Growing Strawberry From Seeds Hydroponically
Growing strawberries from seed hydroponically is a great way to produce sweet, juicy fruits without the hassle of traditional gardening. Hydroponic systems don’t require soil, making them easier to maintain and manage. With the right equipment and a few steps, you can have delicious strawberries growing in no time. In this article, we’ll explain how to grow strawberries from seed hydroponically, including preparing the seeds, setting up the hydroponic system, planting the seeds, caring for the plants, and harvesting the fruits. So let’s get started!
If you are looking to clone your strawberries from runners on already-established plants, please read my guide on how to clone strawberries from runners.
But else let’s move on with Materials needed to Start growing Strawberries from seed
Materials Needed
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Strawberry Seeds | Obtain strawberry seeds for hydroponic cultivation. |
| Bowl / glass | Used for soaking the seeds in warm water. |
| Hydroponic Growing Medium | Sterile medium like growing plugs, Rockwool, or vermiculite for seed planting. |
| Propagation System | System such as an aeroponic cloning machine or humidity dome for germination. |
| Heating Mat (optional) | Optional for maintaining a constant temperature during germination. |
| Nutrient Solution | Hydroponic-specific nutrients, such as Terra Aquatica 3-part solution. |
| pH Adjuster | pH up or down solution to balance nutrient solution pH. |
| Hydroponic System | Choose from various systems like NFT, Tower, or Ebb and Flow for growing. |
| Growing Light | I use Vipar xs2000 but less powerful will also work |
| Scissors or Knife | Used for harvesting strawberries, leaving the stem attached. |
General Growing Info Strawberry
| pH Range | Maintain pH between 5.5 and 6.0. |
| EC Range | 1.0 – 1.4 ds/cm – EC/ppm converter |
| Light Duration | Provide 12-16 hours of light per day. |
| DLI | Aim for a DLI of 20-25 mol/m2/day. |
| Plant Lifespan | Productive for 2-3 years. |
| Days To Harvest | 60-90 days |
| Temperature | Optimal range: 18-24°C (64-75°F). |
| Humidity | Vegetative: 60-70%, Flowering: 40-50%. |
Preparing the Seeds
You’ll want to get started on the right foot, so take the time to prepare your seeds for hydroponic planting properly!
Start by soaking the seeds in a bowl of warm water for 24 hours. This will help to soften the outer shell of the seed and make it easier for the seed to germinate.
After 24 hours, remove the seeds from the water and gently rub them between your fingers to remove any remaining husks. Once the husks are removed, the seeds are ready to be transferred to the propagation system
Preparing the Growing Medium
The next step is to prepare your growing medium. The seeds should be planted in a sterile hydroponic growing medium. I’m gonna use Growing plugs, as they’re easy to use and have plenty of airy space for the roots to form.
other popular growing mediums can be used, such as Rockwool, or vermiculite. You can read more about the different growing mediums here.
Preparing your growing medium by soaking them in room temperature water. If using Growing plugs or Rockwool, gently shake off any excess water after soaking.
The idea is to keep the seeds Moist but not Wet. If the growing medium is too wet, the seeds can start to rot and will not germinate
Planting the Seeds
Once the seeds have been prepared and the medium is ready, it’s time to plant!
Gently place the seed in each plug or cube of growing medium, about 1/4 inch deep. take a small piece from the growing medium and cover the hole.
Now you want to move the planted seeds, to a place where they can germinate. It’s common to do this in a separate system from your intended hydroponic setup such as a humidity dome, as it’s easier to maintain a suitable environment for the seeds and seedlings. This is especially true if you already have mature plants in your hydroponic system.
I’m using an Aeroponic cloning machine, which functions as a Cloner for cuttings and sprout seeds and afterward keeps the seedlings moist.
Once the seeds are planted, you want to maintain the right environmental conditions for them to germinate. The seeds need high humidity and warm temperatures to sprout. A good temperature range is around 25 C (77 F).
If using a Humidity dome, you want to close the vents to maintain high humidity. You can also place the humidity dome on a heating mat to help maintain a constant temperature.
When Seedlings Have Germinated
Once the seeds have germinated, which takes around 7-14 days, you want to open the vents to provide more air. This will help harden off the seedlings and prepare them for transfer to your hydroponic system.
Keep the growing medium moist by misting it with clean water, but avoid over-watering.
When the seeds germinate they will first form two sets of leaves, called the first leaves, on this stage they do not need fertilizer because they have nutrition from the seed.
Once your seedlings have grown a bit and after the first leaves, they will grow a second set of leaves called true leaves. Once the True leaves appear it’s time to add some nutrients.
Add Nutrients to the Seedlings
Now that your Seedlings have formed true leaves it’s time to implement some nutrients so they can grow strong and healthy.
If you haven’t any established plants in your hydroponic system then you can now move the seedlings to your hydroponic system. Just be sure that the roots can reach the Nutrition solution. Else keep the Seedlings in their propagation system and simply add a nutrient solution there.
It’s important to use Nutrients designed for hydroponics growing, Such as Terra Aquatica 3 part solution.
Young plants cannot handle too many nutrients. Giving them a full-strength nutrient solution will result in nutrient burn. Start with a weak solution of 1/4 strength and increase gradually in the following weeks, Or follow the instruction on the hydroponic nutrient’s packaging, where you can see nutrient strength for each growth stage.
also remember to add a pH adjuster, such as pH up or down, to balance the nutrient solution’s pH. The ideal range for most hydroponic plants is between 5.5-6.
I have an article about managing hydroponic nutrients in a hydroponic system that may be of interest to you if you want to learn more.
Setting Up the Hydroponic System
While waiting for the seeds to germinate and grow, you can begin setting up your hydroponic system.
To begin, you’ll need to decide what type of hydroponic system you want to use. There are several options to choose from, including wicking systems, deep water cultures, nutrient film techniques, ebb and flow systems, and aeroponic systems.
Each system has its benefits, so consider the size of your system and the amount of time you’re willing to dedicate to maintenance when making your decision.
I would recommend using an NFT system, a Tower system, or an Ebb and Flow system for Hydroponic Strawberries. These are three of the most suited system for growing Strawberries.
If you are interested in building your own Ebb and flow system, I have made this guide, including videos and step-by-step instructions.
How Much Light do Strawberry Plants Need?
Strawberries are capable of producing fruit under low light conditions, but they may not reach their maximum potential. To ensure that your strawberry plants receive the optimal amount of light for achieving the highest yield, it is advisable to utilize DLI (Daily Light Integral). DLI is a measure of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) emitted by your light source throughout the day.
For strawberry plants, the ideal DLI ranges from approximately 20 to 25 mol/m2/day. By aiming for this target DLI, you can provide the necessary light intensity to promote optimal growth and maximize the yield of your strawberry plants. Above this level, you can start to stress the plant by giving it too much light and cause
If you want to try to measure the DLI of your growing light then there is made an app for phones called Photone, it is not 100% accurate but it gives you a good hint about the DLI.
Monitor the Growth
Caring for your strawberry plants is an important part of the hydroponic growing process – and it’s easy to do! The plants need to be monitored closely to ensure they are receiving the right amount of nutrients and water.
The nutrient solution should be checked every couple of days and replaced as needed. The pH of the solution should also be monitored to ensure it stays within the optimal range for strawberry growth.
To further ensure healthy growth, you should remove any dead or damaged leaves from the plants.
Harvesting the Fruits
After about 60-90 days of vegetative growth, your strawberry plants will begin to flower and fruit. The fruits should be harvested when they are bright red and at their peak of ripeness.
It’s important to harvest the fruits regularly, as leaving them on the plant for too long can cause them to rot or become over-ripe. In order for the plant
The best signs that the fruits are ripe for picking are that they should have a noticeable strawberry cent, and feel soft but not mushy and with no mold.
When harvesting, be sure to use scissors or a knife to cut the fruit and leave the stem attached. This will help the plant to produce more fruit and will also help to protect the strawberry from disease.
Conclusion
Growing strawberries hydroponically can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, as long as you follow the guidelines mentioned in this article.
Having the right setup, maintaining a healthy environment for your plants, and harvesting fruits at their peak are all important tasks when growing strawberries hydroponically. With a little bit of patience and attention to detail, you can have delicious strawberries of your own! Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light do strawberry plants need to produce fruit?
Strawberry plants need ample light to produce fruit. The amount of light needed depends on the type of plant, as some varieties require more light than others in order to be successful. For most varieties, they will need to receive at least 12 – 16 hours of light a day.
Are there any pests or diseases I need to be aware of when growing strawberries hydroponically?
When growing strawberries hydroponically, there are some pests and diseases that gardeners need to be aware of. Common strawberry pests include aphids and spider mites, which can cause serious damage to the plant. Diseases such as crown rot, leaf spot, and powdery mildew can also be an issue, so it’s important to regularly inspect the plants for signs of damage. Additionally, be sure to use clean growing media and containers to prevent the spread of disease. you can read more about Pests in hydroponic system and how to remove it
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