Tips for Growing Strawberries in Hanging Pots and Containers

Heart shaped, red, luscious strawberries have been relished by people for centuries. This fruit is not only delicious, but also nutritious and contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, anti-oxidants, manganese, as well as potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. Further, it is also known to clear the harmful toxins in the blood. Another interesting fact about strawberries is that, you do not need a garden to grow them. Instead you can grow strawberries in hanging pots and containers placed on your windowsill. You can also change their location as per your will and wish. Strawberries can grow well indoors and require just 6 - 8 hours of sunlight a day. Artificial sunlight will also do if natural sunlight is not available. Thus, you can grow your favorite fruit in your house itself. However, for this you will have to follow certain steps.

Choosing the Right Type of Plant

To get the best quality of fruit, you will have to choose the right type of strawberry plant. Strawberry plants are classified into 3 categories: June bearing, day neutral or everbearing. June bearing variety bears fruit for a 2 - 3 week period in June, and the fruit produced is larger than the other two categories. The day neutral type produces fruit all year round, while the everbearing type produces fruit thrice a year; spring, summer and fall. For growing strawberries indoors, the day neutral and everbearing varieties are best suited, since they produce very few runners. You can choose red alpine strawberries which come under the everbearing type, as they can grow comfortably in shady places. The day neutral variety requires cool temperatures and do not grow in hot surroundings. So depending upon the climate where you live, you can choose the appropriate type of plant. The best way to make sure that you have picked the right type of plant is by consulting a local greenhouse or nursery.

Choosing the Right Containers

After deciding on the type of strawberry plant you want to grow, you must choose the container in which you want to grow them. You can either buy hanging baskets, multi-plant containers, strawberry pots, etc, from online sellers, or use tubs, pots, barrels, window boxes, cans, etc, to grow the strawberries. Though ceramic strawberry pots are the most preferred, they are quite expensive. If you choose hanging baskets, make sure they are 12 inches wide. If you decide to go in for containers, make sure that they are 8 - 10 inches deep. Whatever you choose, make sure the container has holes at the bottom, so as to ensure proper drainage. Strawberry plants should not be allowed to stand in stagnant and collected water. Also, remember to cover the bottom of the container with a fiber glass window screen, so that the soil doesn't get washed away along with the water.

Appropriate Time to Plant Strawberries

The most appropriate time to plant strawberries depends on the climate of the region in question. Regions where the climate is warm, planting can be carried out during fall. Whereas, in regions with cold winters, planting can be carried out in early spring. However, if you plan to keep your plants indoors, you can plant them any time during the year.

Soil

Strawberry plants require well-drained soil to thrive on. Before planting them, you should add fertilizer to the soil, with the pH of the soil within the range of 5.3 - 6.5 for ideal results. The soil must be fertilized once a month. However, once the plant begins to flower, it is better to fertilize the soil every 10 weeks, until the fruits are harvested. Tomato feed serves as a good fertilizer since it is rich in potassium.

Things to Remember while Planting

• Before planting the strawberry plant into the soil, make sure that all the old leaves, flowers and runners are discarded.
• Also, trim the roots to about 4 - 5 inches in length, and place them in water for an hour before they are planted into the soil.
• While planting them, make sure that the crown of the plant is even with the soil and see to it that soil doesn't cover the crown, as the crown is the part where the leaves begin to grow.
• It is preferable to plant only one plant in a single container.
• The objective during the first 6 - 7 weeks is not fruit production but vegetative growth instead. Hence, remove all the buds from the plant. This will enable the plant to grow healthy and strong, and will ensure a good fruit yield in the future.
• Water thoroughly and make sure no water collection occurs.
• The plants will require a minimum of 6 - 8 hours of sunlight, so make sure that they are placed at such places where adequate sunlight is available.
• In case of hanging baskets, makes sure you rotate the plant during the day so that the entire plant receives equal amount of sunlight.
• Further, if the climate where you are living is very cold, it is advisable to bring the pots indoors during the cold nights.

Watering the Plants

Strawberries consist of 95% water, and if water is inadequately provided to the plant, then tiny, hard strawberries will be formed instead of the large juicy ones. Water the plants regularly by checking the dampness of the soil. If the soil feels dry, then water it and make sure the soil never dries out. However, do not over water the plant and do not let any water collect in the pot as this is harmful. Usually, you will have to water the plant every alternate day.

Protection from Pests

It is advisable to place the strawberry plants above ground level. Strawberry plants are prone to invasion by slugs, birds, snails, red spider mites, aphids and thrips. By using hanging pots to grow your strawberry plants, you can avoid the slug problem and nets can be used to keep the birds away. Various insecticides and sprays are available to cater to the mite and snail problems. Certain fungal problems can also be encountered. White powder on the leaves and stem indicate that the plant has been infected with powdery mildew. In such cases fungicides have to be used.

Harvesting the Fruit

The time to pick your strawberries is when the green has disappeared and the fruit turns bright red. However, the exact shade of red indicating the fruit's ripeness varies from type to type. Since strawberries grow in bunches, special care should be taken while harvesting. The ripe fruit must be carefully detached without causing any harm to the other unripe fruit. It is advised to pick the fruit during dry weather. The fruit must be detached in such a manner that the calyx of the plant remains attached to the fruit after separation.

Strawberry plants yield the best of their produce in the second year. Hence, the fruit produced in the second year are sweeter and of higher quality. The quality of the fruit deteriorates from the second year onwards, thus you can replace your plants every two years with new ones. Strawberries can be stored for about two days in the refrigerator, but for longer storage it is best to freeze them.

Growing strawberries can be real fun and satisfying. The fruit can be enjoyed fresh or even added to salads, ice creams, tarts, pies, puddings and can be even converted into preserves. An interesting fact about strawberries is that they are good for teeth whitening. So while treating your palate you are also getting your teeth whitened. Isn't that cool!