Strawberries in Pots for Karachi Weather

[faisalj75]

Hello all, just join this group, actually I was looking for such a group which can inform and advice gardening tips considering local (Karachi) weather and availabilities in consideration. I m a big fan of container gardening and thinking about planting strawberries plants in hanging pots. Following questions is required to answer for my satisfactions:

1. Where I can find strawberries plants in Karachi?
2. Does the weather allow the plant and the fruit to grow successfully?
3. What sort or locally available potting mix is required for such gardening?
4. What is the best time to pot small plants(if available)
5. Where to place the hanging pots (in shade or sun)?
6. What sort of care is required?

Gardening is a hobby, I just discovers within myself recently. So I have very limited knowledge and would to love to know more and more

Plz check this following video, this is the kind of hanging pots i m looking for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajk_kY380dM

[Izhar]

Welcome to the forum. With my very limited knowledge, I'll try to answer your queries, hope others share their views too:

1. Where I can find strawberries plants in Karachi?
Ans: By October end in almost all nurseries at Korangi Road will be carrying them.

2. Does the weather allow the plant and the fruit to grow successfully?
Ans: Yes

3. What sort or locally available potting mix is required for such gardening?
Ans: Any suitable gardening soil with lots of organic matter like well rotted manure or leaf compost

4. What is the best time to pot small plants(if available)
Ans: October end

5. Where to place the hanging pots (in shade or sun)?
Ans: In full sun

6. What sort of care is required?
Ans: Look for Aphids, Spider mites and mealy bugs.. otherwise they are care free.

[faisalj75]

Thanks buddy, that was quick and usefull. any other suggetions are welcome.

[PBGardener]

i have strawberry seeds..can i plant the strawberry seeds now or is it too late for this season? (Karachi planting).

[M Farooq]

An identical question appeared in DAWN newspaper on grwoing strawberries in Karachi.

Initially, I thought growing the fruit in Karachi weather is impossible but it seems strawberries do grow in Sindh. Here are the details:

"Q: I would like to know if we can grow strawberries in Karachi and, if so, how much water, sunshine and manure they need.

A: You can indeed cultivate strawberries in Karachi and its environs. Adventurous gardeners began doing so way back in the 1960s and, far more recently, strawberries were introduced as a field crop in some areas of Sindh. They grow readily from summer/autumn sown seed but you may find it easier to begin by purchasing ‘runners,’ which are small plants growing on offshoots from a nursery. They may not be available until mid-winter so please be prepared to wait. They can be grown in full sun or light shade but will benefit from extra protection during very hot, dry weather. Grow them in clay pots, one plant per 10 inch pot or plant them 10 – 12 inches apart on ridges raised approximately six inches above the surrounding soil. They require rich, well draining soil to thrive. I suggest a mix of river sand, sweet earth and old, well rotted, organic manure in equal parts. Strawberries need copious amounts of water, but when flowering/fruiting do not let the leaves get wet as that causes mildew and rot to form. If cultivating on ridges, water the soil in between them. Laying down dry straw around the plants when they are flowering helps to keep the resultant berries out of direct contact with the soil."

by Zahra Nasir.


Regards,

Farooq

[Izhar]

I am growing petunias in fruit crates... Strawberries can be grown in this fashion too..

[faisalj75]

Izhar Bhai im still unable to find strawberries plants in Karachi, please advise, where from you get these?

[Izhar]

These are petunias... I myself unable to find Strawberry plants in the nurseries.. strange ..as they were common last season..

[khabbab]

I m getting runners@ 3Rs per runner BUT these are from chanan din I will buy from him today. He still has the stock. By the way can we differentiate between seeds grown plant and runner grown plant? How can i avoid being cheated by C.Din ?

[faisalj75]

Khabbab, are u getting runners for Strawberries? if yes than for Rs. 3 i will take risk