Kitchen Garden Forum

Those of us on our site that are growing strawberries are all saying the same.
The plants are turning brown and completely rotting away. I know this time of the year the old foliage needs to be cleared out but this is far more than that. Some plotholders are digging up and destroying what is left. I planted up a new bed last year and they are going the same way.
Strawberries are very suseptable to viruses but I've never seen this before.
Any advice would be very welcome - thanks.

Beryl.

I bought some new strawberry plants the year before last and nearly half of those just seemed to die off at the roots. They weren't rotten, but just turned brown and didn't grow. I let the ones that did grow send out runners and they have rooted perfectly and are growing strongly.

I reported the non-growers to the company I bought them off and they said they had had the same problem, but didn't know what was causing it.
They suggested it might have been the severe winter, but this winter has been quite mild and you say it is still happening. I wonder if DEFRA is looking into this?

I've taken a couple out today and cut the stems and the smell is dreadful, they are definitely rotten.

Beryl.

Any sign of Vine Weevils? They love Strawberries.

No I did look for those Geoff, but I will still keep an eye out.

Thanks
Beryl.

What is your soil like Beryl? I've just had a look which of my new plants are doing best and they are all in a much lighter soil than the struggling ones. Could yours have been a bit too wet, or planted a bit deeper than they like? It is quite puzzling when a problem starts up that you've never had before.

While on the subject of strawberries - hopefully not dying - I've just tried to order some of the ones in the April magazine on line and they haven't put them on yet.

Plumpudding, my soil is very good, very light, well manured and where the strawberries are doesn't get water logged. I do always plant on a mound. I have 3 beds. each planted a year apart so I have continuous supply.
The oldest bed looks the better of them all but I have to say I am not a happy bunny with those either.

I have ordered some more to be on the safe side from Marshalls, Marshmarvel and Malwina which should be here in 2-3 weeks. I will plant up on the plot that has never had strawberries before and hope for the best.

Beryl.

Dear Beryl, i'm afraid it sounds as if it's a soil-borne disease, to me.

It could be, Black root rot, or even, Verticillium Wilt, i'm afraid i can't remember the proper names for the diseases, but i'm sure if you google the common names, something should come up. You would then be able to see if this matches your problem.

I'm inclined to agree with you OH. Strange it is happening on so many other plots to. I have looked up Black root rot and that is prevailant in poor and wet soils which mine isn't.
Another theory that came up today was when we had a frost, we also had bright sunshine the next day and it may have caused the scorching. Not sure if this would kill the plants though.

Think we are just going to have to start again.
Thanks for all your help.

Beryl.

Hi Beryl,
The problem could also be Vine Weevil grubs which chew the roots off the plant leaving a scene very similar to what you have described.
A local commercial grower had this problem a couple of years ago and it really hit his enterprise.
Suggest that you dig up a few plants that are still live and check the root area. The grubs get right up into the plate of the plant and can be easily missed.
JB.

Thanks JB. The ones I have already dug up I didn't find any sins of them but I think one bed in particular I will have to take them all out so I will examine them more closely.

Beryl.

Hi Geoff,
Having read the thread a little more thoroughly I came across your thread mentioning Vine Weevil so it seems my thread is somewhat redundant.
How I missed your posting previously I do not know but I did.
Apologies.
JB.

No problem - it appears we were both wrong.
I hope there isn't a dreaded Phytophera that has started picking on Strawberries - I reckon this family could destroy much of what we grow.

JB and Geoff. Today I have taken out the the ones I planted last year as they look the worst. Examined each plant catefully and couldn't find any sign of the vine weavel, turned the soil over and still no sign. The roots are not healthy looking at all and as I break into the stem a horrible dark yellow. They are now all in the wheelie bin to be destoyed. My other 2 plots I will leave for the time being, they are not near each other but not healthy plants as I would normally expect this time of the year.

Beryl.