Have you ever seen those hideous, misshaped strawberries? If so, you might have wondered what causes deformed strawberries to be that way. Well, Strawberry Plants .org is dedicated to bringing light to all things related to the strawberry plant. And, unfortunately, deformed strawberries are a fact of life.
Hopefully, with the information contained within this post, you will never have to deal with your own mutant strawberries. Who wants to eat hideous fruit when nice, red, symmetrical fruit can be had? But, if you find yourself out in the strawberry bed picking your own deformed strawberries, here is what you need to know:
What Are Deformed Strawberries Called?
There are different names for a deformed strawberry. The most common two names for such berries are “nubbins” and “button berries.” Of course, the more generic adjectives are also often applied: mutant strawberries, deformed strawberries, runt strawberries, monster strawberries, etc.
What Causes Deformed Strawberries?
There are two main types of misshapened strawberries. The nubbins and button berries are the first type. The second type is referred to as cockscomb strawberries or fasciated strawberries. Each type of deformity is caused by different agents and can be lumped together in general groups. The button strawberries or nubbins are caused by external damaging agents, while the other deformities are more benign.
Nubbins and button strawberries are caused by external, usually damaging agents. Feeding by tarnished plant bugs or certain types of mites will cause them. Cold injury (specifically frost damage to the pistillate part of the flower) and nutrient deficiencies (particularly a lack of calcium or boron) will cause deformed strawberries to form. Additionally, inadequate pollination can result in poorly formed strawberries. Another cause for the formation of nubbins is very hot temperatures (the high temperatures damage the pollen viability). And, lastly, the application of the 2,4-D amine formulated weed killer (Amine 4), which is commonly used in the first step of traditional strawberry renovation, can cause deformed berries if sprayed while fruit buds are forming during the months of August and September.
The other type of deformed strawberries have a cockscomb or fasciated appearance, hence their name. Fasciated strawberries and cockscomb strawberries look like several strawberries have fused and grown together as a single fruit with multiple points. This deformity is usually caused by either short daylight intervals or cold, dry weather during the fall. Often, the deformed strawberries are produced on strawberry plants when varieties developed and adapted for northern growing are instead grown in southern regions.
Deformed Strawberries: Conclusion
No one wants to grow deformed strawberries. But, occasionally, the dream of harvesting bushels of bright red, perfectly-shaped strawberries dies a cruel death on the rocks of reality. If you find yourself plucking puny and puckered fruits, evaluate the conditions in which the strawberries are grown. You may have a pest infestation or soil deficiencies. Or, you may have simply planted a cultivar that is ill-suited to your location. For each problem, there are usually steps that can be taken to remedy the problem that is causing your deformed strawberries. A good place to begin for information on successful strawberry cultivation is the Growing Strawberries page.
my strawberries are forming with the tip of the strawberry forming a tight hard point covered with seeds. the first of the berries were perfect, but the last of this crop are misformed. they taste nice but I have to cut away the hard tight part at the top of the strawberry. the plants are very healthy. HELP
dottie,
More than likely, your strawberries are just not quite ripe. If the strawberry is generally normal-shaped with a whitish or green tip, give it a few more days. See the Strawberry Picking page for examples of each stage of strawberry ripening. Feeding by certain insects can also cause damage where the tip of the strawberry doesn’t mature. See the page on Deformed Strawberries for more information.
Are they safe to eat?
Mr Jimmy,
Absolutely. Deformed strawberries are just ugly. I would recommend cutting off the affected parts, however.
I often get non-standard shaped strawberries and I think they’re beautiful. Why should strawbs all look the same? Whilst the supermarkets would reject anything less than perfectly-shaped, IMO home-growers should embrace these natural variations. Vive le difference!
Kevs,
For the most part, I agree! And, you are correct about the supermarkets. They have a fairly rigorous quality control system that only allows near-flawless berries to make it into the little plastic trays. But, some deformities make for not-so-tasty strawberries. The natural and HEALTHY funny-shaped strawberries are fine and dandy, but the sick misshaped ones are (or should be!) for the birds.
Thanks, Mr. S; fortunately I’ve never had a problem with ‘sick’ strawberries, but I get small and misshapen ones every year. I grow mine in garden beds, which I’ve just de-weeded and refreshed, so hoping for a superb crop next year. I live in in England. Thank you for a very informative and interesting website. Cheers
Hi! I live in Windsor, Ontario (Canada). Is it possible to grow strawberries here?
Hanna,
Yes, it is. They will actually do just fine there, but you need to get a cold-hardy variety and take extra care in the Winter to ensure your plants don’t suffer cold injury. Good luck!
Hey there,
for a little while before we moved to Warkworth the plant had sort of died off, I managed to get it going again (using watered down chicken poop) the plant looks amazing lovely and green but no proper strawberries! Do I need to transfer the plant to a better location? (Ie. bigger pot, or something more suited for strawberries??) your help would be much appreciated! I nearly have up and got rid of the whole plant and starting from fresh again!
I live in Warkworth New Zealand and am having problems with my strawberries. We have them in a terra cotta pot at the moment, lots of foliage! But very small strawberries. Not even the shape of strawberries.
Erin,
Chicken poo has very high nitrogen levels. It could be that they have too much of it to want to produce proper strawberries. This may help: 10 Reasons Your Strawberry Plants Don’t Produce. Good luck!