strawberry wilt ?

[fromthecrowsnest]

Does anyone know what is the cause of strawberry wilt?

The six plants are in three 24" long by 8" deep containers, two plants in each. One plant healthy and the other not.

I have eliminated water damage due to avoidance of water on the leaves.

Any ideas please?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi FTCN, would you be able to post a photo please??

[fromthecrowsnest]

Lesley

Two pics showing one of the containers. Roots appear to be healthy and no sign of ant invasion.

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by fromthecrowsnest

... Roots appear to be healthy ...

I found this one: Information on Strawberry -- Verticillium Wilt, An Online Guide to Plant Disease Control, Oregon State University

but yours didn't turn brown?

[fromthecrowsnest]

Thanks for that Thomas.

No, didn't turn brown. Stayed green, leaves furled up and went 'flopbutt' as we say in our house.

Two plants in each container....one dies.

Can't figure.

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by fromthecrowsnest

... The six plants are in three 24" long by 8" deep containers...

Hmm, where did you get the soil from?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi FTCN, have you still got the strawberry plants in their containers? One thing that you, Thomas and myself are all agreed on is that there is something wrong with those plants. I know that sounds vague! There are quite a few pests and diseases that cause strawberry plants to wilt but as the wilted plant is in a container with a perfectly healthy plant then most of these can be discounted - it is highly unlikely that a grub would attack the roots of just one plant in the container. Verticillium wilt can be brought in on diseased runners and can affect just one plant - but it doesn't sound like verticillium wilt.

If the plants are still in the containers then dig one out and let's see what the roots look like.

The other thing is has the plant been planted at the correct depth as planting too shallow can cause the plant to wilt.

[fromthecrowsnest]

Hi Lesley and Thomas

Sick plants were removed.

The roots looked OK, no sign of insect presence or damage; best part of the plant. Planted at the correct level.

A mixture of garden soil, sand and compost from a store, Thomas.

The remaining plants are just fine, producing normal well-formed fruit.

Still a mystery. I'll ask at Otter Nurseries where they were bought; see if they have any ideas.

Thanks