Growing Strawberrys

[arfur]

I got 6 strawberry plants growing in plant baskets, each of them now has side shoots that are growing quite large. because they are in baskets theres nowhere for them to go, so is it best cutting them off to increase the yield?

thanks

 

[Amp34]

I think the general concensus is yes, although it may not do it this year, anyway there is no harm in doing it if you can't root them anywhere.

 

[shimy182]

yeh we just cut them

 

[Mat]

Ive been growing strawberries for years and cutting the shoot wont really force the plant to grow any more in my experience.
If you can (or want to) drop the basket and get another pot under the shoot when a smaller plant starts to put out leaves (usually about 10" or so along the shoot).
Fix the shoot so the new plant is touching the soil (I use a stone to trap the shoot under) and give it a few weeks to set root and then cut the shoot. If you cut it too early there wont be enough root to support the leaves as the plantlet will be getting nutrient from the mother plant.
Your existing plant wont benefit or suffer in any way and in two years that new plant will be bearing fruit as well.
Ive got a new batch all potted up with two or three in a row off each plant and Im running out of room. I tend to give them away.
Ive had several bowls of strawberries so far this year