Strawberries have short roots so you can easily grow them in pots. This plant can be placed indoors or outdoors. Strawberry plants can be placed on the terrace, balcony, or in a room that gets sunlight.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Growing Strawberries from Seeds
Step 1. Get strawberry seeds from nurseries in your area
Choose seeds that do not have brown leaves, and look healthy and green.
Step 2. Choose a pot that has a drain hole for the strawberry plant
You don't need to buy special pots for strawberry plants that have lots of holes. Strawberries can grow and produce fruit in any container that contains a good growing medium and gets enough sunlight.
Step 3. Insert the planting medium up to 2/3 of the height of the pot
Strawberry pots should be at least 45 cm in diameter. Despite having short roots, this plant can produce vines (runners) that require ample space in order to grow.
Step 4. Water the planting medium until the water flows from the drain hole at the bottom of the pot
After that, make 5 or 6 mounds about 25 mm high. Leave a distance between the mounds of at least 15 cm so the vines have room to grow. The width of the mound should not exceed 80 mm.
Step 5. Carefully remove the strawberry plant from the nursery container
If necessary, simply cut the container with scissors if the plant is difficult to remove. Carefully use your fingers to remove any remaining soil that is still stuck to the delicate roots of the plant.
Step 6. Pour the water into a bucket or other container
Soak the strawberry roots in water for 1 hour so the plant can absorb the liquid and avoid dehydration.
Step 7. Remove the plants from the water and place them on top of each mound
Arrange the roots so that they extend across the sides of the mound.
Step 8. Add the planting medium to the pot until it reaches the crown of the plant
The stem of the plant emerges from the crown so you should not fill it with soil.
Step 9. Water the plant evenly
Use a sprinkler to keep the soil from scattering. Continue to water gently until the water comes out of the drain hole of the pot. (If necessary, add planting media because watering will remove air pockets and make the height of the potting soil decrease).
Method 2 of 2: Growing Strawberries from Seed
Step 1. Get strawberry seeds from nurseries in your area
After you put the soil in the planting container and water it evenly, do the following:
- Use your finger to make a hole in the ground 6 mm deep, with a distance of about 15 cm between the holes.
- Put 3 strawberry seeds in each hole. The seeds are so small that some people prefer to use tweezers to dig the seeds into the soil.
- Cover the seeds. Cover any holes that contain seeds with soil. You can press the ground with your finger. Don't press too hard, as this can make the soil compact, making it difficult for the strawberry seeds to sprout.
Step 2. Use plastic wrap to cover the top of the planting container
This is to keep the soil moist when the seeds germinate.
Step 3. Place the planting container in a sunny place
Strawberries will grow well in a warm environment with plenty of light. Place the planting container near a radiator or other heat source if the weather is very cold.
Step 4. Water the seeds
Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Check the soil daily, don't let it dry out.
Step 5. Open the plastic wrap placed on top of the planting container when the seeds begin to germinate
If the seeds have sprouted and touched the plastic cover, these sprouts need room to grow so you will need to open the plastic. The soil will dry quickly once the plastic is removed. So you should check the dryness level every day.
Step 6. Make a selection on the strawberry plant after the seeds germinate
Do this by taking or cutting the smallest plants. Leave a distance between plants of about 15 cm between the remaining plants.
Tips
- Like you, birds love strawberries too. If your strawberries are eaten by birds, place a mosquito net over the plant or carefully place the wire mesh over the pot in the shape of a bell or dome, without interfering with plant growth.
- Most strawberry plants will stop producing fruit after 3 to 4 years.
- You can increase nitrogen levels by mixing coffee grounds into the soil. Add coffee grounds when the strawberry leaves turn pale green.
- Immediately pick the fruit when it is ripe. Strawberries that continue to stick to the ground for a long time will rot.
- If you're growing strawberries in hanging baskets or strawberry pots, you'll need to rotate the container frequently so that the plants get an even distribution of sunlight.
- Make sure you use a pot large enough for the strawberry plant. If there are roots sticking out from the bottom of the pot, you will need to move the plant to a larger pot.
- It is possible that you are overwatering the strawberries. Don't be too disappointed when your plants don't live. Just replace it with a new plant and try again!
- Strawberry ripeness does not have to be seen from its full red color. The best indicator of ripeness is taste. If the fruit tastes hard and sweet, it means the fruit is ready to be picked.
- Most strawberry plants will grow optimally if given a slow release (time-released) fertilizer. Buy planting media that has been mixed with this type of fertilizer, or buy fertilizer separately and add it to the growing media.
- Strawberries will thrive in soil that has a pH between 5 to 7. Therefore, use a growing medium that has such a ratio. Maintain the fertility of the planting medium by adding a handful of compost to the pot once a month.
