Strawberry questions

[euronerd]

A couple of questions to which I can't find the answer:

1) My runners are pegged into pots to root. Some are sending out another runner from the pot. Do I root this second runner or cut it off?

2) What's the best thing to do with the old plants in the ground once the new runners are established and detached?

3) For how many years can this be repeated?

Oops that's three. ::)

Thanks in advance.

Geoff.

[euronerd]

[Tee Gee]

1) My runners are pegged into pots to root. Some are sending out another runner from the pot. Do I root this second runner or cut it off?

You can if you wish but do not root any more than five new plants per parent plant.

Do not cut the end off what ever you do until you are sure the first plantlet is well rooted, this can be trimmed off once you sever the rooted plant.

2) What's the best thing to do with the old plants in the ground once the new runners are established and detached?

Depends how old they are! I work on three year plant turnround, i.e. a third of my plants are 1st year (from runners), a third 2nd year and a third 3rd year. My new runners replace the 3rd year plants, meaning none of my plants are over three years old.

You will find that first year plants are sparse of fruit, 2nd year is quite often the best year but 3rd year can be equally as good but after that the quantity and quality often deteriorates hence getting rid after three years.

3) For how many years can this be repeated?

For as many years as the plants are not diseased or lose their vigour.

I tend to stick a marker (plant label) alongside my best producing plants in the harvesting period and only take runners from these plants.

I hope that answers your query! or you can look in here for some more info; http://tinyurl.com/284egs

[euronerd]

Thank you Tee Gee. That covers it admirably. I'd already looked on your site, which I've already got bookmarked.

Geoff.

[davholla]

One question what liquid feed should we use ?  Potash ?  Nitrogen etc ?

[kt.]

Potted my runners last week. I have not fed them anything. They have sufficient energy from the main plant itself as the runners have not yet been cut. They get a little extra water occasionally but thats all. They seem to be doing fine.

[Tee Gee]

what liquid feed should we use ?  Potash ?  Nitrogen etc ?

I am not quite sure what you mean ???

If you mean the potted runners! there should be enough fertiliser in the compost to keep them going.

Remember this; they don't use fertiliser out of the compost until they are rooted, so a liquid fertiliser is a waste of time.

Plus as long as they are connected to the parent plant, it is the food source.

Prior to planting out the just apply a general slow release fertiliser particularly if you are planting out in the autumn, you don't want the plants to get too lush going into the winter.

I wrote this on fertilisers it might help; http://tinyurl.com/2cwym3

[davholla]

what liquid feed should we use ?  Potash ?  Nitrogen etc ?

I am not quite sure what you mean ???

If you mean the potted runners! there should be enough fertiliser in the compost to keep them going.

Remember this; they don't use fertiliser out of the compost until they are rooted, so a liquid fertiliser is a waste of time.

Plus as long as they are connected to the parent plant, it is the food source.

Prior to planting out the just apply a general slow release fertiliser particularly if you are planting out in the autumn, you don't want the plants to get too lush going into the winter.

I wrote this on fertilisers it might help; http://tinyurl.com/2cwym3

I was referring to this in the above link :-

" Week 9; Plants brought into the heated glass last month should be growing vigorously.

They should be kept in good light at a temperature of around 10C (50F), ensure they do not dry out.

As the plants come into flower, begin liquid feeding on a weekly basis.

Hand pollinate flowers by gently brushing over the centre of open blooms with a soft camel brush or a piece of cotton wool. "

[Tee Gee]

Ah!!

I haven't got round to thinking that far ahead, I thought you were on about planting out in beds.

By referring you to the fertiliser page I was thinking in terms of this section;

First to come (normally) is the leaves, and these generally require nitrogen (N)

(N) the symbol for nitrogen, promotes plant growth.

n.b. too much nitrogen can produce soft lush growth and large leaves, which is not always desirable.

Next is (P) the symbol for Phosphates this promotes good healthy root systems.

Next is (K) the symbol for Potash, this promotes flowering, fruiting, and ripening.

As you can see at the stage in question; you require 'Potash' so that old faithful 'Tomato food' will do.

I hope this clarifies things a bit better