Strawberry Plants, Bamboo shoots and Krishna Tulasi

Hi!

We have moved into our new apartment in bangalore. I am having a strawberry plant (in a medium size pot which I water everyday) . New leaves come and go and so do flowers, but fruits dont seem to come. Once in fact a bunch of strawberries came, but they didnt ripen and died raw! Its been 4-5 months since I had these plants, and bangalore weather is cool and pleasant with daytime sunlight . My daughter is crazy about strawberries and I really wish these plants would give into good fruits! Some tips and help in this greatly appreciated!

Also we have a nice big sitout in our flat(2nd floor) where I would like to keep bamboo shoots. But old wives tale is that Bamboo shoots attracts snakes! Want to know if this is true and if not, how and where do I procure shoots from, what is their maintenance etc.

Also I want to keep Tulasi madam in our house with Krishna Thulasi. Where could I procure them in Bangalore? do they need direct Sunlight?

Also I would appreciate if people could help me in the type and size of pots that maybe required for (a) strawberry plants(I am using a medium size mud pot, i Feel a bigger maybe better) and (b) for Tulasi(krishna tulasi a bigger variety of Thulasi )

I am new to gardening and any tip for me for maintaining a good garden would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks and Regards,
Purnima

Dear Purnima
I like the title very much and admire your interests:
heres a little help:
About This Plant

Strawberries require a fair amount of maintenance to produce a good crop. You can maximize yields by continually renewing your strawberry bed with new plants. Plants bear in their second season. Plan to set your new plants out in early spring, just as the trees in your area leaf out. For best yields, start a new bed of plants each year and take out beds that have fruited.
Site Selection

Select a site that offers full sun and good drainage and air circulation.
Care

In spring of the first year, pick off blossoms to prevent fruiting and encourage production of healthy daughter plants. In late spring, train daughter plants to take root in a 9-by-9-inch spaced row system. In late fall, after a few freezes, mulch with 5 to 6 inches of straw or 4 to 5 inches of pine needles.

During the second year, in late spring, remove the mulch gradually in spring, but protect blossoms from late frost with covers of mulch, if needed. Provide 1 inch of water per week while the fruit is developing, through harvest. Cover the patch with tobacco cloth or strawberry netting to keep birds out. After harvest, till the plants under, plant a cover crop, and prepare the bed for new plants next spring.
Planting Instructions

Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Space your rows 4 feet apart. Trim the roots of the new plants to no more than 6 inches long. Soak the roots in water for about an hour before planting. Set the plants 18 inches apart in the rows. Dig holes in the ground deep enough so the roots are covered but the crown isn't buried. Pack the soil against the roots.
Harvesting

The first berries are likely to ripen between four and six weeks from when blossoms open. Pick fruit by pinching the stem with your finger and thumb about a half-inch behind the berry. That way you remove the berry without bruising it.

Hi anandchitra!

Thank you so much for the response. To be frank I didnt think so much of care would be required. We got those strawberry plants from Munnar sometime in November when we went there last. People told us that it will die etc etc. But Gods grace, its surviving. I shall surely follow the tips, but one thing you have not told me is the pot size. I dont have a mud garden here as I am staying in the flat. So i need to keep them in pots only.If u could tell me the approx dimension of the pots that would be req, it would be of great help!

Once again thanks a ton for these brilliant tips!

Regards,
Purnima

Hi Purnima:

Also we have a nice big sitout in our flat(2nd floor) where I would like to keep bamboo shoots. But old wives tale is that Bamboo shoots attracts snakes! Want to know if this is true and if not, how and where do I procure shoots from, what is their maintenance etc

.

I'm not aware about bamboo attracting snakes but they just require more care when grown in pots than when grown on ground. The soil cannot be left to dry or cannot be soggy. They can grow in good sunlight.

Also I want to keep Tulasi madam in our house with Krishna Thulasi. Where could I procure them in Bangalore? do they need direct Sunlight?

Tulasi will do best in full sunlight but can do without 'direct' sunlight. Lalbagh nurseries in Bangalore is the best place to look for plants. You can also check Indo American Hybrid seeds ( google for indamseeds, bangalore - giving the website here is causing a long display!) and there is also 'Association of People with Disability' horticultural training centre which has a very nice nursery in Jeevanbhima nagar.

Also I would appreciate if people could help me in the type and size of pots that maybe required for (a) strawberry plants

You will probably need atleast 10 inches diameter pot for strawberry.
If you are starting tulasi from seeds, then you would have to start from the smallest pot and keep increasing the size of the pot as the plant grows.

Hope this helps.

Sindhu

Hi Sindhu!

That is really of great help! Thank you so very much! I shall look into allof it and get back to you!

Regards,
Purnima

Dear Sindhu
I admire the way you answer all questions..sho shweeeeet....

AC:

Thanks! I have to make do with windowsill gardening for the time being, so this is a nice outlet.

Purnima:
There are many nurseries outside Bangalore (not very far). If you drive along one of the highways like Bellary road / Kanakapura road (to name a few) you will come across a few nurseries.

Happy gardening!

Sindhu

Ladies!

I have got strawberries in my plant!!! I wanted to share the joy with all of you!! Thank u all so much for all ur help!

Purnima

Dear Purnima
Great job..Congrats
This is how I feel on your success..keep sharing:)

hi friends, here in kashmir strawberries are ready in spring (april).From the last few years I have been troubled by garden snails which eat up the ripe fruit.How shall i eep them away?please help humera