Rooting strawberry runners

[Ryez]

Hi all, I need some advice as this is the first time I am attempting to root strawberry runners. I have 2 ways of doing it. Some runners seem to have grown too long already and a leaf coming out in the middle, so I attach them at this point to the ground



while other runners are shorter with a leaf coming out from the end, so I attach them at that point to the ground



Is that right?

I try to root one runner per plant.

Thank you very much

[happyhumph]

Either will work - it's stopping strawberry runners which is the problem!

[SusieG]

Ryez, can't answer your question, and will be waiting for one of our experts to pop in...........

As I'm hoping to do what you've done too for next years strawberry plants .....

[cheops]

As happyhumph says either will work. However I always pin down the end bit with leaves as in your second picture and when it has rooted neatly cut off the runner from the new plant. They root quickly and easily. Please remember a new strawberry plant produces less fruit in its first season and past its best after its third fruiting season so each year replace after fruiting the third year plants so that at any one time you have a good crop of strawberries from first, second and third season plants.
Try and keep one step ahead of the runners you don't want by cutting them off close to their parent plant otherwise it won't be long till you have a mass of plants competing with each other and it all soon becomes a mess.

[Ryez]

The runners seem to be running wild on the decking the moment! Will tide them up and cut off the ones I don't need.

Yes Susie, we absorb like sponges the new information all these lovely people offer us in the forum!

Thank you very much! I appreciate it. Lets now hope they root!

[Jay22]

Shoot, I've just done this the other day but didn't put the leaf part in the compost but a little way down from it, do you think I should start again?

[Martin H]

Yes Jay, the roots form just where the little cluster of leaves comes out of the shoot.

[Jungle Jane]

Sometimes the leaf part will find the compost to root on it's own,unless it's in the air? If it's awkward you can put the leaf part in a 3" pot to take root,then place the pot anywhere possible. If you can find a stick that's shaped like a "V" these are good to hold it down into the pot.

[Martin H]

Personally I just weight the runner down with a stone. I have lots of stones.

[vixylix]

I had one yesterday which had leaves both at the end and in the middle... I've potted them into two separate pots and I'm hoping both will root! Love strawberry runners

[Jay22]

Thanks Martin, will go and sort it now before the rain appears again!

[Jay22]

All done Martin, thanks for your help!

[roitelet]

The best new strawberry plants are the ones that develop first on the tip of the runners. Peg this down in a small pot, makes it easier to identify, with a hair pin or a bit of wire bent into a 'u'. Leave it until it shows good signs of growth and nip out any runner that it makes. When it is well rooted cut the runner from the main plant and Hey Presto a new plant.

[Jay22]

Thanks also to Ryez...without your post I would have looked a real Wally!

[Ryez]

Now, I am wondering whether I should also pot the tips! Can you root one runner twice?

Indeed Jay, we will get it right in the end!!!!

ps: I will take the advice given here and will root all the rest on the tips for some quality strawberries! Thank you!