Knowledgebase
Strawberry plant problems #805493
Asked August 09, 2022, 5:33 PM EDT
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
If you have day neutral strawberries they may not send out runners. Do your strawberries produce fruit in early summer or all summer?
See: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
There also appears to be a leaf spot disease which can cause holes as well.
See: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/fruit/strawberry/index.html
Another suggestion is to get a soil test. Suboptimal nutrients can make plants vulnerable to disease.
See: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/
Thank you Mary. I looked over almost everything and none of the things are "perfect". I don't think it is slugs as I don't see a trail on any leaves and I never have issues with the berries being eaten. They are June-bearing plants and they used to send out runners. I started my patch with 3 plants and now it's close to 20 sq ft and it used to be filled with healthy plants that kept sending out runners. I read in one of the articles that a single plant can send out up to 120 daughters in a year. At this point, I usually see none. I don't think it is fungal because, if anything, the plot is probably underwatered vs overwatered. Also, pretty barren (I keep the weeds down and the plants are not well), as opposed to a lush environment for fungus. It looks dry mostly. I thought maybe leaf blight or leaf scorch, but mine looks worse as far as the leaves being destroyed entirely. Maybe I have a worse case than the pictures on the website? I gave the plot some compost in the spring, but it is possible that it needs more nutrients as I have not always been very good about fertilizing. Other than a soil test, does any of this additional info give you any different ideas? Would it be worth trying to just do some fertilizing now?
Thank you -
Sue
Do a slug test. Use a jar lid full of either beer or apple cider vinegar. Set it into the soil so the edge of the lid is even or just below the soil line. Slugs are attracted to fermented products. (That could also include any spoiling strawberries.)
Does your soil look like coffee grounds? This is an indication of jumping worms. We are seeing more of that lately. Compost and mulch can carry them.
I do see some spots on the leaves. You can send a sample to the Plant Disease Clinic. Call them to get instructions. See: https://pdc.umn.edu/
The following website is a good summary. See:
https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/strawberry-leaves-turning-brown-2/
You likely have some combination of the factors discussed-nutrient issues, disease issues, watering issues and possibly slugs or nematodes. The easiest to treat would be water deficit.
Thank you again Mary! I will get on some serious watering and also see if I can catch some slugs tonight.
I also took some pictures today that might be better than the original ones I sent - I think these show the "damage" better (with more of the spots showing). If this gives you any new thoughts, please let me know.
Thanks!!!
Sue
Plan to follow the extensive directions for leaf spot at the above website. No chemicals are recommended even though it is a fungal condition. Overwatering can make it worse. So be sure to follow the watering instructions..avoid overhead watering or if necessary don’t water overhead only between 10am and 5pm. very important to remove all leaf litter as the leaves become affected in the fall.
Another website that you might find helpful follows. Because the disease overwinters and is difficult to control, they recommend planting resistant varieties.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-35
One more thank you, Mary!!! I do now see how mine looks like the leaf blight! I am ready for the "attack"....well, doesn't look like it's so much of an attack as a slow maintenance! Ha! There is actually a lot of new growth right now, so I will try to get rid of as much of the "bad" stuff as possible and get some nitrogen going and hope for the best.
Thank you for all of your help!!!
sue
