How do I make my strawberry plants to stop producing runners and start producing flowers?

This is my first time with strawberries. I planted three plants six months ago. They are producing runners like mad. Its midsummer here in Australia. They haven%26#039;t produced a single flower. I had bought the plants from a reputable nursery. I gave the plants some potash but they still didn%26#039;t flower. Can someone help?

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersThe plants you planted are the %26quot;mother plants.%26quot; They will put out runners. Do not cut the runners until the end of the second year. Next year you will have some strawberries. The third year you will have more than you can use. You must cut the runners at the end of the second year because the mother plants will die after three years and the entire colony will die with them if you haven%26#039;t cut the runners loose. Don%26#039;t over fertilize. God bless you.
Reply:You should not expect a lot of fruit this year,


let the runners grow and next year (fall), cut off or till under the oldest plants then mulch. You should have a good crop next year. Don%26#039;t cut off the runners.





You should have a good crop next year no matter what but, if you don%26#039;t cut your oldest plants back yearly, You will receive very few strawberries in about 5-7 years. New growth is necessary for continuous fruit growth.





I have the type %26quot;Ozark Beauty%26quot; they are ever-bearing which means that they flower and produce fruit from late late spring until frost.





unit
Reply:You have to keep pinch off the runners and removing the dead leaves. Also fertilize them.
Reply:My understanding is that strawberries in Australia will produce runners like mad during the summer (now). This is normal and should be encouraged if you want to extend your strawberry patch (they can be removed if you do not wish to have a larger patch of strawberries). Strawberries planted in autumn or winter in Australia will begin to flower in September and produce berries the following month. So just be patient and you will enjoy a crop next spring. Here are some excellent resources for growing %26amp; caring for strawberries:





http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/...


http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/...


http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/strawberrie...super nanny