strawbs; too late?

[lindyloo]

have just realized that my tub planted strawberries have been brought in to the passageway where they spend thier winter, without having all of the hanging baby plants cut off. ( son brought them in for me due to my op.)

is it too late to chop the remaining babies off? best to leave them?

[FB.]

It depends on how long they've been allowed to "soften" in the protection of your passageway.
Strawberry runners are as tough as old boots and strawberry plants don't need protection from the weather.
You should be able to do anything you like with them and most will survive, but there can be a problem if they suffer cold shock from taking from a mild greenhouse out into the cold outdoors.
If it's only been a couple of weeks, they'll probably be OK to put back outside.

[lindyloo]

ok, thanks. i don't think i didn't explained it clearly- sorry. i had already taken the runners which i wanted to plant, and they are established now, on thier own merit. i was worried that if i cut off the runners i didn't intend to use, it was too late in the year? i don't want to weaken my grown stwarbs, either my cutting them off , or allowing the runners to remain, and thereby leaching energy form mummy plant? not sure which is the best option, as i am looking forward to jam next year!!! ( haven't ever made stwawberry jam yet)

[FB.]

Runners are a drain on the parent plants resources.
Cutting off runners will allow more energy to the parent plants shoots and fruits.
Next year, while the strawberries are fruiting, cut off excess runners because they reduce fruitfulness. Only allow runners to grow if you actually want them for subsequent years.

[lindyloo]

ok - i will cut them off now. i had pegged out some of the babies, and later when they rooted, cut them free, but i was dithering as to how many more i could find a spot for, and trying to catch up on a lot of more urgent jobs before my knee surgery, and ran out of time. my son then put them in the passageway for me, when we had the first frost.

as it is taking much longer than i expected, to be fully functioning after the op, they just got put there and left, bar a bit of water . i will go and chop the rest of the runners off later. thanks for all of your advice and help.