Can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles?

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can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

The balcony can become so cute.

Strawberries on the balcony are grown, as a rule, not out of a desire to make money, but rather out of interest. Nothing prevents you from placing several dozen bushes in pots or on the original "beds" among the flowers. Their device does not require specific materials, maintenance is simple, and fresh, environmentally friendly berries will be the reward.

Garden bed

Berry bushes growing on the balcony cause delight and bewilderment - despite the simplicity, this practice has not become widespread, most likely due to far-fetched difficulties. In fact, growing strawberries on the balcony will require:

  • container for planting;
  • seedlings;
  • soil;
  • irrigation system.

If the balcony is located on the south / southeast side, lighting problems will not affect you. But how to grow a sissy "northerners" or living "in the west"? In this case, you will need additional illumination with cold glow lamps:

  • LED;
  • luminescent;
  • phytoluminescent (ideal, but high price).

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Such a phytolamp will illuminate an area of ​​0.4 - 0.7 m2

What to plant

To an inexperienced person, it may seem that any variety is suitable if only the berries are ripe, but it turns out there is such a strawberry that can be grown in such conditions, but you should refrain from the other.

The choice should be based on the following basic properties of the plant:

  • yield in low light;
  • long fruiting period;
  • self-pollination ability.

On cool balconies, constantly in shade / partial shade, the variety "Elvira", "Brighton", "Temptation" or "Juan", which has the ability to adapt to adverse conditions, will feel comfortable.

The remontant strawberry, which has been growing in one place for several years, multiplied by a mustache, and gives 2 harvests per season, enjoys well-deserved popularity. The true queen among this species is the “Queen Elizabeth” variety, which bears abundant fruit all season.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

The structure of the remontant strawberry bush

Repaired varieties tend to severely deplete the soil, so they require reinforced top dressing.

If your agronomic self requires the perfect, this request can be satisfied by ampelous strawberries - the rosettes formed on the antennae, in addition to the roots, also form flower stalks. If you plant such a miracle in a flowerpot or put a mustache along the guides, you may get the impression that the strawberries are curling.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

It seems that in the photo it is a curly strawberry.

Planting beardless strawberries - "Bolero", "Lyubasha" will help to simplify the care of the culture as much as possible. Inconvenience - they will have to be propagated by seeds.

Pollination is carried out by insects and wind, and such conditions may not exist on a glazed balcony. In this case, self-pollinating varieties are suitable, for example, "Lord", "Supreme", in other cases, pollination can be done with a brush (by the way, a very soothing procedure).

Where to plant

In this matter, a certain freedom of creativity is possible, which can be limited only by the area of ​​the "vegetable garden". It is extremely important to achieve the stability of the structure so that it is not knocked down by a strong wind or you yourself do not accidentally overturned it.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

A stable foundation above all else

The leading place is occupied by pots / pots, boxes, containers of various designs. The original methods include using pipes or growing strawberries in plastic bottles on the balcony. The minimum size of the pot should be 15 x 15 cm - sufficient for one bush, in a large capacity more bushes can be planted in 15 cm increments.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Strawberry cultivation options

Plastic bottles are mounted on a pyramidal support, on a wall in a horizontal or vertical position. For vertical use, they are cut in half and a plant is planted in both halves, in horizontal ones, before planting, a hole is cut out in the wall of the body.

The shape of some of the containers, which have corresponding dimples, allows the creation of vertical beds. This can also be done from ordinary flower pots - a large pot of earth is taken as a base, on which a smaller one is placed, etc., as far as possible.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Pots for vertical compositions

An interesting way to grow strawberries on the balcony, not in pots, but in bags made of spunbond - breathable agrofibre. The water tank is located on top, and water and top dressing flow down the hoses into the container. The bag is hung at some distance from the wall so that the walls do not get damp from the excess moisture.

Stagger the landing holes on the side of the bag. When the bushes grow up, the bag will hide under the leaves, turning into something exotic.

Business is a pipe, and the benefits are great

There is a great way to save precious space by not wasting, but rather by increasing the yield. You can equip the garden bed in an ordinary plumbing plastic pipe, the material of which is safe for human health.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Scheme of a bed of pipes

For the construction device, you will need 2 pipes - a large / main pipe with a diameter of 20 cm, in which the strawberries will be located, and a smaller one with a diameter of 1.5 cm for watering. The first thing to start with is to find the right height. In this case, the narrow pipe should look out of the wide one by about 10 cm.

Then proceed in this order:

  • in a narrow pipe with a 3-5 mm drill, make holes in 3 rows in 10 cm increments before reaching the bottom of about 15 cm;
  • wrap it with burlap / non-woven fabric, fasten with a rope along the entire length;
  • in the main pipe from the side that will face the sun, make holes (with a special nozzle) with a diameter of 7-10 cm in increments of 20 to 25 cm, not reaching the bottom of 15 cm;
  • insert plugs in PVC pipes and insert one inside the other.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Stages of creating a bed-pipe

Pour some gravel / expanded clay into the space between the walls of the pipes for stability, and only after that the earth. In the process of filling, it is slightly moistened so that there are no unnecessary voids. In general, the structure is ready, but before planting the seedlings, firmly fix the pipe.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

The pipe is reinforced like a Christmas tree

The principle of operation of a vertical bed is as follows - water is poured into a narrow pipe and a plug / plug is put on top. Through small holes, moisture is absorbed into the burlap, and then gradually into the ground. You can simply check if the soil is dry: try the ground in the hole with your finger.

Those who doubt whether it is possible to grow remontant strawberries in such a bed can be advised to leave a free lower hole under the bush.When a rosette is formed on the antennae, a "hole" will be ready for it.

The advantage of plastic pipe vertical strawberry beds is obvious:

  • low material price;
  • the most compact arrangement;
  • absolutely clean harvest.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Someone else doubts whether it is possible to grow yummy in a pipe?

Uninterrupted conveyor

Is it possible to make strawberries not only grow on the balcony all year round, but also bear fruit? This can be achieved:

  • on a glazed, heated and lighted (14 hours a day) balcony;
  • periodic replacement of "spent" bushes with new ones, thus updating the planting;
  • a selection of varieties with different ripening periods.

You can prepare strawberry bushes at the dacha in the fall. They can be stored for up to 9 months in the refrigerator on the shelf / basement.

For this purpose, remontant varieties have also been bred, which do not have a periodicity in the formation of generative buds. In other words, flowering and ovary formation occurs when favorable conditions occur, and this depends on your desire.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Viable dormant seedlings

The soil is tasty and healthy

The specific conditions in which your pet will grow require careful attention to the composition of the soil mixture. Although ready-made compositions are sold in specialized stores, for those who like to do everything with their own hands, I give a recipe for an easy "tasty" earth:

  • black soil - 10 parts;
  • peat - 10 parts;
  • humus - the same amount;
  • sawdust - 3 parts;
  • coarse sand - 1 part.

Fresh sawdust acidifies the earth. To prevent this from happening, instructions from specialists will help you: before using sawdust, soak in water with urea (1 l / 2 tbsp. L.). After a few hours, add 1 cup of chalk and stir. The resulting composition can be added to the soil mixture.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Nutrient Blend - Half the Harvest

Summarizing

The strawberry balcony looks undeniably original, and its owner is reputed to be a cute eccentric in the best sense of the word. It is worth pondering, at arm's length it turns green, exudes a delicate aroma of strawberries on the balcony, which gluttonous boys and malicious slugs cannot reach. The small size of the planting allows you to pay attention to each plant, which pays off with a healing harvest of ecologically clean berries.

The video in this article will tell you about popular repair varieties for your balcony.

If you have any suggestions / comments on growing strawberries on the balcony, feel free to leave them in the comments.

September 7, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

Whatever the size of the backyard, gardeners who are passionate about growing vegetables, fruits and berries constantly lack space for their experiments. And if the owner of the garden has become his favorite crop strawberries, then it will need to allocate quite a lot of space, because this berry loves space and light. To plant more shrubs, you can arrange the beds vertically.

Features of vertical cultivation

There are many options for the construction of vertical beds. This method is suitable for many plants, but strawberries take root better in such an original garden, and even create a beautiful appearance. With a little time and money, the beds can be built almost from scrap materials. Compared to traditional cultivation, vertical cultivation has several advantages:

  1. Significant savings in space on the site.
  2. Strawberries remain clean throughout the season and do not suffer from dampness.
  3. Berries become inaccessible to most pests.
  4. Weeds have nowhere to grow, there is no need for constant weeding.
  5. Fertilizers supplied in the form of liquid through the irrigation tube are maximally absorbed by the plants.
  6. When picking berries, you don't have to reach for the ground, straining your back.
  7. A vertical bed with lush flowering and fruiting bushes can be a decoration of the site.

However, vertical cultivation also has disadvantages:

  1. The rapid drying of the soil requires tireless attention, regular watering will be needed.
  2. It is imperative to carry out liquid fertilizing, because ordinary fertilizers cannot be laid in the finished bed.
  3. In winter, even not very cold, plants can freeze completely. The beds are arranged in such a way that they can be moved indoors or wrapped well.

Vertical strawberry cultivation methods

If the plot is small and you want to plant as many strawberry bushes as possible, then you should try growing it in pipes, plastic bottles or barrels.

Beds in pipes

A very common way to grow strawberries vertically is with plastic pipe beds. Such structures will require financial investments for the purchase of components, but the long service life of PVC pipes will pay off all costs.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Vertical cultivation of strawberries in pipes is a great alternative to classic beds

To create a vertical bed of pipes, you will need materials:

  • plastic pipes for plumbing works no more than two meters long and 20 cm in diameter;
  • a PVC hose or pipe with a diameter of 2 cm (its length should be 10-15 cm longer than the main pipe);
  • burlap or spunbond.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

A hacksaw and a drill with a nozzle for cutting circles - tools for making beds can be found in any house

Before starting work, you should prepare gravel for drainage, seedlings and soil for planting bushes. Seedling soil is mixed from turf, manure, peat and compost in equal proportions.

  1. Circles with a diameter of 10 cm are cut in wide pipes. The holes are drilled with a drill with a special nozzle, observing a checkerboard pattern. The rows are placed at a distance of 20 cm. The bottom of the pipe is left without holes. If it is assumed that the structures will winter on the site, circles are not cut out from one of the sides of the pipe.can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

    For the normal development of the plant, a diameter of 10 cm holes on the pipe is sufficient.

  2. In a narrow tube, holes are drilled 5 mm by 2/3 of the length, the lower part is closed with a plug.
  3. A narrow pipe is wrapped in burlap or spunbond and placed whole part down in a large pipe.
  4. The entire structure is dug into the ground. Gravel is poured inside to a height of about 10 cm and outside the pipe.
  5. They begin to plant seedlings. Pour earth to the bottom hole, tamping slightly. The bush is placed on the surface of the soil, carefully straightening the roots. Then more soil is loaded into the pipe to the next holes and the strawberries are planted again. This procedure is repeated until the pipe is completely filled with seedlings.can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

    A vertical bed made of plastic pipes is also suitable for a balcony

  6. Each new layer of soil is watered with water.

Video: instructions for creating a bed of PVC pipes

Another structure is also constructed from PVC pipes. The pipes are cut lengthwise, so their diameter is chosen large. The halves of the pipes are suspended horizontally on the walls of buildings using wire or ropes. This is how several levels of beds are done. If you use brackets to attach the pipe halves, the structure will be more stable.

Video: making a pipe for a hanging bed

Growing in plastic bottles

It is a very affordable and economical material that is used to organize vertical plantings. For the device of the garden you need to prepare:

  • five-liter plastic bottles;
  • fasteners for bottles (wire);
  • frame where the bottles will be installed;
  • paint, if you plan to paint the structure;
  • cutter, nippers and brush.

Having prepared all the necessary materials, they begin to work:

  1. The bottles are cut in two.
  2. The lid should not be tightly tightened, allowing excess moisture to drain.
  3. Soil is poured into part of the bottle with a lid and strawberries are planted.
  4. The lower part of the bottle is fixed on the frame and a container with a strawberry bush is placed in it.
  5. The entire structure can be painted with acrylic paint to enhance its appearance.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

The volume of an earthen clod in a plastic bottle is very small, so it is necessary to strictly control the humidity of the vertical bed

When planting strawberries in plastic bottles, be sure to add hydrogel to the soil. It will absorb excess moisture and give it to plants as needed.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

A plastic bottle is great for growing strawberries on a windowsill

Video: strawberries in plastic bottles

Growing strawberries in a barrel

Barrels of any size, new or old, which are often found in the garden area, can be adapted for strawberry beds. The following work procedure is observed:

  1. They clean the barrel from dirt, rust, old paint.
  2. Cut holes in the bottom of the barrel for drainage (2 cm in size).
  3. Circles with a diameter of 10 cm are cut out in the walls, keeping a distance of 30 cm between them.
  4. Install the future bed in a sunny place.
  5. Broken pieces of bricks or rubble are placed on the bottom.
  6. A pipe with holes is installed in the crushed stone, its diameter should be 1/3 of the diameter of the barrel.can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

    The inner tube is designed for uniform watering of the soil in the barrel, as well as for feeding with liquid fertilizers

  7. Small stones are poured into the pipe.
  8. Fill the barrel with nutrient soil to the bottom circles.
  9. Strawberry bushes are spread in the cells, spreading the roots.
  10. Add soil to the next row of holes and plant the seedlings again.can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

    The holes in the barrel can be of any shape, but it is better to arrange them in a checkerboard pattern

  11. So the whole barrel is filled with soil. Each layer of soil is watered with water from a watering can.
  12. You can also plant strawberry bushes on the surface of the barrel.

Experienced gardeners advise planting aromatic herbs, calendula or basil in the lower rows of barrels to avoid soil acidification.

Before the onset of winter, vertical strawberry beds must be protected from the cold. A net on guides is installed around the barrels. The distance between the fence and the bed is filled with insulation (leaves, dry grass) and covered with a material that does not allow water to pass through.

How to water strawberries in vertical beds

Growing strawberries in vertical beds will require gardeners to pay special attention to watering, since such beds dry out very quickly, and if there is a lack of moisture, all bushes can die. When planting in pipes or barrels, an irrigation system in the form of a pipe with many holes must be installed inside. Water must be supplied not only to the inner pipes, but also to water the bed from above, since the upper bushes are the first to suffer from drought. Once a week, watering is combined with fertilizing with mineral fertilizers (special fertilizer mixtures for berry crops).

For beds made of plastic bottles or other small containers, it is imperative to use a hydrogel. It is mixed with soil during the planting of strawberry bushes. By absorbing excess water and dispensing it as needed, the gel will maintain soil moisture and reduce the amount of watering.

In the first days after planting strawberries, especially in the heat, the beds are watered twice a day until the seedlings take root. Then watering is reduced.

Suitable varieties of strawberries

For vertical beds, remontant varieties of strawberries are chosen, the harvest from which is obtained several times over the summer. The Queen Elizabeth variety is very popular. His berries with juicy dense pulp, large, regular shape. Ampel varieties look good on vertical beds, for example, Alba. This is an early variety, its bushes curl very beautifully, they will decorate any corner of the garden.

Vertical planting of strawberries will allow you to rationally use every piece of land in your garden. It is not difficult to build beds. Having thought over the irrigation system and providing for the shelter of the beds for the winter, you can significantly increase the yield of strawberries. And the easy care of the plantings and the beautiful appearance of the beds will delight gardeners.

A software engineer by profession, I write software in Delphi / SQL.I supervise the training portal in my organization (check, edit, post content).

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesUntil recently, strawberries in plastic bottles were grown relatively rarely. However, in recent years, the situation has changed, and many gardeners are happy to use this option for cultivating berry plants, not only in personal plots, but also on balconies or loggias.

Feasibility and advantages of the method

If the garden or backyard plot has an insignificant area, then it is economically expedient to master the vertical arrangement of berry plants, which will not only allow you to get a decent harvest of ripe berries, but also, with the right approach to the issue of organization, will make the beds a real decorative element.

Growing garden strawberries or strawberries in the most common plastic bottles has the following advantages:

  • allows you to reduce the number of such labor-intensive activities as removing weeds and loosening the soil;
  • reduces the risk of crop diseases and reduces the number of sprayed plants used to prevent diseases;
  • improves the aesthetics of the site and contributes to the creation of an unusual, original style of fencing or construction;
  • significantly saves the usable area of ​​the site.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

Of course, such cultivation of garden strawberries also has some disadvantages that it is advisable to take into account in the process of cultivating berries:

Also Read: When Blueberries Ripen and How to Harvest

Strawberries in plastic bottles (video)

Variety selection

The growing demand for growing berry crops using small vertical structures is associated not only with the possibility of saving the territory of the personal plot and the decorativeness of the beds, but also with the appearance on the market of planting material of varieties suitable for this type of cultivation.

Variety name Characteristics of the variety Features of the variety
"Queen Elizabeth II" The berries are large, juicy, bright red, with a pronounced sourness in taste High productivity, long-term repeated fruiting
"Supreme" Berries weighing up to 40 g, dark red, elongated, sweet, aromatic Self-pollinated and high-yielding variety
"Homemade delicacy" Berries of intense dark red color, excellent taste, up to 5 cm in diameter The most compact root system
"Kama" Berries are very dark in color, dense structure, which makes them suitable for long-term storage One of the best varieties for making jam
"Clery" The berries are very attractive, balanced, sweet and sour taste One of the earliest varieties
"Darselect" Very large berries of a brick-red color, weighing up to 70-80 g. The taste of the pulp is classic for strawberries Possesses high yields and sufficient resistance to major diseases
"Florence" The plant is vigorous, not spreading, with a lot of whiskers. The berry is large, weighing up to 35 g, regular conical shape, intense red color The harvested crop is suitable for long-term storage and transportable

Manufacturing and options for placing seats

Using plastic bottle planting containers for planting strawberries is a very economical option. By attaching the containers to a net or posts, you can create an attractive garden bed. This type of bed is modular, therefore the height and width can be varied by the grower as desired. It is most convenient to use containers with a volume of 2-2.5 liters. Wash them thoroughly and remove the labels, then cut them in half across. The throat part with a loosely screwed cap must be inserted into the lower half and filled with fertile soil mixture. Another good option is to use a bottle with a rectangular hole cut in the side and drain holes on the opposite side. It is best to use strong wire to secure such containers.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

When choosing the location of vertical plastic ridges, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of smooth implementation of fairly frequent irrigation activities, as well as good illumination throughout the growing season and the absence of gusty winds. For the normal development of a strawberry bush, a height of about 28-30 cm is sufficient, with this in mind, six tiers are comfortably placed on a support with a height of two meters.

Landing features

It is advisable to use ready-made fertile soil intended for growing flower and berry crops. If you use land from your own garden plot, then you should pay attention to its quality composition, as well as carry out the most effective disinfection.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottles

In containers made of plastic bottles cut across, no more than one bush of garden strawberries can be planted. The horizontal arrangement of the planting container makes it possible to plant two plants in the bottle. A thicker planting is bad for the health of strawberries and provokes a sharp decrease in yield..

Growing technology

There are no special requirements for caring for plants with this growing method. Garden strawberries need standard measures aimed at irrigation, top dressing and preventive spraying.

Period Watering Top dressing Prophylaxis
Spring Abundant, completely soaking in the earthen ball in the container. Sprinkling is allowed before the peduncles are extended. A special top dressing called "For strawberries and strawberries" or any complex mineral fertilizers with a sufficient nitrogen content Before the start of the growing season, it is recommended to spray the plants with 3-4% Bordeaux liquid
Summer Abundant, completely saturating soil in a container, directly under the root of the plant In early June, fertilizing with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 20 g / m2 or nitrophosphate at the rate of 20-40 g / m2 Spraying with wormwood and tobacco infusions or before flowering with Metaxil, Ridomil or Quadris
Autumn Abundant, completely saturated with an earthen ball in a container, directly under the root of the plant In September, about 0.5 liters of bird droppings infusion with the addition of wood ash is introduced under each bush. Can use green fertilizer Spraying with "Ordan"

Gardeners reviews

In general, the method of growing strawberries, or garden strawberries, in hanging plastic bottles is evaluated positively by gardeners. and the reviews on the effectiveness of this method of cultivating berry plants are good. However, one should carefully consider such nuances as the need for more frequent and high-quality dressings, as well as the most abundant and regular watering of the culture, which is due to the limited nutritional area.

Harvesting strawberries: varieties, planting dates (video)

The ease of caring for strawberries on plastic beds can save a lot of time for gardeners. In addition, such containers can be used many times, not only in the personal plot, but also at home, when growing a berry crop on the balcony.

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Strawberries are a very tasty and healthy berry, which you want to feast on all year round. Of course, you can go to the nearest supermarket and get this delicious treat. And you can grow this delicacy on the balcony, it is not only not very difficult, but also very beautiful.

Is it possible to grow strawberries on the balcony all year round

Growing strawberries on the balcony is not only possible, but also very convenient.... Growing this sweet berry on the balcony is a very common method, as with proper care, fresh and tasty berries will always be at hand.

Glazed balconies located on the south side are most suitable for growing berries, since the sun must illuminate the plant for at least 6 hours a day.

The following advantages can be highlighted growing strawberries on a glazed loggia:

  1. In a small area, you can get a good harvest, since the containers with strawberries do not take up much space.
  2. If you want to feast on a juicy berry, you do not need to go or drive far behind it, it is always at hand.
  3. Ease of care. If the first signs of pests and diseases appear on the plant, you can immediately notice them and take the necessary measures.
  4. With proper organization, you can get a crop even in winter.
  5. Environmental friendliness of the berry.
  6. Aesthetic component - on the balcony it smells very nice and tasty with strawberries.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesGlazed balconies located on the south side are most suitable for growing berries.

Planting berries on the loggia must be approached very responsibly, determine the place, choose the right varieties and convenient containers.

If the balcony faces the wrong side, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of growing strawberries, you just need to take care of additional lighting and insulation of the balcony.

Attention: strawberries are very afraid of drafts and cold wind, therefore, the airing of the balcony should be carried out in calm, sunny weather.

Tips for growing strawberries on balconies:

Which varieties are the most suitable for growing

There are no special varieties suitable specifically for landing on the balcony. In the markets and in specialized stores, they can offer the most suitable varieties, but they can just as well be grown in the country.

Therefore, it is worth choosing plants that are least susceptible to diseases, having tasty, juicy fruits and giving a good harvest, preferably self-pollinated.

The varieties of this berry are initially classified according to the type of fruiting:

  • harvest once a year - in spring;
  • harvest twice a year - in spring and autumn;
  • remontant varieties that yield crops all year round.

When choosing a variety, be sure to take into account that some species can give the first harvest in the year of planting, while others - only for the next season.

The most recommended varieties for planting indoors are the following varieties of berries: Roxana, Zagornaya, Queen Elizabeth, Festivalnaya, Rusanka, Desnyanka.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesRoxana, Zagornaya, Queen Elizabeth, Festivalnaya, Rusanka, Desnyanka varieties are best suited

Queen Elizabeth variety has beautiful, large and sweet fruits. This plant produces a lot of antennae, so you can provide yourself with your own young rosettes for the whole year.

Festivalnaya grade it is distinguished by a special sweetness, the polo has only a slight sourness. It is not a remontant variety, but it bears fruit for a long time. By the end of fruiting, the size of the berries is almost halved.

Desnyanka variety - high-yielding, mid-season variety. Forms antennae perfectly. The berry has a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Never purchase strawberry seeds or seedlings from spontaneous markets and unverified sellers, as the stated benefits may be false advertisements.

In what containers to plant

Almost any container is suitable for growing berries at home, from boxes, flower pots to plastic bags.

Many gardeners recommend packages, considering that they create conditions as close as possible to natural ones. It is preferable to choose bags white, two-meter, with a diameter of 200 millimeters.

It is unlikely that more than three bags can be placed on a square meter of a balcony. If you want to have fresh berries all year round, then you should grow it this way.

If strawberries are planted in containers, then it should be roomy: the length is at least 200 centimeters, and the diameter is 20 centimeters.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesPlanting boxes and pots must have drainage holes

With the right care, strawberries will bear fruit well in any small containers: flower pot, plastic container or hanging basket.

The main requirement for containers is the presence of drainage holes, without them the seedlings will not be able to breathe normally and will die.

It is advisable that for one adult strawberry bush the pot should be at least 3 liters in size.

If there are no holes in the pots, you need to make them yourself., since strawberry seedlings do not like stagnant water. The pots should be hung (ampel method) or raised so that there is free air circulation and excess moisture outflow.

Growing strawberries on the balcony in vertical beds. DIY hydroponics:

Planting bushes:

What soil is needed for planting

For strawberries, soil is more important.with which the container is filled. You can buy special soil in the store, or you can prepare it yourself and plant bushes:

  • 10 parts of black soil;
  • 10 parts of peat;
  • 10 parts of humus;
  • 3 parts of sawdust;
  • 1 part sand.

The entire composition is thoroughly mixed and poured into containers. Then the containers are poured with a solution made up of 200 grams of mullein, ½ teaspoon of copper sulfate and 3 liters of water.

Terms and basic rules for disembarkation

If strawberries are planted as seedlings, then it is worth considering the weather conditions and the characteristics of the room.

If the balcony is closed, well-insulated seedlings can be planted in early April. If the balcony is open - at the beginning of May.

It is not necessary to place the seedling very deeply in the pot., since as a result new leaves cannot appear.

But you can't leave it on the surface either. - the root will dry out. Deepen half of the base so that the leaves and buds are not covered with soil.

Strawberry seedlings should have 6 formed leaves.

If you want to achieve the speedy rooting of seedlings, it should be watered with a solution of heteroauxin: 1 tablet is diluted with 5 liters of water.

Subject to the presence of an insulated balcony, seedlings can be planted in September.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesSeedlings for planting should have 6 formed leaves

How to pollinate a berry

Most of the time the plant has to be in a closed room, as a result natural pollination is very difficult.

Therefore, to obtain a good harvest, it is necessary to carry out artificial pollination or use self-pollinating varieties of berries. If there is no exchange of pollen, then fruit ovary will not occur.

You can artificially pollinate as follows:

  1. Fan assisted... We put the device in the morning near each bush, so that the air flow is directed to the other and slowly move from bush to bush.
  2. With your hands... We purchase a natural bristle brush. The brush should be fine. We manually pollinate each flower, moving from one to another. This method is more efficient than the first one.

If it is difficult to carry out artificial self-pollination, it is worth purchasing hybrid self-pollinated seedlings that can bear fruit all year round.

Bolero, Florence, Honey and Corona are especially popular varieties for growing on the balcony.

Such berries are capable of producing crops all year round, the main thing is to worry about proper lighting and thermal insulation.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesSelf-pollinated hybrid varieties for planting on the balcony: Florence, Honey, Corona and Bolero

Care rules step by step

A good strawberry harvest depends on correct watering, selected capacity and soil, room temperature and illumination. Let's analyze the care step by step.

Strawberries are very light-requiring, it needs sunshine for 14 hours a day or more, so the gardener should worry about artificial lighting on the balcony.

A good option is a fluorescent lamp.Reflectors made of foil can be used.

After planting, the seedling begins to take root and release a mustache. Very quickly, the entire container can be filled with strawberry rosettes.

In order for all the power of the plant to go into the formation of the fruit, mustache should be plucked... They can be planted in other containers or left for storage.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesThe berry needs light, removal of the mustache, watering every other day, adherence to the temperature regime

Some growers recommend picking the first flower on a plant., believing that the seedling will form more flowers, which will increase the yield accordingly.

The main thing when caring for strawberries is follow watering rules... Very often peat does not allow moisture to pass through well, so you can put pots with plants in the water.

When the pot is saturated with water, it will go down. Dry pots float for a while.

Watering should be done every other day, not forgetting to sprinkle the leaves, berries and flowers of the plant with water.

Important: watch the temperature, if it drops below 14 degrees, the strawberries stop blooming and bearing fruit, if the temperature exceeds 35 degrees, the plant weakens and gets sick.

Fertilize seedlings at least twice a month.... Specialized fertilizers and cow dung are introduced into the soil, which should be diluted: 20 parts of water for one part of manure.

It is better if the manure is already fermented. Fresh manure is diluted one to two and settled for 7 days. Then it divorces 1 in 20.

Strawberries can be left to winter on the loggiaif the temperature inside is above 5 degrees below zero. It is worth insulating containers with berries with sawdust and needles.

Do not forget about airing the roots and stems of the plant, otherwise the process of decay may begin and the seedling will die.

In winter, the bushes are practically not watered, as the root can freeze or rot.

can strawberries be grown in plastic bottlesIn winter, the berry is practically not watered, containers can be insulated with sawdust or needles

If the balcony is very warm and it is possible to create additional lighting, then fresh berries can be enjoyed even in December.

As you can see from the above, the process of growing strawberries on the balcony is not very difficult. Using simple guidelines, with some diligence and hard work you can provide the whole family with this berry.

DIY pods have more flavor harmony than store-bought pods.

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