TeeGee mentioned on another thread about passing around runners from his strawberries.
Here (in Delaware, USA) it is recommended starting fresh every couple years with new strawberry stock because of possible viruses. I've often wondered if that is just a growers ploy to get us to buy more- our strawberries seem to remain fairly good from my viewpoint. Any thoughts.
If you're still getting good results press on, I say.
If there is no sign of distortion or other unhealthy signs there should not be any reason not to save..I have...and some other lottie owners we have used our own runners for years..I have only bought new stuff if there has been problem stock,,or just fancied a change..
I have not read TEE GEE,s comment but was he not on about the three year cycle, first year small strawberries, second year good ones and in the third year the plant seems to loose its stammerer, so you should always take cuttings from first year plants to get a second year crop each year.
I potted up last years runners to make this years plants and increase my stock so to speak ;D
Quote from: davyw1 on April 29, 2010, 06:48:20
I have not read TEE GEE,s comment but was he not on about the three year cycle, first year small strawberries, second year good ones and in the third year the plant seems to loose its stammerer, so you should always take cuttings from first year plants to get a second year crop each year.
No, he was talking about most of the strawberry beds on his site owing their origin to runners he'd given out.
Quote from: amphibian on April 29, 2010, 08:34:22
Quote from: davyw1 on April 29, 2010, 06:48:20
I have not read TEE GEE,s comment but was he not on about the three year cycle, first year small strawberries, second year good ones and in the third year the plant seems to loose its stammerer, so you should always take cuttings from first year plants to get a second year crop each year.
No, he was talking about most of the strawberry beds on his site owing their origin to runners he'd given out.
I see, that unfortunately is one of the things that occurs when you you accept plants from others. While it is done with very good intentions these things do happen.
Can I come in on this one ;)
Yes I was intimating that I take runners each year, replace what I have to and give away the rest to any one who requires plants!
To clarify another point and that is I know of no one on the plot (certainly those people who have had plants off me) who have virused plants.
Although I do accept that well intentioned swapping/giving is quite a common way of passing on disease!
For instance I will never accept brassica plants from anyone.....I am club root free and want to remain that way!
Regarding viruses!
The taking of runners in itself helps to keep virus problems to a minimum, hence the changing every two to three years (max).
In the third year plants can become a bit 'woody' as well as being more susceptable to disease.
I work on the premis that the growing tip of a plant is never virused, even if the rest of the plant is!
So rooting the tip of a runner ensures clean plants!
I found this out when I grew dahlias which are very susceptable to virus.
The top ½" (12mm) of the tip is virus free so rooting that ensures a clean plant!
I'm afraid I can't tell the difference between first, second and third year-olds because they leaped from the raised bed two years ago, and I've been letting them run helter-skelter everywhere without a leash- in paths, between bricks, amongst the tomatoes, under the fence etc.
I was rather looking forward to picking strawberries in every nook, but maybe I'll look for the "woody ones" that TeeGee mentioned and discard them.