Strawberry runner or flower?

[Canuck]

I planted these strawberries as bare root plugs and i have been clipping everything coming up except the leaves. They are at the point where I want to let them flower but I still want to clip the runners. In the picture below is that a runner or a flower? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Tetters]

We usually just let the plants get on with it. Leave them alone and you may get some strawberries out of them - if you keep cutting all the bits off as soon as they emerge you will never see any fruit at all.

 

[Canuck]

Thanks for the reply Tetters. That's the plan for now but I still want to remove the runners. The growing season is so short in canada that I want the energy of the plant to go to the roots, shoots and flowers.

 

[Tetters]

Well then, I reckon (what grannie used to say) if in doubt - don't !! Wait until you're sure.