strawberry plant - cut the flowers or not?

[united4ever]

Hi, bought 5 strawberry plants a few weeks ago and they have syarted flowering....should i remove the flowers? I understand there will be mo fruit this summer but would like to get them in the best state for a few strawberries next summer

Also, a couple of leaves have gone brown at the edges....what could cause this and should i remove those leaves? They are in the greenhouse and watered daily.

I'm no gardener but I think the middle of the flower turns into the strawberry, so I don't think you want to cut them off?

peachypips you're right the middle part does become the berry but strawberry plants don't die in the Winter, they come back again in Spring over and over. OP is wondering whether by removing the flowers this year and making the plants invest their energy into making leaves instead of fruit, by next season they will be really strong plants that make lots and lots of fruit; if that makes sense.
OP sorry I have no answer, I've never done it myself but have also never had amazing amounts of strawberries so am going to watch this thread with interest to see if it's something I should try!

Ooo how interesting! I had no idea you could do something like that. The scientific side of gardening baffles me! Thank you for explaining it to me.

Conventional wisdom says to cut off the flowers in the first growing season to let the plant establish its roots.

I've never bothered!! But I can't get huge harvests where I am!

I dont bother - you may get a few fruit, and then loads of runners for extra plants next year. The best harvests are from plants 2-4 years old normally.