Growing Strawberries?

audsh · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:08 pm Post subject: Growing Strawberries?

hi
earlier in the year i bought a(plastic) hanging basket filled with strawberry plants, they were growing great and the kids were really looking forward to the berries. at the begining of july there were lots of berries growing on the plant, then we were away for a week and there was heavy rain here and when we came back all the strawberries were dead. there are a few new ones growing now, but im looking for some advice as i dont want the same thing to happen again. i try to grow strawberries every year but i always kill them.lol. and have never got any fruit. i really thought these ones would be different cause they were coming on so well. The variety is 'Fragoo' I would really love some advice on how to grow these plants properly but have no garden only patio so its pot or baskets. thanks in advance for replys
auds

cuemaster · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject:

Hi
Drainage could be an issue, are there holes to let water out, if you had heavy rain it could cause drowning. look at websites using plastic pipes for flowers and strawberries
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlielittle/2323904754/, it might give you some ideas and help

Very Happy

audsh · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject:

ok hope you understand this ? just had a look at the underneat of the basket and there are 3 drainage holes right in the middle but there is also an area lower than this to collect water.
auds

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:57 pm Post subject:

When you say the strawberries were dead do you mean the plants were dead or the fruit had withered or rotted away. The plants either suffered from lack of water or excess water. if strawberry plants are left short of water at the swelling ripening stage the fruit will just shrivel away. If the compost or growing medium in which they grew was peat based then they would have dried out faster than soil based composts, Birds could have raided them while you were away. Take a closer look and see if there are the remains of fruit still visible.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

audsh · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:12 pm Post subject:

hi,
the plants were fine and still are it was the fruit that shriveled away. there are new fruits growing on it now
thanks
auds