Are my strawberries dead?

[Naga]

I got some from homebase last year and cut them back when needed but I see no sign of life in them. They look a bit woody and that's it



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[Bigmallly]

Doesn't sound too good Naga, they should be close to flowering..........what variety are they?

[Naga]

One is Alpine and forgot what the other is. I saw flowering plants in B&Q and thought there must be something wrong with mine. For the price of them as I only want 6 or 12 I'll pick up some more from B&Q.

[Richard Eldritch]

One is Alpine and forgot what the other is. I saw flowering plants in B&Q and thought there must be something wrong with mine. For the price of them as I only want 6 or 12 I'll pick up some more from B&Q.

The B&Q Elsanta plants are pretty good. I used 12 of them as a base for my Strawberry patch a few years ago. Good fruiters, lots of runners.

[catgirl]

It does sound like they might be dead. I planted some runners into hanging baskets last autumn and most have got plenty of growth on them now, and the first few flowers are starting to form. However there are one or two which are still rather brown and haven't really put on any growth. Comparing those to the rest of the plants, I think they're probably dead! If I were you I'd get some more plants - that way at least you'll have some strawberries, and if your original plants do start growing eventually it can only be a bonus.

[Artychoke]

B and Q Elsanta plants are good. I picked some up cheap last year when the weather was so cold no one was buying - 6 for 50p; I bought a dozen and planted in pots and troughs then pegged out runners. At the end of summer I made a strawberry bed with over 30 plants in it and they are looking fantastic now 😊


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[Moopmoop]

Does everyone use runners to make new plants or does anyone keep the original plants for the following year? I keep the plants for the following year and always get fruit off them. I did use one or two runners last year but I've also bought new plants this year too. Am I right in thinking you can keep the same plants going for around 3 years before they croak?

[catgirl]

That's what I've heard Moopmoop. After three years the plants have reached their maximum potential and should be replaced with new plants. I'm keeping this year's plants and will also be creating a few new ones from the runners. That way I'll have new plants every year, so that I'll always have a selection of new, 1 and 2 year old plants. Or that's the plan anyway!