Question of the Week – Boron or Pollination

This week, the question was: What is wrong with this strawberry?

This funky shape is the result of either poor pollination or a boron deficiency. The easiest way to distinguish the cause is by taking a tissue sample to look at nutrient levels in the plants. If misshaped berries are common across the whole field, boron may be the culprit. Poor pollination often occurs on some of the first berries to ripen, but usually goes away as temperatures warm and bees become more active (assuming bee populations are sufficient in the area). Placing bee hives on the edge of the field is a great way to remedy pollination issues. If boron is the problem, applying a boron fertilizer through the drip will be necessary.