Strawberries are considered to be capricious plants, but they are invariably very popular with summer residents. In our climate, there is no opportunity to grow tropical fruits, so you do not want to neglect the opportunity to get a sweet, aromatic berry at your own dacha. Do not be afraid of difficulties in agricultural technology of this culture. It is enough to get the right information, make a little effort and you can count on a rich harvest of strawberries grown by your own hands.
Do I need to cut the leaves and whiskers in strawberries?
The leaves begin to grow rapidly in early spring, when the soil is well moistened with melt water and seasoned with fertilizer. It is great when the plant is strong, but it is not worthwhile to allow excessive growth of the vegetative mass.
Roots primarily provide nutrition to the leaves, and the formation and growth of the fruits of the force of strawberries does not remain. In addition, foliage contains a large percentage of moisture, and a moist environment predisposes to the development of a fungus, and the risk of morbidity increases accordingly. To thin out the berry is required before flowering.
Disputes of supporters and opponents of strawberry bush pruning are still not abating. Each party articulates its arguments for or against the procedure. Here are some of the arguments that experienced gardeners have in favor of a berry hairstyle:
- Experts recommend summer cutting of strawberry leaves and whiskers so that the bushes are not too thick. Without a haircut, the plants grow strongly to the detriment of fruiting, start to suffer from fungal diseases and are affected by pests. Berries on uncircumcised strawberries are small and tasteless.
- Pruning in the fall stimulates the growth of the root system, the plant no longer needs to spend nutrients on the aboveground part due to the fact that it is absent.
- Insects often hide in the leaves of the plants, unless the strawberries are pruned in the autumn, with the arrival of spring the pests are activated and cause significant damage to the plantations. To deal with them in this case will be more difficult. It is better to remove the larvae and the insects themselves, together with the foliage on the eve of wintering, then next year it will be possible to get along with preventive treatments.
As for trimming strawberries before hibernation, she has her opponents. In support of their correctness, they set forth the following assumptions:
- In late summer and early autumn, the vegetative and generative buds begin to be tied up on the berry, which are responsible for the next harvest. They can be damaged by inaccurate pruning. Rarely what gardener carefully examines each bush before proceeding with his haircut, so it's best not to risk it.
- There is an opinion that the cardinal haircut causes stress in strawberries and as a result fruiting is postponed in the next season. To check this statement, you can cut one bed with berries, but not the other, and compare the result in terms of fruiting. Consider also that the difference in the timing of flowering and the formation of ovaries may be due to varietal characteristics.
- The leaves are the respiratory organ of the plant. Thanks to photosynthesis, metabolic processes and the supply of oxygen to all tissues occur. Consequently, after removing the leaves, the roots do not receive enough oxygen, the plant weakens and overwinter worse.
We should not forget about other important activities for the care of strawberries. After all, they no less affect the health of the crop and its yield.
And the berry care requires not only before the harvest, but also after. The site should be weeded from weeds, continue to watering and loosening, give top dressing with the exception of nitrogen fertilizers. In the summer, it is preferable to choose organic (ash or mullein).
When to trim strawberry bushes in which month
Whiskers on strawberry bushes grow throughout the season. They appear before fruiting and continue to form during the appearance of berries and after harvest. If you do not plan to use the antennae for seedlings, they are pruned immediately after appearance.
As for the leaves, some of them are removed before the start of fruiting, thinning out the bushes so that strawberries have enough food for the ovaries. After harvesting, individual damaged or drying leaves are removed on the berry. Plants that have undergone cleaning will more readily form the reproductive organs and flower stalks of the next year, which will contribute to obtaining a bountiful harvest.
The remaining green mass is removed in preparation for the winter, which occurs before the most frost. In the process of autumn pruning the leaves are removed from the bushes, only the stalks are left for wintering. Place slices must be treated with a solution of any fungicide. Each region has its own time for pruning strawberries, taking into account the climate.
How to cut strawberries in the fall
Features pruning strawberry bushes, it is important to consider not to harm the plants. Experts recommend to adhere to the following rules:
- You can not carry out the procedure with the active sun, so it is better to start pruning in the morning or in the evening in dry weather.
- Shoots are not recommended to be torn off. Despite the seeming fragility, they hold very tightly on the bush and, pulling them, can damage the root system of the queen tree.
- The cut is not made at the very point of growth, but leaving hemp 7–10 cm high.
All manipulations should be carried out with a sharp pruner or scissors. Pre-tool is disinfected with any suitable means (chlorhexidine solution, alcohol, vodka, potassium permanganate).
In the fall, the uncultivated strawberry plantation is a sad sight. Under the bushes clusters of dried and fallen leaves, brown or reddish spots appear on the living leaves, which is a symptom of various diseases. Many gardeners when looking at such a picture want to quickly cut off all the sockets at the root, but do not rush into it.
If you deprive the bushes of the entire above-ground part, the culture will weaken greatly in the spring, and may even die. Due to the nutrient reserve in the leaves of the plant receives nutrients in the winter months, which has a positive effect on winter hardiness. In addition, the foliage provides additional protection against frost to the kidneys and keeps snow on itself.
Therefore, only need to cut off the drying and sick leaves that have symptoms in the form of spotting or rot. Old flower stalks are also removed. On the bushes should be only green young leaves. Plant residues must be removed from the bed and burned.
Whiskers are removed simultaneously with the autumn pruning of strawberry leaves. Doing this with the same goal, that in spring and summer - to prevent the weakening of the bushes. If you have planned reproduction of strawberries in the fall, it makes sense to select several plant bushes on which planting material will be formed. Such bushes are not allowed to bloom and tie berries in the current season, all their forces must go to the formation of whiskers and rosettes.
Keep on such bushes should only be the first-order sockets, which are the most viable. Weak antennae, as well as sockets of the second and third order are removed, so as not to take away the nutrients. Rooted young plants, not separated from the parent bush, pinned them to the soil. After the appearance of 3 leaves young bushes can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Cut unnecessary mustache as close as possible to the ground, then gently pull the whip. In this way, it will be possible to pull out the entire network of unnecessary outlets. If they manage to take root, they are hooked to the bottom with a landing chopper and pulled out of the ground.
Is it necessary to prune the strawberries
The repair strawberry requires even more delicate care, as compared with the usual varieties, as it has its own agrotechnical features. This berry fruits up to October, giving several harvests a year. So much intensive fruiting drains bushes so they need a particularly fertile soil. Young plants may die of excessive load in the year of planting, which discourages gardeners from choosing a repair variety.
In those bushes that are planted in the current year, at the end of the summer, it is necessary to start removing flower stalks, preventing them from developing. Before the onset of frost, the berries will not have time to ripen anyway, the plant will only waste its strength. But it is recommended to cut the foliage with the advent of sub-zero temperatures. Pre-you can mulch the roots of strawberries with rotted leaves. After the aerial part is cut, the berryberry is covered with spruce leaves, dry foliage or pre-cut grass.
Strawberry care after pruning
At any time of the year, the bushes after pruning become especially vulnerable. After the procedure, the plantation must be treated with Fitosporin or 1% Bordeaux mixture. A solution based on a mixture of copper oxychloride and liquid soap (15 g of this and another substance per 10 liters of water) can be used for spraying. From folk remedies gardeners often use wood ash, sprinkling it with strawberry beds.
If autumn is rainy, watering is not carried out.
The need for shelter for the winter is determined, taking into account the following factors:
- winter hardiness varieties
- climatic conditions of the region,
- terms and density of landing,
- device beds,
- soil texture.
Weak indicators of winter hardiness show Italian and French varieties, the English have an average resistance to frost. The Dutch varieties are well tolerated by the cold. Shelter will definitely require strawberries planted in the northern regions, in the middle lane it is not necessary to do this - the snow will take on the function of the shelter.
Winter hardiness is reduced in those plants that were planted in the fall, they also need to be covered. With a dense planting, the berries are more likely to survive until spring intact than in rarely planted bushes. Strawberries more easily tolerate wintering on sandy soils and chernozem, planted in clay or poor sandy soil, the berry is more susceptible to freezing.
Shelter requires berry, planted on raised beds, as the snow in this case does not hold, easily blown away by the wind. It is best to winter plants on the "warm" ridges with borders. Covering strawberries with sprouts, sawdust, raspberry stalks, vegetable tops, dense agrofibre. To make shelter for the winter you need when the soil freezes to -4-5 degrees.
Whatever pruning you choose, the plant definitely needs it. This is one of the methods of the formation of culture, without which it is impossible to do. If you are afraid of damaging the kidneys or cutting off the excess, remove at least the oldest and most painful leaves, they are easy to recognize by their depression and the appearance of stains. Tidy up on the bed, treat it from pests. In this case, you can be sure that the crop will successfully overwinter.
What are strawberry mustache for?
For garden strawberries, which are often called strawberries, reproduction is characterized by whiskers. Immediately after the start of flowering, some varieties produce long shoots with 3-5 rosettes, which then take root and grow new bushes. And if you do not want to get planting material to further expand your strawberry plantation, all mustaches need to be cut.
How to trim a mustache in a strawberry
The bush gives a lot of nutrients to the formation of the whiskers; therefore, during the ripening of the berries, they need to be cut. It is difficult every day to monitor the emergence of new shoots, because in the garden and the garden is full of other work. Therefore, it is better to wait for the mass appearance of a mustache and remove everything at once. But this must be done correctly. First, the mustache can not be cut off, you should only trim. Secondly, be sure to leave a little escape, do not remove too short. Third, prune early in the morning or in the evening, but not on a wet day.
Preparing strawberries for the winter
If you do not have time to trim the mustache in the summer, do it in the fall. In order for your strawberry to bear fruit well for the next year, cut the leaves, at the same time remove the whiskers. But do not cut at the very root, it is enough to remove the withering leaves. At the same time carry out treatment against diseases and pests. If your region has a harsh winter, warm the planting with sawdust or pine needles.
Frozen strawberries: how to pick berries
To freeze strawberries, it is important to correctly pick berries. Otherwise, when defrosting, you will get muddy kissel with an unattractive taste and color, rather than whole beautiful and tasty berries. You should not choose to ripen over-ripe strawberries. It should be moderately ripe, dense and firm, not lean and watery.
For harvesting strawberries for the winter should pick berries in hot and always dry weather. It is desirable that a couple of days before harvesting there is no precipitation, then the berries will be more delicious. It is better to prefer small strawberries - it is well frozen.
Frozen strawberries: preparation of berries
There is an opinion that you should not wash strawberries before freezing. Proponents of this idea believe that washed strawberries lose their taste. If you are sure of the purity of the berries - you can freeze them unwashed. So you can do with homemade berries. However, many doctors believe that washing strawberries is an elementary hygiene. It is only important to do this as quickly as possible so that the berries do not get soaked with water.
Wash strawberries in small portions, but do not regret the water. It must be cool. Wash berries gently so as not to damage their delicate skin.
Washed strawberries should be placed in a plastic sieve. In it, water will drain faster from the berries. Do not put the berries in a metal dish: contact with her strawberries can change color - slightly darken.
Let the water drain and gently remove the stalk. If you plan to freeze the whole berries, you should not remove them. Without them, the strawberry will immediately release the juice and lose its shape.
Spread the berries on a paper napkin in a single layer so that they do not touch each other. In this position, they must spend at least an hour. During this time, the berries dry well.
Berry Frost: Cooking
It is best to freeze strawberries in plastic dishes: ice cream trays, disposable containers, you can even use plastic bottles. The latter should be pre-cut.
Strawberries do not tolerate repeated freezing, so it is better to immediately divide it into small portions, which you can accurately master at one time. Frozen dishes should be well washed and dried.
It is permissible to use plastic bags, but cellophane in the cold becomes very fragile and can break during storage.
Frozen whole strawberries
Wrap a plastic bag with a cutting board or a shorter plate. Place the washed and dried berries all over the plane in one layer. Put them in the freezer and leave for a day to grab strawberries.
Remove the berries from the freezer, remove them together with the package so that the strawberries are inside. Put bags of berries in the freezer, now for long-term storage. This method is good because the berries in such portion packets do not stick together and do not spoil their shape.
How to freeze strawberries with sugar
Berries with sugar will give a little juice in the process of freezing, but after defrosting, they will remain the same as before being placed in the freezer - bright and fresh.
Take on 1 kg of strawberries about 300 grams of sugar. It is advisable to turn it into powder using a coffee grinder or blender. Place the prepared berries in a plastic basin and pour each layer of powdered sugar. Put strawberries in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Berries should give juice. After that, transfer them together with the undissolved sugar into the container and pour the juice.
Advantages and disadvantages of autumn strawberry pruning
The purpose of pruning is the removal of all green mass, so that the plant directs forces to grow and strengthen the roots. Pruning strawberries for the winter contributes to:
- development and strengthening of the roots, which get all the nutrients: the roots thicken, they accumulate more vitamins and minerals that are useful for the plant in winter and during fruiting,
- to increase the stability of strawberries to low temperatures: after pruning, it is much easier to tolerate winter frosts,
- the destruction of pests and pathogens that accumulate during the growing season in terrestrial organs.
Opponents of pruning emphasize that this procedure has serious drawbacks:
- together with the ground organs during the autumn pruning, the generative buds, which are laid during this period, are also removed, and this does not contribute to a high yield, since only young buds originating in spring will bear fruit,
- most of the pests from the cut leaves fall to the ground, safely overwinter in it and occupy young strawberry bushes in the spring,
- in the spring, the bush will actively grow green mass, and this will delay the start of fruiting.
As you can see, in order to make or not make a choice in favor of the under-winter pruning, you have to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure.
Pruning strawberry whiskers
During harvest, you will surely find that strawberry bushes form a large number of whiskers. Если вы собираетесь в текущем году заниматься размножением клубники, то некоторое количество усов и молодых розеток вам придется оставить, но об этом вы прочтете в другой статье. После завершения плодоношения подрыхлите почву на грядках, освободите их от сорняков и обрежьте усы.
Зачем обрезать усы и листья
Mustache for strawberry is a way of vegetative reproduction, with all its forces the plant strives to continue the existence of its own kind. Strawberries form a mustache on any type of soil and in any growing conditions, and usually, the worse the conditions, the more the mustache is formed.
The first strawberry mustache shoots immediately after the first wave of flowering, they grow a little bit and they grow quite slowly. The most rapid growth of the whiskers begins immediately after the mass ripening of the berries. By the time when almost all the crop is obtained, each bush at least can have 5-7 daughter outlets. Many of them are already with a fairly powerful root system.
The problem is that the plant spends strength on the continuation of the species, the mother bush gives them a lot of nutrients. The distribution of power goes on decreasing - from the mother bush - the first daughter outlets on the whiskers are the strongest, the second ones are smaller. Although, to a certain extent, it depends on the time of germination - the first to the mother bush of the outlet were formed earlier.
The second reason why strawberries should be cut is the thickening of the area. The thicker the plantation, the worse it is blown by the breeze, the longer the very high humidity after rains, the berries are affected by gray rot.
For the same reason, you need to remove old leaves while the bush grows. The leaves are a source of energy and nutrition, and they also give away nutrients for new growth (ripening of horns, ripening year). But gradually they turn yellow, dying foliage becomes covered with fungal spots, whole colonies of spore-bearing fungi gradually develop on them. On old leaves, pathogens overwinter and next spring comes a new wave of their growth.
When to cut leaves from strawberries
Cut the leaves should not be on the calendar, and when the need arises - as they age. They begin to turn yellow with the end of fruiting. But if you pay attention - turn yellow gradually, slowly, for about two weeks. At this time, it is better not to touch the leaves, but continue to feed strawberries and water - the growth of the future growth, the formation of buds, which is invisible to the eye, goes on invisible to the eye.
Then the leaves turn yellow, dry out, become covered with spots and become useless - this is the dying leaves that need to be cut.
Usually, strawberries are pruned at the end of July or early August, not later, because after pruning the plants quickly become overgrown with new young leaves.
The bushes cut at the end of July by the autumn were overgrown with new leaves
There are no strict days and no strawberry pruning takes place - mass yellowing and drying have begun - you can start at any time convenient for you, dry weather is good for the plant on a not hot day (the petioles remaining from pruning should dry out quickly, in wet weather they just start to rot from the place of the cut).
Cut pruning shears or scissors, do not rip out the leaves by hand. Although our grandmothers did this before and some people cut off their whiskers even now, because it is faster, but breaking off hurts the plant to some extent, especially if you have a very light, fluffy earth, and for a year or two, you can tear the leaves off .
In addition, now the mass of a very convenient tool that fits in your hand like your own!
At what height to cut the leaves: the answer is simple - as you like, they usually leave the stalks 5-7 cm from the base of the bush, you do not need to shave the greens clean, otherwise you can cut or tear off the growth point. Briefly mow only the greens of strawberries or strawberries planted by the carpet method - the spit goes easy and does not pull plants from the ground.
Features trimming mustache strawberries for reproduction
Strawberries are multiplied with a mustache, so when it is time to trim the whiskers, they remove the weakest shoots, leaving for propagation shoots from strong and prolific bushes. Consider the rules in more detail:
- Mark the most prolific breeding bushes,
- Do not let them bloom and form the ovary, all power should be directed to the formation of antennae,
- After the formation of shoots, leave the strongest of them, usually the first row of sockets, closest to the mother bush,
- You can leave a few bushes of the second order, the remaining whiskers are removed,
- Selected formed bushes pinned to the ground for rooting, after the formation of three strong leaves are separated from the donor bush.
Aftercare
Strawberry planting is a tasty lunch for various insects; bushes are especially vulnerable after the procedure of trimming foliage and antennae. Prevention is carried out immediately after pruning. In the spring sprayed with the drug "Fitosporin" regardless of the removal of shoots. Well help spraying the following means:
- Chloride copper and liquid soap (15 g each) diluted in 10 liters of water,
- One percent Bordeaux liquid.
Growing strawberries is a process that requires attention and labor. If for any reason removing a mustache is too problematic for you, try growing varieties of dull hybrids: Yellow Miracle, Rügen, Solemacher, Alexandria, Holiday. 
When to trim a mustache in a strawberry
It is believed that pruning is best done in the spring before flowering and in the fall, after picking the last berry. It said the one who never grew strawberries!
Whiskers need to be removed permanently when the need arises. They appear during flowering, not at all before it, but they are still small and grow slowly, no need to disturb the plants and try to find something under the bush. The mustache rosettes grow vigorously when the berries ripen. With favorable weather (warm summer, no strong cold snaps), and a network of whiskers let strawberries, when still picking berries.
That's when you can start to remove them. This year we removed the mustache already in early July - the weather was good, the plants were timely fed, watered, the mulch with straw was perfect for rooting, Victoria let out the mustache, which instantly filled all the aisles.
If you do not need breeding material for breeding, remove the whiskers before they form large rosettes so that the aisles remain free.
How to trim a strawberry mustache
Do not tear off the long lashes, cut off the whiskers with a shear or a sharp knife at a distance of 5-7 cm from the mother bush, and then pull out - if the ground is loose enough (and this should be), so you carefully pull out the entire network.
If the earth is dense, and the whiskers have already given decent sockets, we use a landing chopper (narrow with three teeth). First, we cut off the mustache from the mother plant, then every child outlet that had taken root, we pick it up with a chopper and tear it out of the ground.
