Why Strawberries Form Empty Flowers: 5 Possible Reasons
No gardener is protected from such an unpleasant phenomenon as the formation of empty flowers in strawberries.
Due to barren flowers, the berry harvest can be significantly reduced, notes the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, scientist agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , who listed as many as 5 reasons why this could happen.
1. First of all, it is worth remembering that good strawberry growth is observed only on slightly acidic soils or where the acidity is close to neutral. The optimal pH level for this crop is in the range from 2.3 to 5.6.
Therefore, if you don’t want to lose your harvest, you will have to deacidify the beds – if there is such a need, of course.
2. In addition, do not lose sight of the fact that not always and not all fertilizers can have a positive effect on strawberries. For example, due to an excess of nitrogen, active growth of green mass is observed, which leads to a lack of moisture.
3. If the first 2 points depend on us to some extent, then, unfortunately, we are unable to correct sudden changes in temperature. A strong minus outside not only affects the formation of ovaries, but can also lead to the death of the plant.
4. Ovaries will also not form if strawberries grow in the shade - this crop requires good lighting.
5. Finally, we cannot fail to mention the "contribution" of insect pests, in particular the flower-eating weevil. It is possible to get rid of parasites only by means of treatments.
