Strawberries - Ask Extension
What causes my strawberries To grow like this, and how can I fix it?
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Strawberries #879022
Asked July 27, 2024, 3:13 PM EDT
What causes my strawberries To grow like this, and how can I fix it?
Coos County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for your question.. Fruit deformities can be the result of one or multiple causes.
Here are some potential insect pests that can cause deformed strawberry fruit:
- Lygus bugs - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/strawberry/strawberry-lygus-bug
- Thrips - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/strawberry/strawberry-thrips
Deformed fruit can also be caused by problems during pollination. Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication "Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1307-growing-strawberries-your-home-garden. Check out Figure 23 in the Common Problems section that shows deformed fruit due to pollination problems.
There is also a chance that the fruit deformity might be due to a boron deficiency in the soil. To determine this, you would need to submit a soil sample to a lab for analysis. This Oregon State Extension publication describes how to work with a lab to get useful results - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-8677-get-actionable-results-soil-plant-or-environmental-testing-lab#find-accredited-laboratory
Here are some potential insect pests that can cause deformed strawberry fruit:
- Lygus bugs - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/strawberry/strawberry-lygus-bug
- Thrips - https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/strawberry/strawberry-thrips
Deformed fruit can also be caused by problems during pollination. Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication "Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1307-growing-strawberries-your-home-garden. Check out Figure 23 in the Common Problems section that shows deformed fruit due to pollination problems.
There is also a chance that the fruit deformity might be due to a boron deficiency in the soil. To determine this, you would need to submit a soil sample to a lab for analysis. This Oregon State Extension publication describes how to work with a lab to get useful results - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-8677-get-actionable-results-soil-plant-or-environmental-testing-lab#find-accredited-laboratory
