Re: Strawberries dying
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:22 pm
Had our March gardening talk last evening on soft fruit growing by a very interesting and knowledgeable man Mr. Peter Barford who used to work for the Blackmore Fruit Growers at Petersfield.
The subject of viruses came up and there are just too many to list but most seem to be carried by insects. Plants infected are not worth keeping so I have decided to grub up all of mine now and plant 2 new beds.
Useful tips were - not to have more than 3 crowns on plants as this reduces the quality and quantity of fruit. Set new plants to the depth of their roots and the surface of the soil just under the crown, in fee draining soil, they don't like to get their feet wet. And never ever accept plants from an unknown source, always grow certifield stock which I am sure you all know.
The subject of viruses came up and there are just too many to list but most seem to be carried by insects. Plants infected are not worth keeping so I have decided to grub up all of mine now and plant 2 new beds.
Useful tips were - not to have more than 3 crowns on plants as this reduces the quality and quantity of fruit. Set new plants to the depth of their roots and the surface of the soil just under the crown, in fee draining soil, they don't like to get their feet wet. And never ever accept plants from an unknown source, always grow certifield stock which I am sure you all know.