Bill

It's recommended that strawberry seeds be chilled before planting, so if you didn't, maybe that's why a bunch didn't germinate.

I can't help you with your questions, but if I have room, I may try the Alpines from seed next year myself! Or maybe I'll save some of the seeds from the Mesabi strawberries I've just planted and see if they'll grow next year!

Here is a link that might be useful: An improved technique for the germination of strawberry seeds

My girlfriend grew some alpine strawberries from seed last year and they did amazingly well. She had dozens of strawberries from just one plant. They were small because they were alpine strawberries, but they were very sweet. Once the strawberries started forming they continued until frost. I would have NEVER thought they would grow that fast from seed. She is growing more this year. I wouldn't be surprised if you had strawberries in your first season.

Oh and seed leaves are called cotyledons.

Bill,

The timing seems about right to me if you've got them growing at cool to moderate temps. I'm growing alpines this year and it took at least a month for them get to first true leaf but only a week or so to go from 1 to 2 sets.

Don't know yet about fruit this year from them but I'd bet that they'll be ready for the ground whenever you are ... I've got the flat outside all day already and they are quite happy about the natural light, even though it's in the 30's for a good chunk of the morning.

I grew alpines and fresca's from seed and the germination was low for both. I did eat strawberries from the alpines in the 1st year. The rabbit that lives under the holly tree keeps eating the fresca's. The plants, not the berries. So I didn't get berries from them YET!

Im lucky my 3 dogs keep the majority of the rabbits, birds and squirrels outta my veggies and berrys.

I have started them inside and they are still under lights. Its supposed to be cloudy and rainy the next few days so I will begin to harden them off and then out they go. After I build my raised beds that is.

I did check the web and it says 120 to maturity after sowing seed. So that should put my in berrys roughly june- july, so I should get some this summer. yeah for me. :)

Thanks guys. This site is great.