ARS | Publication request: Strawberry plastic culture for out-of-season fruit production

Submitted to: Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 17, 2007
Publication Date: February 14, 2008
Citation: Takeda, F. 2008. Strawberry plastic culture for out-of-season fruit production. Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo. p. 101-103

Technical Abstract: The potential of short-day ('Carmine') strawberry transplants for fall flowering under the mid-Atlantic coast region growing conditions was determined in studies conducted over three years (2004-2007). Average and small runner tips were harvested from mother plants in early July and August and inserted in cell packs for rooting. In late August, transplants were established in the field. By November, flowers were present in nearly all 'Carmine' plants that were propagated in early July. Fall flower production averaged 9 to 11 in the flowering 'Carmine' plant. These studies showed that the time of runner tip plugging is important for forcing fall flowering in some short-day cultivars. Our results showed that the potential for fall and spring fruit production in the mid-Atlantic coast region exists in some short-day strawberry cultivars such as 'Carmine' if transplants are produced by the method described here and using a high tunnel to extend the growing season into early winter.