Hydroponics for strawberries at home

There are several options for growing strawberries. The most productive are the ways to get berries throughout the year. One of them is the hydroponics method for strawberries. This method allows not only to get a year-round harvest, but also to make it environmentally friendly, while retaining all the beneficial substances of the fruit.

What is the hydroponics method?

The hydroponics method for strawberries involves growing a plant without the traditional substrate – the earth. A variety of artificial environments without the use of soil have been developed for this method.

The method of growing strawberries hydroponically requires abundant and frequent watering with a special solution that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the plant. The hydroponics method allows you to grow strawberries at home effectively, at low financial and physical costs. At the same time, the quality of the berries remains on top.

The principle of the method is to grow strawberries on artificial soils, when the root system of the plant is not in the soil, which contains certain nutrients and minerals to varying degrees, but in highly aerated water, moist air or solid, but at the same time porous, moisture and air-intensive environment. Such environments contribute to the normal respiration of the root system.

Variety choice

One of the most important stages of hydroponics is the choice of a variety for cultivation. As already noted, there is simply a huge number of various varieties and, theoretically, all varieties are suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics. But still, according to the observations of experienced gardeners, there are some species that give better results.

Most suitable for growing strawberries in hydroponics are remontant varieties that have a high yield. These include the following types: Gorekla, Mount Everest, Vola, Fresco, Bagota, Yellow Miracle, Festival, Troubadour, Generous, Zenga Zengana, Olbia. The following Dutch varieties are suitable for growing with this method: Crown, Gigantella Maxima, Elvira.

It is these varieties that are indicated for growing hydroponically. In the case of a well-established system when growing these varieties, you can start experimenting with seeds of other species.

Hydroponic Growing Methods

Strawberries hydroponically at home can be grown in many ways.

The following hydroponics methods for strawberries are considered the most popular and simple:

• drip irrigation system. The method consists in planting seedlings in a certain substrate, followed by supplying a nutrient solution to the root zone of the bushes using droppers. The most common substrate is coconut, peat mixtures or mineral wool. The substrate itself is placed in an opaque film and placed on a pallet. A tray is needed to collect excess nutrient solution. Vertical placement of containers with substrate in bags is allowed. For droppers use a water pump. This unit allows the supply of water and nutrient solution under pressure;

• NFT Nutrient Bed System This setup involves the supply of a nutrient solution that constantly circulates through plastic boxes. The solution enters them through pipes or hoses using water pumps. This method involves planting plants in cups, the bottom of which is slightly raised above the nutrient layer. Over time, when the plant grows up, its roots will sink into the nutrient layer, and it will receive nutrients that are already enriched with oxygen from the liquid;

• water culture method. This method involves growing strawberries in an aquatic environment. A strawberry bush is placed on a floating foam in a nutrient substrate. It is considered not the best option, since problems may arise during cultivation as a result of excessive moisture, and this method also does not make it possible to clearly control the supply of nutrients;

• aeroponics. With this method, the roots of the plant are located not in a solution, but in a mist. A mist generator is used as an aerator. This option allows the plant to better absorb all the nutrients. In this situation, it is not necessary to monitor the pH of the nutrient medium, and it is recommended to use mineral wool as a substrate;

• Ebb and Flow system or intermittent flooding. Works great when you need to grow a lot of bushes. The installation is stationary and therefore must be perfectly tuned;

• Deep Water Culture or deep sea culture. Strawberry bushes in this case have close contact with water. It is considered not the most optimal way to grow strawberries in hydroponics, since there may be problems in the growth of plants.

Above are the most popular ways to grow strawberries hydroponically. But besides this, there are various modifications of this method of strawberry production.

Technology

The technology of growing strawberries hydroponically involves the use of a complex process, which consists of the following steps:

• choice of strawberry variety for growth;
• the use of hydroponics – an artificial substrate;
• preparation of a special nutrient solution, which, according to its characteristics, will be as close as possible to the requirements of strawberries;
• installation of a plant for supplying nutrient solution to plants.

This technology allows you to grow not only seedlings, but also germinate seeds for future seedlings. As an artificial substrate for this method, a specially prepared substrate is used, which can be bought at any specialized store. At the same time, crushed stone, gravel, coconut fiber, vermiculite, expanded clay, etc. can be used for this purpose.

In principle, the method of hydroponics is almost the same as a greenhouse or growing plants in a flower pot, but it is considered more comfortable, convenient and productive. Once you have created all the necessary conditions, you can no longer worry, because then the plants will require only a minimum of attention. Creating the necessary installation is very simple, because all its components are quite light and very easy to install. Also, this installation does not require much space. The hydroponics method allows you to get much better results than with the usual cultivation of strawberries at home. This method is considered more preferable and is suitable even for amateur gardeners.

Growing tips

Regardless of which hydroponic method you choose to grow strawberries, there are certain nuances that can have a significant impact on the overall result.

The following tips will help you get good results from this method:

• it should be remembered that nutrients in no case should get on the plant itself;
• do not use a standing solution for strawberries, otherwise its growth may slow down;
• the capacity of the container must be at least three liters. It is this volume that will be optimal for the effective cultivation of the plant;
• the distance between bushes of medium size should be in the range of 15 to 30 cm. In the case of tall bushes, the distance between them should be as large as possible;
• when choosing a substrate, one should lean towards a harder one, but at the same time its air permeability should be good. The following substrates are suitable for such requirements: coarse river sand, expanded clay, coconut chips or mineral wool. It is these materials that will provide the best air permeability for the root system;
• it is better to make the composition of nutrient solutions after consulting with specialists, only they will help you make the right proportions;
• remember that the proportions for the compositions depend on the time of year and the current stage of strawberry growth;
• when growing bushes with this method, it is necessary to control the temperature in the room. If it falls, the plant may freeze and die. At night, the air temperature in the room should be within 16-18 degrees, and during the day – +25;  
• Illumination is probably the most important parameter. For remontant varieties, daylight hours should be about 18 hours. To achieve this, additional daylight lamps must be used.

As you can see, the hydroponics method of growing strawberries can be used by both experienced gardeners and amateur gardeners. It is quite light and convenient, while allowing you to get berries throughout the year, which is important. Many consider the hydroponics method to be the future of agriculture and strawberry production in particular.

Video “Growing strawberries in hydroponics”

In this video, you can visually familiarize yourself with a similar technology for the production of strawberries.