of selection. To date, many different varieties of strawberries have been bred that are suitable for growing hydroponically. But there are well-proven ones that allow you to get the best result.
For successful cultivation of berries in hydroponics and obtaining a year-round high yield, experts recommend the following varieties: Crown, Gigantella, Generous, Troubadour, Fresco, Gorekla, Maxima, Elvira, Festivalnaya. These varieties have proven to be the most suitable for hydroponic cultivation.
Necessary materials for growing strawberries using hydroponics
The set of elements for collecting a hydroponic system may vary depending on the selected method. You can do without some components, but how to grow strawberries at home without a nutrient solution that is bought in specialized stores or prepared on your own? A certain mixture is suitable for each variety, therefore, before use, you should consult a specialist or study additional literature.
Besides nutritionalsolution, a berry grown using hydroponics technology requires a substrate, which can be used as coconut chips, expanded clay or coarse sand. To install drip irrigation, you will need pipes that supply water to each bush. Remontant strawberries are very demanding on lighting and require 18 hours of daylight, so it is recommended to equip the greenhouse with additional lamps. Also, do not forget to buy a container for a nutrient solution and seedling cassettes.
Fertilizers
Strawberry food is mainly produced in liquid form. Factory ready-made fertilizers contain a number of components necessary for the full development of the plant. These include: potassium, nitrogen, copper, iron and other elements. It is important to pay attention to the fact that fruit crops require separate funds for each period of their growth. Also, depending on the stage of development, the proportions in which fertilizers are applied also differ. For example, the growing season requires a high nitrogen intake, and the formation of the fruit requires an increased amount of phosphorus.
There are two types of fertilizer for hydroponic strawberries. The first type is organic fertilizers of biological origin, imitating natural processes in the soil. The second type is a group of mineral fertilizers that do not contain organic nutrients.
The right nutrient solution is the key to a good harvest
To orderto get a rich harvest of strawberries, you need to follow a number of simple conditions for caring for this crop. At the same time, the factors most affecting the yield are:
- special irrigation system that provides uninterrupted moisture supply to the root system;
- required strawberry content temperature. If the temperature regime is not observed, the plant may die;
- good lighting.
It is noteworthy that the most important condition is a professional approach to the preparation of a special nutrient solution for irrigation. Poorly prepared mixture can lead to the death of the plant.
This solution is based on distilled water. It must be soft and free from impurities. Depending on the crop growth cycle and season, mineral s alts are added to the mixture. It should be noted that the s alts are diluted in different containers using a small amount of water, and then mixed together in one container for the mixture.
Basic Applications of a Hydroponic System
Cultivation of strawberries in greenhouse conditions using hydroponics and the installation of seedling cassettes can be carried out using a number of methods. The most popular are:
- Using a drip irrigation system. Plants are placed in the substrate, then the mixture is fed. As a substrate for this method, as a rule, coconut flakes or mineral wool, placed in a dark film, acts. To the rootswater is supplied with the mixture through droppers.
- Aeroponics. In this case, the roots are not in the aquatic environment, but under the influence of fog, which is produced by a special generator. At the same time, mineral wool is taken to make the solution.
- For the production of strawberries in large volumes, the flooding method is often used. In this case, you need to secure the seedling pots well.
- Water culture method. In this embodiment, the bush is placed on the foam, which is in solution. This method is used less often than others, as it involves contact of the roots with water, which, in turn, can lead to rotting.
Secrets for better hydroponic results
Many, thinking about how to grow strawberries at home, want to use new scientific methods and technologies, including a hydroponic system, but not everyone knows all the intricacies of this method.
Before you start growing berries using the hydroponic method, you should know that the plant should not be in direct contact with the substrate, and the nutrient mixture should not be idle. Its stagnation leads to a slowdown in plant development.
The distance between the bushes should be within 15-30 centimeters, but if the plant has a large root system, then it must be increased. If possible, a solid consistency substrate should be used, as it is highly breathable. Expanded clay, coarse sand and coconut flakes have maximum breathability.
For the successful cultivation of strawberries in hydroponics, it is necessary to carefullymonitor the room temperature. The optimum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius during the day and at least 15 - during the night.
Another significant factor in growing strawberries is light. The plant should receive light for at least 18 hours a day. This problem is solved by purchasing lighting equipment.
Conclusion
The hydroponics system makes it possible to grow strawberries all year round, like in a greenhouse, without using this system, but at the same time get a higher yield. Due to the placement of cells with seedlings not only on the floor, but also on air structures, the area of the room is used more rationally and gives a better result.
