What's up with my strawberries?

Charlie 224

Anyone know what is wrong with these plants. It isn't a major problem at the moment, both are flowering moderately. They look like differnet problems to me, any advice? 

Fairygirl

I'd say it's fairly normal at this time of year, and you can just remove them as they die off. It's a good idea to remove all dead or rough looking foliage at the end of winter to allow new growth.  I'd certainly clear all the other weeds and moss out the pots though, and refresh the top layer of compost you have them in, adding some slow release fertiliser. If they're staying in pots - that's important. Alternatively, repot them completely. I've just done mine. 

You could take runners from them and use those next year as your cropping plants if you've had them a few years. 

Charlie 224

The second one looks like more of a specivic problem though? I have taken some runners and have plenty of healthy plants. 

BobFlannigon

It could be Verticillium Wilt which is unfortunately incurable and spreads through contact.  I have read previously about treating it with heat to kill it off, so [before you bin it] if you have a greenhouse it might recover if kept in there over the summer.  Pull off the dying leaves and bin them (not compost).  I had this last year and the strawberries went brown.  The plants did recover though, whether that's because I kept them in a greenhouse or not I don't know!

Or... it might be leaf scorch

But... it might just need feeding (with phosphorus)!

Fairygirl

Sorry Charlie - but you need to sort out the conditions you're growing them in. There's a lot of moss in those pots, as well as other weeds etc. Moss indicates shade and dampness - neither of which are great for growing strawberries. 

Take those leaves off and get them in some decent soil/compost with a slow release feed and put them somewhere sunny.

At the end of winter, strawbs need a tidy up - that's when to take off dead or damaged foliage and replace spent compost to rejuvenate them for the new season.  Mine looked exactly like that a few weeks ago. They're now green and healthy with lots of new foliage - ready for the new season.

punkdoc

I think fairy is right.

Don't worry about complicated things until you have got them in the sun, in good soil and have removed the tatty leaves.

Charlie 224

Ok great thanks!