Pinching Everbearing Strawberry blossoms?

Question

I'm growing strawberries this year. I have an everbearing plant which is growing well. I read that I'm supposed to pinch the blossoms until late June. Should I do pinch off just the blossoms, or the whole stem holding the blossoms? Is it best to do this when the blossoms first appear as buds or to wait until they have opened? What exactly does this do for the plant and how does it help to have better strawberries later? Should I do this every year with the plant?

Answer 1

1) Just the blossom or the stem - it doesn't matter - the stem wouldn't grow another blossom anyhow.
2) You can just do it when you see them - then the plant won't be wasting energy.
3) It just helps it get more established. Instead of putting energy into growing berries, it can put energy into growing roots.
4) I wouldn't - next year, it will be big and strong to begin with.

Answer 2

Normally, pinching off is done only the first year to promote spreading of plants. The pinching off provides runners with more energy to grow. Since they are everbearing, you should still get berries later this season. Just a note: I have never pinched the blossoms off and have had great luck growing them and spreading.