Strawberry Frigo Plant A+ Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury

Mastering Strawberry Frigo Plants: A Professional Grower's Guide

For professional strawberry producers, market gardeners looking to diversify, and cultivation managers aiming for optimal yields, understanding the nuances of different plant types is paramount. Among the various options available, the Strawberry Frigo Plant stands out as a strategic and economical choice, offering unparalleled flexibility and robust performance when properly managed. This guide provides a comprehensive technical overview to help you master the cultivation of Strawberry Frigo Plants for a successful and profitable harvest.

What Exactly is a Strawberry Frigo Plant?

A Strawberry Frigo Plant is a bare-root strawberry plant derived from runners that have been harvested during the plant's natural winter dormancy period, typically from mid-November to December. Once harvested, these plants are meticulously sorted and then deep-frozen, stored in cold chambers at temperatures around -2°C to maintain their dormant state. This process allows for prolonged storage, making the plants available for planting well into the following spring and summer.

The key advantage of this method is that the plants have had more time to develop in the nursery before being harvested, resulting in a significantly stronger and more vigorous root system compared to fresh plants. This robust root structure ensures a powerful start after planting.

Key Advantages:

• Cost-Effective: Strawberry Frigo Plants are significantly less expensive than other types like potted or tray plants, offering a cost reduction of 40-50% compared to potted plants, making large-scale planting more accessible.
• Planting Flexibility: Their dormant state allows growers to schedule planting from as early as March through to the end of May, providing great control over the production calendar.
• Strong Root System: Having developed over a longer period, these plants boast powerful roots that promote vigorous growth upon planting.
• High Yield Potential: Particularly with larger calibers (A+ or A++), frigo plants offer excellent and reliable yield potential, with the main harvest occurring in the second year.

Potential Disadvantages:

• Delayed First Harvest: The primary drawback is the long interval between planting and the first significant commercial harvest, which typically occurs in the year following planting (Year 2). This requires a longer-term investment and maintenance strategy.
• Intensive Maintenance: The first year is dedicated to root establishment and plant development, demanding consistent care, including frequent watering and, crucially, the removal of the first year's flower trusses to redirect energy to the roots.
• Bare-Root Sensitivity: Being bare-root plants, they are delicate and can suffer from dehydration if not handled and planted quickly upon receipt.

Understanding Frigo Plant Sizing and Caliber

A critical aspect of ordering Strawberry Frigo Plants is understanding the grading system, which is based on the diameter of the rhizome (crown) at the collar. This size gives a reliable indication of the plant's yield potential, specifically the number of inflorescences it will produce.

• A++ Grade (>18mm): These are the largest plants, offering the highest yield potential. They are often used for specific cultivation systems like the 60-day culture, where a harvest is programmed approximately eight to ten weeks after planting in Year 1. This complex system requires perfect irrigation conditions but provides an early return on investment.
• A+ Grade (>15mm): This is the most commonly planted caliber for 60-day cultivation, providing a strong initial harvest in the first year without compromising the plant's long-term health as severely as smaller grades might. A partial harvest is possible in Year 1.
• A Grade (10-14mm): A highly popular choice due to its attractive price point. While a small harvest is possible in Year 1, it is strongly recommended to remove the flower buds to ensure no fruit develops, thereby strengthening the plant for a much larger yield in Year 2.
• A- Grade (8-10mm): An economical option ideal for light to medium soils. The primary strategy here is to sacrifice the first year's harvest entirely by removing flower clusters to capitalize on root establishment, aiming to boost productivity significantly in Year 2.
• B Grade (6-8mm): This size is not recommended for professional market gardening but is ideal for nurseries and garden centers for potting up before sale to consumers.

Detailed Cultivation Itinerary for Strawberry Frigo Plants

Success with frigo plants hinges on a precise and well-executed technical itinerary, from soil preparation to long-term maintenance.

1. Site Selection and Soil Preparation

A well-prepared site is the foundation of a productive strawberry field.

• Location: Choose a sunny location where strawberries have not been grown for at least two years to avoid soil-borne diseases.
• Soil Type: Strawberries thrive in loamy soils—a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay—that offer excellent aeration and drainage while retaining sufficient moisture. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.2, to maximize nutrient absorption.
• Preparation Timeline: Begin soil preparation 2 to 3 weeks before planting.
• Tilling: Work the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm to aerate it and eliminate weeds. On compacted land, deeper subsoiling (30-40 cm) may be necessary.
• Enrichment: Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil structure and fertility. A soil test is highly recommended to identify specific nutrient deficiencies and adjust fertilization accordingly.
• Bed Formation: For field cultivation, creating raised beds or ridges (10-20 cm high) covered with plastic mulch is standard practice. This improves drainage, warms the soil, keeps fruit clean, and controls weeds. Drip irrigation lines should be installed under the mulch before planting.

2. Handling and Planting

Proper handling upon receipt is crucial for bare-root plants.

• Storage: If you cannot plant immediately, store the plants in a cool, ventilated area (2°C to 4°C), away from direct light. Do not allow the roots to dry out. Some growers recommend a progressive thawing at a cool temperature for 24 hours before planting.
• Rehydration: It is recommended to soak the roots in water for about 5 to 15 minutes just before planting to rehydrate them.
• Planting Window: The main planting period for frigo plants is from March to the end of May. Planting as early as possible within this window (e.g., March) is advised, as it allows for a longer establishment period, leading to a more robust plant.
• Planting Depth: This is a critical step. The crown of the plant must be set exactly at soil level. If planted too deep, the crown can rot; if too shallow, the roots will dry out.
• Spacing: A spacing of 30 to 40 cm between plants within a row and 40 to 60 cm between rows is ideal to ensure good air circulation and facilitate maintenance and harvesting.
• Initial Watering: Water generously immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots and ensure excellent initial contact, which is vital for recovery.

3. First-Year Management: The Key to Future Yield

The first year for a frigo plant is primarily about building a strong foundation.

• Irrigation: Frequent and consistent watering is imperative until a sufficient root system has developed. Drip irrigation is the most efficient system as it delivers water directly to the root zone and keeps foliage dry, reducing disease risk.
• Flower Removal: For calibers A and A-, it is crucial to remove all flower trusses as they appear during the first year. This prevents the plant from expending energy on fruit production and diverts all its resources into developing a powerful root and leaf system, which will determine the yield potential for the following years.
• Weed and Pest Control: Maintain a clean field by removing weeds that compete for water and nutrients. Monitor for common pests like aphids and mites.
• Stolon Removal: Regularly remove runners (stolons) to concentrate the plant's energy on the main crown.

4. Long-Term Culture and Renewal

A Strawberry Frigo Plant field is typically productive for about three years.

• Year 2: This is the year of peak production. The plant, having established itself in Year 1, will produce a high yield of large, quality fruits. Continue with regular irrigation, fertilization based on soil and plant needs, and pest management.
• Year 3: Production will remain good but may start to decline slightly in fruit size or quantity.
• Renewal: A three-year renewal cycle is recommended to maintain high productivity and prevent the buildup of soil diseases.

By understanding the unique lifecycle and requirements of Strawberry Frigo Plants, professional growers can leverage their economic and scheduling advantages to establish highly productive and profitable strawberry operations.

In summary: Our Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria)

As a key actor in the professional horticulture sector, Strawberryverse stands out as a trusted wholesale supplier specialist in Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria). Our range of Frigo Plants is selected for their robust development, excellent transplant success, and strong yield performance. Developed by specialized nurseries, these plants feature vigorous root systems and offer great adaptability to different planting schedules, from early spring to late May.

Buy your Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria) from a reliable partner who understands the needs of professional growers. Whether you're targeting high volumes or planning staggered production, Frigo Plants provide both flexibility and productivity. Their tiered grading system—from A- to A++—lets you select the caliber that matches your technical goals and commercial objectives.

We support your operations with fast, careful delivery across Europe, expert logistics, and responsive customer service. Our technical advisors provide personalized advice to help you choose the right planting strategy for your field or tunnel setup. Buy your Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria) with confidence from a wholesale supplier specialist in Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria).

Thanks to competitive producer pricing and high-quality bare-root stock, you can reduce costs while maximizing long-term returns. Frigo Plants offer especially high potential in their second year, with larger calibers also allowing for partial or full first-year harvests under 60-day systems. Buy your Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria) today and benefit from Strawberryverse’s expertise as a wholesale supplier specialist in Plant of Strawberry (Fragaria).