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Everyone loves to eat strawberries, and those grown by their own hands seem even tastier. For those who want to eat their own grown berries, but do not have a garden plot, there is an alternative option - strawberries on the balcony.
This is not only a delicious berry, it also has a lot of other useful properties. In terms of vitamin composition, strawberries will give odds to overseas fruits. 60 mg per 100 g of vitamin C is more than lemons. Vitamins A and PP, five types of B vitamins, a lot of calcium and other minerals - not all useful substances that are in strawberries.
This amazing berry has bactericidal properties and is able to effectively relieve the skin on the face from acne and inflammation. Anti-sclerotic, diuretic, stabilizing metabolism and pancreas - this is an incomplete list of the therapeutic effect of strawberries. And the low calorie content - only 41 kcal per 100 g of the product makes it indispensable for dietary nutrition. One problem is that many people are allergic to strawberries. But often it does not appear on the berry itself, but on the harmful substances with which it is processed. If you grow strawberries on your own, then there simply cannot be such substances in it.
How to grow strawberries on the balcony? This process cannot be called simple and easy. But if all the conditions are met, it is quite possible to harvest strawberries on the balcony.
Components of the balcony bed
- South facing balcony. Of course, not everyone has it, but you should not give up the idea for this reason. It is not difficult to equip the backlight, the plants will be quite comfortable with it.
- Containers for growing strawberries. There are many options here, ranging from ordinary balcony boxes to a horizontal bed. on hydroponics... Each method has its own characteristics.
The experience gained over time will allow you to increase both the number of plants and the yield that you will receive.
Horizontal containers
The simplest structure is a balcony box, in which flowers are usually grown. To plant strawberries in boxes, you need to keep the distance between plants 25 cm.
At the bottom, as in all other cases, you need to put drainage.
Strawberries on the balcony in PVC pipes are another option for horizontal planting. The pipe is chosen with a diameter of at least 20 cm. You can cut holes in it with a diameter of about 10 cm at a distance of 20 cm. Another option is to make a hole for the entire length of the pipe 10 cm wide. In both cases, the ends of the pipe are supplied with plugs.
Vertical containers
There is more variety here. What gardeners do not use for vertical beds. Plant strawberries in bags made of black or other dark spunbond with holes made in several tiers.
You can sew such bags from black polyethylene or use ready-made ones. Just remember to make drain holes in them. They are hung on walls or ceilings. You can put pots of different diameters on top of one another and build a pyramid out of them.
Strawberries are quite comfortable in such pots.
It is very convenient to use PVC pipes with holes made in them for a vertical bed. Their diameter is the same as for a horizontal bed, but they need to be staggered. The lower part is supplied with a plug; gravel drainage is poured into it to a height of 10 cm.
You can plant strawberries in regular hanging pots, but with a volume of at least 3 liters. Strawberries on the balcony grow well in plastic bottles... Its volume should not be less than 5 liters, the upper part of the bottle should be cut off, and holes should be made in the bottom with a hot nail to drain excess water. It is better to put the drainage on the bottom in a small layer, about 5 cm.
The volume of the bottles may be less, but in this case they are placed horizontally, and a hole for planting is made in the side. Warning! Below you need to make holes for water drainage.
The soil is a very important component. The future harvest will ultimately depend on the composition of the soil. Since strawberries will grow in a small amount of soil, the soil needs to be sufficiently nutritious. It should hold moisture well, be loose and well saturated with air. Soil acidity is an important indicator. Strawberries, unlike most garden crops, are good for slightly acidic soil and grows best in such soil.
Composition of soil for balcony berries
- Chernozem or sod land - 3 parts.
- Sand - 1 part.
- Humus - 1 part.
It is this soil that meets all the requirements for the successful cultivation of delicious berries.
Growing conditions on the balcony
Strawberries are not capricious berries, but they require certain conditions to grow.
Shine
It is very important for strawberries. With insufficient lighting, the harvest can not wait. The bushes will stretch out, their growth will slow down. There is enough light for the plants on the southern balcony. For all the rest, you will have to supplement the strawberries either part of the day, or all day if the balcony faces north. Photoluminescent lamps are best suited for backlighting, but they are not cheap. The budget option is fluorescent or LED lamps.
Top dressing
Growing strawberries in a confined space requires frequent feeding, since strawberries, especially remontant ones, take out a lot of nutrients from the soil. Top dressing can be both root and foliar. The latter can only be applied before flowering begins. It is imperative to feed strawberries with a complex fertilizer with microelements in order to provide plants with adequate nutrition.
It is better to reduce the concentration by half of the recommended rate, but feed it more often - once every ten days. After feeding, watering should follow.
Watering erodes the soil, so it will be useful to add a handful of humus to each plant once a month, evenly distributing it over the surface.
Watering
Growing strawberries on the balcony is impossible without watering, but with excessive moisture, the roots can rot, and the berries can get sick with gray rot. How to determine the need for watering? If the soil is dry to a depth of 0.5 cm, you need to water it.
Pollination
Self-pollinated strawberry varieties on the balcony - Lord, Supreme, their cultivation does not require pollination. In order for the rest of the varieties to yield a harvest, a person will have to work hard. The movement of air pollinates the bushes well, but in strong winds, strawberries feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and pollinate the flowers with a brush.
Mustache removal
The formation of whiskers greatly depletes the plants; there may be no energy left for the formation of peduncles and the growth of berries. Therefore, it is better to remove unnecessary sockets.
You can grow on the balcony and remontant strawberries without mustache.Caring for her is the same as for strawberries, and you can get a considerable harvest. Varieties Baron Solemacher, Rügen, Alexandria will delight you with a large number of sweet and fragrant berries. The small size is compensated by abundant fruiting.
If conditions permit, strawberries can be grown on the balcony all year round. But only neutral day varieties, less demanding on lighting conditions, are suitable for this.
Planting and breeding
Planting strawberries must be done correctly.
- Choose only young plants of the first year of life.
- Plant them either in early spring or late summer.
- When planting, do not bend the roots, it is better to cut them a little.
- Do not bury the center heart in the ground, but also do not leave the roots exposed.
- Do not forget to water the planted plants.
You can propagate strawberries with a mustache and seeds. Seed propagation is a laborious process. Berries from such plants can be obtained only in the second year. It is better to purchase mustache of proven varieties that give the maximum yield in conditions of balcony cultivation.
Strawberry varieties for a balcony garden
Sweetheart
A variety that grows well even indoors. The berries are not very large, only 12 g, but the variety is practically musty.
Tribute
American variety of neutral day. Produces well in protected ground. Sweet berries weigh about 20 g. Fruiting is extended.
Conclusion
It is not so easy to make strawberries bear fruit on the balcony, but if the berries are grown with your own hands, they are both healthier and sweeter than purchased ones.
