Potted Strawberry Runners

HieronRemade 5/26/2011, 4:02 pm

Hello All - My strawberries (1st time growing them) have started to put out runners, but all my plants are in pots. Runners would normally root and become a second plant, right? Since they're just hanging off the side of the pot in this case and will never find a place to root, should I cut them off so the plant doesn't waste energy growing them?

**Furbalsmom** 5/27/2011, 12:09 am

Mike

You could cut off the runners, but perhaps you would like to wait until they are bigger and then try to cut and root them as new plants. Most strawberry plants are good for about three years, then need to be replaced. Just a thought.

pattipan 5/27/2011, 12:20 am

HieronRemade wrote:Hello All - My strawberries (1st time growing them) have started to put out runners, but all my plants are in pots. Runners would normally root and become a second plant, right? Since they're just hanging off the side of the pot in this case and will never find a place to root, should I cut them off so the plant doesn't waste energy growing them?

I have my Tribute ever-bearing strawberries in planters (filled w/ Mel's Mix). This is their second year. Right now the berries are ripening and the plants are sending out runners like crazy. I have started potting a few of the runners and will do more as they get longer. I have them right up against a fence and on the other side is a 2 x 8 box with tomatoes and eggplant. The runners are coming through the fence and reaching for the Mel's Mix! I figure that by the time the berries are done for this round of fruiting, the plants will not need extra energy until they start the second bloom in early July. So I'll just start new plants and keep the berries coming! I'll have enough to give away too!

Potted Strawberry Runners Strawb11

So my suggestion...get some small pots and make more strawberries!

pattipan

dianamarie03 5/27/2011, 8:13 am

I was wondering the same thing, except mine are in a hanging basket. If I cut the runners off and then put in dirt, will they root or will they die? Or do they have to be attached to the plant in order to live long enough to root?

pattipan 5/27/2011, 9:16 am

dianamarie03 wrote:I was wondering the same thing, except mine are in a hanging basket. If I cut the runners off and then put in dirt, will they root or will they die? Or do they have to be attached to the plant in order to live long enough to root?

#2
They have to stay connected to mama plant until they are ready to live on their own. Very Happy

pattipan

dianamarie03 5/27/2011, 9:18 am

I assumed so, thanks Smile

HieronRemade 5/27/2011, 9:18 am

Lol....why didn't I think of that!? Of course I would rather try rooting them and that's exactly what I'll do when they get big enough...which is when? Razz

I'm sure I'll figure it out. Thanks for the suggestion everyone.

pattipan 5/27/2011, 9:26 am

HieronRemade wrote:Lol....why didn't I think of that!? Of course I would rather try rooting them and that's exactly what I'll do when they get big enough...which is when? I'm sure I'll figure it out. Thanks for the suggestion everyone.

I usually wait until I can see the leaf, which is about the same time the runner is long enough to reach the ground and my pots.

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/strawberries-raise-new-plants/

pattipan

Lavender Debs 5/27/2011, 9:55 am

WoW pattipan, you have GORGOUS strawberry pots.

@FBmom; I thought three years was the limit too. There is a blog I follow from the Midwest. The woman who writes the blog gets 7 years of high yield berries from her plants. She posted last fall in detail what she does to get such long life. Diligent weeding and clipping ALL the runners were her chore list. (High manure mulch, cutting off the foliage when it starts to color out in fall and pinching out blossoms of 1st year plants were also on the list). In the mountains I used to turn my geese loose in the berry garden and they did all my weeding for me (NEVER wear white tennis shoes in a garden tended by geese!). Here in the city, where some of my strawberries are in their 2nd year, I guess I will discover the importance of bed care without the gaggle of geese. (FYI people would jump my old fence with buckets to steal what I would have happily given to them if they had just asked. Mountain folk are not afraid of dogs, but they were afraid of the geese....who like strawberries so goose guard only works during rasp, blue and marion berry season)

@dianamarie & pattypan; I have a tub of berries going right now that were from runners I clipped from the mother plant. When they have small leaves and nubs for roots I clip them with a few inches of the runner cord. I anchor the cord in the area where I want a plant, usually with a stone but there are more sophisticated ways to do that, and the plant takes off.

dianamarie03 5/27/2011, 11:41 am

Thanks Deb,
If I'm clipping the runners anyhow I suppose there's no harm in trying to root it Smile

Tiredmamaof5 6/12/2011, 1:44 am

Lavender....can you elaborate on your instructions for planting runners? Are you cutting off the runner close to the base of the plant or do you just cut the runner off next to the runner itself and then replant part of the stem?

Pattipan.....gorgeous pots of juiciness! So jealous!

Here is a picture of my strawberry plant with runners. I'm wondering if it is too late to plant the runners or should I just clip them off so as not to drain the plant anymore. I also didn't know exactly what part to plant

[url=

From What's wrong with my tomatoes?

]

I also have a few of my plants that have some discoloring leaves like here:
Any thoughts?

From What's wrong with my tomatoes?

Tiredmamaof5: Posts : 17
Join date : 2010-07-02
Location : Mesa, AZ

Potted Strawberry Runners

Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners

Re: Potted Strawberry Runners


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.