How red can strawberries be picked

Strawberries are usually suitable for harvesting when the fruit surface presents a uniform deep red color and there are no white circles around the stem. Maturity judgment is mainly based on factors such as changes in fruit color, flesh hardness, aroma concentration, degree of stem separation, and planting time.

1. Color Change of Fruit

When strawberries mature, the skin changes from green to red. Fully ripe fruits appear as a full deep red color, and some varieties may have a purple red luster. Avoid picking fruits with only red tips or uneven color distribution, as these strawberries have insufficient sugar accumulation.

2. Fruit flesh hardness test

The fruit should have slight elasticity when lightly pressed with fingertips. If it is too hard, it indicates that it is not fully ripe, and if it is too soft, it may be too ripe. Mature strawberry flesh has moderate hardness and can withstand slight compression during harvesting without damage.

3. Identification of aroma concentration

Strawberries that are fully ripe will emit a strong sweet aroma, especially near the fruit stem where the scent is prominent. Strawberries lacking aroma may not have completed the synthesis of flavor compounds even if their appearance turns red.

4. Stem Separation State

Mature strawberries will form a separation layer at the junction of the stem and stem, which can be naturally peeled off by gently pulling. If force is required to pull, it indicates that the plant is not fully mature, and forcibly picking may damage the plant.

5. Planting time estimation

It usually takes 28-34 days from flowering to maturity, and maturity is faster in warm environments. It is recommended to observe daily before and after the expected maturity period, as there may be a 3-5 day maturity difference among different varieties. After harvesting, strawberries no longer mature. It is recommended to harvest them in the morning after the dew has dried, and preserving the fruit stem and some sepals can extend the storage time. Avoid picking on rainy days to prevent the fruits from absorbing water and spoiling. The depth of the harvesting container should not exceed 15 centimeters to prevent crushing. Family planting can be picked in batches, with priority given to picking fruits that have completely turned red, and immature ones left for another inspection 2-3 days later. Commercial planting needs to consider adjusting the harvesting maturity based on transportation distance, and eight ripe fruits can be selected for long-distance transportation.