Wilted Strawberries

[chris]

the other day we had heavy ran, and my strawberries in handing baskets were flatten, leaves up turned, etc...

Couple days later, we had a lot of sunshine - now the leaves are going a bit papery (still upside down - no matter if I turn them the right way or not) - and the whole plant is wilted.

Is there anything I can do? They're pegasus and alpines - both bearing a lot of fruit, which is the annoying part! One is throwing out a big runner too, which I was hoping of potting up soon but now I dont think I'll be able to?

Is it too late to replace them from garden centre stock?

I gave them a real good water yesterday.. mind you the same thing had happened to my salad leaves in pots too.

[hamsterhead]

I've had the same problem. First lot of strawberry plants wilted away to nothing so had to plant some more, also in hanging baskets. I've probably done something wrong, it has been known. Perhaps I've been over zealous with the watering can.

[chris]

Well, they have picked up and the Peggies are flowering again... however lots of leaf damage. I just hope there's enough proper leaf left to ripen up the current crop.

[Two_Sheds]

The leaves don't ripen the fruit, the sun does ...?

[FB.]

The leaves don't ripen the fruit, the sun does ...?

Yes, the sun ripens the fruits, but the plant needs leaves to generate energy.

The leaves are producing sugars from photosynthesis and some of the sugars are then used by the fruits, or used by the roots to give the roots the energy needed to bring nutrients from the soil to the fruits.

[chris]

sorry I meant to continue photosynthesis

Query thoguh: if all leaves were off the plant, and the fruit was in the sun, would it ripen at all?