On 04/11/2012 15:36, The Original Jake wrote:
On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 11:04:23 +0000, Broadback
wrote:

I have just planted out into containers some strawberry plants. Due to
stupidity I have put far, far too much into the compost. Will the
strawberry plant be OK, or do I need to re-pot them?

What compost did you use? If John Innes No 2 or 3, definitely repot
completely as you risk waterlogging and root rot over winter. JI
composts retain enough moisture without help!

If it's multipurpose, gauge it by the swelling. If the compost is
swelling up proud of the containers, then repot completely. If it's
swelling up through the inch or so gap you left between top of compost
and top of container (you did leave a gap?) then remove and replace
the top half of the compost. Given your explanation, I think this is
probably the minimum you should do anyway.

Water retaining crystals should generally only be used at the bottom
of the depth to which you want the roots to develop - the bottom half
of a container for example. Otherwise they retain moisture at the top
and release it to roots which then don't develop properly. They are
usually a summer addition to annual hanging baskets and planters. I
wouldn't use them at all with perennial plants (such as strawbs).

Given the time of year, make sure your containers can drain - if on a
hard surface, lift them up using pot stands or similar. After
repotting, it would be best to place the containers where they will
get some shelter from rain to avoid waterlogging and root rot.

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Urgling from the East End of Swansea Bay where sometimes
it's raining and sometimes it's not.

Many thanks for all the help. I have now re-potted them, as they were
only in for less than 48 hours I reckon they will be OK.