Strawberry advice please
Last post 06-07-2009 10:16 AM by Linnea. 5 replies.
-
05/07/2009 10:58 AM
|
|
- philip99a
- Leicester (city centre)
- 10 Jun 2009
-
36
|
I have seven strawberry plants growing in a large strawberry pot (the type with pockets all over the outside). They are planted in peat-free compost with a careful central core of gravel to help drainage. Sun and shade, slightly windy position. I water and feed them regularly.
The central plant (expensive single seedling from a garden centre at £2.99 for the single plant!) produced one or two normal sized fruit at first. But now the other plants (different variety, much cheaper plants bought from Lidl, six for £3.99!) are only producing tiny, mis-shaped little fruit. Useless for eating! They grow no larger than the size of a mis-shaped pea and then ripen.
Is it the plants or is it me? Is there anything I can do, or is it too late?
A garden is the Islamic vision of Paradise.
|
-
|
05/07/2009 11:00 AM
|
|
|
Only certain varieties can be grown in these pots, most like a lot more room, and depth for their roots.
Which varieties are yours?
|
-
|
05/07/2009 02:51 PM
|
|
- philip99a
- Leicester (city centre)
- 10 Jun 2009
-
36
|
I've no details of the varieties (you can tell I'm a newbie!) So if they're lacking room and depth, not a lot I can do?? Take 2 or 3 out and put them in other pots? Feed the current big pot more?
A garden is the Islamic vision of Paradise.
|
-
|
06/07/2009 09:01 AM
|
|
- Linnea
- Hampshire
- 10 Jan 2008
-
48
|
the ones from Lidl are probably elsanta. I got some too this year. If you only got them this year you may find they're better next year after they've established more.
|
-
|
06/07/2009 09:11 AM
|
|
- philip99a
- Leicester (city centre)
- 10 Jun 2009
-
36
|
Omg. I thought they were annuals!!! I didn't realise that they'd be back next year. I've just read this on the RHS advice pages:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0605/strawberries.asp
Will I need to protect them over the winter? Won't a heavy frost kill them in a strawberry pot, when plants in the ground would survive? Difficult to wrap the strawberry pot as it has plants poking out of the sides. The only place I have to bring it indoors for the winter is a dark cellar. Winter advice please.
A garden is the Islamic vision of Paradise.
|
-
|
06/07/2009 10:16 AM
|
|
- Linnea
- Hampshire
- 10 Jan 2008
-
48
|
strawbs are most definately perennials! should last 5 years or so although sropping may deteriorate in later years so useful to replace after 3ish
as for growing in a pot I had a pot like you mention and never covered it in winter and the plants survived fine, although I am a bit further south than you!
The biggest winter problem is wet. the roots of the plants will rot if left standing in water however you mention the pot has drainage so should be fine. If in doubt cover with a double layer of horticultural fleece which will keep the worst of the cold out.
HTH
|