Temperatures

For summer planted cold stored runners, the temperature should be kept as cool as possible prior to fruiting. Give as much ventilation as possible and if necessary damp down the floors and alley ways to try to keep the temperature below 24°C. Temperatures above this will reduce plant size and result in smaller berries and reduced crop yield.

If heat is available, temperatures towards the end of September when the weather starts to cool should be maintained at 16°C (day) and 10°C (night). After cropping the temperature should be reduced to 12°C (day) and 8°C (night) for 3-4 weeks. This allows sufficient time for crown regeneration and for the plants to initiate next year's crop.

For the spring crop if heating is to be given temperature ranging of 12°C (day) and 8°C (night) should be used to start growth during early February. Once flower buds are visible, increase the day temperature to 14°C with a night temperature of 10°C and during flowering give good ventilation once the temperature rises above 18°C. In the fruiting phase the day temperature should be maintained at 15-16°C with the night temperature of 8-10°C.

Elsanta requires a period of chilling over the winter to break dormancy and a record of temperatures should be kept from mid-November to late January. If a sufficient number of cold units have not occurred by late January, night break lighting is required to break dormancy.