Deformed strawberries

hikiwari

I planted about 20 strawberry plants this year but many of the fruits are deformed. Can somebody tell me why please? Thanks very much.

 

philippasmith2

I wouldn't say that fruit was deformed - rather like humans, some are short and fat whilst others are long and slim and all other shapes in between
It may not meet SM "standards" but it will most likely taste a lot better. Enjoy it before the slugs or birds get there first

fidgetbones

Usually poor pollination, early in season, or maybe inside with no bees about.

SporophyteBoy

Nothing wrong with the pollination - quite the opposite I think as there's plenty of seeds visible over the fruit and far too many at the deformed end - too dry at formation or a genetic fault.  See how later fruits appear and report back please.

Bee witched

Could the flowers have been frosted? 

We had a couple of late frosts here and quite a few flowers with black centres.
I nipped them all off to save the plants from putting effort into developing them.
Later flowers are fine.

If that was the problem then your later fruits should be Ok.

Bee x

Skandi

That is a pollination issue, because the seeds over the deformed area have not been pollinated the fruit under them does not swell, which is why there seem to be more seeds there, actually there is the right number of seeds but less fruit.

It's more common on early fruit as there are more things that can go wrong, such as bad weather or lack of insects.

hikiwari

Thanks everyone.
I can see quite a few flowers so let's see what happens. The weathers pretty grim here at the moment though.
I'll give you all an update in a month's time. Fingers crossed for a lovely summer.