Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: coldandwindy on March 07, 2023, 09:42
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I fancy trying some everbearing strawberries in hanging baskets in the tunnel (its cold and windy here as per user name!). I live in the back of beyond -my own choice but means I'm limited to buying mail-order.
Couriers only come here twice a week, if that, depending on weather (boats are involved) so delivery can take up to 10 days.
How long would strawberry runners survive in the post? Interested to hear other people's experiences of how they're packed and what condition they arrive in. How long would they take to recover? Would I be better paying more for bigger, pot grown plants? Would they travel better? Or are seeds plus patience a better bet?
I'm picturing having some to eat this summer. Is that unrealistic?
Where is the best place to buy from?
Thanks :D
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This won’t be what you are hoping for, but I ordered some runners from Thompson and Morgan. I know they dispatched on a Friday and they arrived on a Tuesday. They looked dead, the roots were totally dry and although each plant had at least one live leaf, most leaves were black. I rang T&M and they sent another set which arrived in better shape. I planted them all and so far it looks like even the 1set might make it. So maybe worth planting even if they look dead, but I think 10 days in the post would be too much.
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This won’t be what you are hoping for, but I ordered some runners from Thompson and Morgan. I know they dispatched on a Friday and they arrived on a Tuesday. They looked dead, the roots were totally dry and although each plant had at least one live leaf, most leaves were black. I rang T&M and they sent another set which arrived in better shape. I planted them all and so far it looks like even the 1set might make it. So maybe worth planting even if they look dead, but I think 10 days in the post would be too much.
Thank you, that's very useful information.
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You probably already do this, but it might be worth double checking on any potential supplier's website that they will in fact post live plant material to the Hebrides - given the risks of delay in delivery that you mention.
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You probably already do this, but it might be worth double checking on any potential supplier's website that they will in fact post live plant material to the Hebrides - given the risks of delay in delivery that you mention.
Thank you for the reply, yes I always look at that first so I don't spend ages drooling over something only then to find I can't have it!
DT Brown and Parkers both send live plants here (and for the same price as to anywhere else in UK, which is unusual) . They've been brilliant sending me seeds or bulbs by Royal Mail but they use couriers (Evri) for plants so it looks like I'm going to have to admit it'll be too slow.
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:( So, onwards and upwards. Strawberries from seed! Any tips? Will I get fruit this year? Best place to buy seed for everbearers? Thank you! :D
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I think they’d be ok if ordered in winter as they’d be cool for most of the journey. They’re pretty tough plants.
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have you tried ken muir they are very good
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These guys are worth a look for runners - bought 20 Albion (everbearer) over the weekend and arrived today in good nick. Scotland based so hopefully transit time to Hebrides a bit reduced!
https://james-mcintyre.co.uk/product-category/strawberries/
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These guys are worth a look for runners - bought 20 Albion (everbearer) over the weekend and arrived today in good nick. Scotland based so hopefully transit time to Hebrides a bit reduced!
https://james-mcintyre.co.uk/product-category/strawberries/
That's useful, thank you I haven't tried there. Sounds hopeful that they're sending now, while they're dormant. Everywhere I've tried so far don't send for at least another month. They should at least know where I am too! I'll give them a ring.
:D
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This won’t be what you are hoping for, but I ordered some runners from Thompson and Morgan. I know they dispatched on a Friday and they arrived on a Tuesday. They looked dead, the roots were totally dry and although each plant had at least one live leaf, most leaves were black. I rang T&M and they sent another set which arrived in better shape. I planted them all and so far it looks like even the 1set might make it. So maybe worth planting even if they look dead, but I think 10 days in the post would be too much.
Sorry to say, but I never, ever buy anything from them and don't think I'm the only one. >:( I have just ordered some Elegance strawbs A grade from D.T. Brown and, if they are as good as they were last year, then I will be well pleased. Kings seeds also do the same grade but are out of stock.
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I just heard back from James McIntyre & Sons, in Perthshire. They are sending 20 'Albion' crowns by Royal Mail 1st class. Big thank you to wolveryeti for the recommendation. What a lovely friendly family firm. Please all buy from them!! :D :D :D
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Just came back to say thank you. 20 Albion crowns arrived speedily & in lovely condition. Soaked them in warm water & planted in hanging baskets in the cold greenhouse. Already greening up & looking happy.
Chuffed! :D
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That’s great coldandwindy. I admire your fortitude and ( what seems to me at least) gardening “ on the edge”.
I’ve been laid low by covid so not been to the plot for a week, but last Saturday the strawberries looked ok, including the lot from the 1st delivery which seemed moribund when they arrived. Goosegirl I agree service from Thompson and Morgan can be patchy. Last year it was unsolicited substitutions in my delivery- sent a totally different variety of seed potato with no pre warning.
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A bit off topic but I’m interested to hear that you have been knocked out by Covid this week Missmoneypenny. My wife went down with it this week and testing I see I have it too. Very bad timing there’s a delivery of manure to the plot and I’m supposed to talk at a funeral next Friday!! Very interesting discussion too on best strawberry plants.
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Yes it’s the first time for me , pride comes before a fall , thought I’d never get it somehow. I made myself go to the plot today and managed a shop too. Feeling wiped out now. Think I got it from m y eldest son who has a pub job. You should be ok infectiousness wise for the talk next week, but you might feel quite tired.
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I’ve just planted some 'Mara des Bois' strawberries from Thompson and Morgan. They arrived in excellent condition within 48 hour. Their web site (or a phone call) might tell you more about their delivery to your part of the UK.
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That’s great coldandwindy. I admire your fortitude and ( what seems to me at least) gardening “ on the edge”.
I’ve been laid low by covid so not been to the plot for a week, but last Saturday the strawberries looked ok, including the lot from the 1st delivery which seemed moribund when they arrived. Goosegirl I agree service from Thompson and Morgan can be patchy. Last year it was unsolicited substitutions in my delivery- sent a totally different variety of seed potato with no pre warning.
Get well soon!
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I am growing strawberries for the first time this year. Question: Lots of 'how to grow' websites say not to let the plants fruit in the first year, is this correct? I am very excited about my strawberries and would love to have some this year but I dont want to ruin future crops so will remove the flowers if it is the best thing to do?
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I am growing strawberries for the first time this year. Question: Lots of 'how to grow' websites say not to let the plants fruit in the first year, is this correct? I am very excited about my strawberries and would love to have some this year but I dont want to ruin future crops so will remove the flowers if it is the best thing to do?
Depends on when you planted them in essence, if it was in the autumn or at the latest now, they should be fine. It’s advised not to let them fruit so the plant can bulk up. But what you could do is let them fruit this year, & then take runners from this year, plant them in the autumn & either see how your first plants fare or discard them for the new runners. If you do take runners only take 2 or 3 from each plant & then only take the first plantlet from the parent on the runner ,if that makes sense?
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Also what is the best mulch. Mostly pictures show straw being used but somewhere I saw mention of pine needles as they raise the acidity of the compost as they decompose?
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I just mulch with whatever I’ve got ,well rotted manure or homemade compost. They get a sprinkle of chicken pellets, blood fish & bone or wood ash now & again.
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Just updating to say the T&M pst plants which looked moribund when they arrive have recovered well and are now indistinguishable from the plants T&M sent as replacement . So maybe if they arrive looking dreadful all is not lost.