Flowers on strawberry plants

[jools]

I have a hanging basket full of strawberry plants in my greenhouse. Just looked at it carefully today and there are masses of flowers. Isn't this a bit early? I'm in Surrey, the greenhouse is in the sunniest part of the garden and I have a heater that comes on if the temperature falls below freezing.
Jools

[yoanbob]

ooh lucky you!

[shirlthegirl43]

Yummy!!

[Alison]

You think it's early for you, have some in a tub in the greenhouse also with buds forming up here - they were some new runners from a friend last year so have no idea what type they are but am guessing they must be earlies! Had them inside to get them a bit early but this could be a record! Will be busy with a paintbrush in a few weeks time.

[TonyF]

When I was sorting out my strawberry bed yesterday I noticed that a few of the earlies, especially those a bit older, are 'hearting up' and have small dense clumps of flowers in the centres.

Warm, straight off the plant for my brekkie - here they come!

[Nicos]

Brill Jools !
Do make sure that the insects can get in to pollinate, otherwise you won't get any fruit!!
I'd be temped to set to with a fine paintbrush or piece of cotton wool to ensure an early crop of juicy berries ( yum yum!)

[jools]

If I leave the doors open during the day (there are 4 vents that open automatically) will that be enough? Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing witht he paintbrush....do I just dab from one flower to the other?
Jools

[TPeers]

Basically, yes! Dab gently into flower #1, then flower #2 and so on remembering to go back to flower#1 at the end. This should disribute the pollen around all the flowers. Be gentle as while you want the pollen in there you obviously don't want to damage the flower! Be especially careful not to damage the stems.

Having said all that, strawbs are fairly tough so gentle doesn't have to be fairy footed - just as well for me, I can be very heavy handed!

[Alison]

I've even managed to get it to work by simply dabbing my finger in one then the other when I've not been able to find my brush (I realise that this is probably strawberry abuse but hey they didn't seem to mind!!!!!) so they must be pretty sturdy!

[mikk100]

wow, very interesting about pollinating the strawbs.

I've got flowers on my alpine strawberry plants which are just in a border in the shade in my garden. I was quite surprised when I noticed them today as I only put them in a couple of weeks ago as tiny little plants.

[Alice]

I'm sure it is early Jools, but just enjoy the early srrawberries.

[jools]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have been really busy over the last few weeks so I have just been doing "maintenance" work in the greenhouse and I haven't been able to get on here very often. But I shall be in the greenhouse later on with my paintbrush. I'm going to get my little ones (4 year old twins) planting some seeds too. Oh happy days!

[leona]

iv got alpine strawbs that have been in flower most of the winter! the fruit didnt ripen in fairness but still .they have loads of flowers now as do my wild strawbs

[jools]

I have been hanging my basket with the stawbs in outside during the day - there are already lots of fruits forming. Yippeee!
Jools

[rustylady]

I've got flowers on the strawberry plants on the allotment - must be a record. Just hope I can beat the blackbirds to the fruit this year.