Re: Strawberries?
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Strawberries?
- From: j*
- Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1999 08:19:32 -0400
- Comments: Authenticated sender is
Nan Sterman wrote:
> Though strawberries may not be what most of you think of as
> perennials, here in Southern California, they are. I'm
> wondering if anyone can tell me why strawberry beds seem to
> produce best the second year and decline after that. I
> understand why they might not produce well until that second
> year, but why decline? After all, they send off runners and
> make new plants each year, so wouldn't those new plants be as
> vigorous as their parent plants? Should I completely replace my
> bed every two years and if so, what advantage is there to
> purchasing new plants rather than collecting new offshoots and
> keeping them until it is time to re-plant?
Actually Nan, it's usually a 3-4 year cycle rather than a 2 year
cycle. I'd question your supplier's plant quality if that's all
you are getting. However, to answer your questions ....
Most people who grow strawberries with any seriousness do
replant every year, with a 3 year rotation. Normally, the first
year you do not let them fruit at all, but pinch all flowers and
runners. That allows them to grow good root systems and a full
flush of leaves which will hold them in good stead for their
second season. The second is by far the most prolific,
especially if runners are kept to a minimum. The third year is
usually pretty good as well, but declining in productivity.
That is the year to start up some of the runners if you like.
As to why: these are hybrids from the tiny wild alpine
strawberries. They put every ounce of energy they absorb into
fruit production which exhausts them rapidly. Kind of like
annuals. Even if you can keep them going into a second year in
warmer climates, they are exhausted after a year of blooming.
I am pretty certain that commercial growers in So. California
use the same sort of rotation and even force their plants into a
dormant period to allow them rest.
Fruiting takes tremendous amounts of energy. That's why aged
manure, a very rich soil, mulch, goodly amounts of water and
keeping them weed free is strongly recommended.
You *can* save some of the runners to fill out your next year's
stock, but they are never as vigorous as the parent plant. I'm
not sure why. I suspect it has something to do with the fact
that they are hybrid.
HTH,
Jaime
jknoble@warwick.net
NW NJ zone 6/5
"By doing just a little every day, I can gradually let the task
completely overwhelm me." Ashleigh Brilliant
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