ARS | Publication request: OUT-OF-SEASON GREENHOUSE STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Submitted to: American Society for Plasticulture Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 23, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Plug plants of 'Chandler' strawberry were transplanted into horizontal nutrient film technique (NFT) gutters. Plants produced from runner tips taken in June and transferred into a 1-L container in September developed greater numbers of branch crowns and produced more fruit in winter than plants from tips taken later and maintained in 0.08-L cells. Plug plants derived from large and small tips produced similar yields. Chilling (10 degrees C) of plug plants during the nyctoperiod for 20 day had no effect on the fruiting pattern or total yield. Fruit production in NFT gutters was as much as 0.9 kg/plant. Pest problems were minimized by regular releases of predatory mites for control of two-spotted spider mites and flower thrips.