Complete Nutritional Package for Greenhouse Strawberries

Strawberries are sensitive to waterlogging and drought‑tolerant; their fruits are known for nourishing the lungs and generating body fluids, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and promoting diuresis to reduce swelling. Because strawberries have a long flowering and fruiting period, improper fertilization can impair flower and fruit set, lead to deformed berries, poor coloration, reduced sugar content, bland flavor, increased susceptibility to rot and spoilage, and poor storage life. Therefore, during the flowering and fruiting stage, it is crucial to apply fertilizer scientifically. Today, we will introduce methods for fertilizing greenhouse-grown strawberries during this critical phase.

Strawberry growing environment

1. Temperature

Strawberries thrive in cool, mild climates. The optimal temperature for root growth is 5–30°C, with an ideal range of 15–22°C; stem and leaf development is best at 20–30°C. Buds suffer frost damage at temperatures between −15 and −10°C. During the flower bud differentiation stage, temperatures should be maintained at 5–15°C, while the flowering and fruiting period requires a range of 4–40°C. When growing strawberries during the summer, shading measures are necessary when air temperatures exceed 30°C and sunlight is intense.

2. Illumination

Strawberries are photophilic plants but also exhibit strong shade tolerance. Under high light intensity, the plants grow compact and robust, with smaller fruits, deeper coloration, and superior quality; under moderate light, the fruits are larger, lighter in color, and lower in sugar content, with a longer harvest period; however, insufficient light is detrimental to strawberry growth.

3. Moisture

Strawberry root systems are shallow, transpiration rates are high, and the crop has stringent water requirements; however, these needs vary across different growth stages. In early spring and during flowering, soil moisture should be maintained at no more than 70% of the soil’s field capacity. During fruit development and ripening, water demand peaks, exceeding 80%. After harvest, when runners emerge and new adventitious roots form, soil moisture should also remain at or above 70%. In autumn, as plants accumulate reserves and flower buds develop, soil moisture should not fall below 60%. Strawberries are intolerant of waterlogging and require well‑drained soils; care must be taken to ensure effective drainage during the rainy season.

Greenhouse Strawberry Fertilization Plan

bottom      Fat

         Fertilizer types and application rates: Nongda Yidingsan bio-organic fertilizer: 80–200 kg per mu; Nongda Heisongtu active humic acid compound fertilizers (e.g., 15-15-15, 17-17-17) and other product lines: 50–100 kg per mu, plus high-calcium potassium‑magnesium fertilizer at 20 kg per mu.

         Application method: Apply before land preparation.

         Performance effect: Balances nutrients and loosens the soil, creating an optimal growing environment for the root system, resulting in robust roots and lush foliage.

Chase Fertilizer

        Fertilizer types and application rates:

         seedling    Period: The compound microbial inoculant should be applied directly to the soil at a rate of 5–10 liters per mu.

         Resulting period: Choose Nongda ShuiRun soil humic acid water‑soluble fertilizer 16‑6‑36, or bio‑microbial water‑soluble fertilizers such as 20‑20‑20 and 13‑7‑40. Typically apply 10 kg per mu per application via fertigation. Adhere to the principle of small doses applied frequently, adjusting the amount of fertigation fertilizer appropriately in conjunction with the base fertilizer rate. 18‑0‑22,

         Application method: Apply via irrigation; several different fertilizer formulations can be used in rotation.

         Performance effect: The plants exhibit vigorous growth, with balanced vegetative and reproductive development. Strawberries swell rapidly, yielding high production, excellent coloration, superior flavor, and outstanding quality.

Leaf surface fertilizer

         Fertilizer types and application rates: In the early stages, apply Heizefeng via foliar spray; during the young fruit enlargement phase, alternate with foliar fertilizers such as Zhuangkeli and Huangjinnu.

         Application method: Foliar spray.

         Performance effect: Increase yield, improve fruit quality, and enhance marketability.

         Prepare    Note: For fields severely infested with nematodes, apply Xianxian Minggenbao; incorporate it into the soil during land preparation along with organic‑biological fertilizers and conventional fertilizers, ensuring timely tillage. A recommended application rate is 1–2 bags per mu. One flush application via irrigation should be made one month before a nematode outbreak.