ARS | Publication request: Cultivation practices for strawberry and opportunities for out-of-season fruit production

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Annual Appalachian Opportunities Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 13, 2007
Publication Date: March 16, 2007
Citation: Takeda, F. 2007. Cultivation practices for strawberry and opportunities for out-of-season fruit production. Proceedings of the Fifth Appalachian Opportunities Symposium, Beckley, WV, March 10, 2007. Mountain State University, Beckley, WV. p. 71-77. In R Morales and J. G. Foster (eds.).

Technical Abstract: In the mid-Atlantic coast region, there is interest in meeting market demand for locally produced fresh strawberries from September to December. However, varieties that can produce high quality fruit or practical methods to produce plants that will flower and fruit during that time are not available. We conducted studies from 2002 to 2005 to determine whether changing the time when runner tips are rooted would promote flowering in June-bearing varieties that normally flower in spring. We took runner tips in early July and August and rooted them in containers. These transplants were established in the field in early September. By November, nearly all of 'Chandler' and 'Sweet Charlie' plants that wee propagated in early July had flowered compared to just a few among August-plugged plants. None of 'Northeaster' plants flowered in fall. These studies showed that the time of runner tip plugging is important for forcing fall flowering in some short-day cultivars. Our method for promoting fall flowering in June-bearing varieties is more practical and does not require artificial lighting or cooling.