Vol. 116 (2003): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Vegetable

Plantlet size affects growth and development of strawberry plug transplants

Eric B. Bish
University of Florida

Published 2003-12-01

Keywords

  • fragaria &times,
  • ananassa,
  • tray plants

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine what effect plantlet size has on the growth and development of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plug transplants. 'Sweet Charlie' plantlets from 2 and 4 mm diameter stolons, and with zero, one, or two fully expanded leaves, were selected and grouped into a factorial set of treatments. These plantlets were first rooted in 18.8 cm cells and then moved to 110 cm cells. After a growth period of 6 weeks, the plants were placed in a growth chamber for 2 weeks under conditions conducive to flower bud initiation. The plants were then transplanted into a greenhouse hydroponic gutter system. Root, crown, and flower data suggest that two-leaf plantlets can produce field-ready transplants quicker than zero or one-leaf plantlets, and that plantlets from large diameter stolons should be used to produce early fruiting transplants.