Growing Strawberries

[Attymusic]

Hi. What type of strawberry plants would work best in an Aerogarden (kept indoors)? As many of you probably know, the company considered “Sweet Rubies” because they were sweet, plentiful, easy to grow, with fast results. But the idea was scrapped because the plants died in transport. I can’t find “Sweet Rubies” anywhere. I was told that the "little French" variety, Woodlands would be a good alternative. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

[Peat]

Welcome to the forum Attymusic,

I have successfully grown these from seed in the AG - http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/998/1

I did not leave them long enough to grow fruits, due to the length of time they took to grow, but they are now planted out in soil and are doing great. They grew very well in the AG and I can recommend them.

Problem could be that I am UK based and you may not be able to get them in the US.

[Attymusic]

Hi Peat! Thanks very much for your fast reply and help. Sounds good. I will look into it. The only thing that concerns me are the little bugs that I could get. But I am going to pursue this since I have always wanted to grow strawberries. Many thanks!!

[Peat]

Don't worry about the bugs, I did not have any when growing them in the AG. I now have them planted in a growbox on my windowsill and they are still bug free.

If they ever come then you can deal with them at the time.

I have had a look around for these in the US for you and came across this site - http://www.johnnyseeds.com/Assets/products/104610778325783.pdf

[Attymusic]

Hi Peat! Very kind of you.  Sarian strawberries sound good. Someone else mentioned "Woodlands" but these look doable. Will check out. Must wait though since I just started lettuce. Many thanks!

[Ellen]

Did you just start your lettuce kit Attymusic? I loved mine. Fresh lettuce ready for harvest in three weeks.   

[sprout83]

Don't worry about the bugs, I did not have any when growing them in the AG. I now have them planted in a growbox on my windowsill and they are still bug free.

If they ever come then you can deal with them at the time.

I have had a look around for these in the US for you and came across this site - http://www.johnnyseeds.com/Assets/products/104610778325783.pdf

Thank you for posting this Peat. One of my beloved pets passed away Friday afternoon, and I wanted to plant a garden in memorial of him. Since our growing season is so short here in Canada, I think this would be ideal to plant in the aerogarden.

[Peat]

I'm really sorry sprout, that's such a shame.

I hope the plant flourishes and you have many strawberries from it, year after year.

[sprout83]

Thank you, Peat. That means a lot; He was very dear to me.

[Attymusic]

Yes, Ellen - just started lettuce after a very successful run with cherry tomatoes. I couldn't wait so today I tasted the baby greens (they are only 3 weeks old) and they taste great. My friends are trying to persuade me to do tomatoes one more time.

[Ellen]

You will like the lettuce kit just as well, I'm sure. Mine only lasted about two months due to the heat but I absolutely LOVED it while growing it.

[Attymusic]

Sprout, I too am sorry for your loss. Very sad. I wish you great success with your plants. Regarding the strawberries,  thanks for the info/search. very nice of you. No,  I won't be worried about bugs anymore. May I ask: Did you start with seedlings or small strawberry plants? Also, do you think I can keep the strawberry plant (Sarian variety) in the AG and not eventually moving them?

[Attymusic]

Ellen: thanks. Yes, so easy to grow (although I switched to distilled water because my Arugula leaves were turning yellow). Funny, I didn't have that problem with tomatoes. But you're right, they grow very fast

[sprout83]

Thank you Attymusic, and welcome.

I can't say this for sure, but I think it can be grown permanently in the aerogarden. That's what I want to do with my strawberry plants. I will let Peat clarify though...

[Peat]

Hello Attymusic, it was me that posted the info. for you so I will clarify as sprout said.

I started with seeds and not seedlings or plants. If you go this route then it will take some time, strawberries grow very slowly from seed as I found out. They can indeed be left in the AG and will grow well, I only moved mine out as I wanted to try something else.

I ran mine on the 'strawberry' cycle on the AG, I later learnt that this setting was for strawberry plants that AG released but then pulled due to problems. It worked for me so I kept it on this setting.

If you need any further help/info. then ask away.

[Attymusic]

Hi Peat!  I noted "Johnnyseeds.com" when you posted it and many thanks.  I am definitely going to grow the strawberries (Sarian F1 Hybrids) and am relieved that you started with seeds (my preference) and that I can keep growing them in the AG (yeah!). But since it takes awhile to grow, I decided today to toss my lettuces and grow tomatoes befeore turning to strawberries which is a longer project.
Wait! The reason is that my family and friends wanted those cherry tomatoes one more time before I start with strawberries. This time I am going to take my tomatoes up to the roof deck occasionally for some real sun to make them even sweeter. That means that for a few hours a week, the pump will not be operating and the water not flowing.
So, with apologies to "Ellen," I discarded the lettuces and started the cherry tomatoes. Afterwards, it's strawberries! (I know I should just get a second AG but I don't want to overwhelm my apartment with two right now.)

[Ellen]

There is no "apology" necessary at all!! I think most of us like to experiment. That is what makes the forum interesting and informative!

p.s. Several other members have also ordered from johnnyseeds so you should have good luck with that.

[Attymusic]

Very true. Thanks.

[Peat]

A little bit more info. on growing these strawberries for you...

Initiial plant date for the seeds in the AG was on 27th April '08
Week 1 - small seed growth
Week 2 - domes removed
Week 5 - plants now have roots in water, growth now accelerating due to this
Week 7 - now big enough to move to soil (I wanted to grow cherry toms in this one)
To date: All growing well in soil and now flowering

Five seeds were planted in the AG, only three managed to grow though - I should have put more seeds in each sponge to compensate, doh!

The ones that grew sprouted 'runners' as they should, I pegged these in small peat pots and grew more strawberries from the mother plant. Once the new ones had established themselves I cut the runner to free up the main mother plant.

I now have nine plants through doing this method, and more if I need.

A few pictures

[Ellen]

WOW Peat. Those plants look fantastic!!