Strawberry varieties are divided into sexes, male, (staminate or
bi-sexual), usually indicated by the letter “B”; and female,
(pistillate), by “P.”
The blossoms of the male varieties contain both male and female organs
and are self-fertilizing while the blossoms of the female varieties
contain only female organs and are dependent upon the pollen produced by
the male varieties for fertilization. For this reason it is necessary to
set plants of pistillate varieties in rows between rows of bisexuals of
the same fruiting season. The pollen is carried by the wind and bees and
in this manner, the blossoms of the pistillates become fertilized. Three
or four rows of pistillates may be set with only one row of bisexuals on
each side of the group.
Even with male varieties the crop may be increased and the quality of
the berries improved if several bisexuals are set in the same patch as
this provides an interchange of pollen which Nature intended.
Strawberry varieties do not mix or become crossed through the runners.
Everbearers may be set beside standard varieties, or any number of
different varieties may be grown side by side in a garden or field
without mixing unless the runners of one variety are allowed to spread
and take root in a row of another variety. Prevent this by restricting
runners of each variety to their respective rows.