I bought them many months ago, the leaves seam to have a powdery underneath. If the main plants cant be saved do I need to destroy all the runners also, I have so many and I was hoping to grow more for next years plants. They have been well watered and some of the others that are starting share a bucket with healthy looking plants. I would like to be able to at least save the runners. Chris

cambse Yes, apparently diatomaceous earth is effective for killing slugs. I personally have reservations about using it because I know it also kills beneficial insects as well, such as pollinators of strawberries. So if I can find a solution that works without killing beneficials or changing the chemical composition of my garden, that's what I'm aiming for. So far, wide copper strips seem to be the best answer, though copper doesn't kill the slugs.

My notes on low chill varieties. Phoenix (300 hours) proven are Camarosa, Chandler, Sequoia and Albion. Give it a shot and let us know how it turns out. Camarosa June Chandler June Pajaro June Sequoia June Eversweet (Womack Nursery) everbearing Albion Everbearing (day-neutral; = 35-85 degrees fruits) Fort Laramie Everbearing Selva Everbearing (day-neutral;very large fruits) Tristar Everbearing Plant in Fall and harvest in June. Replant in Fall....(treat as an annual). Before planting, incorporate one pound of 12-24-12 fertilizer per 100 sq. ft. (or equivalent). It is recommended to remove the first flowers after planting to improve plant establishment. Yearly fertilization should not occur until after spring crop has been harvested. Here, a 10-10-10 fertilizer can be applied at 1 pound per 100 sq. ft. Some everbearing cultivars to consider are: Fort Laramie; Gem Everbearing; Ogallala; Ozark Beauty; Quinault; and Streamliner. Some day-neutral cultivars to consider are: Fern; Selva; Tribute; and Tristar. Zone 9 Strawberry Plants for California 1. Albion �" plants are tolerant to changing weather, yield multiple harvests as an everbearer, and produce dark red, tasty strawberries. 2. Camarosa �" a short-day junebearer that produces early and has good storage properties. 3. Ventana �" produces very early in the season (even earlier than Camarosa). Flavor and shelf life are good. 4. Others: Aromas, Camino Real, Diamante Zone Nine Strawberry Plants for Florida 1. Sweet Charlie �" this variety was developed in the early 1980s in Florida, and it is a real winner. It smells sweet and tastes even sweeter. It also has good disease resistance. (for a profile, click here: Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants) early season 2. Other good choices: Strawberry Festival, Treasure, Winter Dawn, Florida Radiance 3. Oldies-but-goodies that will still produce: Selva, Oso Grande Zone 9 Strawberry Plants for Texas 1. Chandler �" very likely the best strawberry variety for growing in South Texas. For a profile, click here: Chandler Strawberry Plants. 2. Others: Douglas, Sequoia (both of these varieties will fruit in the early spring). Fruit size is heavily dependent upon irrigation...the more water the bigger the fruit.

The top two show runners starting. The bottom looks like a split crown. But that is not a problem. It's perfectly normal for many plants to increase like that.