Medium-compact soils are the most suitable for establishing mother plantations of strawberries, with high humus content. The method of soil preparation and fertilization are very similar to these, which are used for the nursery of seedlings. The production of healthy seedlings includes three stages: superelite, elite and original.
The superelite plants are the elite in the first year, and from the elite the original.
To reduce the risk of seedlings being infected by diseases and pests, strawberry nurseries should be placed at a great distance (at least 500 m) from fruiting plantations.
It is best to set up strawberry matrices in September. Strawberry seedlings on lighter soils are planted at a spacing of 100×50 cm, and on heavier soils 120×60 cm. Greater distances are left between the varieties: about 3,0 m. The care treatments in strawberry nurseries consist mainly of: keeping the soil clean, after-main fertilization and application of chemical protection. Weeds in nurseries are combated mechanically or chemically. In the autumn, weeds are most often destroyed mechanically, while in the spring it is better to use chemicals – herbicides. For the control of weeds in strawberry nurseries in spring, it is best to use Venzar at a dose of 1,5 do 2,0 kg / ha or Tenoran at a dose from 4 do 6 kg / ha. Later, from the end of June, it is recommended to use Gesatop in a dose from 1,0 do 1,3 kg / ha.
