Bare root strawberry plants are dormant runners shipped without soil, allowing nurseries to transport them efficiently during their resting phase. These plants appear as a small crown with a cluster of exposed roots, signifying suspended growth. Because they lack the protection of surrounding soil, keeping the plants viable requires immediate attention to storage conditions upon arrival. Proper handling is necessary to maintain dormancy and prevent the roots from drying out, ensuring a successful transition to the garden.
Defining the Storage Time Limit
The primary goal of storing bare root strawberries is to keep them dormant until planting conditions are right, but storage is strictly a temporary measure. Under ideal conditions, these plants can be held for a maximum of one to two weeks before viability declines significantly. The challenge lies in managing the plant’s finite energy reserves stored within the crown and roots. If plants remain dormant too long, they will deplete this stored energy, weakening their ability to establish new growth after planting.
The plants are highly susceptible to desiccation, or drying out, when their roots are exposed to air. Even slight delays in planting can compromise the fine root hairs responsible for absorbing water and nutrients. Home gardeners should aim to plant within seven to ten days of receiving the shipment. Treating any delay as an urgent, short-term necessity ensures plant survival.
Essential Techniques for Short-Term Storage
To maximize the short-term storage window, temperature control is the most important factor for maintaining dormancy. Bare root strawberries should be stored in a cool, dark environment consistently between 32°F and 40°F (0°C to 4°C). A household refrigerator is often the most accessible option, as the low temperature slows the plant’s metabolic processes. This minimizes the expenditure of stored energy and prevents the plants from breaking dormancy prematurely.
Careful moisture management is necessary to prevent both drying and rotting. The roots must be kept lightly moist, but never saturated or soaking wet. A suitable technique involves wrapping the roots in a breathable, moisture-retentive material such as slightly damp sphagnum moss, shredded newspaper, or peat. This material provides a buffer against desiccation while allowing for some air exchange.
Once wrapped, the plants should be placed in a perforated plastic bag or a loosely sealed container. This setup maintains a humid microclimate around the roots while allowing for air circulation, which prevents the development of mold or mildew. An airtight seal should be avoided, as trapped moisture and lack of oxygen create an ideal environment for fungal pathogens. Regularly check the roots; if they appear dry, mist them lightly, but if condensation is visible inside the bag, open it slightly to promote air flow.
Assessing Plant Health After Storage
Before planting, inspect the bare root strawberries to confirm that storage was successful. A healthy, viable plant will have a firm crown, which is the woody area where the leaves emerge. The roots should be pliable and not brittle to the touch. While older roots may appear dark on the exterior, the interior of a young, healthy root should be creamy white when gently nicked.
Signs of damage or poor storage indicate reduced chances of survival. Roots that are black, mushy, or brittle and snap easily are likely dead or severely compromised. The presence of mold, mildew, or a foul odor suggests moisture levels were too high, leading to fungal growth or root rot. Discarding plants that show these signs prevents the introduction of disease into the planting area.