Strawberry Hanging Basket - Advice Please

[B13er]

Hi All,

I'm a complete newbie on here, so hello.

Basically I bought a Strawberry hanging basket from Homebase a few weeks ago, and I'm not having much luck with it.

So I bought The basket and left it outside and feed it with tomato feed once a week. We had some really rainy days which I think caused the leaves to droop. I then cut off at the leaves and brought the basket into the conservatory to try and dry the soil out. There are still fruit pods on the plan as you see from the picture, i'm just after any advice you can give to liven up the plan. Is it salvageable?

Should I keep it indoors?
Continue feeding it tomato feed?
Or is the plant already lost and it's time to cut my losses (my wife's preferred option)

Any advice we much appreciated...

Thanks

[WendyC]

Welcome to the Vine. I'm puzzled as to why you cut the leaves off. Wet leaves soon dry. Not your strawberries have no means of feeding themselves. Your best hope is that new leaves grow from the base. It really would be better off outside. They are very hardy. If the soil got water logged, I would check what the drainage is like. Hopefully the berries will ripen given a bit of sunshine.m

[FB.]

If the pot doesn't have drainage the plant roots probably mostly drowned in the rain.

If the plants are in compost and you've been feeding them, perhaps it's too rich. If the compost/soil is too rich it sucks water out of the plant, causing what's often known as 'fertiliser scorch'.

Without leaves gathering sunlight the fruit won't be able to grow. Leaves are basically solar panels.

I'd guess the problem is over-feeding or over-watering without adequate drainage.

[B13er]

Thanks Both,

I've tried to improve the drainage, and I won't be too over enthusiastic with the feed. I've checked the plant and fortunately there is a little new growth, so I've put it back outside to get some sun, so fingers crossed!

[Nicos]

I'd be tempted to take them out and if possible plant in the garden.... They'll probably thank you for it

Then check the drainage of the empty pot.....then replace with a couple, or 3 new plants so it looks pretty again...after all that's what you want from a hanging basket isn't it?( I'm sure yr Mrs would agree)

[skeggijon]

I'd be tempted to take Nicos advice and replace with some new plants, then in a week or two you can have a basket that looks (warning - brag alert!) like mine do