How easy is it to grow strawberries from seed?

sb44

I wouldn't normally bother as I just reproduce from the runners on my Cambridge Favourites, but...........

I bought some reduced price strawberries from Tesco today and they are the sweetest, strongest smelling strawberries I have ever tasted.

The were Sweet Eve http://www.sweetevestrawberry.co.uk/ and were absolutely fantastic!

They aren't available as plants or runners as they are exlusive to BerryWorld.

If you haven't tried this variety yet I would def rec having a try.

Linda32

I've just had a quick google and although I've never grown them from seed it does look easy enough to at least be worth a try if you are used to seed sowing.

Best of luck. :beer:

sammyroser

I've grown strawberries from seed before and it took a long time but was straight forward enough. Next year I had some beautiful strawberries.

katholicos

Mine have never come to anything, others may be luckier or have greener fingers though.

sb44

Thanks folks, I have saved 1 of the perfect ones which I will let dry out.

I'll save the seeds and give it a go in the spring.

valk_scot

Be aware that if it's an F1 hybrid the seeds won't come true, they will be a mix of parental characteristics. That's if they're fertile at all of course. However it's worth trying.

Badrick

I had some decent shop bought strawberries back in June, in which one had turned to hairy mush.
I spread outer layer on a failed seeded tray of compost (more out of curiosity than wanting more plants) and stuck it on flat garage roof behind other various plants up there, I'd forgotten about it till I saw this thread, just looked and it's full of strawberry seedlings, result!!!
As valk says if they're F1 it's pot luck what you'll get. but as they say nothing ventured...............

demystified

Agreed, they'll certainly germinate and will probably give some fruit next year but it's pot luck as to what you'll end up with.

katkins78

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/PP21380.html

So if you grew from seed the resulting plants would be either like the female parent- a moderate crop, variable fruit size, soft and pale in colour, but exceptional flavour and fragrance. Cropping in July, August, September (in th UK). Or like the male parent- crops in March- May (in spain), Firm, flavoursome, dark fruit but too small in size to be marketable.

I think they both sound fine for non-commercial growing where you are really only after flavour and I'd probably attempt to save and grow the seed- good luck!

Badrick

katkins78 wrote: »

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/PP21380.html

So if you grew from seed the resulting plants would be either like the female parent- a moderate crop, variable fruit size, soft and pale in colour, but exceptional flavour and fragrance. Cropping in July, August, September (in th UK). Or like the male parent- crops in March- May (in spain), Firm, flavoursome, dark fruit but too small in size to be marketable.

Not quite so simple with genetics, the resulting offspring will have traits from both parent plants, but not always the most desirable mix and in any number of permutations. It's by selective breeding from the best of these offspring, they can develop new varieties of plants.

katkins78

Badrick wrote: »

Not quite so simple with genetics, the resulting offspring will have traits from both parent plants, but not always the most desirable mix and in any number of permutations. It's by selective breeding from the best of these offspring, they can develop new varieties of plants.

Doh! You're of course absolutely right, and to think I studied biology through A'level. I actually knew that - sorry I am having a particularly thick week!