I visited Kube-Pak (Allentown, NJ) during the North American Strawberry Growers Summer Tour. Kube-Pak wholesales bedding plants, plugs, potted plants and more. Our visit at Kube-Pak’s was at peak time of strawberry business. Mr. Rob Swanekamp showed us the steps of growing strawberry plugs, from tip production to shipping. The strawberry plugs’ shipping date starts in mid-July and last until the end of September. The relatively early shipping date would provide an opportunity for Indiana strawberry farmers interested in growing strawberries with a plasticulture system.
Figure 1. The steps of growing strawberry plugs at Kube-Pak (Allentown, NJ)
A. Tips are harvested from mother plants grown in hanging baskets in greenhouses. The mother plants were established from bare-root plants. The process started in April and lasted for about 20 weeks. B. Harvested tips were placed into 50-cell trays with moisture potting soil. C. The newly potted tips were grown in the misting area for 10 days. D. The plants have a well-developed root system in three weeks. E. Workers check every tray and every plant for quality control. F. Trays are individually packed and ready to ship.