Earlier in the year my sister-in-law took 3 of my strawberry runners (she has a very small garden). Two of the runners produced flowers and fruit, the other runner didn't have any flowers. She now has fresh runners from the three originals, will the non flowering runner be worthless?
I would take all runners as they are only yearlings. the ones that have fruited this year will be better next year. Those that have not fruited will fruit next year. I had the same problem with mine and I asked whether this is the same. The response was to take all runners and that way you have a succession of plants for years to come. Enjoy what you have and do not fret about what you don't. ;)
It takes a lot of energy out of a plant to flower, fruit and do runners. the none flowering one will flower next year or later this year.
keep the runners untill rooted and cut them from the mother plant. but feed the plants up to help them.
Normaly new plants they cut the runners off so the plants build themselves up and get a good root system, but with extra feeding and top dressing with compost and watering they should be fine.
Many thanks for replies will pass on to sister-in-law. Apologies for not coming back to
this earlier, have been (like a lot of other people) laid up with a nasty flu like cold. (not swine flu).
I was given some florence strawberry plants this year. They are producing lots of runners. Should I let them develop into plants & pot them on?
We compromise by pegging the runners into small 3" pots until they are well rooted.. :)
Thanks Saddad.