The acid-base balance (pH) of the finished liquid is very important. PH equal to 7 is considered neutral. Below this indicator – acidic solutions, above – alkaline.
A pH of 6 is suitable for strawberries.
It is measured with a special device – a TDS meter, which will also have to be purchased. There are inexpensive acidity testers available and will work as well.
It should also be borne in mind that strawberries do not grow well with a high concentration of salts. It is checked with a conductivity indicator for liquids (EC). For strawberries, the figure should be 1,5.
Solution components
Strawberries require chemicals that will form the basis of the nutrient solution:
Nitrogen
It is the engine of growth. Promotes the development of green mass of the plant, the appearance of a mustache.
Phosphorus
Essential at all stages of growth. Improves the palatability of berries.
potassium
Promotes increased flowering and formation of berries, strengthens
Calculation of proportions
Professionals make up the content and proportions of the strawberry solution depending on the stage of development, season, condition of the plants. At the same time, everyone has their own secrets.
Beginners should adhere to the universal composition standards for hydroponics (units of measurement – ml / 1 L of water):
1 option:
- Calcium (Ca) – 200
- Magnesium (Mg) – 50
- Potassium (K) – 100
- Ammonium (NH4) – 4
- Nitrate (NO3) – 76
- Iron (Fe) – 3
- Manganese (Mn) – 0,5
- Copper (Cu) – 0,05
- Zinc (Zn) – 0.5
- Boron (B) – 0,5
- Molybdenum (Mo) – 0,05
2 option:
- Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) – 0,25
- Calcium nitrate (Ca (HO3) 2) – 1
- Magnesium sulfate (Mg) – 0.25
- Ferric chloride (FeCl3) – 0,0125
- Potassium chloride (CHl) – 0,125
Each drug is dissolved separately, then mixed and water is added to the required volume. It is difficult to weigh such small rates of salt consumption without pharmaceutical scales. Ordinary kitchen scales either do not take into account hundredths and thousandths of a gram, or allow a large error.
Therefore, it makes sense to dissolve a large portion of the salts and store the ready-made solution. This can be done with all substances except iron, which oxidizes from prolonged contact with oxygen.
Alternatively, the amount of chemicals is calculated in proportion to the estimated volume of the liquid nutrient solution. That is, if you need 10 liters, then the volume of chemicals from those presented in the recipes needs to be increased 10 times.
In some cases, you can take scales with bowls on a yoke, and use ordinary coins of the Central Bank of Russia as weights. Having made a certain combination of coins, you can get, in principle, any small weight.
Weight of modern Russian coins (in grams):
- 1 kopeck – 1,5
- 5 kopecks – 2,6
- 10 kopecks – 1,95
- 50 kopecks – 2,9
- 1 ruble – 3,25
- 2 rubles – 5,1
- 5 rubles – 6,45
- 10 rubles – 5,65
And there is even an alternative to coins. Tablets have a clear weight in grams. The weight of each is indicated on the package and in the instructions for use. Thus, any precision weighing task can be handled easily at no additional cost.
All the necessary chemical elements can be purchased in specialty stores, chemical reagent stores, some in pharmacies. Can be ordered online. On the Internet, freely available for download, there are calculator programs for automatic calculation for all fruit and vegetable crops.
If the recipes for preparing your solution for growing strawberries seemed more difficult to you than servicing a jet engine, then it is easier to buy a ready-made concentrate and dilute it, according to the attached instructions.
The nuances of using a nutrient solution for strawberries
For different stages of plant development, it is better to have several nutrient solutions. So the German company “GreenWorld” produces fertilizers for growth, flowering, fruiting, as well as biohumus and a stimulator of photosynthesis.
Strawberries need an increased nitrogen concentration during the growing season. At the time of fruiting, the amount of potassium and calcium is increased. And the phosphorus content is reduced for the period of laying fruit buds.
Hydroponic plantings are constantly in need of magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper and other trace elements.
Repaired plants that bear fruit all year round will require a greater amount and concentration of the solution.
It is equally important to monitor the moisture content of the substrate. Humidity requirements:
- during growth 70%;
- during flowering 75%;
- during fruit ripening 80%.
It is advisable to maintain the temperature of the supplied solution 1-2 degrees higher than the temperature in the room where the strawberries grow.
The hydroponic solution is usually changed twice a month. It is necessary to focus on how the plants “drink” more than half of the originally poured liquid.
The deteriorated solution is subject to mandatory urgent replacement – blooming, contaminated, which has acquired an uncharacteristic odor. You will also have to change the solution if errors are found in its preparation or if the acid-base, salt balance is violated.
The skills of growing strawberries in hydroponics only at first glance seem unattainable. In fact, the progressive crop method is fun and not complicated at all.
What can please more than strawberries ripened in one night, because hydroponics increases the growth and maturation of bushes by 2-3 times. A fragrant sweet harvest on the windowsill all year round is not a fantasy, but a reality that is dearer than all the efforts made.
