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Strawberry End Rot on Fruit as it is Ripening #754621

Asked June 07, 2021, 6:15 PM EDT

To whom it may concern, I have a small strawberry patch in my side yard which gets full sun. The bed is in its second year, yet I have never had this particular issue before. As the fruit is ripening, and begins to turn red, the bottom of the fruit appears to be rotting, such that the fruit has a rotten "bottom" or "tip" by the time it is ready to pick. I am thinking it could be a fungal disease, but am not certain given that I do not use over head watering, and it has been incredibly dry and hot out. Any suggestions as to what this issue could be would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Joseph Kulesza

Windham County Vermont

Expert Response

Hi, Joseph,

Our UVM plant pathologist Dr. Hazelrigg provided this insight:

"I think it is a fruit rot caused by a fungal disease and probably was a result of the tip coming in contact with wet soil. Most fruit rots in strawberries are controlled by fungicide sprays at bloom. If we have dry weather at bloom, we do not see a lot of rot, but if it is wet and cool, many fungi can cause issues like gray mold, anthracnose, etc. They may want to consider using a straw mulch to get the berries away from the soil in the future if they did not do so already. https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-fr-s-08.pdf

Home gardeners typically don't spray fungicides at bloom but cross their fingers for dry weather!" -AH

Additional resources from U of Maine and U of Minnesota will help you plan for next year.

Cheers!

Genica

- - - Vermont Extension Master Gardener Volunteer - - - Replied June 12, 2021, 8:06 AM EDT

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