Desperate Woman with Mouldy Strawberry Bed.

[carosanto]

Hi Folks, have not been on for ages, due to serious family problems, only now being resolved.  Well, here in Cornwall you can guess what the main topic of conversation is on the lottie.  The perishing wet, wind, cold, and the invasion of everything slimy with greedy chomping jaws.  But we aren't alone I guess.  

Can you help me with a problem.  My strawberry bed, quite large and with several varieties, French, English, Everbearing, etc but it is all going mouldy.  I try to harvest as much as I can but end up putting bucket loads into the compost.  What should I do.  Isn't there some called Strawberry Wilt, caused by wet weather?  I have removed all slushy and disgusting fruits, taking home a pitifully small harvest, but am worried that disease may get in and ruin the lot for coming year.  This plot is only one year old.  I am distraught, can you help me?

As a last resort, should I be thinking of cutting back all plants to the ground?

As ever, I know the answer is out there,
Regards, Caro

[carosanto]

[Digeroo]

Straw?

Having problems too. I am very pleased with the varieties which keep there fruits well above the ground.

[grannyjanny]

My SiL put strawberries in the compost bin & couldn't understand where all the plants had from. They were the alpine ones so I don't know if bigger strawberries do the same ;D, daughter wasn't very pleased with him.

[tomatoada]

The straw I put under mine is soaking wet and causing the same problems.  I just hope we get some dry weather but the forecast is not too good.   I don't think it will cause problems for next year.

[bella4legs]

We saw someone suggesting using newspaper instead of straw under the plants. we decided to do a trial and found that the berries that were on the paper to be less affected by the grey mildew. It's still there but, say, about 10% instead of half.

[ed dibbles]

It's just the wet weather, carosanto, botrytis thrives in damp conditions. It won't affect the plants themselves or next years fruit if the weather is dryer then.

At least with the everbearers you have the chance of some decent fruit later in the year if/when the weather improves.

Meanwhile you are doing the right thing removing affected fruit so that the fruit that's left stands a chance. ;)

[John85]

Growing them under small plastic tunnels is a good solution,leaving a 4" gap each side for good ventilation and pollinisation.I even no longer grow two rows just one in the middle so that even with strong winds the foliage doesn't get wet.

[carosanto]

Thanks all, good to know I am not alone.  We've had some dryish weather for the last two days (yes in the Wild West for a change) so I am off tomorrow to see what I can salvage.  And I'll hope for a good September/October when my ever bearers give the most fruit.

Caro