Rules for growing and caring for strawberries using Dutch technology

By growing strawberries using Dutch technology, you can get several harvests of this heat-loving crop within one year. The popularity of this method is also due to the fact that the described method requires less time and labor. Dutch technology provides two options for planting and germinating strawberries.

The principle of operation of the method

The essence of the Dutch technology comes down to the following: for the germination of strawberries, optimal conditions are created to ensure the highest possible yield. To do this, the gardener continuously plants new seedlings after the previous one has produced its first fruits.

The method involves planting the crop in separate containers:

• flower pots;
• bags;
• boxes;
• pallets.

For maximum fruiting, it is necessary to ensure a constant flow of nutrients to the bushes. This will require the organization of continuous drip irrigation with a mixture of microelements.

Basically, greenhouse germination of strawberries is used according to Dutch technology. This option allows you to harvest year-round. However, it can be grown without greenhouses. In the second case, it will also be necessary to provide certain conditions in which the plant can grow quickly and produce an early harvest.

Varieties for cultivation

According to the Dutch technology, strawberries grow in a closed (limited) environment. Therefore, remontant varieties are used to grow crops using this method. In addition, the plant must be a self-pollinating species, otherwise it will be impossible to obtain a harvest. The following varieties meet these conditions:

1. Darselect. Gives an early harvest and is able to grow in conditions of limited light. The fruits of the plant are large. From one bush you can collect up to a kilogram of berries.
2. Selva. The variety, in the absence of frost, bears fruit throughout the year. Subject to the cultivation rules, one bush produces up to 1.5 kilograms of fruit.
3. Sonata. The variety belongs to the early ripening varieties. Each bush also produces up to 1.5 kilograms of berries.

Remontant varieties suitable for cultivation using Dutch technology include Queen Elizabeth 2, Fresco and Albion.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Dutch technology include the following:

• early and stable harvest all year round;
• strawberries are not susceptible to diseases and pests;
• the berries have a marketable appearance and have a pleasant taste;
• technology allows crops to be grown in small areas;
• The method is suitable for germinating crops at home.

The main disadvantage of the method is that for year-round ripening it will be necessary to provide drip irrigation. In addition, it is necessary to create and maintain a certain microclimate, as well as constantly purchase planting material.

Landing method

Dutch technology provides two options for growing strawberries: horizontal and vertical. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, both cultivation options allow you to obtain a stable and abundant harvest.

Vertical

This method involves the vertical (above each other) arrangement of boxes or other containers with strawberries. This growing option is chosen for small areas. In particular, the vertical method is suitable for an apartment. The main disadvantage of this method is the difficulty of ensuring constant drip irrigation: it is necessary to create non-standard structures for supplying water and nutrient mixture.

Horizontal

This option is suitable for greenhouse cultivation, as it involves installing containers with strawberries parallel to the floor and to each other.This method is considered the most convenient due to the fact that to organize drip irrigation, it is enough to lay a hose with holes and a plug at the end between the containers. Horizontal growing is not suitable for small spaces.

The process of growing strawberries the Dutch way

Growing using Dutch technology requires compliance with several important nuances on which the planting yield depends:

1. Small depth containers. Polypropylene pipes, boxes, containers and flower pots are suitable for this.
2. Seedlings should not be placed close to each other in order to save free space. This will reduce the size of the berries.
3. Before pouring soil into pots, the soil mixture must be disinfected. For this, a heated solution of potassium permanganate is used. Before adding to the soil, peat must be steamed.
4. Strawberries give a good harvest, provided that mineral fertilizers with a sufficient amount of useful microelements are applied.
5. Due to the fact that according to Dutch technology it is necessary to regularly change plants, it is recommended to prepare planting material in advance.
6. For the winter, strawberries grown in open ground do not need to be covered. In this case, before the onset of spring, it is necessary to prepare new planting material by placing the seedlings in the refrigerator.
7. In case of insufficient lighting, it is necessary to install ultraviolet lamps near the strawberries.

According to the conditions of Dutch technology, after harvesting it is necessary to remove the plant from the soil and place new seedlings. This procedure is, on average, repeated every two months.

Otherwise, growing using Dutch technology does not differ from other methods: when planting seedlings, drainage (expanded clay or other) is poured at the bottom with a layer of up to two centimeters, and the strawberry roots are straightened and, if necessary (if the rhizomes are bent), cut off. The plant requires constant watering and regular fertilizing.

Priming

To grow strawberries, it is not recommended to use soil collected on the site. This soil contains pathogenic microorganisms that will cause the plant to die. For strawberries, a commercial soil mixture used for growing indoor plants is suitable.

It is important that this soil is sufficiently loose and has high moisture capacity.

Harvesting and growing seedlings

Seedlings can always be bought in stores. However, if the Dutch growing method is used, use your own seedlings.

To get seedlings, you need to plant one bush in open ground. After the first frost, it is necessary to dig up the strongest plants and place them in a dry room with an air temperature of 0-2 degrees. Then, a day before planting in prepared containers, these seedlings are kept in a room at +18 degrees.

The second option is convenient because the mustaches that grow from the main bush are used for planting. This material, also after trimming, is first kept indoors at a temperature of 0-2 degrees. Then the seedlings are placed in a container with any soil mixture and left in this form for 1 month in a shaded area. Then, for one week, the planting material is placed in a well-lit place. At the end of this period, the seedlings can be distributed into containers.

Lighting

The optimal solution is to plant strawberries in greenhouses. In this case, the plant will receive enough light. During the cold season, artificial lighting will be required. Ultraviolet lamps must be placed at least 1 meter from the bushes.

Watering and fertilizing system

In order to organize drip irrigation, you can lay garden hoses with small holes cut out and a plug at one end along the strawberry beds.

To feed the plant, use a mixture of 10 liters of water, 80 grams of ammonium nitrate and 10 grams of potassium chloride. This composition in the amount of 100 milliliters, through drip irrigation, must be applied to each bush. Fertilizing is applied 2 weeks after planting and during the flowering period.

Microclimate

To obtain a constant harvest in the greenhouse, it is recommended to maintain an air temperature of +18-25 degrees. During the period of active flowering, it is necessary to warm the room to +21 degrees.

The optimal humidity level is 70-80%. If there is a deficiency, it is recommended to spray the bushes. In case of high humidity, the greenhouse should be ventilated, otherwise the plant will be affected by fungus.

Container for seedlings

As noted above, any container with holes at the bottom through which excess water is drained is suitable for planting strawberries. For this, both ordinary pots or containers and containers made with your own hands from plastic pipes or bottles are used.

Further care

Caring for strawberries requires a constant flow of water. In this case, you need to avoid getting moisture on the fruits and leaves. A drip irrigation system, which involves placing pipes directly under the root of each plant, helps to achieve this.

In order for the crop to constantly bear fruit, the soil must be well moistened, and the air temperature must not exceed (not fall) the established limits. Every 10 days it is recommended to fertilize strawberries using specialized mixtures. It is also necessary, as a disease prevention, to spray the bushes with appropriate compounds. Affected berries and leaves should be removed immediately.