Disappointing Strawbs

[Justy]

I have planted a lovely strawberry bed earlier in the year with about 3 different varieties but I am a bit worried because they don't seem to be doing much.  Is this usual in the first year? 

When I planted them they were little withered looking things with a couple of dead looking leaves and some stringy roots.  They have started to grow and most have nice healthy looking leaves now but only 2 or 3 on each plant.  I am now very disappointed because envisaged lovely strawberries and cream all summer!

Any advice gratefully received!

[Justy]

[Columbus]

Hi Justy,

Mine looked terrible all winter and were slow to perk up but now I have some in flower.

I have two types alpine and regular, but I don`t know what varieties. After they put on new growth I plucked off the brown leaves and I keep them especially well weeded.

I imagine yours will be ok soon.

Col

[clairenpaul]

Hi Justy,
I've planted a strawb bed this year for the first time and I was thinking just the same - they all look healthy but don't seem to be doing much. I am assured by a chap at work that once the weather warms up there will be no stopping them - watch this space (thats if they survived this afternoons hail stones!!)

claire x

[Merry Tiller]

Patience, Strawberries are easy so long as you don't plant too deep, a bit of warm weather will get them going

[Debs]

As an experiment, I planted mine in half drainpipes which were fixed along the inside of my greenhouse.

They are either flowering or have very young fruits at the moment.

I shall definitely be repeating this method again next year to get some more early crops.

Debs ;D

[Anne Robertson]

I have just received a £20  voucher from Wilkinsons after I complained that the strawberry plants I bought from them were of extremely poor quality as only 3 or 4 have survived out of 15.  I think that was very fair of Wilkinsons.
Though even £20 doesn't make up for the disappointment of not having strawberries and cream this summer :(

[return of the mac]

Im trying maxim- meant to give HUUUGE strawbs- anyone else got maxim?
John

[Columbus]

Hi Debs,

As an experiment, I planted mine in half drainpipes which were fixed along the inside of my greenhouse.

Can we have piccies please? or more details about placement and spacing?

Thanks, Col

[Moggle]

Justy, strawberries apparently spend the first year establishing themselves. Some web sites and books even reccomend removing flowers altogether in the first year to help build up the crowns.

I planted 10 crowns in a grow bag last year, and got a few strawbs on them (left the flowers), but this year they look so much better. Some have even got several crowns on the one plant, meaning several bunches of flowers. Expecting a much better harvest this year  :)

So yes, I believe what you are experiencing is 'normal'

[lewolf]

Im trying maxim- meant to give HUUUGE strawbs- anyone else got maxim?
John

yes - got maxim in pots this year. they were planted quite late - 2 weeks ago due to house move but they are perking up very well.

I've also been given some that grow wild from next door's garden and they've transplanted well too.

Looking forward to giant strawberries this year!

Helen :)

[clairenpaul]

We're trying Maxim too, and also some called Temptation which we got from a local nursery. Just had a look at them - first flower showing today :). counting down to strawberries and cream....

[weedin project]

As an experiment, I planted mine in half drainpipes which were fixed along the inside of my greenhouse.

They are either flowering or have very young fruits at the moment.

I shall definitely be repeating this method again next year to get some more early crops.

Debs ;D

What a brilliant idea. 

Simple, obvious, and makes you wish you'd thought of it yourself. 

The mark of genius!