Strawberry runners can be cut and planted to create new strawberry plants. This method is a form of vegetative propagation, where new plants are grown directly from the parent plant. The runner, technically called a stolon, is a specialized horizontal stem that grows outward from the main strawberry crown. At points along this stem, called nodes, a small plantlet develops, which forms its own roots, allowing the strawberry patch to expand.
The Advantage of Using Strawberry Runners
Propagating strawberries using runners offers benefits over starting with seeds. The primary advantage is genetic certainty. Since the runner creates a clone, the new plant possesses the exact same characteristics as the parent, ensuring desired traits like fruit size, flavor, and disease resistance are maintained. Growing from seeds is not guaranteed to maintain these traits, often resulting in genetic variation and unpredictable fruit quality.
Using runners also speeds up the time it takes to establish a fruiting plant. Runners possess a head start, bypassing the slow germination and seedling stage required for seed propagation. Utilizing the parent plant’s energy, the rooted runner establishes itself much faster than a small seedling. This process allows for rapid, cost-effective expansion or renewal of an existing strawberry patch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Runners
Propagating runners is most effective in late summer or early fall, after the main fruiting season. This timing allows the newly rooted plantlets to establish themselves before winter dormancy. Begin by identifying a healthy runner that has developed a ‘daughter’ plantlet with at least a few leaves.
To encourage successful rooting, root the plantlet while it is still connected to the mother plant. Fill a small pot (e.g., three-inch container) with a sterile, soil-free potting mix. Place the plantlet directly onto the soil surface, aligning the small root pegs on the underside with the potting mix. Secure the plantlet in place using a U-shaped piece of wire or a landscape staple.
The runner stem should remain attached to the parent plant, providing water and nutrients while the new roots form. Keep the potting mix consistently moist for four to six weeks. Once the plantlet develops a strong, independent root system visible through the drainage holes, it is ready for separation. Use clean scissors or snips to cut the stolon one to two inches away from the rooted daughter plant.
The new plant is ready to be transplanted into its final location. When planting, ensure the crown—the central growing point—is positioned precisely at the soil line. Burying the crown too deeply can lead to rot, while planting it too shallowly can cause the roots to dry out. Gently tamp the soil around the roots and water the transplanted runner thoroughly to settle the soil.
Ensuring New Plant Establishment
After transplanting the runner, consistent moisture is needed during the establishment phase. The young plants require regular watering, especially for the first ten days, to help the roots take hold. They also need a location that receives a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and future fruit production.
To ensure long-term plant vigor, remove any flowers that appear during the first year. Pinching off these early flowers redirects the plant’s energy away from fruit production and into developing a robust, deep root system. This strengthens the plant, allowing it to produce a substantial crop the following season. As temperatures drop in the fall, apply a layer of straw or pine needle mulch around the plants. This mulching provides insulation and winter protection for the young crowns, helping them survive and prepare for spring growth.