Strawberry plants naturally use a highly effective method of asexual reproduction by sending out long, horizontal stems known as stolons, commonly called runners. These runners are modified stems that originate from the mother plant and contain nodes, which are small plantlets capable of developing roots and leaves. When a strawberry plant is grown in a hanging basket, these stolons trail outward and downward, offering a perfect opportunity to clone the parent plant. This guide details the process of converting these hanging runners into independent, healthy strawberry plants.
Identifying and Preparing Runners
The first step involves identifying the most suitable plantlets for propagation to ensure the new clones are vigorous and productive. Focus on the runners that appear closest to the mother plant, typically the first or second plantlet on the stolon, as these receive the most energy. Avoid any plantlets that appear spindly or those at the very end of a long, thin stolon, which may be less robust.
Before securing the runner, you need to prepare small, individual pots filled with a sterile, well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-based compost or soil-free blend. Position these small pots directly beneath the hanging basket so the runner can reach the soil surface while remaining attached to the mother plant. This setup allows the new plantlet to draw nutrients and water from both the prepared soil and the established parent until it is self-sufficient.
Encouraging Root Growth
The process of rooting requires ensuring the plantlet’s node remains in firm, continuous contact with the moist soil in the prepared pot. To achieve this, gently place the small cluster of leaves, which marks the node, directly onto the potting mix surface. Secure it firmly using a bent paperclip, a piece of thick wire, or a small U-shaped garden staple pressed over the stolon just behind the node. This physical anchor prevents the plantlet from being dislodged.
Maintaining consistent moisture in the small pot is necessary during this rooting phase, as the new roots begin to form from the node. The runner will continue to supply water and nutrients from the mother plant, aiding the root development. This rooting process typically takes between two to six weeks, with four weeks being a common period for roots to become established enough to support the new plant.
Separating and Transplanting the New Plant
You can determine the new plantlet is ready for separation once it has developed a robust root system and shows signs of independent growth. Look for new, healthy leaves emerging from the crown of the plantlet, and check the drainage holes of the small pot for visible white roots. A subtle test is to lightly tug on the plantlet; if you feel strong resistance, the root system is likely well-established.
Once the plantlet is sufficiently rooted, the stolon connecting it to the mother plant must be severed. Use clean, sharp shears or scissors to make a single cut on the runner between the mother plant and the new plantlet. After this separation, the new clone is now an independent plant ready for a permanent location. The rooted plant should then be moved from its small pot into a larger container or a garden bed where it can continue to grow.
Initial Care for New Plants
Following transplantation, the new strawberry plant requires specific care to minimize shock and encourage successful establishment. Initially, place the newly independent plant in a location that receives partial or dappled shade for the first few days. This temporary shading helps the young plant acclimate to its new environment without the stress of intense, direct sunlight.
Deep, consistent watering is necessary to settle the soil around the roots and prevent them from drying out. The soil should remain evenly moist but never waterlogged. Withhold heavy fertilization immediately after transplanting because the young roots are sensitive and can be damaged by concentrated salts in the fertilizer. Wait until the plant has visibly resumed vigorous growth, indicated by the production of several new leaves, before introducing a balanced, diluted fertilizer.