| I planted 25 Everbearing (Ozark beauty)& 25 Junebearing (Gurney's Giant)in 5 rows of 10 plants about 18" apart about a month or two ago. They have begun flowering and I heard that it is best to "pluck" the flowers the first season. What is the best way to do so? I am currently twisting or breaking off the flower/bud, leaving its stem. is this correct, or should I also be plucking the stem at the base? |
| Removing the strawberry blossoms from first year plants is a good idea. It allows all of the plant's energy to go back into the roots and crown, making the plant stronger and able to bear larger, more abundant fruit the following year. You can cut or pinch the blossom out at the stem, or remove the stem and blossom, all in one operation. If you pluck the flower only, the stem will wither and die, falling from the plant all on its own, just as if you had harvested a berry. Either way is perfectly fine. |
