Not many people know how to grow strawberries from fruit. Many even think it’s not doable. But this fruit is unique since they have the seeds outside.
Easy Steps on How to Grow Strawberry from Fruit
Growing strawberries from the fruit may sound complicated at first. But when you know, you can have fresh strawberries anytime you want.
Find the Perfect Strawberry
To get the best result, you need to have the best strawberry. Choose one strawberry that is plump, free from bruises, and has bright and even coloring.
A plump specimen ensures that the upcoming plant will inherit the traits. You will have bright red fruits next summer.Extract the Seeds
You have several options to extract the seeds from a strawberry. The first is manually picking the seeds out with tweezers. Yes, it can be time-consuming, but it also can be therapeutic to some.
Another method you can use is by thinly slicing the fruit and drying it up. You can use a regular paper towel or coffee filter to keep them dry for up to two weeks.
Mushing the strawberry also works to extra the seeds. However, you need to be careful when straining to get the most seeds. Unfortunately, blending strawberries to make a juice can’t help you to extract the seeds.Prepare the Seeds
Germinating is a crucial process in growing strawberries. It will ensure how healthy the plant will be. Unfortunately, it's also the longest phase during planting.
You can prepare the seeds using a traditional method, using a growing medium. But you also can germinate them using a sealed plastic bag, and keep them in the freezer for 4-6 weeks.
If you keep them in the freezer, let the sealed bag out for several hours to adjust to the room temperature. After you open the bag, you can plant the seeds right away.Start Planting
If you use the freezer to germinate, you can plant the seeds in a straw try. Do not cover them with any soil, and use mister than a sprayer.
But if you germinate traditionally, then this is time to move the seedlings to the planting bed. Even though your plant is already tall enough, you need to be careful when moving the plants.
Regular water and monitoring are essential to ensure the plant is healthy. First-time gardeners should not worry if your plant doesn't fruit in the first year. They take time to be healthy, and you will have the best fruit next year.
Why Can’t I Just Plant a Whole Strawberry?
As you know, strawberries have their seeds outside. However, planting a whole fruit will be counterproductive.
Strawberry seeds need to germinate to grow. While having the seeds far down under the soil means they can’t germinate. And the sprout you may see is most likely weed.
After knowing how to grow strawberries from fruit, you can have fresh fruit anytime you want. Even though the seeds are cheap, growing from fruit allows you to copy some of the best-tasting strawberries you ever have.