Abstract

The cropping of cold-stored strawberry runners planted at various times was compared with that of (a) fresh runners planted in April (the normal planting time in Scotland) and (b) new-season runners, which first became available for planting in July. Four varieties were tested.
Delay in the planting of cold-stored runners from April to September, and of new-season runners from July to September, reduced yields in the following year.
New-season runners outyielded cold-stored runners when both were planted at the same time. This is attributed to the fact that chilling causes stored plants first to produce vigorous vegetative growth. Probably not until this phase is passed do they initiate trusses and build up food reserves for the following year’s crop.