Your strawberry plants certainly have sufficient potential for perennial cultivation in the garden and on the balcony. Targeted cutting after the harvest paves the way for a second season. This is how the procedure works.
How do I cut strawberries correctly after harvesting?
Pruning strawberries after harvest: Remove all wilted flowers and discolored foliage. Leave the heart bud and cuttings selected for propagation untouched. Cut climbing strawberries back to the heart bud and cuttings only when they have developed a root system.
The best time for pruning is after the harvest
Immediately after the last strawberry is harvested, the plant starts the vegetative process of preparing for winter. After a two to three week rest period, it begins to absorb the fiber from the leaves. These act as inhibitors inside the plant, preventing new bud formation. If you prune your strawberry plants in a timely manner, this process will be interrupted.
- cut off all withered flowers
- cut back discolored foliage completely
- leave only the selected offshoots on the plant for propagation
The heart bud is spared from pruning. The sole aim of this care measure is to prevent the migration of inhibitors from flowers and leaves into the interior of the plant.
Cut back climbing strawberries boldly
Strawberries do not have special adhesive organs, but they can be trained excellently to become climbing plants. If the long tendrils are supported on a trellis right from the start through targeted tying, they will thrive magnificently in the right location. Care is easy without the hassle of bending over. Since this form of cultivation is not suitable for propagation by runners, cut back radically:
- cut off all vines at the end of the harvest season
- remove exhausted leaves and wilted flowers
- only the heart bud remains
It is important to note that you do not give the strawberry plant time to absorb the inhibitors from the foliage. Therefore, use the short rest period after harvest to prune. After a successful overwintering, the climbing strawberries will sprout again next spring.
Don't cut off offshoots too early
The offshoots have a special status in this interaction. All runners chosen for propagation remain on the mother plant until they have developed an independent root system. The vital tendrils need a certain amount of time for this vegetative process. While a section of the cutting takes root in a buried pot, the nutrient supply from the mother plant should be secured.
Only cut off the shoot when strong resistance is felt when carefully pulling. To do this, use a sharp, disinfected knife to prevent the cut from fraying. If a cutting extends beyond the propagation pot, you can cut off this section. It would use unnecessary plant energy.
Additional information about planting strawberries is compiled here for you.
Tips & Tricks
Is cutting off low-growing ground cover strawberries with a permanently bent back too laborious for you? Then simply use the lawnmower to cut back after the harvest. The robust varieties will sprout reliably next year.
