Growing Strawberries (Alexandria)

This page is about growing strawberries. We will be focusing on the Alexandria.

The Alexandria is an Alpine strawberry from seed. It is a day-neutral. These decorative little plants produce delicious, aromatic red strawberries, about twice the size of wild berries but much smaller than the standard type.

Perennials, Alpine strawberries stay compact and produce few runners, making them suitable for rock gardens, path edgings, pots, and window boxes. They begin producing the second spring, sometimes the first fall. Days to Maturity: 100-120 Sow seeds thinly in March or April in a fine soilless mix. Press seeds into moist mix and keep moist until plants emerge in 2-3 weeks. Keep soil temperature between 60°F (16°C) and 75°F (24°C), if possible. Transplant to plug trays or 1-1

CULTURE: 1/2" apart in flats, then to larger pots or planters for retailing full-size plants: 1 plant/3-4" pot; 3-5 plants/8" pot. Transplant outdoors anytime, 1' apart. Tolerant to partial shade, and they prefer moist soil.

The strawberry is an accessory fruit, since the part this we eat is non-ovarian in origin. The fruits which contain the seed of the strawberry are achenes, which are similar to tiny sunflower seeds. The achenes are the numerous, tiny, seed-looking specks that cover the fruit surface.

To pollinate most varieties are self-fruitful and therefore do not need cross pollination for fruit set. However, bee activity is beneficial in transferring pollen to stigmas in an individual flower.

10-02-09

The seeds were planted but no sign of them emerging yet. Even though I am growing these inside, we have not had the sunshine and heat I was expecting due to the rain and cloudy weather we have be experiencing.

As you can see in the picture above, Strawberry Seeds are very small, which is probably why they are expensive.

10-19-09

My Alexandria seeds are finally emerging. They are very small at this point but if you look hard you can see them in the pictures below.

I have ordered some more and will try again. I also believe that I did not keep enough light on them. I will be transplanting these outside in a couple of days to see how they do.

I have come to the conclusion that is better to produce strawberries from runners than it is from seeds.

03-05-2010

Below are some pictures sent in by Jennifer in Kampala, Africa. She has a wonderful bed of strawberries.

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