You probably know that plastic is the most commonly used material (at least in the West), and it's also the most commonly thrown away. But did you know that it's also one of the most recommended materials for making plant containers? It's waterproof, lightweight, and can last quite a while. That's why that plastic bottle you're about to throw away can become a new 'home' for your strawberries.
And these plants are perfect for having in small containers, since they do not need much space to produce an interesting amount of fruit. So, without further delay, Discover how to plant strawberries in plastic bottles.
How to choose a plastic bottle?
As you well know, there are plastic bottles of various sizes: half a liter, one liter, one and a half liters, two, etc. Which one is the best for the strawberry plant? Well, To do this we need to know what size the plant reaches once it is an adult.. And to that end, I will tell you that, generally speaking - there can always be small variations depending on the specimens we have in front of us - strawberries, once they reach maturity, measure about 30-35 centimetres in height by about 20 centimetres in width. Here is a drawing so you can better understand what I mean:
In the drawing, the square represents the pot, and the circle represents the plant. The root system of the strawberry does not take up much space, which is why it is so successful in the garden. pot cultivation or even in hydroponics. And this is also why you will not necessarily have to plant them in drums or particularly large plastic containers. In fact, 6 litre or XNUMX litre bottles can be very useful as seedbeds, and XNUMX litre bottles as permanent pots.
How to plant strawberries in plastic bottles?
Have you already chosen the bottle that will house your strawberry plant? Then now you have to do the following:
Clean it up a bit
This step It is only important if the bottle is dirty and not for drinking water.. I mean, if it contained a liquid that was not suitable for consumption, you will have to clean it. To do this, fill it with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Then, close it and stir it well, until it foams. Once this is done, throw away the water, and rinse it well. Finally, it is highly, highly recommended that you let it dry in the sun, but if the water you have used is suitable for consumption, you can move on to the next step.
Cut it in half or so
With sharp scissors, like the ones used to cut nails for example, it will be very easy to cut it in half.As a precaution, I recommend wearing gloves, especially to avoid cutting yourself with either the scissors or the plastic. I know, it's a little difficult to cut yourself if you're careful, but wearing gloves will only take a moment and can greatly reduce the risk of injury.
Make one or more holes in its base.
It is essential that it has at least one hole in the base so that the water does not stagnate in the roots of the plant, otherwise they could rot and, with them, the rest of the strawberry. To make it easier for you, Put half of the bottle upside down, and with the scissors make the hole(s). These don't have to be very big; just stick the tip of the scissors into the container until you see a small hole. Bear in mind that the bigger the hole, the more soil will be lost after each watering. However, if you've gone a bit overboard (it can happen to all of us) and made it too big, don't worry because a drainage mesh will fix it.
OPTIONAL: Paint your new pot
Now is the time, if you wish, to paint the plastic bottle. Since the roots of the strawberries do not like to be exposed to direct light, it is very interesting to paint the container if it is transparent. To do this, You can use water-based and solvent-free acrylic paints.. Take advantage and let your imagination fly: draw flowers, insects or whatever you prefer. If you have children, feel free to let them advise you, or even let them explore their artistic side by decorating the new pot for the plant themselves.
Plant your strawberry in the plastic bottle
And we come to the final step. Once the bottle is ready to be used as a pot, it is time to plant the strawberry in it. How do you do it? Very simple:
- First of all, if there is a hole that is too big, put a piece of drainage mesh over it so that no soil is lost.
- Now You have to fill the bottle with growing substrate until just under half full.. I recommend using one specific for urban gardens (such as this) as it has the necessary nutrients for the strawberry to develop well for a few weeks, but you can also use the universal substrate.
- The next step is Carefully remove the plant and place it in the bottleIf you see that it is too high or too low, do not hesitate to remove it or add more substrate.
- To finish, Add more substrate until it is well filled., and water.
The only thing left to do now is to put it in a bright spot. If you have painted the pot, it is a good idea to put it in an area where it gets direct sunlight for a few hours so that the plant can develop better.
What do you think of this idea? Did you know that you can use plastic bottles as flower pots?