Strawberries in Florida (Big Box Store)

[CrazyConure]

The big box store sells tons and tons of strawberries plants from Bonnie.

I went to Bonnie’s website, and they said never plant strawberries in Florida.



Why are they selling shelves of them of various sizes and hanging pot versions? All of the strawberry’s crowns are buried DEEP.

 

[Chuck]

The big box store sells tons and tons of strawberries plants from Bonnie.

I went to Bonnie’s website, and they said never plant strawberries in Florida.



Why are they selling shelves of them of various sizes and hanging pot versions? All of the strawberry’s crowns are buried DEEP.

I don't know much about growing strawberries if Florida. In fact my first impression of your post was a little confusing so I did a little research and found out that yes, Florida does grow a sizeable amount of strawberries. Apparently only 4 or 5 varieties do well though. And never plant them deep. And in the Miami area or S Florida you plant them betwee Oct 1 and Dec 1. What they are doing on the shelves now is a mystery.

 

[Meadowlark]

...Why are they selling shelves of them of various sizes and hanging pot versions?

Because they sell. It isn't about best time, best variety, or whatever, it is about what sells best.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[oneeye]

Yes its the commercial horticulurests' job to market what ever he can sell to the public based on their interests. Most people love strawberries and have all their life and so its buried deep in their subconscious. When you flash a photo of pretty strawberries you stimulate their interest just enough to make a buy.

I think strawberry plants are about $5 a piece now, but I'm not for sure. The buyer usually says one's not enough I need at least 4 or 5 plants to have enough. Better get some cheap potting soil too with an extra $25 and I need containers to grow them in? Everything is placed in the area for an easy sell. After its all over you spent $100 bucks or more just because you saw that strawberry phote. NOW multiply this 500 times on a pretty Spring day from all the walk-through customers and you have successful marketing strategy. How many Spring buying days are there? I think there's about 90 to 120 Spring marketing days in the South US, if I remember correctly.

 

[oneeye]

Heres the butt kicker, its not a good to plant strawberries in the ground in Florida because of the salt content in the soil. Heres what you will probably get unless the soil is completely reworked or planted in containers.

Salt damage symptoms for strawberries planted in Florida:

Dry and brown leaf margins
Brittle leaves
Stunted plant growth
Dead roots and plants
Leaf edge burn
Necrosis
Nutrient imbalance
Specific ion toxicity
Reduced fruit quality and yield.
AI

After getting rip-off a few times people stop buying, because the word is out it is a rip-off so they change the marketing strategy to a different product.