My Strawberries are a Flop (growing, fertilization, containers, nursery)

[AZgarden]

I got very good plants from the nursery and planted them in pots with excellent soil and fertilizer. Was told to do "full sun". Not good. Most of them burned up and died. The ones in the shady area are still growing but the berries are small, hard, measly little things. I tasted one and it was sweet but my efforts were wasted on a bunch of non producers. I won't plant any strawberries next year.

[luv4horses]

If they are too small must not have had good pollination or fertilization.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by AZgarden

. Most of them burned up and died.

The problem with growing in pots is that the pot can only hold so much water at one time. You water them to the point that they're drowning, but then after a short time in the AZ sun, they're dehydrated before you know it...Consider some sort of frequent, small waterings schedule each day or drip system?...Maybe position them so they only get 4-6hrs of direct sun daily? (That's all they really need.)

[GGG2020]

Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto

The problem with growing in pots is that the pot can only hold so much water at one time.

That could well be the problem. When I used small containers, they'd dry out so fast. On really hot days I had to water twice a day. And even though strawberries are supposed to do well in containers, I couldn't get perfectly healthy-looking strawberry seedlings to thrive in a pot. I'm trying out bigger planters now... they seem to hold water better.

Also, I can't speak for all strawberries, but mine grow a better in the shade than in full sun. Mine are alpine strawberries though, don't know if that makes a difference.