Identify and Treat Strawberry Diseases



Strawberry diseases can be devastating to a good crop of strawberries. Here is how to identify the disease that might be affecting your crop, so that you can proceed to dealing with it.

Steps

  1. Have a close look at the particular symptoms afflicting your strawberries. Look at the leaves, the stems and the fruits to help you identify the possible problems. Here are characteristics of some of the diseases that afflict strawberries:
    • Root rot: Look for signs of sickly, withered leaves. The roots will show a reddish discoloration.
    • Strawberry mildew: Check the undersides of the strawberry leaves; strawberries afflicted by strawberry mildew will have a reddish tinge, with a fine, white film on the leaves. Other signs include leaves rolling up and any fruit that forms will be small, hard and inedible.
    • Grey mould: The strawberry fruit will be covered in thick, grey mould. This one is very obvious!
  2. Control the disease. In each case, it is important to control the disease so that it does not spread or infect future strawberry crops. Here are some control suggestions:
    • Root rot: destroy the infested plants. Do not replant new strawberries in the same area when you purchase new stock. Do not try to reuse any of the existing strawberry stock. Note that if the red stele fungus has caused the root rot, it can survive in the soil for up to 13 years.

    • Strawberry mildew: Destroy the infected plants, as for root rot.
    • Grey mould: Remove any infected strawberries and dispose of in the garbage, or in compost that is working well. Do not feed to worm compost.
  3. Prevent strawberry disease. Prevention being better than cure, there are some ways in which you can try to protect your strawberries from getting the disease in the first place. Here are some suggestions for prevention:
    • Always buy healthy plants that your local nursery has certified as being free of disease. It is also best to purchase locally produced species of strawberries as these will be more likely to suit your local climate conditions. However, it is also important to accept that some climates just simply do not suit strawberry growing and if that is the case in your area, try another berry or fruit instead.
    • Space plants out. Do not cramp your strawberry plants; give them plenty of room.
    • Avoid evening watering. Watering in the evening can increase the chances of rotting or mildew/mould growth as the temperatures drop during the night and there is no warmth to dry the plants.
    • Black root rot can be controlled by growing strawberries planted in compost-filled mesh socks are less susceptible to black root rot and produce more marketable fruit than those planted in unfumigated, unamended soils.[1]
    • Try organic sprays. Given that strawberries can be one of the most heavily pesticide-contaminated fruits on the market, it is really important to use organic sprays when growing your own. One suitable organic spray is mare's tail brew.
    • Avoid over-fertilising your strawberries. Follow the instructions for your strawberry type and do not be tempted to over-feed them. A little goes a long way, or you risk increasing the potential for root rot.
    • Purchase resistant varieties. Some varieties of strawberries have been developed that are resistant to mildew. Ask at your local nursery for advice.

Tips

  • It is important to move strawberry patches around every three to four years, to help increase the chances of avoiding strawberry plant diseases.
  • Red stele root rot has become a serious problem in the northern two-thirds of the USA for strawberry growing.
  • Many strawberry disease problems can be avoided by growing strawberries hydroponically.[2]

Things You'll Need

  • Strawberry plants
  • Organic sprays
  • Disease resistant varieties (optional)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ USDA, Socking It to Strawberry Root Rot
  2. ↑ USDA, Hydroponic Strawberries Avoid Soil Pests

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