Why grow strawberries hydroponically in the greenhouse?

Strawberry Cultivation in Greenhouses Using Hydroponic Systems

The strawberry, also known as red strawberry, is a perennial plant from the Fragaria genus belonging to the Rosaceae family. Strawberries are among the main plants grown using hydroponics. The need for crop rotation has led to the exploration of new cultivation methods to meet their needs.

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How to Grow Strawberries

One of the best methods for growing strawberries is hydroponics in a greenhouse. The hydroponic system by JH Hydroponic Systems provides a controlled environment to reduce the development of pests and plant diseases. It allows better control over the nutrients the plant needs, optimizing resources and generating significant savings. This drainage collection system results in fresher, higher-quality, and more abundant fruits in less time.

Hydroponic cultivation in greenhouses also allows for earlier peak production dates compared to traditional methods. Moreover, it enables higher production per square meter by increasing planting density.

Strawberry Growing Systems

Using hydroponic systems for strawberries optimizes resources significantly. This method reduces soil contamination, allows drain recirculation, yields higher quantity and quality crops, and enables cultivation almost anywhere. It also improves working conditions by reducing harvesting costs by at least 50%, resulting in higher yields and profitability.

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How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically

Introduction About Strawberry Plant

Hydroponically cultivated strawberry plants yield well, producing an abundance of fruits. In many climates, the heated environment of a greenhouse allows for year-round or out-of-season production. Strawberry growers use greenhouses to extend the cropping season, produce out-of-season fruit for higher returns, or avoid issues faced by soil-based systems.

Strawberries can be produced as an annual or long-term crop, making them ideal for hydroponics. Many growers prefer annual cropping systems because they yield the best quality fruit in the first season, with crops typically grown for 5 to 10 months before being replaced.

Commercially, there are two main groups of strawberry plants:

• Day Neutral Plants
• Short Day Plants

Day-neutral plants flower and fruit when temperatures are high enough, regardless of day length. Short-day varieties initiate flowering with short day lengths (less than 12 hours) or cool conditions. Planting stock can be refrigerated to provide the chilling period required for flowering.

Strawberry Propagation

Strawberries are propagated vegetatively from runners formed on mature plants towards the end of the growing season. Runners from field-grown crops are harvested in autumn or winter and stored bare-rooted before being used for new crops. After washing and fungicide application, these runners can serve as planting stock for hydroponic crops, although there's a risk of root rot diseases.

Tip cuttings of strawberry runners raised in soilless growing medium are preferable as they have not been in contact with soil. Runner plants or tip cuttings used for crop establishment can be stored under refrigeration, providing the chilling period required for flowering.

Commercial growers prefer larger grade plug cell transplants as they ensure a fully developed new root system before transfer to the hydroponic system, supporting new growth and early fruit development.

Production Systems for Strawberries

Hydroponic strawberries are grown using various soilless systems, including NFT, but substrate culture dominates commercial production. Substrates support the plant at the correct depth and control root-zone moisture levels. Common substrates include rockwool, coco fiber, peat, perlite, pumice, bark, LECA, untreated sawdust, rice hull, and organic mixes.

Strawberry plants are prone to infection by root and crown rot pathogens during early establishment, making irrigation control vital. Systems include standard single-plane cropping, hanging gutters, vertical or stacked pots, columns, or staggered systems designed to maximize greenhouse space by increasing plant density.

In vertical systems, plants on lower levels may be heavily shaded, suiting high-light areas or supplemental lighting situations. Single-level or staggered-level troughs filled with substrate or growing medium like rockwool or coconut fiber are used to optimize light absorption.

Plant Density, Pruning, Pollination, and Fruit Growth

Plant Density

Plant density depends on the production system and environmental conditions. Low light levels can affect yields and berry quality, while high levels can stress plants. In single-level or staggered systems, densities of 12 to 24 plants/m² are typical, depending on the cultivar.

Pruning

Strawberries require minimal pruning. Removing lower, older leaves improves airflow around the plant, aiding humidity control and preventing fruit and crop rot diseases.

Pollination

Flowers on strawberry plants need pollination assistance for high-quality berry production. In greenhouses, pollen drops onto the receptacle during flowering, aided by insects, wind, or plant movement. Large air blowers can assist by directing air over the flowers.

Commercial farmers may use portable beehives for pollination, while smaller growers can brush over plants. Daily pollination is necessary for better pollen transfer, as insufficient pollination results in misshapen and undersized fruit.

Production Environment for Strawberries

Strawberries require high light for good yields and quality fruit. The optimal DLI is around 29.3 mol/m²/day at 25°C during the vegetative stage. Greenhouse temperatures of 16-25°C are suitable, but higher temperatures above 30°C can severely impact growth and fruit quality.

High temperatures can cause a loss in flavor, softness, and rapid ripening. Chilling the root zone to 10°C can manipulate growth and fruit development under warm conditions. CO₂ enrichment to 700-900 ppm can increase yields and shorten harvest time.

Strawberry Crop Nutrition

Strawberries need high potassium levels during fruiting for good quality. In the early vegetative stage, an N:K ratio of 1:1 is used, increasing potassium gradually as fruit load increases. Typically, N:K ratios range from 1:1.7 to 1:2.0 during fruiting.

Iron deficiency can occur under low temperatures due to reduced uptake. EC levels vary based on conditions, growth stage, and production system. Generally, an EC of 1.6 mS/cm during harvest is needed to maintain fruit quality. Higher EC levels are used in winter low-light and lower levels in summer high-light conditions.

Strawberry Pests, Diseases, and Disorders

Common pests include greenhouse whitefly, tobacco whitefly, greenhouse thrips, two-spotted mite, aphids, and caterpillar larvae. Mites can be particularly damaging under warm conditions, requiring early control.

Diseases often stem from poor environmental control, especially over-irrigation and high humidity, leading to root and crown rot pathogens. Choosing resistant cultivars helps manage diseases. Fruit rots can occur with damp substrates or high humidity, while malformed berries may result from poor pollination or temperature extremes.

Overly soft fruit can be caused by high temperatures, poor nutrition, or low EC levels. Potassium deficiencies during fruiting often lead to soft fruit ill-suited for storage.

Harvesting

Strawberries need daily harvesting at three-quarters ripe to maximize shelf life. Fully ripened fruit on the plant has better flavor and sugar levels. Harvesting should occur in the morning while temperatures are cool. Berries need rapid cooling to below 5°C to prolong shelf life and quality.

References

1. A Practical Guide: "Hydroponics and Protected Cultivation" by Lynette Morgan
2. Strawberry Plants
3. Day Neutral Strawberries
4. T. vaporariorum
5. B. tabaci
6. Greenhouse Thrips
7. Two-spotted Mite
8. Strawberry Aphids Management
9. Strawberry Leafrollers

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