Root Bound Strawberries problem

[willyg]

I have these strawberry plants from last year.
they came in a wee box and i just let them grow in the box all year and never transplanted them
so they are all rootbound and all the roots of all the plants are stuck together

i will prune the dead leaves tomorow but how do i seperate the plants without damaging the roots?

if you can see in the pictures it is several strawberry plants all stuck together, there are lots of dead leaves but there are wee green shoots coming up too so i want to save them , i have put them in a seed propagation tray to help with the root bound problem without seperating the roots

any help would be much appreciated thanks!

 

[Plantdoctor]

You just need to pull them apart and hope for the best.

 

[willyg]

right, what would be the best way of doin that?

 

[Plantdoctor]

Get a large knife and carve so you have a single plant,get rid of all that rubbish,

Then pot them up individually ,get them outside, then in a month or so, plant them.

Got two chances.

 

[willyg]

right so just cut the roots ? i will prune all those dead leaves and all and just leave the green shoots

 

[Greenhorn]

You want to "divide" the strawberries. Dividing is a means of propagation. I think there is a member here that is not a fan of SFGate, but this seemed pretty accurate.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/divide-strawberry-crowns-85334.html

 

[willyg]

thats really helpful greenhorn thanks, i saw on some video you shouldnt ever cut into roots because it damages the plant but that mustve just been bs lol

 

[CrazyConure]

Pulling the strawberry plants apart WILL cause damage to the roots, but they will reestablish.

 

[willyg]

right, how long do u think they will take to get over it?

 

[CrazyConure]

right, how long do u think they will take to get over it?

It depends on how severe it is. I recommend giving the roots a good soak, then slowly separating the plants from each other. I don't think you should cut the roots, as that will damage more roots then save. It will probable take a few weeks, to a month.

 

[willyg]

they have been in a wee tiny pot thing for a year before i put them in that propagation tray so they will probably be very rootbound, should i get rid of all the soil before i separate the roots?

 

[CrazyConure]

Yes, take the plant from the soil. You need the full plant with roots to work well. You are also going to need patience when separating the roots. With some teasing, it will come apart. Just make sure the root ball is in tact. Put in the container with soil and water asap. It will look sad for a few days, maybe weeks, but watering when the soil is a few inches dry will definetly help them.

 

[headfullofbees]

Soak the roots for two hours, and that means immersion in water, not a heavy watering.
Pull the plants, from below the crowns, apart.
Some roots will break, some will survive.
Some plants may die, most will survive.
Plant them quick or you'll not get a crop this year.

 

[willyg]

there are loads of new sprouts coming up in them so im gonna leave them till i have loads of shoots and theyve all come up then i will do what u guys are suggesting, hopefully it goes well i will post up a vid of it

 

[headfullofbees]

DON'T WAIT!!!