When to trim the mustache of strawberries in the summer and how to do it right?
The process of cultivating and caring for strawberries includes mustache work. Their removal is necessary for full fruiting, because when the shoot is formed, the plant loses a lot of strength. Not every summer resident knows when it is necessary to trim the mustache of strawberries in the summer and how to do the job correctly.
Process features
Garden strawberries, regardless of variety, are demanding in terms of content, and in order to get a rich harvest of high-quality and tasty berries, it is necessary to strictly adhere to certain growing rules. One of the main aspects of care is to remove the whiskers and use them, if necessary, to propagate the species.
As a rule, strawberry whiskers are fully formed by mid-July. In some cases, this can happen at the end or even the middle of June. During such a period, the summer resident needs to decide exactly what to do with the branches - remove them or use them for breeding garden strawberries. The method of propagation by mustache transplantation is a simple, convenient and effective method. In addition, it does not require additional costs.
Pruning during flowering and fruiting
Mustaches on strawberry bushes must be removed if the main task is to get the most abundant harvest of large and juicy berries.Experts recommend to carry out work 2 times per season. For the first time, the removal of shoots occurs in the spring, at the initial stages of the development of shrubs. The forces that could be spent on the development of the mustache will be used by the plant for its own growth and subsequent flowering.
Experienced agronomists and gardeners are highly recommended be sure to trim the mustache during the flowering of strawberries so that the berries turn out to be large, juicy and sweet. Many gardeners, dissatisfied with the final harvest, blame bad weather, insects and pests for the poor quality of the berries, although this may be the reason.
When the period of flowering and fruiting ends, and all the berries are harvested, shoots reappear on the plants. In this case, you need to get rid of them again. The third time, the branches are removed almost to the very base of the plant.
The note
Despite the fact that the process of removing mustaches is a common practice among domestic gardeners, not everyone adheres to it. Some owners of summer cottages and adjacent land plots do not deal with removal at all. In this case, you have to periodically update the plantings. At least once every 3-4 years.
Basic Rules
Both experienced and novice gardeners often use mustaches to propagate berry plantations. In this case, you need to know when to cut off the process and how to properly carry out the procedure. This is a simple job, but it requires certain knowledge.
The mustache used for breeding is cut off after the bush has given a harvest. Most often, this period falls in the second half of July (depending on the strawberry variety and growing region). Collect tendrils only from those plants that gave a rich, plentiful and high-quality harvest.This is a guarantee that the berries harvested from the new plantation will have the same characteristics.
Once you have chosen the most prolific and healthy shrubs, you should start pruning. Cut off the longest and thickest branches. Each of them should have 2-3 outlets. The rest of the whiskers should preferably be removed and disposed of.
Another recommendation from experienced gardeners when choosing a mustache is to leave those branches that have formed closer to the center of the shrub. Such branches dismantle excellent survival rate and delight with the harvest before other shrubs.
The next method involves a specific schema. Mustaches are harvested from the mother bush. These are plants that are specially left for further reproduction. The shoots are cut and planted in special peat cups. They are designed for growing seedlings of many crops.
It is not necessary to deeply deepen the plants into the ground, you just need to carefully sprinkle it with soil and then put it in a room with the required temperature indicator. A glazed balcony or greenhouse will do. Remember that plants don't need that much: enough light and regular watering.
How to cut?
The procedure for removing whiskers from a bush is simple, but requires caution and accuracy. The work must be carried out as safely as possible for the bush. To do this, you must adhere to certain rules.
- Trim the shoots should be in a warm and dry city. When air humidity is increased, the risk of plant infection with dangerous viruses and bacteria increases significantly. Through a fresh cut, fungal diseases and various infections can enter garden strawberries.
- If there is a sultry couple outside, move work to the evening or early morning.At this time, the plant will experience minimal stress due to the lack of exposure to direct sunlight.
- Never tear off the mustache by hand. You need to do this with the help of garden tools. If the tool is not at hand, use ordinary scissors.
- In most cases, it is not recommended to detach the sprout close to the rosette. It is better to make a small gap, about 9 centimeters long.
Prevention after mustache trimming
In order for the plant to develop normally and bear fruit after the mustache removal procedure, it is necessary to take proper care of it. Plantings of garden strawberries attract insects and other pests that want to feast on juicy berries. After the shoots are removed, the shrubs become especially sensitive to diseases, external negative factors and other irritants. To protect plantings, special preventive measures should be taken.
After pruning, prophylaxis is carried out with various preparations designed to maintain the health of fruit crops. The mixture can be bought at any garden store or you can make your own. For a bucket of water you will need: 15 grams of liquid soap and how much copper oxychloride solution. An excellent disinfection result is demonstrated by Bordeaux liquid. Among folk remedies, ash is widely used, which covers a plot with garden strawberries.
To give the shrubs strength, it is recommended to feed them after pruning. As a rule, complex fertilizers are used.
Pruning for plant propagation
Most gardeners use mustaches to grow garden strawberries. If you remove processes for this very purpose, you must follow the following rules.
- You need to choose the strongest shrubs, with no signs of disease and attacks from pests.
- Weak shoots are cut off immediately so that the plant's strength goes as far as possible into the formation of strong and prolific mustaches. And also you do not need to let the plant bloom, removing the emerging ovaries.
- For breeding, it is best to use those whiskers that formed in the first wave.
- Branches are pinned to the ground so that the plants give roots. As a rule, mustaches take root in August. As soon as three large leaves appear on them, the branches are separated from the mother plant.
Trim mustache or not?
To allow plantings of garden strawberries, you will need planting material. The future harvest, its taste, appearance, size and aroma will depend on its quality. Mother bushes are selected during the formation of berries. Under this category are plants that have given the maximum yield of the highest quality. The following year, the shrubs already become uterine and are used exclusively as a propagation of the strawberry species.
Mustaches should be trimmed and disposed of only in those shrubs whose main task is to grow large and juicy berries. It should also be taken into account that a large number of shoots interfere with planting care - loosening the ground, watering, mulching and other work.
For information on when to trim the mustache of strawberries, see the next video.