Strawberry questions

[DataMonkey]

Hi all


The strawberry plants that I inherited with my plot 2 years ago are looking a bit old now, so I'm going to start again using runners from them.

I have a few questions though if anyone can help:

Can I use more than one new plant from each runner, or will they start to get too weak two or three down the runner, if you know what I mean ?

Am I too late in the season for this year ?

Can I use runners from old plants or do they need to be fairly young ?


Thanks !

[veggiechicken]

I know nuffink really but I let mine root near the parent plant, sever the "cord" and dig up the best looking offspring, which are usually the nearest the parent, but sometimes the 2nd one too. They get smaller further down the line so I would cut them off early.
Don't think it matter how old the parent is as it produces a 1st year baby.

I haven't dug up any baby plants yet but there are plenty out there. See what you can find.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Yep! Agree with VC being that the one nearer the parent plant is always the most vigorous, but the others fair well given a little TLC.

No it's not too late! and depends on how many new plants you want or how many you have to propagate from, and as long as they are new born runners I find it makes no difference how old the mother plant is!

[DataMonkey]

Thanks guys. I've potted the runners but left them attached to the parent plants.

I'll give them a couple of weeks to get some serious roots going and then cut them free.

[flynch]

The biggest ones are your best bet but if the smaller ones have a few roots you can normally get them to take with a bit of tlc on their own without being attached so are worth at least trying if you need more plants. The ones without roots I'd discard so they aren't taking any resources from the others.

[It never rains..it pours]

Can I ask if runners potted up a month or so ago are best over wintered in a greenhouse, then plant early spring or is there no advantage over planting them in the beds now ?

[nickdub]

best to get them in to their final positions asap - more chance for the roots to establish well the ground is warm. Once we get to cold frosty weather it will then be unsuitable for planting things out.