u/GourmetStrawberries

I started saving strawberry seeds years ago. After i figured out how to do that, I started thinking about selling them. The first task was to come up with a way to count them to package them. It took a while but I stumbled on measuring devices from a number manufacturers. I evaluated a couple of them and finally chose one from a manufacturer called Hornady. Pictured here is the unit purchased 15 years ago called a Hornady Lock and Load. Once calibrated for the seeds of a particular cultivar you can measure seeds accurately within 1 or 2 seeds each time and dispense them into packets quickly. Once I have the seed envelopes prepped the packets can be filled in seconds. Sure beats counting them by hand. I never tried to use it for other types of seed but it has potential!

For many years I used the "wet" method of processing woodland and alpine strawberry seeds. It had several drawbacks so I experimented with drying the fruit. There was little information anywhere so I winged it. When I finally found a way to thresh the seeds (separate the seeds from the pulp) switched to the dry method for good. Here is a quick look at threshing. I cut off a 1 square foot piece of nylon window screen and poured dried fruit into it. Then, pull the corners of the screen and fold it into a ball. The "ball" is then rigorously rubbed against the dry fruit. If the fruit is dry it separates well. I'm planning a November substack on strawberry seed saving.

I use three 32 gallon garbage cans for vermicomposting. The sides and bottom have hole and a 2" PVC pipe used vertically provides aeration to the middle of the can. It is wheeled into my garage in winter and a large saucer catches the liquid. Works great and produces plenty of vermicompost for my needs.

I have been doing germination tests for alpine and woodland strawberry seeds for many years with this method. The 2oz Solo cups have a tablespoon of course sand that is checked and moistened as needed. These seeds need light to germinate and the Sprout provides the perfect PPFD. Works great for germinating seeds for my seed saving business as well!

Using a Grow Bowl in this Bounty but not using the reservoir. Watering is only needed occasionally. Different pot sizes are not conducive to auto watering. I check the weight of the container and water if needed. I did have a 5/16" tube on the pump and a reducer to a 1/8" tube and a Netafilm 5" Netbow and ran it thru the view opening in the grow bowl but couldn't program it because it wasn't a regular schedule so removed all that. The AG reservoir is only used now as a drain to waste holding tank. Woodland strawberries don't tolerate high light intensities so I recommend keeping a light meter handy to check intensity as the plants grow. Adjust the hood height to shoot for around 400 PPFD at the top of the canopy.

Seeds of this cultivar survived in my freezer for 16 years and germinated at 40%.

A Sprout is being used for a 1 gallon 'Hawaii 4' mother plant. A newer version Sprout with 2" mesh pot lid for rooting a runner with 2 spots for future runners. An air stone was added. And, using a modified Click and Grow unit for rooting 3 more runners. The C&G is modified by adding an air stone. I don't find C&G to be useful without this modification. Not shown yet is a modified Bounty. It is being converted to a top drip system.

I am reusing several Sprouts to grow strawberries in starter blocks as shown in the picture. The trays holding the blocks are 5" x 5" microgreens trays. I also use them for germination cups that contain a tablespoon of course sand. Recently separated 'Hawaii 4' runners are in the blocks. They are so useful that I just bought another one off eBay.

There a very few strawberry cultivars or varieties that flower on unrooted runners. Hawaii 4 is one that does. Can you imagine a hanging basket with flowers and then fruit on the runners cascading off the basket? Here, I am rooting a runner that is flowering.