Growing strawberries from seeds is a very exciting process. In order not to experience disappointment, it is better to purchase them from reputable manufacturers. It is worth purchasing seeds whose shelf life exceeds 12 months at the time of planting.
The seeds of the repairing small-fruited beardless strawberry seedlings, for example, strawberries of the Baron Solimacher variety, as well as Alpine, Ali Baba and others, are best sprouted. There are a lot of seeds of these varieties, the price of packing seeds is a little more than 10 rubles.
It is more difficult to grow large-fruited strawberries from seeds. But how much joy and pride you will experience if you succeed! In a pack of seeds there are few, usually 10 pieces, and it costs a lot - more than 50 rubles. It makes sense to try to grow small-fruited strawberries, gain experience and skills in its cultivation, and then try to grow large-fruited.
For the cultivation of wild strawberries from seeds, it is better to purchase universal soil or soil for senpolia. Whichever of them you use, it must be disinfected. The easiest way is to disinfect the soil in a microwave. It must be placed in a container, sprinkled with water and steamed at maximum microwave power for 5 minutes. Before sowing, the soil must be completely cooled.
The optimal time for planting strawberries for seedlings is from February to April. If it is possible to create additional lighting, then strawberries from seeds can be planted already in January. If this is not possible, then you should not rush into the planting, as you will get a weak elongated seedling.
To improve the germination of strawberry seeds , stratification is necessary. In the process of stratification, inhibitors inhibiting the growth of embryos are destroyed in seeds. Strawberries from seeds germinate better if a layer of snow about 1 cm thick is laid on the ground and seeds are evenly spread on top of it (if there is no snow at the time of planting, you can scrape frost from the freezer). The container must be placed in a plastic bag or covered with glass and refrigerated for several days, about a week. In the process of snow melting, the seeds will fall to a depth optimal for germination. Crops must be aired daily, removing condensate accumulated on the glass (film).
After the stratification period has expired, the seed container must be removed and placed in a well-lit place with diffused light. Strawberries from seeds after stratification emerge relatively quickly. The first shoots appear in a week. The remaining seeds can germinate within a month. During this period, ventilation with the removal of condensate is mandatory. When the top layer of soil dries, you need to water it carefully, you can use a pipette or a teaspoon, you can spray from a spray bottle. The soil in which strawberries from seeds grow must be moist, but not waterlogged.
When 3-4 real leaves develop in the sprouts, you need to pick (to plant young plants in separate containers). When picking, you can not deepen the heart of strawberries. It should be at the soil level, not higher and not lower. When planting plants, it is advisable not to disturb the earthen lump of the root system, then the healing process will be easier. Spiked plants can be placed in an impromptu greenhouse or covered with a film. They need to be kept for several days in shading, and then put in a bright place so that the seedlings do not stretch.
You can plant strawberry seedlings in the garden at a time when there is confidence that there will be no frost. By this time, as a rule, 5-6 real leaves have already been formed on the bushes.
Among the many varieties, I would especially like to note the strawberry variety "Elizabeth II". It is a large-fruited crop bearing fruit without pauses. Strawberries "Elizabeth II" forms berries weighing up to 40 g, not only on the maternal specimen, but also on the mustache. This variety can be planted in containers. The benefit is double - tasty large berries and excellent decoration of the site. In adverse weather conditions, it is easy to move the container to the room.