Do you want to grow your own strawberries? Are you environmentally conscious?
Would you like the best crop possible? Then consider growing your strawberries hydroponically.
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How to grow strawberries hydroponically
To starts growing strawberries hydroponically choose an area that has a steady temperature and lots of light. Fill reservoirs with a nutrient-mixed water solution. Position the setup so that the roots can reach the nutrient solution. Then, plant the strawberries.
How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically
There are different methods you can use to grow strawberries hydroponically.
There are certain basics you will need, though, that will be relevant to any of the methods.
Basically, you will need to grow the strawberries in a growing medium in a container that is placed in such a way that the nutrient solution can be picked up by the growth medium and the plant’s roots will then absorb the relevant nutrients.
Equipment
To grow plants hydroponically, you will need:
- Containers for the plants. (Either one, long tray, or individual mesh pots.)
- A substrate/medium for planting.
- A reservoir for the nutrient solution. (Either one, large dish, or individual containers.)
- A nutrient solution.
Site
Strawberries can be grown hydroponically either outside, or inside, but they do prefer a warm, preferably steady, temperature.
They also need lots of light. If you are growing them indoors, you may need to think about using artificial lights.
It’s also possible to grow your strawberries in a greenhouse or tunnel.
Process
When you are setting up the hydroponic system, think about it as preparing layers, from the bottom up:
- Choose a container that will act as the reservoir for the water containing the nutrient solution. This should be quite large.
You may also choose to use individual reservoirs for each plant.
- Fill the reservoir with the nutrient solution mixed with water. The package insert will tell you how much of each to use.
- Place the container for each plant above the reservoir. It would be easiest to have a wireframe across the whole container to hold the containers.
Position the frame so that the plants’ roots can reach into the solution.
- Fill each pot about half full of the growing medium.
- Water the growth medium thoroughly, before the solution enters it, or the nutrients will be sucked up before they can be taken up by the plants.
Note that too much water in the growing medium can suffocate the roots of the plant.
- Plant each strawberry plant in its pot, making sure that the roots are protruding through the bottom.
- Put the individual pots on the frame and place the whole frame over the reservoir. The plants’ roots can hang into the water solution.
- You can also keep the actual roots out of the nutrient solution and use a ‘wick’ to allow the water to travel from the reservoir into the growth medium, where the plant’s roots will absorb the nutrients.
Advantages of Growing Strawberries Hydroponically
A hydroponic growth system takes up less space than growing strawberries conventionally.
The plants are also not exposed to harmful bacteria that are carried in soil and growth is not affected by the quality of the soil.
The quality of the strawberries is usually better when grown hydroponically, because the plant’s energy can go into growing, rather than being fed into the roots searching for nutrients.
With a hydroponic system, it is easier to check that the plants are receiving the correct amount of the most appropriate nutrients.
Disadvantages of Growing Strawberries Hydroponically
The start-up costs for a hydroponic system can be more expensive than for growing strawberries in soil, but it can be more sustainable.
If the hydroponic system is closed, then the nutrient solution is recirculated through the system and this can expose the plants to some bacteria.
What Hydroponic Growth Is
Hydroponics means to grow plants without soil, in a system that uses water and a solution that is enriched with nutrients.
The plants are grown in a substrate, which anchors the roots and keeps the plant sturdily situated in the pot.
How Hydroponics Work
Generally, all plants are grown in soil, which is necessary to supply water and nutrients to the root system. It is actually the process of photosynthesis that feeds the plant.
Hydroponics removes soil from the process of growing strawberries, where water carries the nutrients and oxygen directly to the roots.
Although hydroponics doesn’t use soil, the plants still need something for the roots to anchor themselves in.
This is referred to as the growth medium and can include organic substances, such as peat and coconut coir; inorganic substances, such as lava rocks and expanded clay pebbles; and synthetic substances, such as polyurethane.
Why Choose Hydroponics to Grow Strawberries
Strawberries are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of areas, with the correct climate and soil conditions.
Sometimes the soil may be too acidic, though, or too alkaline; or the clay content may be too high, or it may be too sandy to really support life.
Apart from the soil itself affecting the growth of the strawberries, other factors, like the amount of sun, temperature, and the available space, can affect where and how well fruit can be grown.
Growing fruit hydroponically can remove some less-predictable factors and make the process of growing the strawberries more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically
Can I grow strawberries hydroponically inside, or do I need a greenhouse?
The advantage of a hydroponic growing system means that you can grow the strawberries almost anywhere, as long as the plants are protected, get enough sun and the temperature is mostly stable.
Do I use soil in a hydroponic system?
The basis of a hydroponic system is that there is no soil. You will need a growth solution (such as expanded clay, vermiculite, or coconut coir) in which to grow the plants. This will hold the roots and keep them upright.
Conclusion
If you enjoy eating fresh strawberries and even making strawberry jam, then consider growing your own crop.
You can save some space and worry about the soil condition in your garden by using a hydroponic system to grow the strawberries.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.