Page 1 of 1

How to tell when an alpine strawberry is ripe?

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:16 pm
by oggy
I have a lot of alpine strawberries bearing fruit now. They're very fragrant and smell absolutely delicious. However when I picked two off my largest plant, they had very little taste at all and were white on the inside.

How can I tell when they're ripe? Do the seeds turn from red to green/brown?
These strawberries are quite large. Here's a picture of one of the two I picked off.
Image

Re: How to tell when an alpine strawberry is ripe?

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:00 pm
by Lindsaylew82
The seeds will stay red.

Have you had a lot of rain lately? Lots of water can make them have an insipid blah flavor.

We had a large patch of yellow and red Alpine Strawberries when we lived in PA. I've not smelled strawberries as wonderful as they smelled since. And the flavor....gah. I miss that patch! Too much rain or watering made them bland, although it didn't affect the aroma.

I just love alpines!

Re: How to tell when an alpine strawberry is ripe?

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:16 pm
by Lindsaylew82
They like to run, too. They don't make runners like other strawberries, the grow underground runner roots that produce new crowns. Pots inhibit that growth, unless you have them in a barrel or something REALLY wide mouthed. Alpines produce many more berries if they can run. The plants we had gave at least a pound per season, and then some, per plant! But they had LOTS of room to grow!

The older crowns produce larger berries, like the ones I'm your picture. :()

Re: How to tell when an alpine strawberry is ripe?

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:06 am
by valley
They pull off pretty easy when they're ripe. Then, if when you place it in you mouth, momentarily close you're eyes, then break into a smile and utter a three syllable moan............it's ripe!