Strawberry propagation occurs through seedlings. However, not always the seedlings survive.
This may be due to various factors that need to be known in advance to prevent plant death.
4 reasons for seedling death
1. Wrong choice of soil. Strawberry seedlings require loose, nutritious soil. Heavy soil mixture does not allow the root system to grow fully, there is not enough air in it. But root rot feels great in heavy soil. It is best to buy special soil for seedlings. If you take garden soil, it should be mixed with peat and a loosening agent (perlite / vermiculite) in a ratio of 6:3:2.
2. Lack of light. Strawberry seedlings need bright light to grow. If the seedlings do not receive enough light, they will become weak and vulnerable to diseases and pests.
3. Too much moisture. Strawberries need regular watering to stay healthy and strong. But too much moisture can cause root rot and other fungal diseases to spread.
4. Incorrect use of fertilizers. Fertilizers in inexperienced hands often do more harm than good. Fertilizing on dry soil leads to root burns, excessive amounts of fertilizers provoke the development of diseases. If you are not sure whether the plant needs fertilizers, it is better to wait. A “hungry” seedling will be stronger than an “overfed” one. When transplanted or after fertilizing, it will quickly start growing and make up for lost time, while plants after excessive feeding take a long time to recover, become more vulnerable to diseases and pests (especially with an overdose of nitrogen).
How to protect a seedling from dying
The most common cause of seedling death is disease. Especially among purchased plants. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend soaking seedlings with an open root system in water for half an hour before planting, and then immersing them in a solution of a strong fungicide (e.g., "Maxim" or "Fundazol"). This will kill pathogens that are on the roots. It is also necessary to regularly carry out treatments with biological fungicides (e.g., "Fitosporin") until the plant gets stronger.
When growing home-grown seedlings, it is sufficient to carry out preventive treatments of the soil with biofungicides according to the instructions.
To avoid strawberry seedlings dying, you need to make sure you are using the right soil, providing enough light and water, feeding them with the right fertilizers, and not overwatering them. It is also important to monitor the condition of the seedlings to spot any signs of disease and take action in time.
