Poorly strawberries

Hi,

This is my third attempt at growing strawberries. Last year I potted some up which i bought from Woolworths, they were the sold together in a bag with a little compost so i potted them up and they started to grow fine, but then they just died on me I replaced these with some from Homebase, these were bigger and were sold 6 to a tray.  I put them in a strawberry pot but they rotted off and only one survived. 

I bought the bag type again this year from Wilkinsons, I've potted them up in compost with perlite in it but after starting to grow well they are now looking a bit poorly.  I know the crowns must be above soil level and I've tried not to over water them but the first flush of leaves have died off and although some new ones seem to be appearing they don't look like they are going to survive. What am I doing wrong?

They are indoors at the moment in front of my patio doors getting good light.  Should I feed them with something?   

Thank you, I will certainly take you up on that if they don't survive.

I thought about putting them outside but it's been very cold and windy here in Kent during the day recently.  I have just got my greenhouse put up but it's been too windy to put the glazing in.  Hopefully it will be done this weekend, do you think they would do better in a cold greenhouse than outside?

They're hardy, they'll be fine outside and the wet might be good for them if they've dried out, as they tend to do in shops. The best I've bought were from Marshalls, very tidy strong plants all the same size too! I've only just planted them out though so no idea how they will do.

Harden them off for a few days and then leave them out - if that doesn't work, the offer still stands!

If they are just without leaves it's probably just because they are dormant. Mine only had two or three leaves between the lot of them!

I take it only established strawberry plants benefit from a keen frost?

Thanks Trillium, mine came from my parent's garden which is over-run with strawberry plants. They've all been out all through our frosty, snowy winter, no protection,  lost a few leaves, and now appear to be growing. I transplanted a couple to a hanging basket today.  A chap I know has enjoyed the same plant's production from its runners since he was 11 yrs old, he's at least mid 40's now!