Strange/ Mutant Strawberries in my Patch
I have a garden bed full of strawberries (I planted 3 plants 2 years ago and they have spread to take a whole garden bed), they are just coming into ripe fruit (I live in Canberra) but I have been finding a couple of “mutant” fruit. They are more round than a normal fruit and they have tiny little green “leaves” growing out of each seed dimple on the fruit so look VERY odd. I could get a photo of them if needed as I have picked them. Just wondering if ANYONE can tell me what is causing this, what to do etc? HELP needed as they are VERY weird. (not game enough to use them, plus I think they would be yucky to eat due to all the little tiny “leaves”, they look like little green echidna strawberries).
Thanks in advance
Shazinoz
3 November, 2010 at 9:37 am
One possible cause is virus infection. Viruses sometimes mess with a plant’s DNA to produce strange ‘mutants’.
The same results can be caused by certain pesticide residues or other chemical waste left in the soil. But since you didn’t have a problem last year, this may not be your problem, unless the plants have spread to a new area.
I suggest buying new virus-free plants and putting them in a different bed after carefully removing all traces of the old plants from your garden. Viruses get transferred by aphids.
Good luck, Johan
3 November, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Someone from the nursery suggested it was the seeds in the skin germinating?
and I can see that this is what it looks like.
Anyone know how/ why this happens?
There are only a few in the whole garden bed.
3 November, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I have the same problem. planted some stawberry plants last year in a glass house and one of the runner plants is growing the same weird fruit. have 10 or so plants all up adn noneothers have the same problem where teh strawberry fruit is covered by little leaves where the seeds should be.
4 November, 2010 at 9:04 am
Yes froggychick, this is also from the runner plants.
The look so WEIRD, the little mutants .
Glad to know I am NOT alone.
4 November, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I’m gona let the little mutants grow and see what happens. got one thats colouring up and I’m curious to see what they become or becomes of them. :-)
4 November, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Froggychick
Mine are red like a normal strawberry (in fact they might be a bit more red than the others) and are a little rounder than the others and inside are just like a normal strawberry, just with the tiny little green leaves ALL over the outside. i used them in my jam today, just cut the outer leafy layer off first, as I thought the little leaves may not be a good texture).
6 November, 2010 at 10:03 am
Sharon,
lol true! those leaves definitly don’t look to tasty!
haven’t made strawberrry jam, sounds yum!
6 November, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Froggychick…
Yummy and VERY VERY easy to make.
Equal parts sugar and fruit plus a splash of lemon juice.
Let the fruit and sugar sit mixed together in a saucepan for 1-2 hrs then cook, until fruit is soft, remove some fruit (about 1/3 if you want chunks in your jam), then let the rest cook until when you place it on a cold plate it is of the consistency you want (place the plate in the freezer when you begin).
When at the consistency you want put into sterilised jars place lids on them and invert (this should make the button on the jar lid pop in thus sealing it properly), then place where ever you want to keep them or decorate for gifting.
My first lot I over-boiled making it more of an almost lolly consistency but I have been told I might be able to save it by reheating and adding a little boiling water (the taste wasn’t damaged), we will see tomorrow when I make more and try this. (I used a different method of testing readiness and it sucked (sheeting on the back of the spoon method)).
9 November, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Sharon,
Sounds YUM!
sounds similar to how i make blackberry jam. :-)
never thought of putting lemon in. must give it a great flavour!!
19 November, 2010 at 7:24 am
Hi, I live in canberra and the same thing has happened to me, I rang the ABC gardening show and was told this is caused by a calcium deficiency in the soil, but if lots of people are experiencing the same thing, I think the deficiency is somehow caused by the rain.
6 April, 2012 at 4:02 am
I live in Arizona …I have the same problem with the little leaves where the seeds should be I am thinking that it might be from over head watering, are too much water, the plants are on a well drained bed, so I am thing its over head watering.