The tiny specks embedded in the fruit’s surface are not typical seeds but are botanically classified as achenes, which are the true fruit of the plant. Understanding the cost of these achenes requires looking at their commercial value for planting, while determining their quantity involves examining the fruit’s biological structure. This dual nature explains why people ask both how much the seeds cost and how many a single strawberry holds.
The Cost of Commercial Strawberry Seeds
When considering the cost of strawberry seeds, most commercial growers and serious home gardeners choose to purchase plants rather than seeds. The most affordable option is the bare-root plant, a dormant crown shipped without soil, which can cost less than a dollar per plant when bought in bulk. These dormant plants establish quickly and generally produce fruit much sooner than plants started from seed.
Seeds offer access to a wider range of varieties, particularly heirloom or alpine types, which are less commonly sold as bare-root stock. A packet of specialized strawberry seeds, containing 50 to 200 achenes, typically sells for between three and ten dollars. This price is heavily influenced by the rarity of the cultivar, such as specific white or alpine varieties, and whether they are certified organic or non-GMO.
Growing plants from seed involves a significant investment of time. Plants grown from seed can take 18 months or more to produce a substantial harvest, making them a long-term gardening project. Plug plants, which are actively growing seedlings sold in small containers, are more expensive than bare-root stock but offer faster establishment for a quicker yield.
The Biology of Strawberry Seeds (Achenes)
The tiny, yellowish specks dotting the exterior of the familiar red fruit are individual, complete fruits called achenes. Each achene is a small, dry fruit containing a single seed within its hard protective shell. The large, fleshy red part that is commonly eaten is actually the swollen receptacle of the flower, making the strawberry an aggregate accessory fruit rather than a true berry.
The quantity of achenes on a single strawberry varies depending on the size and specific cultivar of the fruit. A medium-sized berry typically holds between 150 and 200 achenes on its surface. Large or well-developed strawberries can bear as many as 400 achenes.
The development of the fleshy receptacle is directly tied to the successful fertilization of the ovules that form the achenes. Each fertilized achene produces a plant hormone called auxin, which signals the receptacle to swell and ripen. If an area of the strawberry is not properly pollinated, the achenes do not form, and that section of the fruit remains hard and underdeveloped.
Extracting and Preparing Viable Seeds from Fruit
Hobbyists must first carefully extract the achenes from the mature berry.
Extraction Methods
One method involves gently scraping the outer layer of the fruit with a razor or knife to remove the achenes, which are then spread out to dry completely for several days. An alternative technique is to lightly blend the fruit in a small amount of water to separate the achenes from the pulp, then strain and rinse them before drying.
Once the achenes are fully dry, they must undergo cold stratification to break their natural dormancy. This biological requirement mimics the cold, moist conditions of a winter season, which signals to the seed that it is time to germinate. Without this cold exposure, the seeds rarely sprout.
Stratification is achieved by placing the achenes in a sealed container with a damp medium like sand or vermiculite. Refrigerate them at temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for three to four weeks. After this cold treatment, the seeds can be sown on the surface of a sterile seed-starting mix, as they require light to germinate effectively. Seeds extracted from hybrid grocery store fruit may not produce plants identical to the parent, often resulting in smaller, less vigorous plants.