[galwaybeginner]

Hi,

I've some strawberries growing in a hanging basket - bought as they are from a gareden centre - which are doing great hanging from the crop bars in my polytunnel.

There are a lot of off shoots coming down and I was wondering the following:

1. Do you grow strawberries (for next year) from cuttings?
2. If so, is it these shoots I take as couttings?
3. If yes, how? If no, what do I take it from?
4. When is the best time to take them, and how should I treat them?

Many thanks!

[windy]

hi, what you have there are runners and they are the way to take "cuttings"
what you need to do is bring the basket down to a position were you can place a small pot of soil or compost under each runner and just place the runner on the top of the soil and place a pebble or stone on it next to the leaves to just keep it in place keep the soil damp and after about 10-14 days take the stone away and see if its rooted .if well rooted just cut the runner and away you go.you may even get some fruit from them this year as you have them in a tunnel
good luck

[galwaybeginner]

Thanks Windy. Greatly appreciated.

Runners: that's the word I was looking for!

Not sure how I'll get the basket down for 2 weeks - well and truly tied for room in the tunnel, but will be worth it for a few extra plants!