Strawberries are one of the all-time favorite fruits for many people, including farmers. Strawberries have a reputation for being fairly easy to grow no matter where they are grown, as long as they are in full sun. Isn’t it beautiful? Many people who have tried garden-fresh strawberries can attest that they taste better than their supermarket counterparts.
Although it is established that strawberries are easy to grow, they can contribute a lot to the growth and by extension the flavor of your strawberry or your soil.
The strawberry plant needs certain nutrients to grow properly. Lack of these nutrients will result in an undernourished strawberry. There has been a lot of talk lately about using eggshells as fertilizer for certain plants and it is true.
What nutrients do eggshells contain and are they good for strawberries? We will answer your questions about this in the future.
Contents
Strawberries and their nutritional needs
The garden strawberry is a cultivar of a hybrid plant known as Fragaria x ananassa. The perennial fruit plant has become a commonly grown plant in gardens, from large to small, and this is due to its ease of cultivation.
Providing the right nutrients for your strawberry plant is an important aspect of growing and that means first understanding your plant’s needs.
Here are the nutrient requirements for strawberry plants to grow.
1. Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a very important nutrient and its importance is seen in the quality and yield of strawberries. Nitrogen is so important to the strawberry plant that changes are being made; positively or negatively affect the plant and its fruits.
Nitrogen helps in the growth of leaves, petioles, etc. As your plant grows you will notice that the middle aged leaves are starved of nitrogen and this is due to the transfer of nitrogen from the middle aged plants to the new ones.
One indication that your plant has a nitrogen deficiency is that it is starting to turn yellow. Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers will help correct the harm done to your plant. However, your plant must not have excess nitrogen or you will have another problem.
Image: Envato Elements2.potassium
Potassium is known as one of the nutrients that strawberries need in large amounts. Potassium is equally important and helps to obtain water from the roots and to control water loss.
It also helps collect sugar in fruits, eliminates fungal, microbial and insect damage. The importance of potassium cannot be stressed enough. An indication of a potassium deficiency in your strawberry plants is redness at the tips of older leaves, an inability to develop full color due to strawberries full of color and tasteless.
Be sure to apply potassium before planting.
3. phosphorus
It is an equally important nutrient for your strawberries. Phosphorus plays an important role in fruit development. The most effective time for phosphorus is when plants are still small, just after transplanting, during root development.
Although strawberries do not have a high demand for phosphorus, it can be harmful if it is not available in sufficient quantities. It is recommended that gardeners monitor the phosphorus content of their soil/plant after planting and this can be done by testing the soil and examining leaf tissue.
One indication that your plant has a phosphorus deficiency is that the foliage is shrinking and the leaves are starting to darken. The fruit also begins to grow slowly and is usually smaller than the normal variety. Phosphorus must be applied before planting so that it reaches the root and is then transported elsewhere.
4. Calcium
Although calcium is classified as a secondary nutrient, depending on the strawberry’s needs. The functions of calcium in strawberries are numerous. It helps maintain fruit firmness and also affects shelf life.
Calcium serves as a structural part of cell walls; it is also known to promote rapid plant growth. Aids in root development and the movement of carbohydrates through the plant. A strawberry plant low in calcium will suffer and grow slowly. The plant will also be open to invasion by fungi and bacteria.
These and many more are the nutrients the strawberry plant needs to grow and produce nutritious fruit.
Image: Envato ElementsNutrients contained in the shell
Although eggshells seem insignificant, they contain many nutrients that are beneficial for the growth of many plants. It should also be noted that the eggshell cannot be used for other plants. This is due to the nutritional needs of these plants. Eggshell contains the following nutrients.
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Match
- potassium.
Are eggshells good for strawberries?
Yes, the strawberry plant is one of many plants that can use eggshells to grow, and that’s because eggshells contain most of the nutrients the strawberry needs to grow. Eggshells can be used as fertilizer, for pest control, to restore soil, and much more.
final thoughts
Eggshell for your strawberry plant is a natural way to add the nutrients the plant needs.
Eggshells can be used for a variety of other plants, especially fruit bearing plants. We recommend that you use eggshells as fertilizer for your strawberries or put them in the ground before planting them; this allows the plant to receive the correct portion as needed.
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