A strawberry plant can be moved from soil to a Kratky container, but the roots have to be completely clean first and the plant will sulk for a week or two afterward.
Why the Soil Has to Go
Soil carries organic matter and microbes that a still container of nutrient solution cannot cope with. Left on the roots, it clouds the solution, feeds rot and blocks the net cup.
Washing the Roots
- Water the plant well, then ease it out of its pot.
- Shake and tease off as much loose soil as you can by hand.
- Swish the root ball in a bucket of lukewarm water, changing the water as it gets dirty.
- Finish under a gentle stream of water until the roots are clean.
- Trim off any roots that are broken, brown or mushy.
Be patient with this step. A few minutes more here saves the plant later.
Planting and the First Solution
Set the plant in a net cup with the crown above the clay pebbles and the roots reaching the solution. Mix the first solution at about half strength. Roots grown in soil are not adapted to living in water, and a weak solution is gentler while the plant grows new ones.
Getting Through Transplant Shock
- Keep the plant out of strong direct sun for the first few days.
- Expect some older leaves to yellow and die. Remove them.
- Leave the solution touching the bottom of the net cup until you see new white roots.
- Once new roots and leaves appear, move to normal strength and let the air gap open up.
Most plants recover within two weeks. Plants moved while small adapt far better than large, fruiting ones.
Related guide: Kratky strawberry setup guide.
