[JohnB47]

I'm getting a good crop of Florence strawberries at the moment but some have white patches on - like they've been sprayed with white paint. I can still eat them - I just cut the white off but what causes this and can I stop it happening? Just interested for next year.

Ta.

[viettaclark]

Are they new plants? Might be something to do with the formation of the red pigment, like an albino?
Is it ON the fruit? Could be a mould or bird droppings or scorch?
My Albion are in their first year and aren't reddening at the stalk end. I wondered if it was the variety of strawberry.

[JayG]

Don't know the answer to JohnB47's question but can confirm to Viettaclark that my Albion strawbs are red all over (and sweet and delicious!) 

[JohnB47]

Are they new plants? Might be something to do with the formation of the red pigment, like an albino?
Is it ON the fruit? Could be a mould or bird droppings or scorch?
My Albion are in their first year and aren't reddening at the stalk end. I wondered if it was the variety of strawberry.

Thanks folks.

It doesn't look like a mould. Those fruit that have it have a glossy white patch that slowly goes darker, as if that area is dying off. It looks like a sort of sun scorch mark - always on those that are out from under the leaves, rather than hidden in the shade. And only on the odd one on each plant - the rest of the fruit are OK. It's just as if you got a can of white gloss car spray and gave the strawberry a quick blast.

The plants were put in last summer and this is their first good fruiting year (and very good one it is).

Cheers.

[stompy]

It's not bird dooings is it 

[JohnB47]

It's not bird dooings is it 

No but I could understand them taking revenge for me netting the strawbs. 

I might try taking a photo so you can all see what I mean.

[shokkyy]

Yesterday I had one large strawberry that was the first to start turning red. This morning when I looked it had disappeared. And my strawberry bed is completely netted. I suspect mice or squirrels, neither of which are even slowed down by netting.