Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: AlaninCarlisle on January 18, 2012, 16:26

Title: Strawberries
Post by: AlaninCarlisle on January 18, 2012, 16:26

I've got a load of rooted runners that I've been intending to plant in the polytunnel for weeks. Now they've been well frosted I should get them in.

Has anyone else grown strawbs in their tunnel? Are they significantly earlier than in an open bed? Are there any pollination issues?

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: sunshineband on January 19, 2012, 07:21

I grew strawberries in the minitunnel last year and the cropped fairly well.

Two issues

1. Pollination (as you asked) and I did this with a small soft brush

2. Grey mould, which quickly takes hold when it is damp, and easily affects the dead leaves around the base of the plant, so be vigilant about removing these.

I gave them a couple of doses of tomato fertiliser too

Hope this works for you  :D

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: AlaninCarlisle on January 20, 2012, 16:37

Thanks Sunshine. Where they much earlier than strawbs grown outside?

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: snowdrops on January 20, 2012, 16:54

2 years ago I grew them in hanging baskets in an unheated greenhouse & I think they were about 4 weeks earlier.Am doing them again this year in fact I must bring the baskets in.I planted the strawbs in them in the autumn,which would be the only difference.

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: kosh42|EFG on January 20, 2012, 21:52

My poly tunnel book reckons you can take them in this time of year after they've had a frost on them and they will fruit a month earlier. Also reckons they will be no good after this one year of forcing so should be binned.

I've literally just re-potted some plants I was given. There was the original plant and a few runners in each pot that are now all separated. Will take the pots to the tunnel tomorrow.

Kosh

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: gobs on January 21, 2012, 19:31

Not just temperature, but light conditions also.

In strawberry, there are quite a number of varieties that are not light sensitive. There is much more joy to be had with those. Forcing only means just that as above, about a month early.

Title: Re: Strawberries
Post by: sunshineband on January 22, 2012, 15:38

Quote from: AlaninCarlisle on January 20, 2012, 16:37

Thanks Sunshine. Where they much earlier than strawbs grown outside?

First fruit was 2 weeks ahead of those outside, but it was so warm that the outdoor ones were very early.

Lost a few to a dastardly squirrel that popped in while the door was open for a bit of ventilation  :lol: :lol: :lol: