How to properly preserve strawberry tendrils before planting? This question interests gardeners who choose this method of propagating berry bushes. It has a lot of advantages. Young seedlings take root well and have the same qualities as the mother bush. After a year, the seedlings begin to bear fruit. This is one of the best methods for increasing the number of strawberry plants in your own garden.
Selection and preparation of mustaches
In the first year after planting, all the whiskers are removed from the strawberry bushes.This is done in order to obtain powerful plants with a well-developed root system. Also, flower stalks are removed from annuals so that they do not waste energy on forming berries. On the mother strawberry bush, whiskers of the first, second and third order are formed. The stronger and more viable ones are located closer to the bush, and it is recommended to use them.
Strawberry bushes that are two years old and older produce new shoots. At the beginning of the season, the strongest, largest plants are selected. They are marked with a sign, stick or other available material.
When to trim strawberry whiskers
In mid-July, the mustache is cut off and planted nearby. By the end of summer they take root and begin to actively develop. For the winter, the entire bed of strawberries is plucked and stored in a cool room. At this point, the strawberry mustaches have their own roots and are ready for winter.
Important! There are berry varieties that need to be propagated in August.
How to preserve strawberry tendrils before planting
Sometimes after trimming the mustache it is not possible to plant it in the ground right away. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to preserve strawberry tendrils before planting. There is a solution to this problem. The maximum shelf life is 2 months. It is better to plant the mustache right away, this increases the percentage of survival and rooting.
For 2 – 3 weeks
Young strawberry mustaches are placed for a day in water with the addition of a root formation stimulator. If it is not possible to plant seedlings immediately, then they are left in water for 2 to 3 weeks. During this period, strawberries give good roots. Then it is transferred to open ground on a prepared bed.
Up to 2 months
It is possible to preserve the strawberry mustache for a period of about 2 months. To do this, seedlings are sprinkled with earth and stored at home. Carefully monitor soil moisture. This is how seedlings are stored by gardeners who prepare seedlings for sale.Place wet moss or foam rubber at the bottom of the container.
How to store seedlings in winter until spring?
Strawberry seedlings are stored under certain conditions. The air temperature in the room is kept at +2 - +6°C. Humidity should be at least 90%. Optimal conditions are considered to be 2 times more carbon dioxide than oxygen. If the humidity in the room is low, then hang wet towels; if it is high, ventilate it. When the window is opened, the seedlings are insulated. Suitable for storage:
- cellar;
- insulated balcony;
- fridge;
- basement.
To store seedlings indoors, the bushes are transplanted into boxes. Prepare boxes with a double layer. The root area of each plant is covered with sawdust or moss in several layers. Periodically check the condition of the seedlings, water them if necessary and ventilate the room.
Many gardeners who do not have basements and time to monitor strawberries indoors. They leave it to winter in the garden. To do this, the bed is covered with insulation, pre-moistened and fed. Warm material is fixed on the bed, placing heavy objects along the edges to prevent the possibility of being blown away by the wind.
Important! If the storage conditions are not followed, the strawberries will freeze and die..
Seedlings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 months. Plants are placed in a plastic bag, without soil. Spray with water and place on the bottom shelf for storing vegetables. There the air temperature is constantly maintained at 1 - 2°C.
Constantly opening the refrigerator removes excess moisture.
The modern storage method using the Frigo method is gaining popularity. All leaves of the seedling are cut off and stored in the cold.This helps to select the strongest bushes, remove weak ones and get high yields. Such strawberries take root faster in open ground.
Preserving seedlings by snowing
Before storing by snowing, strawberries are prepared in advance. A month before storage, watering is reduced. 2 weeks before sheltering, it is completely stopped. Then the bushes are watered once, not allowing them to dry out. During this period, plants fall into suspended animation and all life processes slow down. Strawberries support life. Next, the following manipulations are carried out:
- Select a piece of land with a permanent snow cover of at least 15 cm.
- The dug up seedlings are transferred to this area.
- Then mulch the bed with straw.
- The top is covered with spunbond.
- Then a layer of snow 10 cm thick is laid.
- Repeat the layer of straw to prevent melting and retain heat.
Important! If it is not possible to move the seedlings to another place, they are left in the garden bed and snowed according to the instructions.
Landing rules
The mustache is planted in two ways: in a pot and in open ground. The decision on the method is made by the gardener, taking into account the area of the plot and the possibilities of maintaining the seedling. For the pot method, the following steps are used:
- Choose the strongest strawberry tendril.
- Prepare the soil: mix it with organic fertilizer.
- Fill the container halfway.
- The shoot is placed in it without tearing it away from the mother tree.
- Water every day until roots form.
- After 10 days, the stem of attachment is slightly cut so that the new bush gets used to independent existence.
- 14 days after planting, the seedling is completely separated from the mother plant.
For planting in open ground, follow certain instructions:
- Pre-prepare the bed.
- Dig up the area, remove stones and weeds.
- Apply organic fertilizers.
- The mustache is trimmed, leaving a shoot 20 cm long and roots at least 15 mm.
- Dig holes 5 cm deep.
- Pour a small amount of water into each.
- Seedlings are planted to a depth of 5 cm.
- Water every day until rooting.
After rooting, manipulation can be carried out to increase the stamina and resistance of strawberries to unfavorable conditions. After such a procedure, the bushes will not be afraid of downpours, rain, hail, or sudden changes in temperature. They make beds in the “Norwegian style”. To do this, several procedures are carried out:
- The bed is equipped with high boards on all sides.
- Cover with transparent film.
- Leave a few cm on top for ventilation.
- Carefully monitor watering and loosening the soil.
This procedure helps seedlings take root better, increases their survival rate, and makes them strong and hardy.
