Please help my wild strawberry and mini tomato plants

[TC2]

Hi all, hope you’re all doing well.

I grew my mini tomatoes and wild strawberries in the Click N Grow system, but transferred them to soil a month ago (4 weeks) in pots outdoors (along with a basil that is doing fine). They’ve been doing good, but need some help!!

When I removed the mini tomatoes from the click n grow, I removed the existing tomatoes and transplanted to the pot. The wild strawberries had no strawberries at that point, so also just transplanted. I added soil, perlite, and bone meal to all pots. Then mulch to help retain moisture

The first thing I wanted to ask, how should I trim the mini tomatoes and wild strawberries now? I’ve included many photos that I took 4 days ago of both.

I don’t believe I need to pollinate them…there are honey bees all around the area I put them in. I’ve gotten a few strawberries already.

For the strawberries, first here is the album, please follow the link by clicking the image, there are 7 photos:

I don’t really see any runners for the strawberries, they just shoot up towards the sun. I notice there’s only strawberries really coming out at the bottom of the plant and not really the other flowers. Do I need to remove stems and leaves that are blocking light to flowers?
Also as of today rather than 4 days ago, the remaining strawberries at the bottom in my photos haven’t finished their growth, and are rotting, turning black.
The plant seems to be under attack by white flies or aphids. I also included a photo of what seems to be Japanese Beetles on them which are apparently really bad, they already skeletonizing some of my leaves. I chase them away and didn’t see them today, but I assume all these bugs are making the plant sick? Or did is it a fertilizing issue? Maybe I should add blood meal? Should I employ some lady bugs? I worry if I put a net over the plant with lady bugs to take care of the infestation, honey bees can’t get to it to pollinate.

As for the tomatoes, here is the album, please follow the link by clicking the image, there are 5 photos:

I am not sure how to trim it at all. It’s exploding with leaves, and flowers now. But a lot of the flowers are hidden under leaves and don’t receive sunlight. Also a lot of the lower leaves are sort of near the soil, with the mulch sort of blocking direct contact. I know at a minimum I should cut those, but even the ones with flowers? Also should I add blood meal as well? Bugs seem to be leaving this one alone.

Please let me know how to proceed. I asked elsewhere and couldn’t get any replies.

Thanks!!!

[Debora]

Hello @TC2!

Your plants are looking great — definitely a sign of a successful gardening journey!

Good call on removing the fruits before transplanting. Many gardeners also recommend removing any flowers at planting time, as it helps the plant focus on rooting first.

Strawberries thrive in fresh soil and sunshine, and these should keep producing fruit for years. No need to trim mini tomatoes or wild strawberries right now. It’s normal for strawberry plants to lose a few leaves here and there — just snip off any brown or damaged ones at the base when you see them.

And yes — the pollinators are doing their job! No need for hand pollination.

This type of wild strawberry doesn’t send out runners, so if you want to propagate, dividing the plant is a good method.

If you’re seeing berries rot, it could be due to high humidity or poor airflow around the fruit. You can remove a few of the lower leaves to help air circulation. The plants may take a little while to adjust to the new pot, but they already look green and healthy. If you notice the leaves starting to yellow, it might be time to boost nutrients a bit.

As for the pests — those do look like Japanese beetles. Try picking them off by hand if possible. Many gardeners also use a gentle soap-water spray, or shake the plants in the morning when beetles are sluggish and dispose of any that fall off. Unfortunately, they don’t have many natural predators outside of Japan, and ladybugs don’t do much to control them.

[Debora]

Sounds like your mini tomato (dwarf variety) is doing really well — that explosion of leaves and flowers is a good sign!

For these small/dwarf types, you don’t need to do much trimming at all. They’re bred to stay compact and grow low to the ground, so heavy pruning can do more harm than good.

I’d suggest:

• Only remove leaves that are yellowing or clearly damaged. Healthy green leaves — even if they’re low or shading a flower — should be left alone. The plant can still fruit just fine, even if some flowers aren’t getting full sun.
• Leaves near the soil? As long as they’re not touching wet dirt or starting to rot, they’re usually fine — especially if your mulch is keeping them off the soil. Just keep an eye on airflow.
• No need to remove flowers, even the ones under leaves. Let the plant do its thing — you’ll probably still get a good yield.

As for blood meal, I’d skip it unless you’re seeing signs of nitrogen deficiency (like pale leaves or super slow growth). If your plant is leafy and vigorous, it doesn’t need more nitrogen. Too much can reduce fruiting.

And it’s awesome that bugs are leaving it alone — that’s half the battle won right there!

Hope that helps — feel free to update with pics or more questions if you’re unsure about anything!

[TC2]

Hi Debora. Thanks so much for your replies!

Ah yes, it’s been really humid this past week, so maybe that’s why. Regarding the fresh soil, so what happens when it’s time to replace the soil? Wouldn’t I be tearing at the roots when I try to take it out of the pot to put new soil? I am very new to gardening, I only did basil last year until they got infested with white flies (which are the same ones I’m about to talk about below) and ended up dying.

When you say super slow growth for the tomato plant, do you mean the leaves or the fruit themselves? So far lots of flowers but don’t see any really starting to produce fruit.

Glad to hear they’re doing better then I thought! As for the ladybugs, I meant getting them for the white flies or aphids that are infesting my strawberry plant. As of today, there’s tons of them just camping on the underside of leaves, and seem to be making their way down to the soil/mulch. Also unfortunately they have now spread to my tomato plant and my basil

Should I employ lady bugs, or maybe I read Neem oil?