The question of pollination of strawberries usually arises when growing this crop indoors. You can use different methods for this.
Types and methods of pollination
There are two types of pollination of plants - natural and artificial. The natural process takes place with the help of wind and pollinating insects.
Did you know? Modern varieties of strawberries are based on pineapple strawberries obtained by crossing Virgin strawberries and Chilean strawberries. The first such crossing was carried out by Michael Kins in 1812 and introduced Keens Seedling, which became the basis for many varieties.
The artificial appearance is divided into the following methods:
- Manual way. It is carried out using a brush, brush or piece of cotton wound on a stick. This method is relevant for small landings, for example, on the balcony or on the windowsill.
- With electrical appliances. For this purpose, devices are used to ventilate the space. This method of artificial pollination is popular for greenhouses.
- Placing a hive with bees or bumblebees. The method is used in large greenhouses or when planting on open ground with an area of more than 1 ha.
What is strawberry pollinated for?
Varieties of this plant culture, which are not self-pollinated, must be pollinated when grown in an enclosed space - a greenhouse, window sill. The procedure is necessary to obtain a crop of these sweet berries. Otherwise, you can be left with nothing.
It is recommended to grow at least two varieties, so that when cross-pollinated, they grow more sweet and in larger quantities. All the same, this crop in the beds is propagated not with seeds, but with a mustache, therefore, such a pollination of strawberries cannot worsen plantings. It is only necessary to remove specimens grown from seeds, and to establish proper reproduction of the mustache from the uterine bushes.
How to pollinate strawberries?
Pollination in protected ground has nuances, while open plantings are pollinated naturally.
In the greenhouse
When growing cultivated plants in greenhouse conditions, insects cannot get inside the structure in order to pollinate the flowers. Pollen-carrying air masses also do not have access. In this regard, the process is carried out by an artificial method. Manual pollination (with a brush) in a greenhouse is impractical, as it can take too much time. The simplest solution, if the outdoor air temperature allows, is to open the opposite openings, creating a draft. At the same time, their long-term opening creates access to greenhouse plants by insects.
The next solution is popular in the absence of the possibility of creating a natural draft, is the use of a fan with a cold jet. The fan can be moved around the greenhouse or several pieces can be installed. For a greenhouse of 100 m², 3 are enough. They are included for 3 hours during the flowering period.
If the greenhouse is huge, it is advisable to organize the presence of beehives in it. There is one hive per 1 ha. In a smaller greenhouse, bees will have to be released. With this method, there is a risk for the gardener to be stung, but this method is still popular, since strawberries are pollinated most effectively - up to 95%.
Important! Artificial pollination is carried out only with open buds, so that the procedure is more effective. The process itself is recommended to be carried out in the morning.
In the open ground
When growing the crop in question on open ground with pollination, there are no problems. Insects and wind cope with this task with success. To attract pollinating insects, not far from strawberry plantings, flowers can be planted that bloom simultaneously with the cultivated crop.
If berries grow on large land plots, gardeners recommend installing beehives with bees and bumblebees near the plantings.
The most popular way to attract bees to a strawberry bed is honey water. In 1 liter of water dissolve 1 tbsp. l honey and spray plantings with flowering plants. The same method can be used in a greenhouse with open apertures.
Did you know? One bee family is able to pollinate almost 0.1 ha of planting. Strawberries are a good supporting honey plant for them.
What will happen if you do not pollinate strawberries?
Most of the berry varieties have male and female flowers; therefore, they need pollination. If the culture is growing indoors, this process must be carried out necessarily. If you do not pollinate, then you can’t wait for the berry harvest.
Video: Pollination of strawberries in a greenhouse
However, if a self-pollinating variety is planted in a greenhouse or in apartment conditions, then it is not required to pollinate. Moreover, these types of strawberries can be grown all year round. You can purchase such self-pollinated varieties as Bolero, Honey, Florence, Coquette, Albion, Queen Elizabeth. For 5 years they will give a good harvest without any problems.
Important! If at home pollinating strawberries manually, you should choose a brush with soft bristles.
Pollination of strawberries in greenhouse conditions is a completely solvable problem. If you do not want to solve it, you can give preference to self-pollinated varieties.
