A vertical growing system was employed and four varieties of strawberries were tested. These were: Brighton, Douglas, Tioga and Tuft.

The System

The vertical system employed consisted of square containers of expanded polyethylene having a volume of .1 cuft (3.3 liters) each. Containers were stacked on top of each other diagonally so as to form a column. A plastic pipe of 1/2 in (12 mm) diameter was passed through the containers to secure the columns and the columns were suspended from horizontal wires from the glass house roof. Each column was composed of six containers and four planting pockets were created at the corner of each container. An entire column thus contained 24 plants.

Nutrient/Water Supply

A drip irrigation system was employed to provide nutrient and water. Drip tubes were inserted in the 1st, 3rd and 5th container from the top of each column. Nutrient was collected at the base of each column and recycled. Solution was provided to each column 2-4 times per day depending on weather. Concentrations of the elements in the nutrient solution are shown in the following table.

Brighton Has Highest Yields

Production of strawberries continued for a period of 5 months. Earliest commercial production was from the Brighton variety. Greatest yield was from Brighton as well, followed by Douglas, Tuft and Tioga. Yields for each of the varieties is summarized in the following table.

Photos