Strawberries, also known as the queen of fruits, are a rare and highly sought-after fruit due to their vibrant color, tantalizing aroma, and exceptional taste.
Loved by people of all ages, strawberries are renowned for their juicy flesh, sweet and tangy flavor, and the pleasant fragrance reminiscent of other fruits.
Although strawberries can be enjoyed throughout the year, they are at their prime in February and March, with the peak of the harvest season occurring in April and May, offering the most tantalizing taste.
Strawberries not only satisfy the palate with their delicious flavor but also offer numerous unexpected health benefits when consumed regularly. These heart-shaped fruits boast a rich red color, a succulent texture, and a flavor profile that is unrivaled.
They are not only a favorite among fruit enthusiasts but are also recognized for their high nutritional value. Strawberries are packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, dietary fiber, fructose, amino acids, sucrose, vitamin E, vitamin A, protein, carotene, B vitamins, pectin, anthocyanins, and trace elements including calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and zinc.
The growth cycle of strawberries typically begins in the spring when the ground temperature stabilizes at around 2-5°C. During this time, the root system initiates its growth, with the roots starting to develop approximately 7-10 days earlier than the above-ground parts of the plant.
The growth of the roots primarily involves the extension of the root system that was established during the previous autumn. As the temperature rises, new roots gradually emerge, ensuring the plant's stability and nutrient absorption.
Within about a week, the top of the stem sprouts, giving rise to new stems and leaves, while the older leaves gradually wither and die.
During the early spring growth phase, the strawberry plant heavily relies on the nutrients stored in its rhizomes and roots. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen management practices during the preceding autumn to promote nutrient storage, enabling the plant to thrive in the early spring.
Additionally, careful field management is essential during this period, and it is important to remove any cold-proof materials promptly as the weather warms.
Approximately one month after the above-ground growth begins, the strawberry plant enters the flowering stage, marked by the appearance of flower buds.
The inflorescence becomes visible within the sheath of the fourth leaf's stipule when the new stem has grown three leaves and the fourth leaf has not fully developed. Subsequently, the peduncle elongates, fully revealing the inflorescence.
During this phase, the plant primarily focuses on nutritional growth. As the temperature rises further and new leaves continue to emerge, photosynthesis in the leaves intensifies, and the roots experience their first peak of growth.
During the flowering stage, the roots cease their elongation and gradually turn yellow, while adventitious roots sprout at the base of the rootstock. The number of leaves and leaf area rapidly increase, boosting photosynthesis.
Approximately ten days before the peak volume and weight of the fruit are attained, fruit ripening commences. At this stage, the leaves supply almost all of their produced nutrients to the developing fruit.
Once the strawberry berries are harvested, the plant enters a vigorous growth period. Axillary buds emerge in large numbers, promoting accelerated growth and branching of new stems. Adventitious roots appear at the base of these new stems, facilitating the development of a new root system. The creeping stems produce numerous new shoots, which can give rise to new young plants.
This period represents the second peak of nutritional growth for strawberries throughout the year and can persist until the end of autumn. However, during the hottest summer months, strawberries experience a slower growth phase that may even lead to dormancy.
