Strawberry Plant Care

The bright red colored aromatic strawberry belongs to the genus Fragaria, of the Rosaceae family. The strawberry is a cool weather fruit, which is cultivated worldwide in permissible climates. Strawberries were an important fruit served during the ancient times, no Roman or Greek festival was complete without a table laid with this luscious red berry. Growing strawberries in your home gardens is now very easy with all the relevant information available. Before I get down to telling you how you can ensure a good harvest, a word about strawberry plant's growing patterns.

Strawberry plants are unique in their propagation as well as survival methods. The plant's crown is perennial, and the roots are annual. These plants are stoloniferous, they grow with the help of their stolons or runners. The runners emerge from the crown and move downwards in the soil to sprout roots. In this way the plant loses its old roots to give way to new ones, while also staying perennial. The strawberry plant bears small trifoliate leaves, and white colored flowers which turn into fruits. How healthy and large your fruit will be, depends a lot on the soil and climatic conditions.

Caring for Strawberry Plants

The strawberry we see today is a far cry from what was found in the ancient times. The wild strawberry was inedible, or often very small and tasteless, and mostly used for the medicinal purposes. As time passed, strawberry plants were developed to what we see today. The size, color, flavor, and resistance to pest and diseases depends upon the cultivar planted.

Soil and Location
Strawberries should be planted in soil that's well draining, yet capable of ensuring enough moisture to the roots. They do not tolerate both; drought or stagnant water. A pH level of 5.0 to 6.5 is considered best for their growth. They respond very well to periodic use of organic compost, especially during their flowering and fruiting seasons. For healthy fruits, a sunny not extremely hot location is needed. Too much shade on the other hand will only induce vegetative growth, inhibiting fruit yield. Shade also increases the levels of moisture which can encourage fungus and rot in roots. Strawberry beds should not be close to tomatoes, peppers and potatoes beds, as they will compete for soil nutrients.

Plant Selection
There are many strawberry cultivars one can choose from, each offering a different size and flavor. However, a few considerations must be kept in mind while choosing your plant. Select varieties that are closest to your local environment adaptability. If you plan to get in a exotic cultivar, make sure you study its growth requirements well. Select plants that are pest and disease resistance, healthy looking and full of young sprouts. The best time to hit plant nurseries for strawberries would be either in autumn or spring.

Planting and Watering
One can plant the strawberry in hanging pots and containers (to give it an ornamental look), or in beds. The bed should be well tilled, and the soil loosened to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, with a thick layer of compost. Plant them in rows that have been spaced 4 feet apart. It is generally recommended to soak the roots in water for about an hour before planting. Plant the plants about 20 inches apart in the rows in the ground deep enough to cover the roots. If you already have a plant that has sprouted runners, then simply stretch the runner away from parent plant, and plant it either in a hole in ground or in pot. In a month's time, the daughter plant will be strong enough to survive on its own, so sever the connection with the mother plant. Water plants adequately and as per requirement, more during dry spells, and negligible amounts during winters.

Fertilizing and Pest Control
Use a well-balanced fertilizer designed specifically for strawberries. Fertilize with a 10-10-10 (N-P-K) fertilizer before planting and after the fruit harvest. Never fertilize excessively, as it will reduce the fruit yield, and make your plants more susceptible to disease. Strawberries are susceptible to viruses usually caused by too much water. Make sure you water the plant only in the morning, this will dry the leaves out during the day. Most bugs can be controlled with a germicide spray. The fruit should not touch the ground, as it could get damaged and spread infection to the plant. Mites and aphids, and gray mold and powdery mildew are some of the diseases and pests that could inflict damage upon your plant.

Prune the plant only to remove dead heads, and infected stems and fruits. Mulch to ensure weed free soil around the plant. Plant care also includes winter care for strawberries, to ensure that your plant survives the winter. Although a perennial, they need to be replaced with new runners every couple of years to ensure a steady flow of yield, year after year.