The secret of sweet berries: feed strawberries with boric acid

About foliar feeding

In order for berry crops to produce a good harvest, they must be fed. Most gardeners know how to fertilize strawberries using the root method. But not many people know how to properly carry out foliar feeding.

If you apply nutrients by the root method, some of the fertilizers will be washed out with water. The foliar method is more economical. When using it, beneficial substances immediately fall on the leaves of the berry crop. Using this procedure, you can quickly “reanimate” a sick plant. For example, after frost, saturate the plant with useful microelements.

Boric acid for strawberries

Of course, you can fertilize the root system and above-ground organs of the plant at the same time. However, there are situations when only external fertilization is suitable. Foliar feeding is appropriate if:

• strawberries were planted in soil with a high acidity or alkali content - in this case, it will be difficult for the plant to consume nutrients through the roots;
• the strawberries were planted incorrectly and the root system was damaged;
• signs appeared that the berry lacked vitamins.

When using the foliar feeding method, you must consider some rules:

• The concentration of the solution should be lower than when fertilizing using the root method.
• When preparing fertilizer, you need to use water without chlorine.
• Fertilize the plant in the morning or evening to allow the solution to be absorbed. If you spray the plant at lunchtime, the strawberries may get leaf burns. It is not recommended to fertilize the plant at temperatures of +28 and above, so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the fertilizer.
• The inside and outside of the leaf should be fertilized.

Important! To carry out this procedure, it is better to purchase ready-made solutions. Their packaging often contains instructions for use and dosage for preparing fertilizer. For foliar feeding you can use: Hera for garden strawberries, Ryazanochka, Mortar.

Strawberries are sprayed with beneficial substances 3 times at the following stages of the growing season:

1. When the first young leaves appear.
2. During active flowering.
3. During the period of berry setting.

Foliar feeding for lack of microelements

With a lack of magnesium, the processes of crop development slow down. First of all, it grows slowly. The fruits will be smaller and the harvest will be meager. Fertilizing leaves with magnesium is carried out during the period when the plant is growing green mass.

If the plant does not receive enough boron, the leaves will begin to turn yellow. Strawberries will bloom poorly and few ovaries will appear. A lack of boron leads to a decrease in yield. If you treat the leaves with boric acid, you can help the plant. To feed the berries, you need 5 grams of boron per 10 liters of water.

If a gardener wants to get tasty berries, the plant needs to be fertilized with potassium permanganate. Fertilizing with manganese or urea will provide the plant with the missing microelements.

Foliar feeding

Types of strawberry fertilizing and timing

You can feed a strawberry plantation “at the root” or “by the leaf”, and you can alternate these types of fertilization with each other. At the same time, you can use not only organic matter and minerals as fertilizers, but also folk remedies that gardeners always have on hand, and their effectiveness is as high as that of chemical preparations.

Photo of strawberries

Timing for fertilizing strawberries: fertilizers are usually applied in the spring, during the budding period, after all the fruits have been collected, in the fall in the process of preparing the strawberry plantation for winter.

Boric acid, boric alcohol for strawberries: processing, spraying, fertilizing

Boric acid is an antiseptic. Sold in pharmacies both in powder and solution. Recipes indicate the percentage of boric acid content - there is no general norm; solutions are sold with different boron contents. This type of fertilizer helps improve nutrition for the ovaries and increases the resistance of plants to weather conditions: the fruits become tastier and denser, and do not crack from rain. Most often, boric acid is used on peat soils.

Boric acid for cucumbers

The crop should be fertilized during flowering and fruiting. The first spraying is carried out when the buds begin to open, and the second at the end of flowering.

Note! The interval between fertilizers should be at least 10 days.

This type of fertilizing is a good fertilizer for strawberry ovaries. The presence of boron in the soil is important for the good growth of berry crops. It helps create the necessary nitrogen compounds, and also has a positive effect on metabolic processes and helps increase the chlorophyll content in the leaves. Strawberries planted in the ground need boron. This type of fertilizer needs to be used to saturate soil that has excess carbonate. Strawberries growing in swampy or oxidized soil also need this nutrition.

When to feed strawberries?

The first fertilizing or treatment is carried out in the spring, in total about three times per season, with an interval between spraying and watering of at least two weeks.

• The first is when the plant has young leaves and flower stalks are visible at the base.
• Repeated feeding is done at the stage when the flower stalks extend, but the buds have not yet bloomed.
• The third is when the strawberries are harvested.

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It is important to take into account that at the time when the berries appear, you should not fertilize using the methods listed below. If you are planting new rosettes in the ground, then the day before planting, you can spill the soil with an iodine solution, observing the proportions. This will disinfect it and strengthen the immunity of the country crop.

How to dilute boric acid for spraying strawberries

Boric acid for grapes, spraying

Boric acid is a popular medical preparation that is used in various fertilizers for vegetable and berry crops. Boric acid is an important element for strawberries. To get the desired result, you must strictly follow the instructions for use.

To prepare the solution, you will need one package of boric acid. You need to dilute it in 30 liters of water. You need to spray the berry crop with a composition containing 0.05 - 0.1 grams of boric acid in 1 liter of water.

How to dilute boric acid

How to prepare a watering solution

Recipes for iodine-containing formulations are described above, in the paragraph “Using the preparation for strawberries.”
Information about dosage and processing steps is also provided there. Preparing compositions for spraying and feeding is quite simple, but it should be noted that when mixing the ingredients, you cannot use metal tools and utensils - they will oxidize. You can use plastic buckets, ceramics, glass jars, and wooden stirring sticks.

It is not recommended to store solutions. But if necessary, use tightly closed glass containers. The place reserved for storage must be dry, well ventilated and dark. Dampness, heat and direct sunlight contribute to the decomposition of the compounds.

Attention! When working with drugs containing atomic iodine, observe safety precautions and strictly follow the recipe!

Is it possible to water strawberries with potassium permanganate?

Boric acid for tomatoes

If strawberries are fed with certain substances, they can thank the gardener with large fruits. Potassium permanganate is used for these purposes.

Potassium permanganate is an excellent antiseptic; it is even used in medicine. It is also actively used in gardening. Manganese is involved in the process of metabolism, oxidation and respiration of plant cells. In addition, the substance disinfects leaves, plants and soil. A solution of potassium permanganate destroys strawberry pests (weevils, etc.).

Rules for watering with potassium permanganate

Watering with manganese is carried out in the following sequence:

1. In early spring, young leaves are processed.
2. During flowering.
3. During the fruitful period.

When preparing fertilizer, it is important not to overdo the concentration. The solution must be diluted in certain proportions:

• 10 liters of water for irrigation;
• 3 grams of potassium permanganate solution;
• a few drops of boric acid.

On a note! All ingredients are mixed in a container prepared in advance, after which the resulting liquid is sprayed on the plants. When spraying, you need to thoroughly treat the inside of the leaves. The soil is also watered with red water.

Applying fertilizers when preparing beds and soil for strawberries

Strawberry beds should be prepared in advance:

• when planting seedlings in spring, preparation is carried out in autumn;
• When planting strawberries in the fall, the beds are prepared in the spring.

During the autumn preparation of the site, humus or compost is added for digging (the norm is 10 kg per square bed). In the spring, the beds are dug up again, adding complex mineral fertilizer with a large amount of nitrogen and potassium.

When preparing beds in the spring, the algorithm for applying fertilizers is the same, only organic matter is added in the spring, and mineral fertilizers can be poured directly into the planting holes.

If all fertilizers were applied to the beds before planting the strawberries, then in the first season this berry crop does not need to be fed - the added nutrients will be sufficient for it.

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Fertilizing strawberries in spring for a large harvest

The first time fertilizers are applied to a strawberry plantation when the snow has completely melted and the soil has warmed up to 10-15 degrees Celsius. This fertilizer complex is aimed at the growth of the vegetative mass of strawberries, and therefore must contain a large amount of nitrogen.

Some of the recipes for spring feeding of strawberry bushes are given below:

• 2 cups of mullein and 20 g of ammonium sulfate are diluted in 10 liters of water;
• chicken manure and water are diluted in a ratio of 1:12;
• Fill a 10-liter container with fresh nettles, fill it with warm water and leave for at least 4 days;
• 20 g of nitroammophoska are diluted in 10 liters of water;
• mullein and water are diluted in a ratio of 1:10;
• 1 tsp is diluted in 10 liters of water. boric acid, 30 drops of iodine, 1 glass of ash;
• 1 tsp. boric acid, 6 g of potassium permanganate, 2 tbsp. l. urea, 100 g of wood ash is diluted in 20 liters of water;
• 2/3 of the bucket is filled with any leftover rye bread, topped up with warm water and kept warm for 10 days. Then filter and dilute with water in a ratio of 1:3;
• Fermented milk products must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3 and watered over the strawberries.

Fertilizing strawberries in spring - video

The dosage of each of the above fertilizers is no more than a liter for each bush (depending on its size). The first feeding of strawberries must be carried out only after all the snow has melted, so that the fertilizers do not “float away” along with the melt water.

Fertilizing strawberry seedlings

In the spring, planted strawberry seedlings need to be fed with ammonium nitrate combined with ammophoska in a ratio of 1:2. One square of beds requires a bucket of water in which 15 g of the drug is dissolved. This fertilizing stimulates the development of the vegetative mass of strawberries and increases plant resistance to pathogenic microorganisms and insect pests.

Growing and picking strawberry seedlings - video

You can also feed the seedlings with the following solution: dissolve 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. l. ammonium sulfate, 2 cups cow dung. Apply 1 liter of this solution to each seedling bush. The main thing is not to apply manure and bird droppings in a larger dosage than required, otherwise the berry crop begins to increase its vegetative mass to the detriment of yield. And if you exceed the concentration, you can burn the roots of the plant.

During flowering

During the period of active appearance of flower stalks, strawberry bushes need to be fed again. During this period, you can fertilize “under the root” or foliar “on the leaf”. The time for these procedures is mid or late May. At this time, strawberry bushes require fertilizers containing potassium.

To feed this berry crop during flowering, you can use potassium nitrate. To prepare the solution, you need to dilute 1 tsp in a bucket of water. drug. Add half a liter of this mixture to each bush.

To increase the appearance of peduncles and the active development of ovaries, you can feed strawberries with a special “Ovary” product. But when using the drug, you must follow the instructions for diluting the drug.

And you can also use ash infusion - 100 g of wood ash should be poured with a liter of boiling water and left until it cools completely, then it is filtered and applied under the plants. One liter of infusion is enough to feed two strawberry bushes.

Fertilizing strawberries during flowering - video

During the flowering period of this berry plant, you can perform foliar feeding “on the leaf” of the lower part of the foliage with solutions of the following preparations:

• Agros;
• Hera;
• Ruby.

But when preparing solutions from these special preparations, you must strictly adhere to the dosage indicated in the instructions.

Fertilizing strawberries in the summer after fruiting

After the end of fruiting, strawberries need to be fed several times during the summer with an interval of 12-14 days. Liquid solutions are applied under each bush in a volume of half a liter, and dry fertilizers are scattered under the bushes.

Caring for strawberries after fruiting - video

Basic recipes for summer fertilizing of strawberry plantations:

• 100 g of wood ash are diluted in 10 liters of water;
• 200 g of vermicompost is diluted in a bucket of water, this solution is infused for 24 hours. Before applying to the soil, this mixture is diluted with water in equal parts;
• 2 tsp should be diluted in 20 liters of water. potassium sulfate and 4 tbsp. l. nitrophoska;
• in 20 liters of water you need to dilute 4 tbsp. l. potassium nitrate.

Autumn feeding of strawberries

In the fall, the strawberry plantation is fed for the last time so that the plants receive the necessary nutrients to prepare for the winter period. Fertilizing should be done in mid to late September. Apply 0.5 liters of the drug to each plant.

Recipes for autumn feeding of strawberries:

• 1 kg of cow manure, 50 g of ash should be diluted in 10 liters of water;
• 1 kg cow dung, 100 g wood ash, 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate should be diluted in 10 liters of water;
• 100 g ash, 30 g potassium salt, 2 tbsp. l. nitroammophoskas are diluted in a bucket of water.

How to fertilize strawberries in the fall - video

Iodine content in strawberries

According to the practice of many generations of gardeners, it can be concluded that iodine has a positive effect on the development and fruitfulness of strawberry and wild strawberry seedlings. Iodine solution is used to combat many garden problems: pigment spots on plant leaves, fungal infections, paleness and uneven color of seedlings. The use of a solution of iodine, including phytosporin, will avoid the development of fungus and completely solve this problem.

Science has not yet been able to explain what effect iodine has on fungal parasitic organisms. It can be assumed that this pharmaceutical product has a positive effect on parasitic formations due to its antiseptic properties. However, you should not overuse the use of such fertilizer. The fact is that excess iodine can negatively affect the health of the seedling. Iodine penetrates into plant tissue, as a result of which the berries themselves may contain a high concentrate of this substance. According to experienced gardeners, with moderate use of fertilizing with iodine, many diseases of seedlings can be eradicated.

Fertilizing strawberries in spring with iodine and boric acid

Gardeners fertilize strawberries with a solution of iodine in the spring, usually in March (before flowering begins). This event should be carried out no more than 2 times. Fertilizing involves not only watering the soil with a diluted solution, but also spraying the seedlings themselves. But you need to be careful: when preparing the solution, add a small amount of iodine to prevent burns to the plant.

Fertilizing strawberries in spring

Fertilizing strawberries is carried out after trimming old leaves. The solution is prepared as follows: dilute 10 drops of iodine per 10 liters of water. The resulting mixture is thoroughly stirred. The soil is watered abundantly, after which they begin to fertilize the plant at the root.

Gardeners also fertilize strawberry beds before flowering begins. The fertilizer is prepared according to the following proportions: add 30 drops of pharmaceutical iodine and a small spoon of boric acid to 10 liters of water. It would also be a good idea to add a glass of wood ash. The resulting mixture is infused for 2-3 hours, after which it is thoroughly mixed. Only the soil is fertilized with the solution; the strawberry leaves should not be touched.

Note! Fertilizing will be more effective and healthier if you add laundry soap to the solution. Soap will slow down the evaporation of iodine, due to which the benefits for seedlings will increase several times.

Fertilizing strawberries for a large harvest in spring, summer and autumn

Chernozem soil is ideal for growing strawberries - it is loose, fertile, and on such soil the yields of this berry crop will always be high. However, not many summer cottages can boast of such soil.

Therefore, you have to add fertilizers to the soil before planting strawberry seedlings, and also feed this berry crop throughout the spring-summer season in order to get a high yield of fruits from your strawberry plantation.

This article will discuss when and what fertilizers to apply to strawberries.

The content of the article:

1. Types of fertilizing for strawberries and timing 2. Application of fertilizers when preparing beds and soil for strawberries 2.1. Fertilizing strawberries in spring 2.2. Fertilizing strawberry seedlings 2.3. During flowering 2.4. Fertilizing strawberries in the summer after fruiting 2.5. Autumn fertilizing of strawberries 3. Fertilizing strawberries with mineral fertilizers 4. Fertilizing strawberries with organic matter 5. Fertilizing strawberries with folk remedies: boric acid and iodine, yeast, ash 6. Foliar fertilizing of strawberries

From answers to common questions

Gardeners often ask questions about the properties and benefits of feeding seedlings with ash and Mag-Boron.

Is it possible to fertilize strawberries with ash?

Ash is a universal type of fertilizer. Busy gardeners use it to feed various crops of berries and vegetables. Ash is rich in useful microelements: potassium, boron, phosphorus, iron, calcium, etc. This type of fertilizing is used in early spring, after harvesting and in preparation for winter.

Important! When using ash in combination with nitrogen, ammonia is formed, which can harm seedlings. These two types of fertilizers should not be used simultaneously.

It’s easy to prepare fertilizer from ash: add a glass of ash to 10 liters of water and mix thoroughly. Water the soil with the resulting mixture. Also, ash is poured separately under each bush in undiluted form, after which the ground is loosened.

Important! Exclusively wood ash is used to fertilize plants. The substance obtained from burning furniture, food and other items is not suitable for feeding seedlings.

If this fertilizer is properly stored, it has a long shelf life. It is enough to place the substance in a tightly closed container, after which the beneficial properties will remain for 3-4 years.

Mag-Boron for strawberries - is it necessary or not?

Important! Mag-Bor contains three essential elements: boron, magnesium and calcium. It is necessary for garden and vegetable crops in small doses. The substance increases the productivity and decorativeness of plants.

This type of feeding helps prevent various diseases of flora representatives. The use of Mag-Bor can quickly replenish the missing useful elements. Fertilizing is carried out using a foliar method. Regular spraying with Mag-Boron will allow the gardener to obtain high yields. Mag-Bor is easy to use, it can be used both for external and internal fertilization. But with external spraying, the plant quickly absorbs boron and magnesium. For berry crops, it is recommended to use 10 grams of the drug per 10 liters of water.

Strawberries are a rather finicky plant that requires constant care. To get tasty and juicy fruits, you need to use various types of fertilizers. Fertilizing the soil and above-ground plant organs will saturate the seedling with useful microelements and eliminate diseases and pests.

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Iodine treatment against diseases and pests

It has been proven that when iodine accumulates in plant cells, it makes them resistant to rot and other fungal infections, and repels nematodes and weevils.
However, in this regard, the effect of the element on strawberries has not been specifically studied.

There is no reason to consider an iodine solution a panacea for any pests. For example, the use of the composition as a contact pesticide that saves from beetles is doubtful, since the active substance cannot remain on the tops for a long time.

It reacts with air and organic matter, is easily washed off with water, and evaporates quickly. The iodine vapor may repel the insects for a while, but they will most likely return.

more successfully on “soft-bodied” pests: aphids, worms, larvae. To destroy wintering individuals, you need to pour a concentrated mixture onto the loosened strawberry beds as soon as the snow melts. Subsequent spraying is more of a preventive measure.

Information that ions from a solution can be “glued” with soap or milk is, to put it mildly, unscientific. It is assumed that lactic acid bacteria actually help the plant absorb iodine during foliar feeding. And laundry soap protects the tops well without any foreign additives.

Important! Any use of iodine is completely excluded from the moment the berry begins to bloom until harvest.

How to protect yourself

You need to wear gloves when working with iodine solution in a ventilated area. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or mouth. It is dangerous to inhale iodine vapor.
If your eyes begin to water, your throat becomes sore, or your head begins to spin, stop working immediately and rinse your mucous membranes with cold water. And drink more milk - this is a universal remedy for poisoning with inorganic poisons.

Do not leave medications in places accessible to children or pets, or near flammable substances!