Globally, consumption of strawberries (and products derived from hydroponics) has increased considerably due to the change of mentality to consume "healthier", "more organic" with "less additives" products however, in hydroponics different insecticides, bactericides and others are also used, only that it is easier to control their concentrations and those pesticides are used in fewer opportunities due to the relative isolation that improves pest control in hydroponics.
Strawberry grows naturally in countries with temperate, warm temperate or subtropical climates levels in high altitude terrains.
When you use in hydroponic greenhouses you can grow strawberries in hot climate countries using substrate or floating root techniques (substrate is preferred).
The strawberry plant is herbaceous and of perennial type. The root system is fasciculated, it consists of roots and rootlets. The roots are perennial.
Rootlets suffer a physiological renewal process, although it is influenced by environmental factors, soil pathogens etc. The depth of the root system is very variable, depending, among other factors, of soil type and the presence of pathogens therein. Under optimal conditions they can reach 2-3 m, but usually not exceeding 40 cm, being the majority (90%) in the first 25 cm.
The stem is constituted by a short conical shaft called "crown" in which numerous leaf flakes are observed.
The leaves appear rosette and inserted into the crown. There are long petioles provided with two red stipules. Its limbo is divided into three leaflets pedicle of serrated edges, they have a large number of stomata (300-400 / mm2), so they can lose a lot of water through transpiration.
The inflorescences can develop from a terminal bud of the crown, or axillary buds of the leaves. The inflorescence branching can be basal or distal. In the first case several flowers appear, while the second is a primary terminal flower or other secondary and smaller. The flower has 5-6 petals, 20-35 stamens and pistils several hundred on a fleshy receptacle. Each fertilized egg results in a fruit of achene type. The development of achenes, distributed over the surface of fleshy receptacle, stimulates growth and coloration thereof, giving rise to strawberry "fruit" .
Hydroponic STRAWBERRIES
Hydroponic cultivation of strawberries can be done in many ways and with different techniques:
floating root
Substrate
Vertical sleeves
In horizontal channels
Air culture system that allows easy cultivation without touching the ground strawberries what lead to decompose. (Taken from Wikipedia)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system in the cultivation of strawberries?
floating root: Improves oxygenation of the roots can grow plants faster, but it is expensive, strawberry plants do not adapt well to this system and there may be crop losses
Substrate: It is the best system because it allows better support for plants and their roots, have the disadvantage that the oxygenation of the roots is lower than the floating root system but allows kept longer contact the roots with nutrients and allows savings systems required for its implementation can be done with inexpensive materials.
In vertical sleeves: Allows the cultivation of many plants in small spaces. It has the disadvantage of not allowing a uniform water distribution, nutrients consume plants up first and below them reach a solution of lower quality, plants tend to sink into the bags when the soil is compacted and irrigation it's more complicated.
In horizontal channels: It is the best system that has been used, allows uniform irrigation allows plants to grow in the natural direction is upward, can expose evenly sun and nutrients. The disadvantage is that it requires more space for implementation.
What substrates are suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics?
Historically substrates used in hydroponics are:
Substrates of organic origin
- Rice Husks
- Sawdust or shredded wood chip yellow. When waste (sawdust) of woods are used, it is preferable than pine woods or red, because they contain substances that may affect the roots of plants. If it is only possible to get material from these woods, washed with water to sawdust or wood chips and allowed to ferment for some time before use. It should not be used in amount greater than 20 percent of the total mixture. If rice husk is used, it is necessary to wash it, let it ferment well, moisten before sowing or transplanting for 10 to 20 days depending on the climate of the region (less days for warmer climates). Features, and advantages physicochemical properties of rice husks are described in Annex IV manual hydroponics.
Substrates of inorganic origin
- Slag from burned coal
- Slag or tuffs
- Sands of rivers or streams that do not have clean high salt content
- Fine gravel
When coal slag, volcanic tufa or river sand are used, these materials should be washed four or five times in large containers, to remove all those small particles that float. The substrate is now ready to be used when the wash water comes out clear. If the substrate amounts needed are very large then use meshes during washing, to retain particles larger than half a millimeter in size. They should also be excluded having sizes greater than 7 mm. indicated excess particles with sizes below the minimum impede drainage of surplus water and, therefore, limit the aeration of the roots. Larger sizes prevent germination of small seeds, such as celery and lettuce, and also remaining seeds consistency to the substrate. This limits the moisture retention and the correct formation of bulbs, roots and tubers.
In the cultivation of strawberries, the substrate has better results is the 60:40 mixture of rice husk and coal slag.
To the mixture are added chemicals before planting increase their nutrient value even before the first irrigation. These elements are:
Potassium sulfate
Urea
Triple superphosphate
These elements ensure better quality of planting.
You can also recycle previously used substrates. the only thing is you have to take into account that diseases can be transmitted from one crop to another. To avoid this, it is suggested to steam sterilize.
What are the nutrient solutions you should use?
The nutritional formula that has given best results is as follows expressed in ppm (material taken from Dr. Felipe Calderon Saenz National University, Colombia):
First watering:
P 45
Fe 5
Cu 0.1
Zn 0.2
B 1.0
Second irrigation:
N 50
P 28
K 220
60 mg
S 130
Third irrigation:
N 60
Ca 160
Fourth and fifth irrigation:
N 50
P 28
K 220
60 mg
S 130
Sixth watering:
N 60
Ca 160
Seventh watering:
P 45
Fe 5
Cu 0.1
Zn 0.2
B 1.0
Watering can be done manually or with automated irrigation systems that are more expensive.
It is desirable that the slope is at least 1% and not more than 3% to ensure that the nutrient is distributed evenly but not stagnate.
How deep should I plant the seeds?
Strawberry seeds should be planted 15 cm maximum depth in containers having much direct light.
How long does it take to be harvested strawberries from planting time?
90 days on average is the time it takes the strawberry plants since they are sown in the harvest have strawberries ready for picking.
How far should plant the strawberry plants once they have already left the nursery and go to transplant to the horizontal sleeves?
The ideal distance for growing hydroponic strawberries is 25 cm between plants.
Strawberry grows naturally in countries with temperate, warm temperate or subtropical climates levels in high altitude terrains.
When you use in hydroponic greenhouses you can grow strawberries in hot climate countries using substrate or floating root techniques (substrate is preferred).
The strawberry plant is herbaceous and of perennial type. The root system is fasciculated, it consists of roots and rootlets. The roots are perennial.
Rootlets suffer a physiological renewal process, although it is influenced by environmental factors, soil pathogens etc. The depth of the root system is very variable, depending, among other factors, of soil type and the presence of pathogens therein. Under optimal conditions they can reach 2-3 m, but usually not exceeding 40 cm, being the majority (90%) in the first 25 cm.
The stem is constituted by a short conical shaft called "crown" in which numerous leaf flakes are observed.
The leaves appear rosette and inserted into the crown. There are long petioles provided with two red stipules. Its limbo is divided into three leaflets pedicle of serrated edges, they have a large number of stomata (300-400 / mm2), so they can lose a lot of water through transpiration.
The inflorescences can develop from a terminal bud of the crown, or axillary buds of the leaves. The inflorescence branching can be basal or distal. In the first case several flowers appear, while the second is a primary terminal flower or other secondary and smaller. The flower has 5-6 petals, 20-35 stamens and pistils several hundred on a fleshy receptacle. Each fertilized egg results in a fruit of achene type. The development of achenes, distributed over the surface of fleshy receptacle, stimulates growth and coloration thereof, giving rise to strawberry "fruit" .
Hydroponic STRAWBERRIES
Hydroponic cultivation of strawberries can be done in many ways and with different techniques:
floating root
Substrate
Vertical sleeves
In horizontal channels
Air culture system that allows easy cultivation without touching the ground strawberries what lead to decompose. (Taken from Wikipedia)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system in the cultivation of strawberries?
floating root: Improves oxygenation of the roots can grow plants faster, but it is expensive, strawberry plants do not adapt well to this system and there may be crop losses
Substrate: It is the best system because it allows better support for plants and their roots, have the disadvantage that the oxygenation of the roots is lower than the floating root system but allows kept longer contact the roots with nutrients and allows savings systems required for its implementation can be done with inexpensive materials.
In vertical sleeves: Allows the cultivation of many plants in small spaces. It has the disadvantage of not allowing a uniform water distribution, nutrients consume plants up first and below them reach a solution of lower quality, plants tend to sink into the bags when the soil is compacted and irrigation it's more complicated.
In horizontal channels: It is the best system that has been used, allows uniform irrigation allows plants to grow in the natural direction is upward, can expose evenly sun and nutrients. The disadvantage is that it requires more space for implementation.
What substrates are suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics?
Historically substrates used in hydroponics are:
Substrates of organic origin
- Rice Husks
- Sawdust or shredded wood chip yellow. When waste (sawdust) of woods are used, it is preferable than pine woods or red, because they contain substances that may affect the roots of plants. If it is only possible to get material from these woods, washed with water to sawdust or wood chips and allowed to ferment for some time before use. It should not be used in amount greater than 20 percent of the total mixture. If rice husk is used, it is necessary to wash it, let it ferment well, moisten before sowing or transplanting for 10 to 20 days depending on the climate of the region (less days for warmer climates). Features, and advantages physicochemical properties of rice husks are described in Annex IV manual hydroponics.
Substrates of inorganic origin
- Slag from burned coal
- Slag or tuffs
- Sands of rivers or streams that do not have clean high salt content
- Fine gravel
When coal slag, volcanic tufa or river sand are used, these materials should be washed four or five times in large containers, to remove all those small particles that float. The substrate is now ready to be used when the wash water comes out clear. If the substrate amounts needed are very large then use meshes during washing, to retain particles larger than half a millimeter in size. They should also be excluded having sizes greater than 7 mm. indicated excess particles with sizes below the minimum impede drainage of surplus water and, therefore, limit the aeration of the roots. Larger sizes prevent germination of small seeds, such as celery and lettuce, and also remaining seeds consistency to the substrate. This limits the moisture retention and the correct formation of bulbs, roots and tubers.
In the cultivation of strawberries, the substrate has better results is the 60:40 mixture of rice husk and coal slag.
To the mixture are added chemicals before planting increase their nutrient value even before the first irrigation. These elements are:
Potassium sulfate
Urea
Triple superphosphate
These elements ensure better quality of planting.
You can also recycle previously used substrates. the only thing is you have to take into account that diseases can be transmitted from one crop to another. To avoid this, it is suggested to steam sterilize.
What are the nutrient solutions you should use?
The nutritional formula that has given best results is as follows expressed in ppm (material taken from Dr. Felipe Calderon Saenz National University, Colombia):
First watering:
P 45
Fe 5
Cu 0.1
Zn 0.2
B 1.0
Second irrigation:
N 50
P 28
K 220
60 mg
S 130
Third irrigation:
N 60
Ca 160
Fourth and fifth irrigation:
N 50
P 28
K 220
60 mg
S 130
Sixth watering:
N 60
Ca 160
Seventh watering:
P 45
Fe 5
Cu 0.1
Zn 0.2
B 1.0
Watering can be done manually or with automated irrigation systems that are more expensive.
It is desirable that the slope is at least 1% and not more than 3% to ensure that the nutrient is distributed evenly but not stagnate.
How deep should I plant the seeds?
Strawberry seeds should be planted 15 cm maximum depth in containers having much direct light.
How long does it take to be harvested strawberries from planting time?
90 days on average is the time it takes the strawberry plants since they are sown in the harvest have strawberries ready for picking.
How far should plant the strawberry plants once they have already left the nursery and go to transplant to the horizontal sleeves?
The ideal distance for growing hydroponic strawberries is 25 cm between plants.
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