Strawberry seedlings intended for collection should be healthy, not wilted and not overdry. Therefore, it is best to dig them out on cloudy days. In large plantations, whole rows of seedlings, including mother plants, are dug up by machine. Plants shaken off the ground are loaded on trailers and transported to special rooms, where the mustache is cut off, sorts the cuttings and ties them into bunches.
Seedlings intended for marketing should have a well-developed aboveground part, with a healthy build, with a well-developed apical bud and the appearance of leaves appropriate for a given variety. Roots should be numerous, bright brown. The detailed dimensions of strawberry plants in individual selections vary and depend on the period of sale. When selling by the end of August, 1st choice seedlings should have no less than 3 well-formed leaves, second choice seedlings – no less than 2 leaves. On sale in autumn, the number of well-formed leaves is 4 for the selection of I and 3 for selection II. In the spring, seedlings should be at least 2 well-formed leaves. The length of the roots for seedlings sold in summer must be at least 6 cm for selecting I and 4 cm for selection II, in the fall 8 cm for I choice and 6 cm for selection II. In the spring, the length of the roots should be 8 cm.
Cuttings tied in bunches after 25 pieces should be quickly pitted, and then watered. Prepared seedlings are better to be stored in a cold room at a temperature of about 4 ° C. The most suitable for summer plantations are spring-dug cuttings, no leaves, stored in a cold room at a temperature of -2 ° C.
