How to Grow Strawberry Plants Hydroponically
Hydroponic growing methods increase fruit production and efficiency for strawberry plants. The indoor set-up reduces disease and maintenance requirements and allows for year-round fruit production. You can purchase a hydroponics system or build a basic set-up yourself. A home production system will produce plenty of berries to feed a family of four. Start the hydroponic system with strawberry runners as seed propagation takes two-three years to reach maturity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Day-neutral strawberry plant
- Hydroponic system
- Container
- Perlite
- Plastic wrap
- Refrigerator
- Hydroponics water nutrients
- pH test kit
- Toothbrush
- Fan
- Scissors
Instructions
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Choose a day-neutral cultivar for strawberry hydroponics gardening as they produce fruit for a four- to six-month period. Propagate new seedlings by cutting runners from a mature plant.
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Keep the rooting area moist by placing the cuttings in a container of moist perlite. Cover the container with plastic to keep out excess moisture. Do not disturb the cuttings until roots appear.
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Stimulate winter conditions by dipping the roots in a microbial solution and wrap the new seedlings in a plastic bag. Place in the refrigerator for four months.
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4
Place the strawberry seedling in the hydroponics pot after the wintering period. The plant should remain in the same pot throughout its life cycle.
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Add hydroponics water nutrients to the system. Make sure the roots are hanging into the solution based on the type of hydroponics set-up available.
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Test the pH to verify it is 5.8-6.2 for strawberry plants. Change the water solution every two weeks to maintain the pH level as this is the easiest way to maintain pH.
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Pollinate the strawberry garden by brushing the flower just after it opens to disperse pollen. Gently transfer the pollen to the pistils and stamen. Set up a fan to assist with pollination.
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Clip the runners as the plants grow. Additional pruning is not needed. Save some runners for future seedlings.
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Harvest fruit as it ripens. Once fruiting is complete, start over with new seedlings from runners that were cut from the production plants.
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Tips & Warnings
Clip runners from an established plant instead of starting from seed.
Deep water, drip irrigation, or nutrient film technique are hydroponic systems for hobby growers.
Strawberries require a minimum of five hours of full light per day. If this is a problem, set up grow lights.
Place strawberries in a location where the temperature is 67 to 74 degrees F.
