Strawberry Environmental Conditions

FOR EVERBEARING CULTIVARS

Temperature:

Day: 20-24 °C (70-75 °F)

Night: 10-12 °C (50-55 °F)

24 Hour Average: 18 °C (65 °F)

Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial for successful soilless strawberry cultivation, as temperature directly impacts both plant health and fruit quality. Keeping low night-time temperatures is essential because fruit size and quality are closely linked to cooler nights. Cooler temperatures during the night help regulate plant metabolism, promote optimal sugar accumulation, and enhance the overall taste and firmness of the strawberries.

Relative Humidity:

Day: ~60%

Night: 60% (raise night relative humidity if leaf tip burn becomes an issue)

The ideal relative humidity is 60% during both day and night. Proper humidity control supports healthy plant growth, reduces the risk of diseases, and promotes efficient nutrient uptake. If tip burn becomes an issue, increasing night-time humidity up to 95% for three hours can help prevent this problem by improving calcium mobility, however this should only be done if fungal problems like powdery mildew are not present as doing so could cause the fungus to spread.

Daily Light Integral (Light)

16 Hour Lights On

300 – 450 PPFD

15 – 25 Mols

The Daily Light Integral (DLI) measures the total amount of light plants receive in a day. For optimal growth and fruit production, an ideal DLI range for everbearing strawberry plants is between 15 and 25 mols per day. Maintaining a day length of 16 hours is optimal for everbearing strawberries, as it maximizes light exposure without causing stress, promoting consistent flowering and higher yields.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

800 – 1000 PPM

Maintaining an optimal CO2 concentration of 800-1000 ppm is one of the most cost-effective methods to improve yields in soilless strawberry cultivation. Elevated CO2 levels enhance photosynthesis, leading to faster growth and about 15-20% increased fruit production.

Strawberry Nutrition

Nutritional Requirements

Strawberry plants have distinct nutritional needs that differ significantly from other crops like tomatoes. High-nitrogen tomato nutrient formulations, commonly used to support vigorous vegetative growth, are not suitable for strawberries, as these plants have much lower nutrient demands. Unlike tomato plants, which can thrive with an EC (electrical conductivity) of up to 3.0 mS/cm, strawberries only require an EC of around 1.0 mS/cm, and exceeding 1.5 mS/cm can cause harm, leading to nutrient burn and reduced fruit quality.

In soilless strawberry cultivation, nutrient deficiencies or toxicities are relatively rare and are most often linked to pH imbalances. Maintaining the pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is crucial to prevent these issues, as this range ensures optimal nutrient availability. Premixed dry salt formulations, such as Jack's Strawberry 8-10-26 Part A and Calcium Nitrate 15-0-0 Part B, are specifically designed for strawberries and can be used throughout the entire cultivation cycle. These formulations provide the right balance of nutrients, supporting healthy growth and high-quality fruit production while minimizing the risk of nutrient-related problems.

Irrigation Management

Irrigation management is a critical aspect of soilless strawberry cultivation, especially in an aeroponic system. Unlike traditional growing mediums like coco-coir, where plants typically receive between 200-400 ml of water per day spread across multiple small irrigation events (around 30-60 ml per plant per event), aeroponic systems deliver water and nutrients directly to the plant roots through a fine mist.

This method allows for precise control over the moisture and nutrient levels, ensuring that the plants receive exactly what they need without the risk of overwatering. In coco-coir systems, it's common for about 20% of the water to drain out, which helps to prevent salt buildup in the medium.

However, in aeroponic systems, there is no traditional growing medium to hold or drain excess water. Instead, the roots are suspended in air, allowing them to absorb the misted nutrients efficiently. The frequency and duration of misting events are crucial and need to be carefully managed to prevent the roots from drying out while also avoiding waterlogging, which can lead to root diseases.

Because of the high efficiency of water and nutrient delivery in an aeroponic system, the overall water usage is significantly reduced compared to traditional irrigation methods, making it an environmentally friendly choice for soilless strawberry cultivation. Properly managed irrigation in an aeroponic system can lead to faster growth, healthier plants, and better-quality strawberries.